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Dronova T. The Religiosity of the Priestless Old Believers (Pomeranians) of Ust-Tsilma in the 20th century

T. Dronova
Institute of Language, Literature and History Federal Research Center of Komi Scientific Center of Ural Branch of the RAS
Syktyvkar, Russia
ORCID: 0000-0002-6982-9699
E-mail: t_i_dronova@mail.ru 

 

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ABSTRACT. This article examines the development of religious life among the Russian Old Believers of the “priestless” (Bespopovtsy) persuasion, specifically the Pomeranians, residing in the Ust-Tsilma region of the Komi Republic during the 20th century. It has been established that the limited missionary efforts of the official Orthodox Church contributed to the preservation and continuation of Old Belief in this northern region, even in cases where Old Believers were compelled to partake in the sacrament of marriage within the official church to secure inheritance rights. The process of readmission into the Old Believer community for those who had temporarily joined the official Orthodox Church became possible only after the enactment of the 1905 Decree “On Strengthening the Principles of Religious Tolerance”. However, such transitions required approval from the governor of Arkhangelsk, who often delayed decisions for as long as possible. The remoteness from the predominantly Orthodox population, provincial and diocesan leadership, and the self-isolation of the Lower Pechora Old Believers also contributed to the preservation of Old Belief and continuity. During the Soviet period, maintaining the Old Believer faith was particularly challenging due to widespread atheistic propaganda, the expulsion of religious mentors, and the prohibition of church services, which were consequently conducted in secret. The author identifies the distinctive features of the so-called “hard task”, a tax imposed on peasants. A unique aspect of its implementation in Ust-Tsilma was that local authorities continuously increased the tax whenever the fixed amount was met, as long as the peasants remained capable of paying it. This article introduces scholars specializing in Old Believer studies to the confessional aspects of Pechora Old Believer life, thereby expanding the understanding of the role played by Pechora peasant Old Believers in shaping Old Believer culture in the Nizhnyaya Pechora region.

 

KEYWORDS: Old Belief, Ust-Tsilma, Soviet power, peasants, religiosity

 

DOI 10.31250/2618-8600-2025-1(27)-120-133
UDC 316.722:2 (470.13)

 

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