OLD BELIEVERS IN RUSSIA AND ABROAD AMID THE PANDEMIC

Abstract

On the basis of documents and an array of confessional Internet publications, the article analyzes the interaction of Old Believer agreements with states (Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic countries, etc.) in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. It occurred during the 400th anniversary of the protopope Avvakum (Petrov) (1620–1682), which is celebrated by Old Believers in Russia and beyond. Old Believers nowadays are the largest Russian religious diaspora seeking selfdetermination in the modern world through interaction with states and society. The pandemic in the jubilee year became a mark of change in the relationship between the Old Believers and the government. It shifted from confrontation and neutrality to cooperation within the framework of those models of state-confessional relations that have become established in countries where their communities exist. During the pandemic Old Believer accords urged church members to follow state measures introduced to combat spread of the infection and perceive all restrictions as temporary obedience. There has been a significant modernization of interaction within confessional communities in liturgical and everyday practices, associated with the intensified use of digital technologies. As a result, celebration of the anniversary of archpriest Avvakum became possible on a large scale despite the restrictions.

Keywords

• state-confessional relations
• society
• pandemic
• politics
• old believers.