At war with the church
religious dissent in seventeenth-century Russia
Georg Bernhard Michels
354 pages | ~10 hrs
At war with the church
religious dissent in seventeenth-century Russia
By Georg Bernhard Michels
In the turbulent landscape of seventeenth-century Russia, a profound spiritual crisis erupted that would reshape religious consciousness for generations. This scholarly exploration delves into the dramatic confrontation between traditional believers and institutional reform, revealing a hidden world of religious resistance that has remained largely unexplored.
When Patriarch Nikon introduced sweeping changes to Russian Orthodox practices between 1652 and 1658, he ignited a firestorm of opposition that transcended simple theological disagreement. Through meticulous examination of archival documents, this work uncovers the complex motivations and circumstances that drove ordinary believers to stand against powerful religious authorities.
Rather than relying on familiar narratives from established religious writings, the author presents fresh insights drawn directly from historical records. The result is a nuanced portrait of popular religious resistance that challenges conventional understanding of this pivotal period.
For readers interested in the dynamics of spiritual conviction and institutional power, this study offers valuable perspectives on how deeply held beliefs can inspire individuals to resist overwhelming pressure for conformity. The book illuminates the courage required to maintain authentic spiritual practice in the face of authoritative demands for change.
This comprehensive analysis provides a window into the profound tensions that emerge when personal faith encounters institutional transformation, offering timeless insights into the nature of religious conviction and spiritual integrity.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious Dissenters
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Dissenters, Religious
- ✓ Explore Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ
- ✓ Explore Soviet union, history, 1689-1800
- ✓ Explore Soviet union, religion
- ✓ Explore Soviet union, church history
Topics
Details
- Published
- 1999
- Publisher
- Stanford University Press
- ISBN-10
- 0804733589
- Pages
- 354
- Language
- EN
- LC Classification
- BX599.M53 1999
