The History of the Territorial Communities of Old Believers but not Old Believers as a Whole
The History of the Territorial Communities of Old Believers but not Old Believers as a Whole

Summary/Abstract: The Old Believers movement is an example of a cultural phenomenon that, although internally rich, is so different from the rest of the world that its single, homogeneous depiction cannot be established. One can only attempt to define its essence and outline its mode of functioning, for the elements that are constant and common across different communities are so specific that they cannot be mistaken for anything else. Providing a historical account of the entire history of the Old Believers movement is rather impossible. However, what can and should be described are its “cells,” i.e. territorial communities, viewed from the “process” perspective, i.e. viewed as they are functioning in the course of time.

• Details
• Contents