To the Issue of Religious Tolerance in Russia at the beginning of the ХХ century: Legal Regulation of Old Believers and Sectarianism

Abstract

This article is devoted to the legal regulation of old faith and sectarianism in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the XX century. The main source was the Decrees, Manifestos and Resolutions of Emperor Nicholas II, orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Public Education of the Russian Empire, as well as the definitions of the Holy Synod; the work also uses the norms of the Criminal Code and the General Regulations on Peasants. Based on the study of sources, it was concluded that the basis for the regulatory regulation of the institute of religious tolerance in general, and old faith and sectarianism in particular, were the Manifesto of Nicholas II of February 26, 1903, the Decrees of the Emperor of December 12, 1904 and April 17, 1905, as well as the Regulations of the Committee of Ministers of April 17, 1905. According to these regulations, old believers and sectarians were completely legalized (only the so-called “fanatical” teachings, that is, movements that preached religious fanaticism, were prohibited) and had equal legal status with representatives of other faiths. Their communities operated on the basis of a charter agreed with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Committee of Ministers, could own movable and immovable property, create their own primary-level schools (subject to the availability of certified teaching staff and educational programs agreed with the Ministry of Public Education).