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 A
third major event which was to have a profound effect on the Russian Church,
was the abolition of the Patriarchate by Tsar Peter I (the Great) in 1721.
The Patriarch had died in 1700 and Peter, wishing no more Nikons, refused
to allow the appointment of a successor. Accordingly, in 1721 he issued
his celebrated Spiritual Regulations, and the Russian Church was placed
under an uncanonical Synodal System, whereby a Synod of twelve members,
drawn from the Bishops, Abbots and secular Clergy appointed by the Government
ruled the Church. However, all meetings were attended by a government
functionary, the Chief Procurator, representing the Tsar, and all decisions
had to be approved by the Sovereign. At the same time monasticism was
severely restricted and later in the Century more than half the monasteries
were closed by Empress Catherine II (the Great - 1762-96) and their lands
confiscated.
This Synodal Period, which lasted until 1917, was a period of spiritual
low for the Church, although there were a few bright spots. Missionary
activity, always a strong feature of the Russian Church, expanded throughout
Siberia and Central Asia, eventually reaching Alaska. Certain monasteries
were revitalized, including the famous center of Valaam, and the spiritual
traditions of Ml. Athos, especially popularized by Paisius Velichkovsky
and his Philokalia, reached Russia, through the efforts of Metropolitan
Gabriel of Moscow and his disciple, Nazarius, Abbot of Valaam. A special
system of spiritual direction, eldership (or starchestvo) developed, especially
popularized at the Optino Hermitage under the Elders Leonid, Macarius,
Amvrossy and Joseph, and a few Saints shone during this time, especially
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk (1783-commemorated August 13), a revitalizer of
pastoral life, and St. Seraphim of Sarov (1833-commemorated January 2
and July 19). |
