What is a single-faith church? When did she appear? What is the difference from a regular Orthodox church? Is it possible to understand that he is a believer before entering the temple?
Every person from the school history course is familiar with the name "Old Believers". Students are told about religious reforms that entailed a schism and persecution of those who did not accept the changes.
What is faith?
What does a single-faith church mean? This is one of the directions in the Old Believers, which appeared in the XVIII century. The main difference between conscientiousness and other Old Believer religious movements is that it recognizes the supremacy of the Moscow Patriarchate.
In other words, co-religionists are not fanatical adherents of professed views, they do not suit communities fenced off from the world in taiga wilds. They simply conduct services in a slightly different way, and their temples are found in almost every historically significant city. For example, there is a single-faith church in Moscow (and not one), there are parishes in St. Petersburg, in the Urals.
The Old Believers are often presented as a kind of gathering of “martyrs” who rebel against innovations. This is partly correct, but fellow believers are not. Adherents of this variant of Orthodoxy are quite adequate and do not try to resist changes or turn back time. They prefer to be part of the Russian Orthodox Church and obey the patriarch.
In the Soviet years, the single-faith church was in decline, its churches were alienated and desecrated just like all the others. However, from the end of the last century, faith has begun to revive.
What traditions adhere to the faith?
Single faith has no special, significant differences from ordinary Orthodoxy. The essence of religion is the same, the list and order of worship are also no different. The difference between fellow believers and ordinary Orthodox people is in their understanding of life organization, way of life and, of course, external manifestations of ritualism.
Confidence is characterized by such basic characterizing nuances:
- two-fingered while performing the sign of the Cross;
- preservation of ancient divine service ranks and following them;
- conducting ceremonies according to old-printed books published before the split;
- maintaining a traditional lifestyle consistent with the “Homebuilding”.
A single-faith church, as a building in which services are performed, has no differences from an ordinary Orthodox church, either outside or inside. It is almost impossible to understand before the start of the service that the temple belongs to the Old Believer direction.
What does it mean to be a fellow believer?
What does a single-faith church mean? This is, first of all, following a person to certain spiritual and moral traditions, and only then - lifestyle, nuances of ritualism and so on.
For a fellow believer, spiritual intimacy is important, close communication with other members of the community. For such a person, it is natural to:
- recitation of the midnight office and the baptist, that is, morning and evening prayers;
- compliance with posts;
- accompaniment by turning to the Lord of any undertaking;
- attending community services and meetings;
- donations to the temple;
- all possible assistance to fellow believers;
- constant spiritual self-education and development.
As for any features in clothing, there are no church prescriptions for this. If women in a community led by a single-faith church don’t use makeup, wear skirts “on the floor” and rarely take off their head scarves, then religion has nothing to do with it. The peculiarities of the manner of dressing is a personal affair of every person, although, of course, the concept of modesty and dignity is present in consensus, as in other areas of Christianity.
Today, the faith attracts many people because moral purity, following traditions and a literal understanding of God's commandments are important for this direction of Orthodoxy. Women following the old rite can take care of home and children, literally be “behind her husband” - and no one will blame them for the lack of work and financial income. Men in these communities do not feel worthless. They are heads of families and bear full responsibility for the well-being of their homes. For many, faith is like an island of the past in a sea of present soullessness.
How is life in consensus?
In consensus, the concept of “community” is not an empty phrase or a line from a history textbook. All members of the parish (of course, we are not talking about those who look at the service or in the temple by chance) closely communicate with each other, maintain almost kindred relationships. Joint meals were accepted, spiritual meetings were held. If any difficulties arise, problems are solved together. Some parishes follow the tradition of “tithing,” that is, transferring a tenth of the proceeds to the temple.
The priest, as a rule, is nominated from the community itself. That is, this person often does not have a spiritual education, did not study at the seminary, and the dignity is accepted by the will of the heart, mental disposition, and, of course, by decision of the community members. However, this is not an unshakable tradition or rule. A similar custom arose out of necessity, since there are much fewer clergy in the Old Believers than flocks.
In everyday life, in life, co-religionists are guided by what is written in the following books:
- "Domostroy";
- "Stoglav";
- "Pilot";
- "The Son of the Church."
In spirituality, a single-faith Orthodox church follows what is written in the Gospels and other religious books. Believers do not neglect the instructions of the apostles and saints.
How did the legalization of single faith begin?
The first official provision on single-faith churches appeared on June 3, 1799. This was the decree of Paul the First, prescribing the administration of the affairs of the Old Believer Moscow communities to the Archbishop of Kazan Ambrose. This decree was preceded by lengthy attempts to "agree", both from the Old Believers, and initiated by the Patriarchate. But, unfortunately, the relations of the clergy on both sides were more like political bargaining than Christian reconciliation. Both parties put forward lists of claims and claims, calling them “requests.” And, of course, no one compromised. At the same time, both the Old Believers and their opponents did not forget to submit petitions and petitions to the emperor.
Paul’s decree was the "first pancake", which, according to a popular saying, always turns out lumpy. The Kazan archbishop demanded that fellow believers commemorate at the great entrance of the emperor, members of the Synod and the ruling bishop. The single-faith church in Moscow, at the head of which Ambrose was placed, refused to fulfill this requirement. For what reasons the spiritual leaders of the co-religionists considered the requirements of the archbishop unacceptable, now it is impossible to understand. However, trying to enter the bosom of the “dominant church”, as the Old Believers called official religion, the spiritual leaders constantly set conditions and made their own demands, forgetting about Christian humility. Of course, there was no talk of any concessions on their part. It is quite possible that behind such a position of leaders of conscientiousness was a fear of forcibly changing their rites and manner of service.
But Paul the First was not the man whose will could be neglected. The refusal of the Old Believers to fulfill the requirements of the archbishop entailed the following: the single-faith church retained its structure, but again found itself in the position of a heretical sect. Signed by the emperor on August 22, 1799, a decree prescribed the termination of any relationship and contact with the Old Believers. This order returned the clergy of the old rite "from heaven to earth." The leaders of the co-religionists were forced to seek rapprochement with the Patriarchate already on the conditions dictated by the Orthodox clergy.
How and when did they establish faith?
The establishment of single-faith churches as an integral part of Russian Orthodoxy took place on October 27, 1800. It was on this day that Emperor Pavel the First accepted the “Request for the Adoption of the Old Believers of Nizhny Novgorod and Moscow”. At that time, the concept of “unity of faith” was introduced, which was a form of designation of the reunion of the Old Believers with the current Orthodox Church.
However, this reunion was rather strange. For example, the provisions adopted at the councils of the 17th century relating to the celebration of the sign of the Cross with two fingers and to the conduct of other old ritual rites were not repealed. These provisions were called "oaths." The meaning of the word in this case is similar to the meaning of the term "curse". Cathedral vows were removed only by bishops and individually. Only those who accepted the “new rite” were exempted from them, that is, reunited with the dominant church. Such people were then called co-religionists.
What did the establishment of co-belief lead to?
Most believers probably did not feel relief but perplexity after such a reunion. The followers of the old rite considered themselves loyal spiritual leaders. The establishment of single-faith led to the fact that people began to go into the wilderness, away from the world, and equip isolated communities there.
Of course, this was done by a smaller part of the faithful. Most had something to lose, and did not want to leave everything acquired due to political games. Most of the Old Believers were merchants, for example, the single-faith church in St. Petersburg practically did not have representatives of other classes among the parishioners. Merchants were pious people, but at the same time very pragmatic.
This estate has adopted all the acts regulating the Old Believers, but sincerely - no one can answer now. The services of the old rite with the sign of the Cross continued even after the concept of “faith” was introduced, but they were not advertised. Old-style icons were painted and placed in temples, houses. The way of life is also preserved. However, outwardly, everything looked as if the ruling church had swallowed up the Old Believers.
Some single-faith parishes of Moscow
When it comes to the Old Believers' parishes of the capital, most people recall the single-faith church on Taganka. This is a very beautiful temple with a special atmosphere, which I just want to go into. It is hard to believe that the church was desolate for many years and was only consecrated again in 1996.
The Church of St. Nicholas is located on Studenets on Taganskaya Street in the building at number 20a. He is often mistakenly called Nikolsky. St. Nicholas single-faith church is located not in Moscow, but in St. Petersburg. The Temple on Taganka, however, does not need to be called Nikolsky, it is not the correct version of the name.
Although the church on Taganka is currently the most famous among believers following the old rite, another temple is much more interesting. In the very center of Moscow, on the Bolotnaya Island, notorious for all lovers of Russian history, is the Church of the Holy Trinity, or, as priests call it, the Church of St. Nicholas.
You can find it at Bersenevskaya embankment, building 18/22. It is literally a few steps from the world-famous monument of the Stalin era - the House on the embankment, in which representatives of the Soviet elite lived and from where they were taken away by intelligence agents in the mornings. And even closer to this temple is an inconspicuous old building with a couple of floors with a modest historical sign. These are the chambers of Malyuta Skuratov. There are much more legends and scary stories about this house than about the “stone monster” of the Soviet era.
Despite such a specific location, the temple has a unique energy. Although it is also in the process of reconstruction, the doors for believers and curious are already open. Such a moment is quite interesting: leaving this temple, a person sees the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, located on the other side of the embankment.
Speaking of the faithful parishes of the capital, one cannot ignore the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in Rubtsovo. It is notable for the fact that it houses the center of the Old Russian liturgical tradition. In other words, the representation of the Patriarch. This church is located on Bakuninskaya street, in building 83.
About some single-faith churches in the Moscow region
When it comes to the churches of the Moscow Region, most people recall the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Meanwhile, this is not the only spiritual center located near the capital. There are a lot of churches in the Moscow Region, including those of the same faith.
They are in completely different condition. Some gleam with gold domes and are crowded during worship. Others are desperate for both restoration and parishioners.
For example, in a village called Avsyunino, near Orekhovo-Zuev, stands the Petrovsky Church. The official name of this temple is the Church of Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow. The first ministry took place in the bloody 1905. The construction of the church building began in 1903. It is amazing - just a few tens of kilometers from terrorists throwing home-made bombs, from endless protests and demonstrations, whose participants often did not understand in principle what they were speaking for and what they were calling for, then, when the junkers and gendarmes shot at a crowd of believers who came "to the king", here, in a small village, they built and opened a new temple.
Now there is a priest here, but the building itself is in desperate need of not just reconstruction, but almost anew rebuilding.
Another very symbolic place is the church located in the Voskresensky district, in the village of Ostashovo. The Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a parish in a community of more than two hundred people. This place is noteworthy in that the community was not "restored." It was formed in 1991 from people seeking spirituality and striving to preserve moral and moral principles. Of those who were important to raise their children not in an endless race for material values, but in the framework of the old traditions of Russian spirituality.
The church is open, and there are always a lot of people in the services. Here it will be interesting to those who would like to know more about modern Russian unity and its differences from ordinary Orthodoxy.
Unity in St. Petersburg
It is widely believed that St. Petersburg is a major center of the Old Believers. The formation of this belief was greatly facilitated by the St. Nicholas Believers Church on Marata Street. This is indeed the largest spiritual center for all believers following the old rite, despite the fact that there is no “full-fledged” church in the building now.
Walking along Kuznechny Lane, it is impossible to pass by this temple. St. Nicholas single-faith church in St. Petersburg is an incredibly impressive empire-style building. It is very large, but does not produce a feeling of bulkiness or greatness. The building, in principle, does not look like a church, its facade looks more like a theater or an observatory. Probably, it was the external features that helped St. Nicholas Church survive the Soviet era with fairly minor losses. During the years of Soviet rule, St. Nicholas single-faith church was used as a museum of the Arctic and Antarctic. Of course, this is a desecration of the temple, but still this option is better than using it as a warehouse or a prison.
The St. Nicholas single-faith church was built in 1838. Its construction lasted 18 years, and the author of the architectural project was Avraam Melnikov. In 1919, the church was given the status of a cathedral church. Accordingly, received the parish and all the rights of county and city cathedrals. It should be noted that the application for the assignment of this status was filed back in 1910. At the beginning of the past century, in St. Petersburg and its environs, there were several thousand believers who followed the old rite. Of course, all of them were fellow believers or were considered as such. But, despite the obvious need for assigning the status of a cathedral to the temple, the patriarchy considered the issue for nine years. It is possible that if the revolution had not shaken the position of the church, then the St. Nicholas Church would not have become a cathedral.
The return of the church premises of the temple is carried out in stages. This process began in 1992, and by 2013 almost all the premises were transferred under church jurisdiction. You can find St. Nicholas Church on Marata Street, at the place of its intersection with Kuznechny Lane.
Single-faith churches in modern Russia
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Of course, this is not a complete list of temples and churches related to faith. In almost every Russian city there is a community of believers following the traditions of the old rite. But, of course, these communities have much less temple buildings than a regular Orthodox church. Indeed, although in our days there is no official conflict between the new and old rites, fellow believers still do not have equal rights. Following the old rite are the younger, subordinate to the main dominant church, spiritual organization.