Strigolniki
Encyclopedia
The Strigolniki were followers of the first Russia
n heretic
al sect
of the middle of the 14th and first half of the 15th century, established in Pskov
and later in Novgorod and Tver
.
The origins of the name are unknown. Some historians believe it has something to do with handicraft
s that the first Strigolniki were engaged in, such as cloth-cutting or hairdressing (it appears that the word strigolnik derives from the modern Russian root strig-, which connotes cutting or trimming. Others think the name comes from a special initiation
ceremony
(a specific haircut, or strizhka), performed by a deacon
named Karp – a supposed founder of the sect (together with deacon Nikita) yet others think it could mean that these people refused to either grow a beard or cut their beards when they entered churches.
Active participants of the sect were tradespeople and low-ranking clergy
. They renounced all ecclesiastic hierarchy
and monasticism
, sacrament
s of priesthood, communion
, repentance
, and baptism
, which had been accompanied by large fee
s ("extortion
s", in their view) in favor of the clergy. Criticizing and exposing the venality, vices, and ignorance of the priests, the Strigolniki demanded the right to a religious sermon
for laymen. Their sermons were full of social motifs: they reproached the rich for enslaving the free and the poor.
Deacon Karp found many followers in Pskov, but had to move to Novgorod to avoid persecution
. Some scholars argue that Archbishop of Novgorod
Vasilii Kalika (1330–1352) ignored the heresy, but that his successors, Moisei (1325–1330; 1352–1359), and Aleksei (1359–1388) took firm measures against the heretics. In 1375, enraged citizens of Novgorod threw five heretics from the bridge into the Volkhov River
. Beginning in 1382, the sect was opposed by Archbishop Dionysios of Suzdal.
However, the teachings of the Strigolniki lived on. They were widely spread in Novgorod, Pskov, and also in Tver, where bishop
s Feodor Dobry and Yevfimiy Vislen came forward with their support for the movement. In the early 15th century, the Strigolniki teachings were denounced by Photius
, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Russia.
There has been no news of the sect since the second half of the 15th century. Some historians believe that it merged with the Sect of Skhariya the Jew
. The Orthodox Church believes the heresy was ended in 1427.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n heretic
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
al sect
Sect
A sect is a group with distinctive religious, political or philosophical beliefs. Although in past it was mostly used to refer to religious groups, it has since expanded and in modern culture can refer to any organization that breaks away from a larger one to follow a different set of rules and...
of the middle of the 14th and first half of the 15th century, established in Pskov
Pskov
Pskov is an ancient city and the administrative center of Pskov Oblast, Russia, located in the northwest of Russia about east from the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River. Population: -Early history:...
and later in Novgorod and Tver
Tver
Tver is a city and the administrative center of Tver Oblast, Russia. Population: 403,726 ; 408,903 ;...
.
The origins of the name are unknown. Some historians believe it has something to do with handicraft
Handicraft
Handicraft, more precisely expressed as artisanic handicraft, sometimes also called artisanry, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft. Usually the term is applied to traditional means...
s that the first Strigolniki were engaged in, such as cloth-cutting or hairdressing (it appears that the word strigolnik derives from the modern Russian root strig-, which connotes cutting or trimming. Others think the name comes from a special initiation
Initiation
Initiation is a rite of passage ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. It could also be a formal admission to adulthood in a community or one of its formal components...
ceremony
Ceremony
A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin.-Ceremonial occasions:A ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a human life, marking the significance of, for example:* birth...
(a specific haircut, or strizhka), performed by a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
named Karp – a supposed founder of the sect (together with deacon Nikita) yet others think it could mean that these people refused to either grow a beard or cut their beards when they entered churches.
Active participants of the sect were tradespeople and low-ranking clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
. They renounced all ecclesiastic hierarchy
Hierarchy
A hierarchy is an arrangement of items in which the items are represented as being "above," "below," or "at the same level as" one another...
and monasticism
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...
, sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
s of priesthood, communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, repentance
Repentance
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
, and baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
, which had been accompanied by large fee
Fee
A fee is the price one pays as remuneration for services. Fees usually allow for overhead, wages, costs, and markup.Traditionally, professionals in Great Britain received a fee in contradistinction to a payment, salary, or wage, and would often use guineas rather than pounds as units of account...
s ("extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
s", in their view) in favor of the clergy. Criticizing and exposing the venality, vices, and ignorance of the priests, the Strigolniki demanded the right to a religious sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
for laymen. Their sermons were full of social motifs: they reproached the rich for enslaving the free and the poor.
Deacon Karp found many followers in Pskov, but had to move to Novgorod to avoid persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
. Some scholars argue that Archbishop of Novgorod
Archbishop of Novgorod
The Archbishop of Novgorod is the head of the eparchy of Novgorod the Great and is one of the oldest offices in the Russian Orthodox Church. The archbishops have, in fact, been among the most important figures in medieval Russian history and culture and their successors continued to play...
Vasilii Kalika (1330–1352) ignored the heresy, but that his successors, Moisei (1325–1330; 1352–1359), and Aleksei (1359–1388) took firm measures against the heretics. In 1375, enraged citizens of Novgorod threw five heretics from the bridge into the Volkhov River
Volkhov River
Volkhov is a river in Novgorod Oblast and Leningrad Oblast in northwestern Russia.-Geography:The Volkhov flows out of Lake Ilmen north into Lake Ladoga, the largest lake of Europe. It is the second largest tributary of Lake Ladoga. It is navigable over its whole length. Discharge is highly...
. Beginning in 1382, the sect was opposed by Archbishop Dionysios of Suzdal.
However, the teachings of the Strigolniki lived on. They were widely spread in Novgorod, Pskov, and also in Tver, where bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s Feodor Dobry and Yevfimiy Vislen came forward with their support for the movement. In the early 15th century, the Strigolniki teachings were denounced by Photius
Photius, Metropolitan of Moscow
Photius of Kiev , Metropolitan of Kiev and all Rus', Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia, of Greek descent....
, Metropolitan of Kiev and all Russia.
There has been no news of the sect since the second half of the 15th century. Some historians believe that it merged with the Sect of Skhariya the Jew
Sect of Skhariya the Jew
The Sect of Skhariya the Jew, much more commonly known as the Heresy of the Judaizers or Zhidovstvuyushchiye, was a sect that appeared in Novgorod the Great and Grand Duchy of Moscow in the second half of the 15th century and marked the beginning of a new era of heresy in Russia...
. The Orthodox Church believes the heresy was ended in 1427.