Prelude to Revolution in the Church: Diocesan Congresses of Parish Clergy

Abstract

Recent scholarship has significantly enhanced our knowledge of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1917, including the role of diocesan congresses of clergy and laity (eparkhial’nye s”ezdy dukhovenstva i mirian) in the first months after the February Revolution. As yet, however, it has been given relatively little attention to the prehistory of the congresses that were established by the seminary reform of 1867. This study seeks to fill that gap and suggests the following theses. First, in the period from their establishment in 1867 to the revolution of 1905–1907, the congresses had a very uneven history, but essentially failed to expand their competence and composition, especially under the chief procurator K. P. Pobedonostsev. Second, in the 1905–1907 revolution, many congresses proved highly progressive, endorsing the “liberation movement” and demanding far-reaching reform in the Church. Some supported empowerment of the parish (control over parish finances, even the right to choose local clergy). Third, support for empowerment of the laity declined after 1905, largely in response to the growing assertiveness of the laity. In the spring of 1916, most had become openly skeptical of parish reform and empowerment of the laity.