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[[File:PatrNikonMoscow.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Patri. Nikon with brotherhood of New Jerusalem (Resurrection) Monastery, Moscow - 1660-1665.]]
'''Nikon of Moscow''' (1605-81) was [[patriarch]] of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] from 1652 to 1658, during which he oversaw and enforced extensive revision of the church service books and practices in Russia to bring them in line with the books and practices of the Churches of Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Alexandria. His policies for enforcing the reforms caused a backlash from the defenders of the old practices and resulted in a long standing [[schism]] in the [[church]] that has been referred to as the ''Raskol'' (Russian for "schism") with the defenders called ''[[Old Believers]]''.
With the establishment of the Moscow patriarchate in 1589, the position assumed a political as well as ecclesiastical importance. Then, when Michael Romanov became czar, ending the ''Time of Troubles'', his father, Philaret Nikitich, became patriarch and formed a sort of co-ruler relationship with the czar. This relationship continued between Czar Alexis and Nikon. As the reforms proceeded, Nikon's enemies finally convinced Alexis that the patriarch was eclipsing the authority of the czar. As a result the relationship between the czar and Nikon cooled. In reaction Nikon divested himself of his patriarchal vestments and retired on [[July 19]], 1658, to his new monastery, the New Jerusalem, until such time as the czar would reaffirm his confidence in Nikon and his programs.
Such a summons never came. Additionally, efforts to formally [[deposition|depose ]] Nikon were unsuccessful. Then, after eight years a [[synod]] was convened on [[November 18]], 1666, in the presence of the czar, that after deliberations found Nikon guilty on [[December 12]] of reviling the czar and the church, of deposing Bp. Paul of Kolomna contrary to the [[canons]], and of beating and torture. He was sentenced to loss of his sacerdotal functions, made a simple monk, and exiled that day to the Ferapontov monastery on the White Sea.
Yet the same synod, after deposing Nikon, confirmed all his reforms, continued to enforce their use, and [[anathema]]tized all who refused to accept them, such as the priest [[Avvakum]]. By the time of Czar Alexis' death in 1676 Alexis repented the harsh treatment of Nikon and on his death bed asked for Nikon's forgiveness. Nikon lived until [[August 17]], 1681. He was buried in Moscow with all the honors of a patriarch, and after his death all the decrees against him were revoked.
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{{succession|
before=?Athos|title=[[List of bishops of the Diocese of Novgorod|Metropolitan of Novgorod]]|
years=1648-1652|
after=?Macarius III}}
{{succession|
before=[[Josephof Moscow|Joseph]]|
title=[[List of primates of Russia|Patriarch of Moscow]]|
years=1652-1658/1667|
after=[[Joasaph II(Novotorzhets) of Moscow|Joasaph II]]}}
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[[Category:Patriarchs of Moscow]]
[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:17th-century bishops]]
[[ro:Nikon al Rusiei]]