Nikon’s reform.

Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования «Национальныи? исследовательскии? университет "Высшая школа экономики"»
Санкт-Петербургскии? филиал федерального государственного автономного образовательного учреждения высшего профессионального образования
«Национальныи? исследовательскии? университет"Высшаяшколаэкономики"»
Факультет Санкт-Петербургская школа экономики и менеджмента Департамент менеджмента


Реферат


На тему  «Nikon’s reform»





 Направление «История»

Образовательная программа«Менеджмент»









Студентка группы № 151
Дрознина Е. Д.


Санкт-Петербург


2016


Content:

Introduction.	3
Maturing of the church reform.	4
Rise of Nikon.	6
Church reforms of Patriarch Nikon.	8
Nikon’s failure.	11
Split.	13
Conclusion.	15
References:	16




















Introduction.

Church reforms of Patriarch Nikon played an important role not only in the development of Russian spiritual culture, but also in the history of Russia as a whole.
This topic is really relevant. On this occasion, written many  books and scientific articles. It seemed that such  period as 350 years that have passed since the split in the Russian Orthodox Church, which occurred under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, had sufficient time to study and determine the causes of the tragedy of division, which seriously affected on Russia. But, unfortunately, the roots and causes of the Old Believers1 of the Russian Orthodox Church, has not yet been fully disclosed in the historical literature, and very far from clear understanding.

These church reforms were supporters and opponents of their conduction. The same attitude is preserved in our time. Each of the parties put forward their arguments in order to prove their innocence and in different ways interprets the events of those days. Proponents of reform argue that these reforms contributed to the elimination of differences in church affairs ,that existed between the Greek Church and the Russian. They also point to the inevitability of these reforms, which in their opinion, would be carried out by any other patriarch. Opponents argue that the development of the church in Russia went its own way and cast a doubt on the validity of the Greek church books and rites, which were taken as a model by Nikon. In their view, it was necessary to learn from the Greek Church Russian and not Russian from Greek. They consider that Nikon was true destroyer of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was, according to them, while on the rise.
Of course, the most prevalent supporters of Nikon's reforms. Among them and the present Russian Orthodox Church. So now more historical sources, written by followers of these reforms. For a better understanding, it is necessary to understand the reasons  and premises for these reforms ,to find out what forces have contributed to its implementation, study  figure of Nikon as reformist and patriarch,  identify  reasons for its rise and fall, to know the circumstances that led to the split in Russian society and to assess the impact of reforms on Russian .
Maturing of the church reform.

Church reform of patriarch Nikon is the most important historical fact of Russian cultural heritage. This reform was intended to eliminate all discrepancies in the church books and odds about  church ceremonies.

By the middle of XVII century finally confirmed the idea that the Russian Orthodox Church is the only successor of Orthodoxy in the world. Until the XV century, it was believed that Russia is the spiritual heir of Vyzantiya, where she received the baptism. But at the beginning of the XV century Vyzantiya became increasingly subjected to raids by Turkish hordes, which seriously undermined the country's economy. These raids have led to the treatment of the Greek Emperor for help to the head of the Roman Catholic Church. And to the Pope, without any  doubt to help, it was also invited to join the Catholic and Orthodox Church, and with apparent concessions to Catholicism. In 1439 a document was signed by the Union of Florence in the Italian city of Florence, which cemented the merger agreement. The Vyzantine governor of the Moscow Metropolitan Isidore also signed the agreement. This action caused a sharp resentment in Moscow, and was seen as a betrayal of the Orthodox Church. In place of the deposed Isidore Cathedral Russian bishops elected metropolitan. In 1453 the Vyzantine Empire fell and in its place arose the Ottoman Empire. In Russia, this fact was perceived as an accomplished punishment of God for apostasy from Vyzantine Orthodoxy.
In the context of strengthening of the Russian autocratic monarchy more acutely raised the question of the priority of state power over the church. Orthodox clergy played a leading role in public life. Because of the Russian Orthodox Church succeeded in liberating Russia from the Tatar yoke and unite into a single centralized state. Another major role played by the Orthodox Church in overcoming the Troubles and the approval of the throne of the Romanov dynasty. However, in spite of his desire to play an independent role, the Russian Orthodox Church has always been depending on the public authorities. This is very different from the Roman Catholic Church, has full autonomy in ecclesiastical affairs. The authority of the royal political power in Russia was higher than the church.
One of the first church reforms were carried out on the initiative of the king and the Metropolitan in 1551. These reforms have been adopted on the basis of the decisions of the Council of the Russian Church. Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church called Hundred Chapters because of the number of chapters in the book, which were fastened his decision. Cathedral secured the unification of all Russians pantheon of saints, a common worship and ceremonies, established general rules (canons) for church painting. It was also stated about the high moral value of the church, the pastoral ministry of priests. The Council condemned debauchery, drunkenness and vagrancy monks. In the church it was entrusted to the device schools for the laity.



Council had taken up the issue of church land ownership. It was decided to leave the availability of land for the church, but later accept a gift of land only with the permission of the king. Soon, the Moscow government resolution was passed in 1580 that prohibited ecclesiastical persons and institutions to buy and take a pledge of land.
Russian Orthodox Church before the exalted that received the patriarchate. Instead, Moscow Metropolitans started it all-Russian patriarchs . Patriarchate contributed further flourishing of the Russian Church. Moscow won the right to be called the Third Rome.
Beneficial effect on the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret conversion (in the world - Fedor Nikitich), father of Tsar Mikhail Romanov. During the reign of Mikhail Romanov Filaret were ordered taxes, cut benefits taxable monasteries conducted registration of land resources, strengthened judiciary, curbed red tape and arbitrariness of local voivodship administration.
By the middle of XVII century the fundamental changes taking place in society and state, caused by the desire to strengthen the centralization of the Russian Church and to strengthen its role in the unification of the Orthodox churches in Ukraine and the Balkan nations, is strongly demanded a new church reform. The immediate occasion for the church reform was the need to fix the liturgical books. They accumulate and became apparent discrepancies with the modern Greek church practice and any questions about the rites of the Russian Orthodox Church. But in the sixteenth century was obviously seen a lot of inconsistencies and omissions in the church books, particularly in the translation of liturgical texts: some translators knew Greek badly, the other Russian. Many mistakes were made illiterate monks scribes who copied the church documents.
In 1645 Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and patriarch Iosif, to get thorough confirmation of these inconsistencies sent to the East for exploring the holy places and descriptions of the Greek church officials Arseniy Sukhanov2, versed in the affairs of the embassy and knows Greek.
Smoot has shaken the foundations of power. It was necessary to restore and strengthen the autocracy. In foreign policy, of paramount importance for public authorities acquired the reunification of Ukraine and Russia, and the war with Poland. This was due to the beginning of the 1648 liberation war of Ukrainian people against Polish gentry authority. Begin to address these issues, not eliminating religious and ritual differences between the Russian and Greek Churches and overcoming the negative attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church hierarchs to the Ukraine, it was, at least, imprudent. But the events of 1649 - 1651 . in the area of ??the church and especially the deterioration of the relationship between the secular and ecclesiastical authorities, have played a part, and a positive role. Their consequence was that the Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and his immediate entourage secular felt the enormity and complexity of the changes that had to be carried out in the religious sphere, and the inability to carry out such reforms without the closest alliance with the ecclesiastical authority. Alexis also realized that not enough to have the head of the church a supporter of such reform. The success of the transformation of church life in Russia by Greek model was available only to a strong patriarchal authority is independent and has a high political authority and capable of centralizing the management of the church. This determined the subsequent attitude of Tsar Alexei to church authority.


Rise of Nikon.

The uncertainty, especially in the early years of the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich encouraged to seek support in people, the ability to share with him the burden of power. Since the first of his mentor and a tutor was boyar Boris Morozov. Behind him came  Nikon, the circumstances of his elevation suggest that Alexei Mikhailovich himself has prepared this event.


Nikon (before he became a monk, Nikita Mings) has all the necessary qualities for Tsar Alexei. He was born in 1605 in Nizhny Novgorod in a peasant family. Richly endowed by nature with energy, intelligence, excellent memory and susceptibility, Nikon early, with the help of a village priest, seized a diploma, professional knowledge and a servant of the church in the 20 years he became a priest in his village. In 1635, he became a monk in the Solovetsky Monastery and was appointed in 1643 Kozheozersky abbot of the monastery. In 1646 Nikon at the monastery affairs was in Moscow, where he met with the king Alexei. He made a most favorable impression on the king, and therefore obtained a position of archimandrite influential metropolitan Novospassky Monastery.
King brought those traits from Nikon in which he was lacked. Nikon seemed to him a man without a doubt. Communication with the patriarch gave confidence to the young emperor, made him self-sufficient.
Nikon understanding of the situation and shamelessly exploited suspiciousness Alexei: the efforts of the patriarch king had learned the simple idea that Nikon is next to him and prays to him in all personal and family affairs it will be successful and lucky.
New archimandrite became friends with Stefan Vonifatevym and other metropolitan zealots, went into their company, he has repeatedly talked about faith and rituals with the Jerusalem Patriarch Paisius ,when he was in Moscow and became an active figure in the church. Before the king he played mostly as responsible for the poor, the disadvantaged and innocent prisoners, and won the trust and its location. Becoming in 1648 on the recommendation of the king Metropolitan of Novgorod, Nikon showed himself to be a resolute and energetic ruler, and a zealous advocate of piety. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich impressed by the fact that Nikon moved away from the point of view of provincial zealots on church reform and became a supporter of the plan for transformation of church life in Russia for the Greek model.
The success of the transformation of church life in Russia by Greek model was available only to a strong patriarchal authority is independent and has a high political authority and capable of centralizing the management of the church. This determined the subsequent attitude of Tsar Alexei to church authority.
The choice fell on the king Nikon, and this choice is supported by the royal confessor Stephen Vonifatiev. Kazan Metropolitan Cornelius and in the capital of zealots, not privy to the plans of the king, filed a petition with a proposal to elect a patriarch Stephen Vonifateva, the most influential and respected member of the circle. Reactions to the king a petition is not followed, and Stefan declined the offer and aggressively encouraged its followers candidacy Nikon. The last was also a member of the circle. Therefore zealots in the new petition to the king in favor of the election of Patriarch Nikon, who was then Metropolitan of Novgorod.
However, with the rise of Nikon revealed other aspects of his character and convictions. Known intolerance, harshness and even cruelty ruler against people who were under his authority. Nikon with youth considered himself chosen by God, believed in his high destiny. This belief is strengthened in it unusually fast ecclesiastical career and contributed to the development of inordinate ambition, lust for power and the inclination to despotism. While still Metropolitan of Novgorod, he rightly considered himself the only viable candidate for the patriarchate.
The essence of his ambitious plans was to ensure to eliminate the dependence of the church from secular authorities, to put it in church affairs and royal power above itself, becoming the patriarch, to take at least equal to the king position in the Russian government.

Church reforms of Patriarch Nikon.
The implementation of his plan, Nikon began in 1652, even before the death of the patriarch Iosif, using the canonization of the Church of Metropolitan Philip Kolycheva whom was killed on the orders of Ivan the Terrible. He organized the transfer of the relics of Philip to Moscow and has made obtaining a prayer service the Tsar, in which Alexey admitted guilt of his ancestor Ivan the Terrible front of the church and prayed for forgiveness. A more decisive step was followed by July 25, 1652, when the church council has elected Patriarch Nikon and the king approved the election results. On this day in the Kremlin's Assumption Cathedral for the consecration of the newly elected patriarch gathered king, members of the royal family, the Boyar Duma and members of the church council. Nikon appeared only after sending him a number of delegations from the king. Nikon has announced that it can not accept the status of the patriarch. The consent only after he gave prayers of the king and council representatives present in the secular and ecclesiastical authorities. In this way they petition, and, above all, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, pledged to obey Nikon in all that he would say. This act greatly raised the prestige of the new patriarch.
Secular authorities accepted the terms of Nikon because they thought this measure useful for church reform, and the patriarch of a reliable supporter of the reform plan. Moreover, in order to solve the priority foreign policy objectives (reunification with Ukraine, the war with Pospolita)3, which was supposed to promote the reform of the Church, the secular authorities went on further concessions. The king refused to intervene in the patriarch actions affecting church-ritual sphere. He allowed as part of Nikon in dealing with all that interested patriarch domestic and foreign affairs, he recognized Nikon as his friend, and began to call him a great sovereign, that is, as it were, granted him the title of that of the previous patriarchs had only Filaret Romanov. As a result, there was a close alliance of secular and ecclesiastical authorities, that is, the king and the patriarch.
The idea of ??Moscow as the sovereign protector and guardian of orthodoxy, so close self-awareness of the Russian people of the XVII century, turned the idea of ??the creation of the Ecumenical Orthodox kingdom under the scepter of the Romanovs. Nikon, during his ascension to the patriarchal throne, wished Alexei Mikhailovich, to the limits of his kingdom spread from sea to sea. The king was seriously excited about the idea of ??the liberation of the Orthodox.
Patriarch Nikon shortly after his election was the autocratic ruler of the Russian Church. He began by eliminating interference in church affairs of their former associates in the mug zealots. Nikon even ordered not to admit to myself protopopov, Ivan Neronov, Habakkuk, Daniel, and others. Their complaints are not supported neither the king nor Stephen Vonifatiev  nor Rtishchev who shied away from intervening in the activities of the patriarch.
By the end of 1652 some of the abbots of monasteries, to cater to the Nikon began obsequiously to call him a great monarch .In 50-ies XVII thanks to the energetic and determined activity Nikon carried out a range of measures, which define the content and nature of the church reform.
One of the first concerns was Nikon correction of books. After becoming patriarch, Nikon took fixes deal more systematically, not only engaged in correcting the error, guided by ancient Greek lists, and rites. Regarding the latter, he constantly consulted with the East. Correction rites had already, according to the ideas of that time, the invasion of the realm of faith, inexcusable assault. In the case of correcting Kiev and the East began to play an active, even primary role. Sharp protests appeard.
The texts of religious books had many of misprints and typos, omissions and minor differences in translations of the same prayers.

All deviations from the Russian Church did not go up to the Eastern dogma, were external, rituals but in the eyes of believers rite played a big role in all these digressions, they attached great importance to looking at them as a heresy.
In 1653 he returned Arseniy Sukhanov from the East, and in its report, which is called "Proskinitariy", stated the difference ceremonies in Moscow and the East.
Deconstructing the patriarchal library, Nikon found in her letter of approval of the patriarchate, which stated the need for full consent of the Orthodox Churches and of the strictest tenets. This prompted him to study whether the Russian Orthodox Church by the Greek law has not receded. As in the Creed, and in other books he saw the retreat. But to decide immediately on the vowel a systematic review of all of these derogations was hard on the importance of the case itself, and Nikon began to reform their private actions.
In 1653 Patriarch Nikon ordered during the reading of the prayer «Gospodi i Vladyka zhivota moego» 4instead of 12 to make 4 prostrations. This reform seemed intolerable to many Moscow priest who belonged to the circle of zealots5. Among them were the Annunciation priest Stephen Vonifatiev, the priest of the Moscow Kazan Cathedral, Ivan Neronov, Yuryev priest Avvakum6, and others. These individuals are dissatisfied with the loss of the influence which they enjoyed under Iosif dissatisfied constant speaks of corrections and the presence of the Greeks and the people of Kiev, recognized the new measure Nikon heretical. They later made up and submitted a petition to the king on the Nikon. Patriarch Nikon was accused of heresy.
The petition was unsuccessful. However, final break occurred between Nikon and "zealots" which led to the exile of some members of the group.
This encounter with Nikon's powerful priests of the Moscow circle at the very first step fixes conceived them showed him the impossibility to act at church one fixes. His personal disposition and in the future could cause the same controversy. It was necessary to convene a council that his authority would be supported and legitimized the case of correction.
In the spring of 1654 the patriarch with the sovereign convened the church council. The cathedral was attended by metropolitans 5, 5 archbishops and bishops, abbots and archimandrites 11 and 13 Protopopov. Cathedral began Nikon speech in which he pointed to the problem of religious books and rites, and argued the need to correct them. Council recognized that the correction is necessary, and ordered that all books must be corrected, referring to the ancient Greek and books. Only Bishop Paul of Kolomenski did not agree with the number of newly laid bows for prayer «Gospodi i Vladyka zhivota moego».
This contradiction shows that the Russian Cathedral of the decision may not be recognized by some that in such an important matter as the fix, you need a higher authority. Therefore, since the decision to execute the Cathedral, the patriarch and the king sent to Constantinople his letters, enclosing 26 questions for the correction of the case and asked the Patriarch of Constantinople Paisija answer these questions. Paissy summoned a council of Constantinople clergy who endorsed the "acts" Russian Cathedral and Nikon plans. Thus, the Greek Church was officially hired to fix the cause of Russian books.
The first book corrected "Missal"7,  was finally released in 1655. This book was read and pre-approved by the specially convened for this purpose, a spiritual cathedral, which was attended by hierarchs and the Greek patriarch of Antioch Macarius and autocephalous Serbian Metropolitan Gabriel.
At the same time correcting the books consulted and the correction of rites, which were convened councils and the council in 1656 for the first time took up the question of dvoeperstii. Meanwhile, the people manifested murmur on innovation: new places of books did not want to take, considering them corrupt. But people who could become the head of the protesters, while it was not.

Nikon’s failure.
Nikon in deciding cases within the competence of the imperial power, became in 1654-1656 a Great sovereign, the actual co-regent of Alexei Mikhailovich. During the war with Poland and Sweden for a long time the king left the capital. In these months, Nikon has played the role of head of government and self-deciding civil and military affairs.
Russian army in 1654-1655 years. with  support of the local population liberated the Smolensk region, Belarus and Lithuania took possession of the main fortresses. Russian-Ukrainian troops entered Galicia and took Lublin. Pospolita was on the verge of defeat. But after the invasion of the Swedish troops in its territory, Pospolita beginning to seek peace with Russia. Conceit Nikon and its activity is growing along with the successes of Russian foreign policy, as in determining its course, he also took an active part.
In 1655 the Holy Roman Empire together with Poland urged the Russian government to make peace with Poland and start a war against Sweden, which at that time completely took over Lithuania, which sought to join Russia. Also, they proposed the idea of ??the union of the Christian rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia for a joint struggle with the Ottoman Empire and the Crimea. Russia, overestimated his strength, made war against Sweden, without waiting for a peace treaty with Poland. A major role in this decision played the Patriarch Nikon, who was keen on expanding its power as the head of the church. That he bowed to the king of this decision.
The fallacy of the decision was revealed in late 1656 - early 1657, when the Russian army suffered defeat and the war with Sweden took a protracted nature. Complicate the situation of the Russian troops in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. And in February 1657, Russia had to seek peace with Sweden, which was concluded only in 1658 and from then on got stronger Pospolita resumed military operations against Russia.
For lack of foreign policy the king's entourage blamed on Nikon. Active intervention in virtually all the affairs of the state and the desire to impose throughout their decisions, including through threats (at least twice due to disagreement with the king of his advice Nikon threatened leaving the patriarchal cathedral), became impatient with the king. Started cooling of relations between them. Patriarch less frequently being invited to the royal palace, Alexis increasingly communicated with him via messenger from the courtiers and made attempts to limit its power, with which, of course, did not want to put up a Nikon. This variable was used secular and spiritual lords. At Nikon erected charges of violating laws, covetousness and violence.
Open confrontation between the king and the patriarch, Nikon, which has led to a drop occurred in July 1658 10 July 1658 the king did not appear at a solemn Mass in the Assumption Cathedral. Came after him, Prince Romodanovsky8 said to Nikon : "His Majesty has honored you as a father and pastor, but you do not understand now Majesty told me to tell you that you do not continue to write and was not called the great sovereign ". After the service, Nikon has announced the abandonment of the Patriarchal department. He hoped that his unprecedented move would cause confusion in government circles and in the country, and then he can dictate the terms of his return to the king. Such a situation did not suit the king's power.
The only way out was to overthrow Nikon and choosing the new patriarch. To this end, in 1660, it was convened by the council, which passed the decision to deprive him of the throne and patriarch priesthood, presenting Nikon charges of unauthorized removal from the Patriarchal department. Epiphany Slavinetsky, speaking, pointed to the illegality of the decision of the cathedral, as Nikon was not guilty of heresy, and had the right to judge him only the other patriarchs. Given the international reputation of Nikon, the king was forced to accept and dispose convene a new council with the participation of Ecumenical Patriarchs.
In November 1666 the patriarchs came to Moscow. December 1, Nikon brought to the cathedral church hierarchy, which was attended by the king and nobles. All charges patriarch or denied or referred to his ignorance. Nikon sentenced to deprivation of the patriarchal throne, but kept him the old title, prohibiting interfere "in the temporal affairs of the Moscow State and All Russia, in addition to his three monasteries, given to him and their estates; bo in them, If ye want, but thinks worldly affairs. "
December 12 the final verdict in the case of Nikon was announced. Place of exile the deposed patriarch identified Ferapontov Monastery.
But the question of the relationship between the priesthood and the secular authorities remained open. In the end, the disputing parties came to a compromise: "The king has the advantage of civil affairs, and the patriarch - in church."  This decision is not left of signature members of the cathedral and was not included in the official acts of the cathedral 1666-1667 .
13 May 1667 Cathedral of Saints Russian Orthodox East and condemned all, will not yield to the new rites and books. All those who did not recognize the decision of the council, were outside the church. It was the last act committed, simmering rift between supporters of the old faith - the Old Believers, and supporters of church reform that was conducted by Patriarch Nikon. Conversion discovered the underlying problems and contradictions in the life of Russian society, down for a long time.
Split.
The new patriarch of the church council elected Archimandrite of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery Iosif. At the request of the Eastern Patriarchs convened council condemned the old rites and quashed the decision Hundred Chapters of the cathedral in 1551 about these rites, as unfounded. Believers who adhere to the old rites and defended them, were condemned as heretics; It was ordered to wean them away from the church and the secular authorities - civil court judge them as the enemies of the church. Cathedral of the Decision on the old rituals helped design and consolidation of the split in the Russian Orthodox Church official, prevailed in society, the church and the Old Believers. Last in those conditions was hostile not only to the official churches, but also closely related to the state.
In 1650-1660 there was a movement of supporters of the old faith and the split in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Great demand entertaining narrative art, hysterical writings, including criticism of the church orders.
Serial spokesman and guide policy of hostility and intolerance towards Old Believers and other ecclesiastical opponents, heterodoxy, foreigners, their faith and customs, to secular knowledge was Joachim - patriarch with 1674 by 1690 Opponents desire for secular knowledge, rapprochement with the West and the spread of alien culture and customs were also the leaders of the division, including Avvakum, and established in the last third of the XVII century. Old Believer religious communities.
Imperial power actively supported the Church in the fight against a split and heterodoxy, and used at the same time the power of the state apparatus. It also initiated new measures aimed at improving the organization of the church and its further centralization.
The complexity and contradictions of the movement split emerged in the uprising in the Solovetsky Monastery 1668-1676 , Which began as a statement of supporters of the "old faith." The aristocratic elite "old men" acted against the church reforms of Nikon, the mass of ordinary monks - moreover - the democratization of the church, «бельцы", that is, monastic novices and workers - against feudal oppression, and in particular against the feudal order in the monastery.
The main means of struggle with the split were violent measures, which at the request of church leadership applied the secular power. The band began with the repression links ideologues split, refused to reconciliation with the official church at the Council in April 1666 one Avvakum and Lazarus, deacon Fedor and former monk Epiphanius were deported and detained in prison Pustozersk. For a link to the mass executions followed survivors of Solovetsky uprising (executed more than 50 people). In such a severe punishment insisted Patriarch Joachim. Severe punishment, including execution, often practiced at Fedor . (1676-1682 ). This provoked a new statement of dissenters during the Moscow uprising in 1682 The failure of rebellion supporters of the old faith "resulted in a penalty of their leaders. Hatred of the ruling class and the official church to split and schismatics gained expression in legislation. According to the decree of 1684, the dissenters were to be tortured and then, if they do not submit themselves to the official church, executed. Those of dissenters who, wanting to escape, submit to the church, and then return to split again, were to execute death without trial. This marked the beginning of mass persecution.



Conclusion.
After studying these issues, I can draw the following conclusion:
The origins of the name of the church reforms can be traced since the XV century, when there was a gap between the Orthodox Church of Constantinople and the Russian Orthodox Church. Important role in the maturing of the split played numerous deviations, errors and oversights made by translators and copyists of religious books. All these omissions in its entirety and served as the formal split of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The political forces that support the implementation of church reforms were: the king, the royal entourage and circle of "zealots", which consisted of influential clerics.
The rapid rise of Nikon contributed to his active participation in the Moscow circle "zealots". The young Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, is also included in this circle, henoticedNikon  and befriended him. It is on the recommendations of members of the circle "zealots" and also at the personal request of Alexei Mikhailovich Patriarch Nikon was approved. 
The fall of Nikon was natural. His active intervention in the management of the state did not like the surroundings of the king and the king himself, who has grown up and gained confidence and autonomy in governing the country. Nikon could retain the patriarchate, having gone to the king to make concessions, leading to the loss of its influence, but it is contrary to the nature of the Nikon.
Deeply religious Russian people could not abandon Church traditions and rituals that existed long ago. This, as well as the reluctance of some of the clergy to retrain older texts of religious books to new, led to church split Russian society. Those who refused to take a renewed faith, began to be called schismatics and subjected to the most severe persecution. The dissenters believed that they are forced to adopt a new  religion. The mass persecution of Old Believers began after deprivation lasted more than one century. Old Believer settlements began to spring up in Siberia, where before they could not reach a new church and royal power.
Church reforms that Nikon had certainly been necessary. It was necessary to gradually reform the Church, to religious people could get used to change. Believers do not have to be subjected to brutal repression. Of course, it can not be judged today on the events of that time.
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Andreev I. «Netihij Tishajshij», «Rodina» №9, 1998, p. 39;
Kozlov O. F. «Delo Nikona». «Voprosy istorii», №1, 1976 g.
Orlov A.S ,Georgiev V.A. ,Georgieva N.G.,T.f.Sivohina « Istoriya Rossii» Uchebnik 4-e izdanie,2012 g. 114-115;
Platonov S. F. «Lekcii po russkoj istorii. V 2-h chastyah». CHast' 1. – M.: VLADOS, 1994, p. 401-428;
Platonov S. F. Uchebnik russkoj istorii. S-Pb, «Nauka», 1994 g.
Polosin V. «Vtoroj Vavilon vmesto Tret'ego Rima», «Nauka i religiya» №1, 1992, p. 3;
«Chetyrnadcat' patriarhov», «Nauka i religiya» №10, 1989, p. 10;
Chernobaev A.A., Gorelov I.E., Zuev M.N. i dr.; Pod red. M.N. Zueva, A.A. CHernobaeva. – M.: Vyssh. shk., 2001, p. 81-82, 114-115.
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1The old believers, or the "ancient Orthodoxy" — the set of religious movements and organizations in the mainstream of the Russian Orthodox Church, rejecting undertaken in the 1650's- 1660's by Patriarch Nikon and Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in Church reform, the purpose of which proclaimed the unification of the liturgical rite of the Russian Church with the Greek Church and above all with the Church of Constantinople, but actually created the conditions for secularization.
2Hieromonk Arseny (in the world Anton Sukhanov Putilovec; 1600, d. Spitsino, .......................