# Patriarch Nikon of Moscow

> 8th Patriarch of Moscow (1652–1666)

**Wikidata**: [Q379587](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q379587)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarch_Nikon_of_Moscow)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/patriarch-nikon-of-moscow

## Summary
Patriarch Nikon of Moscow was the 8th Patriarch of Moscow, serving from 1652 to 1666. As a key religious figure in the Tsardom of Russia, he played a pivotal role in the Russian Orthodox Church, particularly through his efforts to reform church practices and unify rituals. His reforms, though controversial, aimed to correct deviations from Orthodox tradition, leaving a lasting impact on the church's structure and practices.

## Biography
- Born: May 7, 1605
- Nationality: Russian (Tsardom of Russia)
- Known for: Leading the Russian Orthodox Church and implementing liturgical reforms
- Employer(s): Russian Orthodox Church
- Field(s): Religious leadership, church reform

## Contributions
- **Liturgical Reforms (1650s-1660s):** Nikon spearheaded corrections to church rituals, such as the use of three fingers for the sign of the cross, aligning practices with Greek Orthodox traditions. These reforms sparked the Raskol (Schism) within the church.
- **Founding of the New Jerusalem Monastery (1656):** Established the monastery in Moscow Oblast, symbolizing his vision of a "New Jerusalem" in Russia.
- **Construction of the Church of the Twelve Apostles (1656):** Oversaw the building of this church in Moscow, reflecting his commitment to religious architecture and renewal.

## FAQs
**What was Patriarch Nikon's role in the Russian Orthodox Church?**  
He served as the 8th Patriarch of Moscow from 1652 to 1666, driving significant liturgical reforms that aimed to standardize Orthodox practices but led to internal church divisions.

**What were the key reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon?**  
His reforms included altering the sign of the cross from two fingers to three, modifying the number of prostrations during prayers, and revising the order of services to align with Greek practices, sparking the Old Believers' schism.

**What institutions did Patriarch Nikon establish?**  
He founded the New Jerusalem Monastery in 1656 and commissioned the Church of the Twelve Apostles in the same year, both in the Moscow region.

**How did Patriarch Nikon's reforms impact the church?**  
The reforms caused the Raskol (Schism) of 1666–1667, leading to the emergence of Old Believers who rejected the changes. This division had long-term cultural and religious effects on Russian society.

## Why They Matter
Patriarch Nikon's reforms reshaped the Russian Orthodox Church, centralizing its authority and standardizing rituals. His efforts, though divisive, reinforced the church's identity and its alignment with broader Orthodox traditions. The resulting schism influenced religious diversity in Russia, with Old Believers maintaining pre-reform practices to this day. His legacy underscores the complex interplay between religious authority and cultural identity in early modern Russia.

## Notable For
- Leading the Russian Orthodox Church during a period of significant reform and schism.
- Founding the New Jerusalem Monastery and commissioning the Church of the Twelve Apostles.
- Implementing controversial liturgical changes that defined the church's trajectory.
- Playing a central role in the Raskol, a pivotal event in Russian religious history.

## Body

### Early Life and Rise to Prominence
Patriarch Nikon was born Nikita Minin on May 7, 1605. He entered monastic life at a young age, eventually gaining recognition for his piety and leadership. His ascent through the church hierarchy was rapid, culminating in his election as Patriarch of Moscow in 1652.

### Liturgical Reforms and the Raskol
Nikon's most enduring legacy stems from his efforts to correct what he perceived as errors in Russian Orthodox rituals. Key reforms included:
- **Sign of the Cross:** Mandating the use of three fingers instead of two.
- **Prostrations:** Adjusting the number of bows during prayers.
- **Service Order:** Aligning rituals with Greek Orthodox practices.
These changes, formalized in church councils between 1654 and 1663, provoked resistance from conservative clergy and laity, leading to the Raskol (Schism) in 1666–1667. The schism resulted in the persecution of Old Believers and a lasting split within Russian Orthodoxy.

### Institutional Contributions
Nikon's vision extended to architectural and institutional projects:
- **New Jerusalem Monastery (1656):** Built to symbolize Russia's spiritual aspirations, the monastery featured a cathedral modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
- **Church of the Twelve Apostles (1656):** Constructed in Moscow, this church exemplified Nikon's commitment to religious renewal through physical spaces.

### Governance and Conflict
As patriarch, Nikon initially enjoyed the support of Tsar Alexis I, who valued his counsel. However, their relationship deteriorated as Nikon's ambitions for ecclesiastical autonomy clashed with the tsar's authority. In 1666, Nikon was deposed and exiled, though his reforms were upheld by the church council that same year.

### Legacy and Impact
Nikon's reforms entrenched the Russian Orthodox Church's centralized authority, yet the ensuing schism fostered religious diversity through the Old Believers' movement. His architectural projects and institutional reforms left a tangible mark on Russia's religious landscape. The tension between church and state during his tenure also shaped the dynamics of power in the Tsardom of Russia, influencing the development of autocracy under the Romanov dynasty.

### Connected Entities
- **New Jerusalem Monastery:** Founded by Nikon in 1656.
- **Church of the Twelve Apostles:** Commissioned by Nikon in Moscow.
- **Tsardom of Russia:** The state during Nikon's patriarchate, under Tsar Alexis I.
- **Raskol (Schism):** The 1666–1667 split within the Russian Orthodox Church sparked by his reforms.
- **Old Believers:** Dissenters who rejected Nikon's reforms, preserving traditional practices.

## References

1. Source
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. IdRef
7. CERL Thesaurus
8. LIBRIS. 2012
9. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands