Christianity in Russia began to spread in the 9th century. This process was greatly influenced by its proximity to the powerful Byzantine Empire, which professed Christianity. To understand the question: “ROC - what is it?”, We will plunge a little into the history of Ancient Russia, where the preachers, the brothers Cyril and Methodius, were originally engaged in educational activities of the Slavs. The first baptism was accepted by Princess Kiev of Kiev in 954. This event contributed to the fact that after it, Prince of Kiev of Kiev in 988 baptized Russia.
History of the Russian Orthodox Church
In the pre-Mongol period, the Russian Church was the metropolis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople , who appointed his metropolitan from the Greeks. However, in 1051, this throne was first occupied by the Russian Metropolitan Hilarion, a very educated church leader.
The history of the Russian Orthodox Church testifies that the construction of majestic temples in Russia began in the X century, and from the XI century the first monastery farms were already being created.
The first monastery (Kiev-Pechersky) was founded by the Monk Anthony Pechersky, who brought Mount Athos to Russia in 1051. It was he who became the center of Orthodoxy in Russia. In the future, monasteries were not only spiritual centers, but also centers of culture and education, where historical chronicles were kept, theological books were translated, iconography flourished.
Association of principalities
Asking the question: “What is the ROC?”, It should be noted that during the feudal fragmentation of the 12th century, only the Orthodox Church remained the main bearer of the idea of the unity of the Russian people, which opposed the constant princely feuds.
In the XIII century, Tatar-Mongol hordes attacked Russia, but even they could not break the Russian Church. Morally, spiritually and materially, she contributed to the creation of Russian political unity.
In the XIV century, Russian principalities began to unite around Moscow. The great Russian saints became spiritual assistants of the Moscow princes.
Great Companions
Metropolitan Alexy became the mentor of the Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy. Hierarch Metropolitan Jonah of Moscow helped the prince of Moscow to maintain the unity of the political system and end the feudal wars.
Orthodox saint Sergius of Radonezh blessed Dmitry Donskoy to the Battle of Kulikovo, this feat of arms was the beginning of the liberation of Russian lands from the Tatar-Mongols.
Many are not in vain interested in the topic "ROC - what is it?" And here, first of all, it should be noted that the Orthodox Church helped preserve the culture and national identity of the Russian people. For example, in the XIII century the construction of the Pochaev Lavra was begun, so Orthodoxy was affirmed in the West Russian lands.
In the period from the XIV to the middle of the 15th century, up to 180 monasteries were created in Russia. A significant event was the foundation of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery in 1334 by the Monk Saint Sergius of Radonezh. In this monastery, Rev. Andrei Rublev found application for his wondrous talent.
Aftokephaly. ROC Patriarchs
Over time, the Russian state began to gain strength and free itself from the invaders, and with this the Orthodox Church in Russia became more influential and powerful. With an understanding of what the Russian Orthodox Church is, an understanding of its huge role in the history of the state comes.
Before the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1448, the Russian Church gained independence from the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Metropolitan Jonah, appointed by the Council of Russian Bishops, became the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia.
And already in 1589, Job, the Moscow Metropolitan, became the first Patriarch of Russia.
In the 17th century, Polish-Swedish interventionists attacked Russia. But the Russian Church did not give up here either. The great patriot Patriarch Ergemon was tortured by the invaders, but he was the spiritual leader of the militia Minin and Pozharsky.
The annals of the Russian state also describe the heroic resistance of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra from Poles and Swedes in 1608-1610.
The next patriarch, Nikon, took up the reforms, resulting in a split in the Russian Orthodox Church. These reforms continued in the 18th century by Peter I. Since 1700, after the death of Patriarch Andrian, the new Primate of the Church was no longer elected, since in 1721 they created the Holy Governing Synod, which was governed by government officials. It lasted about two hundred years and was detrimental to the Russian Orthodox Church.
The restoration of the patriarchate
In 1917, the All-Russian Church Council was convened, where the Patriarchate was restored. Metropolitan of Moscow Tikhon became the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
But the Bolsheviks considered the Russian Orthodox Church to be their ideological adversary, therefore, it was subject to complete destruction.
From 1922 to 1924, Patriarch Tikhon was under arrest. Under him, the Russian Orthodox Church was formed abroad. After his death, a struggle began, and as a result, the Russian Orthodox Church was headed by Metropolitan Sergius (Stargorodsky).
In the Soviet Union, only a small number of churches were left for worship. The bulk of the clergy was shot or was in the camps.
By the time of World War II, the entire church structure was almost completely destroyed, but the catastrophe of hostilities forced Stalin to resort to moral assistance from the Russian Orthodox Church. Priests and bishops were released from prisons.
The culmination was the process when in 1943 the Patriarch - Metropolitan Sergius (Stargorodsky) was elected at the Council of Bishops, and in 1945, at the Local Council - Metropolitan Alexy.
In Khrushchev’s time, many churches were closed, in the Brezhnev period, all persecution of the church stopped, but it was tightly controlled by the authorities. So, it’s very difficult, the ROC had to. What is survival and persecution, she knows, alas, firsthand, from her own bitter experience.
Moscow Patriarchate
In 1988, the celebration of the millennium of Russia became a landmark event for both the Church and the state. The restoration of churches was established. Further patriarchs were Alexy I, Pimen and Alexy II. Today, the modern Russian Orthodox Church is headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. In our difficult time, it was on his shoulders that a heavy burden fell - to seek ways of reconciliation of all Slavic peoples. Indeed, for this, the Russian Orthodox Church was created.
The modern Moscow diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, created in 1325, has about 1,506 churches. 268 chapels belong to the parishes and monasteries of the diocese. The structure of the diocese is divided into 48 deanery districts, which includes the monastery. The deanery districts are united in 1153 parishes and 24 monasteries. In addition, the diocese has 3 single-faith parishes, which are completely subordinate to the metropolitan. The ruling bishop of the Moscow diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church is Metropolitan Juvenal of Krutitsy and Kolomna.