The Russian Orthodox Church

The Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia

MaryBeth/Masha Keller

The Legend of St. Andrew in Rus’

St. Andrew came to the site of Kiev and foretold the founding of a great Christian City.

The rise of Christianity in Rus’• Paganism• Greek Missionaries• St. Cyril and St. Methodius• First Bishop of Kiev was sent

in c. 866-867

• St. Olga, Grand Princess of Kiev converts in c. 946/957

• 988: St. Vladimir the Great chooses Byzantine Christianity

Under the Mongols• The Church

enjoyed a favored position & tax immunity• Supported

the dominance of Moscow

• Dramatic growth in Monasticism

During the 15th Century

The Church was the dominant aspect of life and livelihood.

Council of Florence (1439): Catholics and Orthodox meet up to discuss and work out their differences

1448: Constantinople grants ecumenical independence to the Russian church, now in Moscow

1453: Constantinople falls to the Muslims and Russia becomes an ecumenical “orphan”

REFORM!!The Church was given the right of ownership of property; as the State’s power grew so did the that of the Church

1589: Job is elected as Russia’s first real Patriarch

More Monasteries!!!

1540’s: The Tsar’s jurisdiction over the Church is nullified; Patriarchs eventually came to “out rank” the Tsar, and even ruled in his stead.

Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery

Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery Solovetsky Monastery

The 17th CenturyThe Time of Troubles

Patriarch Germogen dies a Prisoner, calling for the Russians to take back their country

Schism of Old Believers against Patriarch Nikon’s Greek Reforms

MORE REFORM!!1700-1721: No one held the title of Patriarch; Patriarchal duties were carried out by a “Synod”

Synods are still in use today

1762: Peter III secularizes church property; Catherine II (the Great) promises to return it

Fin-de-siècle religious renaissance

Prevalent during the last 20+ years of the Empire

The ROC under CommunismReligion was vilified and greatly discouraged; public practice of the faith could mean arrest, and labor camps or execution.

1917-1941: Churches are closed/demolished, members and clergy are executed, land is secularized, and religion is banned, of course under penalty of death.

WWII: Stalin & the “idea” of the Church

1945-1985: (please see 1917-1941)

1985 – Present With Glasnost and Perestroika, the church was able to begin their ministry again without fear of arrest or punishment

1988: Gorbachev helped the Church celebrate its millennium anniversary and encourages participation and inclusion

1991: USSR collapses (yay!)/Russian Federation is formedChurch was given all its privileges back and, today, is now a close part of government

Beliefs and practices • All churches face the east

• Iconostasis, Royal Gate, Deacons’ doors• http

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• http://www.templestudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/iconostasis.jpg

• An icon is always present on the Iconostasis, and is of a saint(s)/event that is commemorated on that day. • Icons are to be venerated by all present at services

• A crucifix is always to the left of the iconostasis in church, surrounded by candles• http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/radist/radist0811/radist081100052/3824932-decoration-of-russian-orth

odox-church-indoor-uglich.jpg

• More icons are scattered around the church, w/(or)w/o candles, lamps, etc.

• Candles are always beeswax; Oil is always olive oil.

• Incense is used for both icons and worship service.

• Everyone is to remain standing during services, though we are free to move freely throughout the service. Women must cover their head, and only the elderly, expectant women, and infirm may sit. • the division of men and women in church

• Choral music only!! Musical instruments are banned. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlRU7OEBpAk

• The Orthodox cross is made with the thumb, index, and middle finger touching and is made in reverse fashion of the Catholic cross. (head, chest, right shoulder, left shoulder)

• Communion wine is received from a chalice and spoon, bread is in small pieces soaked in wine. You may take confession before or after, and you can’t eat anything before taking communion.

• Baptism occurs during infancy and chrismation occurs at the age of reason, however children may take communion regardless of having had chrismation or not. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZnzO47YCMs

• Priests may marry, but only before their ordination. They can not divorce or remarry.

• Bishops are the highest rank in the Church, called metropolitans or Patriarchs.

The clergy

QUESTIONS?