Christianity in Russia began to spread in the IX century. This process was greatly influenced by its proximity to the powerful Byzantine Empire, which professed Christianity. To deal with the question: "ROC - what is it?", let's plunge a little into the history of Ancient Russia, where preachers - brothers Cyril and Methodius - were initially engaged in the educational activities of the Slavs. Princess Olga of Kyiv was the first to be baptized in 954. This event contributed to the fact that after it, Prince Vladimir of Kyiv baptized Russia in 988.
History of the Russian Orthodox Church
In the pre-Mongol period, the Russian Church was the metropolis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which appointed its metropolitan from the Greeks. However, in 1051 this throne was first occupied by the Russian Metropolitan Hilarion, a very educated church figure.
The history of the Russian Orthodox Church shows that the construction of majestic churches in Russia began in the 10th century, and the first monastic farms have already been created since the 11th century.
The first monastery (Kiev-Pechersky) was founded by the Monk Anthony of the Caves, who brought Athos monasticism to Russia in 1051. It was he who becamecenter 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, and iconography flourished.
Unification of principalities
Asking the question: "What is the Russian Orthodox Church?", it should be noted that during the period of feudal fragmentation of the XII century, only the Orthodox Church remained the main bearer of the idea of the unity of the Russian people, which counteracted the constant princely strife.
In the XIII century, Tatar-Mongol hordes attacked Russia, but 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 the spiritual assistants of the Moscow princes.
Great Companions
Metropolitan Alexy became the mentor of the Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy. Saint Metropolitan Jonah of Moscow helped the prince of Moscow preserve the unity of the state system and put an end to feudal wars.
Orthodox Saint Sergius of Radonezh blessed Dmitry Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo, this feat of arms was the beginning of the liberation of Russian lands from the Tatar-Mongols.
Many people 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 to preserve culture and national identity.self-consciousness of the Russian people. For example, in the 13th century, the construction of the Pochaev Lavra began, and this is how Orthodoxy was established in Western Russian lands.
In the period from the XIV to the middle of the XV century, up to 180 monasteries were created in Russia. A significant event was the foundation of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery in 1334 by St. Sergius of Radonezh. In this monastery, St. Andrei Rublev found use for his wondrous talent.
Aftokefalia. Patriarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church
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 ROC is, comes an understanding of its enormous role in the history of the state.
Before the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1448, the Russian Church gained independence from the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Metropolitan Jonah appointed by the Council of Russian Bishops became Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia.
And now, in 1589, Job, Metropolitan of Moscow, became the first Patriarch of Russia.
In the 17th century, Polish-Swedish invaders attacked Russia. But the Russian Church did not give up even here. The great patriot Patriarch Yergemon was tortured to death by the invaders, but he was the spiritual leader of the militia of Minin and Pozharsky.
The annals of the Russian state also describe the heroic resistance of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra from the Poles and Swedes in 1608-1610
The next patriarch, Nikon, took up reforms, resulting in a split in the Russian Orthodox Church. These reforms were continued in the 18th century by Peter I. From 1700, afterAfter the death of Patriarch Andrian, the new Primate of the Church was no longer elected, since in 1721 the Holy Governing Synod was created, which was controlled by state officials. It existed for about two hundred years and was detrimental to the ROC.
Restoration of the Patriarchate
In 1917, the All-Russian Church Council was convened, where the Patriarchate was restored. Metropolitan Tikhon of Moscow has become Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
But the Bolsheviks considered the Russian Orthodox Church their ideological adversary, so it was subject to complete destruction.
From 1922 to 1924, Patriarch Tikhon was under arrest. Under him, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad was formed. After his death, a struggle began, and as a result, the ROC was headed by Metropolitan Sergius (Stargorodsky).
In the Soviet Union, only a small number of churches were left for worship. Most of the clergy were shot or were in 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 the moral assistance of the Russian Orthodox Church. Priests and bishops were released from prisons.
The climax was the process when in 1943 at the Council of Bishops the patriarch was elected - Metropolitan Sergius (Stargorodsky), and in 1945 at the Local Council - Metropolitan Alexy.
During the Khrushchev era, many churches were closed, during the Brezhnev period, all persecution of the church ceased, but it was tightly controlled by the authorities. So, it was very difficult, the ROC had to. What is survival and persecution, sheknows, alas, firsthand, the hard way.
Moscow Patriarchy
In 1988, the celebration of the millennium of Russia became a landmark event for both the Church and the state. Churches were restored. Further patriarchs were Alexy I, Pimen and Alexy II. Today, the modern Russian Orthodox Church is headed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. In our difficult time, it was on his shoulders that a heavy burden fell - to look for ways to reconcile all Slavic peoples. After all, the ROC was created for this.
The modern Moscow diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, established in 1325, has about 1506 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 into 1153 parishes and 24 monasteries. In addition, there are 3 parishes of the same faith in the diocese, which are fully subordinate to the metropolitan. The ruling bishop of the Moscow diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church is Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna.
