Patriarch Nikon is a symbolic figure of the Orthodox Church

Orthodoxy remained the spiritual and religious basis of Russian society in the 17th century. It defined many aspects of life (from everyday issues to state issues) and interfered in the everyday life of both a simple peasant and a noble boyar. Since 1589, the head of the church is the patriarch. In his subordination there were metropolitans, bishops, archbishops, black monasticism and white clergy of villages and cities. Almost a whole century, they changed a lot. But none of them left such a trace in church history, like Patriarch Nikon.

The way to power

The future patriarch from the very beginning was a bright figure. His path to the coveted chair is amazing. Nikita Minich (the worldly name of Nikon) was born in 1605 in the poorest peasant family. He early orphaned and spent almost all his childhood in the Makariev Zheltovodsky monastery. Over time, he took the priesthood and first served in the Nizhny Novgorod neighborhood, and from 1627 - in Moscow. After the death of three young children, he persuaded his wife to go to the monastery, and even at 30 he took tonsure. In 1639 Nikon left the Anzersky monastery, left his mentor, the stern elder Eliazar, after which he lived for 4 years as a desert near the Kozheozersky monastery. In 1643 he became the mentor of the monastery. In 1646 he went to Moscow for church affairs. There the future patriarch Nikon got acquainted with Vonifatev and warmly accepted his program. At the same time, his own mind, looks and energy made a strong impression on the king. According to the words of Alexei Mikhailovich Nikon was approved archimandrite of the Novospassky monastery, which was the court abode of the Romanovs. From this moment his way to the rank of patriarch was swift. He was elected to them six years after his arrival in Moscow - in 1652.

Activities of Patriarch Nikon

He himself perceived it much wider than the simple transformation of church life, the modification of rituals and the editing of books. He sought to return to the foundations of the creed of Christ and forever to establish the place of the priesthood in Orthodoxy. Therefore, his first steps were aimed at improving the moral state of society. The patriarch initiated the publication of a decree that prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages in the city during the days of fasting and holidays. Especially it was impossible to sell vodka to priests and monks. The whole city was allowed to leave only one house. For foreigners, in which the patriarch Nikon saw the bearers of Protestantism and Catholicism, a German settlement was built on the banks of the Yauza, where they were evicted. This is what concerns social transformations. Inside the church, there is also a need for reform. It was connected with the differences in the rites of Russian and Eastern Orthodoxy. Also this issue was of political importance, since at that time the struggle against the Commonwealth for Ukraine began.

Church reforms of Patriarch Nikon

Briefly, they can be stated in several paragraphs:

1. Editing of biblical texts and other books that are used during worship services. This innovation resulted in the modification of some formulations of the Creed.
2. The sign of the Cross should now be composed of three fingers, and not of two, as before. Small earthly obeisances were also abolished.
3. Also, Patriarch Nikon ordered to hold the procession crosses not in the sun, but against.
4. The three-time pronunciation of the exclamation "Hallelujah!" Replaced the double.
5. Instead of seven prosphoras, proskomedia began to use five. Changed and a mark on them.