Lietuvos sentikių gyvenimo puslapiai

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Sentikių religinė bendruomenė; Istorija; Lithuania; Old Believers' religiuos community; History.

ENLithuanian Old Believers’ religious community in Lithuania is the largest. It includes a quarter of all Lithuanian Russians. As compared with other historical ethnic minorities Karaites, Jews, Poles, Tatars and others, Russian Old Believers could be called exiles persecuted for confession. The first Russian Old Believers in Lithuania appeared in 1653. They moved from Moscow to Kuršas principality first, then - to the eastern border of the current Lithuanian territory. Several stages of migration could be distinguished: From split of the Orthodox Church (1653-1656) up to the third division of Lithuanian Grand Principality and Polish kingdom (1795); at that period certain centers - Bobriškis, Degučiai, Dūkstai, etc. - attracting immigrants Old Believers from Russia, were formed. From 1795 up to the uprising of 1863-1864; at that time immigration due to the uprising slightly decreased, but the inward migration to towns (especially to Vilnius) and smaller towns and villages was noticeable. Old Believers were occupying lands of participants of the uprising, exiled from their property. According to historians, at this period Jonava and Zarasai regions were most settled. After suppression of the uprising of 1864 up to the beginning of the First World War - 1914. In 1841, Russian authorities granted a privilege valid for 25 years to all Russians who had moved to Panevėžys. They were exempt from recruit service, from trade, from personal and other taxes. According to some historical sources, already after the uprising of 1831 Russian authorities „in order to colonize Panevėžys granted big privileges valid for 25 years to all Russians who agreed to move from Moscow to Panevėžys. New-comers mostly lived in Plūkia! street”.After the uprising of 1863-1864, Russian peasants were allowed to move to the state lands and those ones requisitioned from rebels, they were granted tax privileges - for three years they were exempt from a land tax and from other monetary and natural dues, recruit service. At the end of 1864, over three thousand applications for land were handed in in Kaunas province. Since 1866, these privileges could be used by all Russians. For instance, in the so-called „Northern Western land” 814 farms were distributed from the state land fund. In Kaunas province 165 Russian settlements were set up. An allowance of 109 825 roubles, a certain part of forest were granted to 1205 families in those settlements. In 1873, this plan of settling was discontinued. In the middle of the 19,b century Russian Old Believers’ authorities were formed (Council, its Chairman, Priest), and Old Believing turned into the united religious organization. The Church of Old Believers in Lithuania had a status and rights of legal person. As a religious community, it was constantly financially supported in religious, educational activities. The community itself used to receive additional income for christening, matrimony registration. Religious Old Believers’ communities had their own churches not only in big Lithuanian towns, but also in Jonava, Kaišiadoriai, Zarasai, Švenčionėliai, Lazdijai, Kelmė, Ukmergė, Kėdainiai, Utena and other regions. There are no precise data on when the first Russian Old Believers moved into Panevėžys. In late 18,h century — early 19,h century, Old Believers’ settlements were expanding closer and closer to Panevėžys, i.e. Old Believers were moving to Kulbiai, Taruškos. Most likely Russians had lived in Panevėžys, in the present Antanas Mickevičius street area, in the end of the 18lh century already.Here the old cemetery was located (after the first church had burnt, the other one was built approximately in 1925). Their effect on cultural and economic life in Panevėžys was only slightly noticeable. Rebirth of Old Believing in the seventh-eighth decades was most likely determined not only by the milder policy of authorities with respect to religion, but also by cancellation of imprecation of the Old Believers’ Church valid since 1666. In the period 1966-1999, a great deal of significant events took place in Old Believers’ religious community life. In 1993-1995, in Lithuania new churches were being constructed, the old ones were started to be restored and renovated. Panevėžys Church was nicely renovated. Old Believers were recognized as a traditional religious community. Certain meetings, events, celebrations were held: the 300'1' anniversary of Old Believing (1966), the 1000,h anniversary of Russia christening (1988), etc. The first public social statistic investigations of religious communities were started. Currently, ethnographical heritage, demographic characteristics of Old Believers’ religious community are analyzed by scientists from Vilnius University and Vilnius Pedagogical University. Inter-disciplinary Lithuanian Old Believers’ Research group was established in Vilnius University. Mass media became more interested in Old Believers. [From the publication]

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