Synodal Russia

[SpyridonOCA]

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).
http://www.orthodoxworld.ru/english/istoria/6/index.htm


Taking all these good things into account, was the Synodal Period really a spiritual low for the Church? Compared to life under Hitler or Stalin, Peter the Great is not so bad.

[nikolayalexandroff]

Taking all these good things into account, was the Synodal Period really a spiritual low for the Church? Compared to life under Hitler or Stalin, Peter the Great is not so bad.
It was, nevertheless. Church, constrained by imperial structures, didn't keep pace with the growth of population, and to millions of Russian peasants and workers, the essense of Christianity was quite unknown, not counting rites and semipagan traditions like the Butter week and so on.

[jckstraw72]

whats the Butter week?

[nikolayalexandroff]

whats the Butter week?
A week before Lent. The last (in Russia the last) day of this week is the Forgiveness Sunday. During this week in the pagan times was celebrated the pagan feast of the parting with winter.

[Thekla]

It was, nevertheless. Church, constrained by imperial structures, didn't keep pace with the growth of population, and to millions of Russian peasants and workers, the essense of Christianity was quite unknown, not counting rites and semipagan traditions like the Butter week and so on.
a similar situation (RCatholic) happened in the Americas - South and Central. It was unfortunate ...

[Monica, child of God]

Next week! Yum pancakes...blini...

M.

[rusmeister]

All I can say is imagine an Asian or Russian person reading something about the history of the South (ern US) and making decisions about, say, Reconstruction and saying, "Hey, it wasn't so bad!" on the basis of a few internet articles or thoughts picked up in a university course, as if the comments they had digested gave them any true understanding of the complexity of the history or knowledge of the people or situations in far-off lands.

Not to say that we can't know anything, but when we begin judging other lands, our knowledge and experience of those lands are usually wholly inconsistent with the level of knowledge and experience needed to make such judgements. Just put the shoe on the other foot and you'll see how arrogant it can be. I imagine I've done it many times.:o

You can expect me to make comments like this when western folk post on Russia - I (as an American)personally have made the leap and see clearly how little we know before we have truly begun to learn anything about other lands - and that includes history as well as politics, culture and everything.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Taking all these good things into account, was the Synodal Period really a spiritual low for the Church? Compared to life under Hitler or Stalin, Peter the Great is not so bad.
My Russian history professor who was born in Moscow didn't have such a rosy view of Peter the Great. He made a very strong argument for Peter not deserving the title the Great at all.

[Mary of Bethany]

Next week! Yum pancakes...blini...

M.

:yum: :yum: :yum:

[Mary of Bethany]

My Russian history professor who was born in Moscow didn't have such a rosy view of Peter the Great. He made a very strong argument for Peter not deserving the title the Great at all.

I think many Orthodox would agree that Peter was "Great" only from a Western Englightenment point of view.

Mary

[Michael the Iconographer]

I think many Orthodox would agree that Peter was "Great" only from a Western Englightenment point of view.

Mary
My professor was Jewish, but from his point of view Peter stole from Russia much of what gave Russia its Russian culture and lusted for the western enlightenment views he saw in Germany. In essence, Peter the Great wanted to be German.

[gzt]

Well, "Great" means "big", not necessarily "good".

[nikolayalexandroff]

Well, "Great" means "big", not necessarily "good".
I think, he was great, though terrible. However, without learning from Europe, Russia couldn't survive in the XVIII c., and probably would be conquered. Peter had no choice. Taking the knowledges from Europe, he followed the policy of his father, and grandfather. Though he was far too enchanted by the European lifestyle. But, again, it was impossible to him to avoid errors. He hadn't enough of knowledge and experience to discern important things from the less important.

[SpyridonOCA]

It was, nevertheless. Church, constrained by imperial structures, didn't keep pace with the growth of population, and to millions of Russian peasants and workers, the essense of Christianity was quite unknown, not counting rites and semipagan traditions like the Butter week and so on.

Why is it that many of the good things I and many others associate with Eastern Orthodoxy are products of Synodal Russia? Is it because God blesses the Church, despite the evils of government? Is it because God blesses the Church through government, despite its evils?

[nikolayalexandroff]

Is it because God blesses the Church through government, despite its evils?
I think you're right. Peter established the system of compulsory education for the clergy. The lack of education was the main reason for the schism of XVII c. The very Orthodox faith of our Church could be distorted without this measure. God looks for all possible ways to keep His Church.

[SpyridonOCA]

Can we know if Tsar Peter died with a repentant heart?

[rusmeister]

Can we know if Tsar Peter died with a repentant heart?
I think a better question is "Can we know if I will die with a repentant heart?"