Patriarch Nikon of Moscow
Nikon, born Nikita Minin was the seventh Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' of the Russian Orthodox Church, serving officially from 1652 to 1666. He was renowned for his eloquence, energy, piety and close ties to Tsar Alexis of Russia. Nikon introduced many reforms, including liturgical reforms that were unpopular among conservatives. These divisions eventually led to a lasting schism known as Raskol (schism) in the Russian Orthodox Church. For many years, he was a dominant political figure, often equaling or even overshadowing the Tsar. In December 1667, Nikon was tried by a synod of church officials, deprived of all his sacerdotal functions, and reduced to the status of a simple monk.
Detail of Patriarch Nikon in painting, c. 1660–1665
Nikon's residence at the New Jerusalem Cloister is representative of his austere aesthetic views.
Painting of Nikon with clergy
Aleksey Kivshenko. Patriarch Nikon and Epifany Slavinetsky revising service-books.
Alexei Mikhailovich, also known as Alexis, was Tsar of all Russia from 1645 until his death in 1676.
Portrait of Alexis by an unknown Russian artist, c. 1670 – c. 1680
Portrait, 1657
Banner of Tsar Alexis, 1654
Portrait of Alexis on horseback, 1670s