Patriarch Nikon. Protopope Avvakum. The Fathers of the Schism and Church Reform.

Patriarch Nikon. In the life of the Russian people, the second half of the 17th century marks a significant break from old traditions and customs. This happened partly due to the church reform. The initiator was Nikon, who dreamed of the post of ecumenical patriarch, and whose activities and personal tragedy are explored in this biography.

Protopope Avvakum. This man opposed the reforms of Patriarch Nikon. It is surprising that the "Fathers of the Schism" grew up literally a few dozen kilometers apart from each other. Avvakum considered the change of rites a precursor to the coming of the Antichrist; peaceful negotiations were impossible. The personal conflict led to the burning "for great blasphemy against the royal house" of both Avvakum and his fellow prisoners.