The Old Believers in 1917

Abstract

In recent years, historians have been studying the political mood and tendencies of early-twentieth-century Old Believer communities. Some researchers support the mythologized idea that Old Believers were largely sympathetic toward the revolution (Shakhnazarov, 2002, 2004, 2007; Pyzhikov, 2013, Taranets, 2010). However, most scholars maintain that there was not a great deal of opposition to the tsarist regime among Old Believers (Seleznev, 2005, 2014; Red’kina, 2003; Latypov, 2011, among others), and argue that the largest confessions and their leaders “were closely aligned with rightwing and, in some cases, centrist parties” (Borovik, 2003, p. 20; Red’kina, 2012a, p. 17; Moniakova, 2007). On the other hand, even before the April 17, 1905, religious tolerance ukaz was issued, the internal affairs minister, Prince P.D. SviatopolkMirsky, assured Old Believers that the emperor “loved” them (Trudy Shestogo Vserossiiskogo s”ezda staroobriadtsev, 1905, p. 49). In an April 16, 1905, telegram to Moscow’s governor general, Nicholas II himself expressed “trust and heartfelt goodwill toward Old Believers, long known for their unwavering devotion to the throne” (quoted from Makarov, 1998, p. 37). On November 17, 1906, the ukaz “Concerning the