According to the materials of the All-Russian Population Census of 1897, the number of schismatics in the Vladimir Province was 2.45% (37,212). Of these, 18.810 were the supporters of a priestless sect, in actual fact 61.7%. At the same time, the Gorokhovets sheading was listed as one of the most ‘afflicted with schism’ where 12,138 or 39.8% of the population were the adherents of the old belief (data for 1896). In the sheadings leading in the number of schismatics in the province, the largest number of the Old-Believer merchant families is recorded, which is explained by the peasant origin of the Old Believer entrepreneurs. The merchant class in the 19th century was constantly replenished with the peasantry, especially after the abolition of serfdom. In fact, 1861 was a reference point for the dynasties of the Old Believers manufacturers and factory owners. The Shorin family rightfully belongs to them. The Gorokhovets sheading was truly considered the center of the Old Belief in the Vladimir Province.
The trend of the Old Belief – ‘the priestless sect’ – generated in the Novgorod lands. The Pomorian Old Orthodox Church was named according to the place of residence of its first communities near the lake Vyg in Karelia, not far from the White Sea. Over time the Pomorian communities permeated into many places in the North and in the center of Russia.
So, in January 1912, the first issue of the illustrated monthly magazine of the Old Believers of the Pomorian Old Orthodox Church, accepting marriage, the ‘Shield of Faith’, was published in Saratov. The Saratov magazine immediately acquired the church-wide significance: it was spreading the word about events not only in the Volga region, but throughout the country. The magazine staff paid much attention to issues of the enlightenment and public education. So, already in one of the first issues of the magazine there was an article entitled ‘How to Open an Old Believer School’ with detailed and clear explanations of legal and practical issues. There were constantly printed the notes on the organization and work experience of the Old Believer schools, materials on teaching the Law of God, liturgical singing and reading. The magazine was published from 1912 to 1917. Since 1913 the publication of the supplements began – these were the liturgical books and writings of the Old Believers – coast dwellers.
The ‘Shield of Faith’ was one of the most remarkable Old Believer editions of the period of proclaimed freedom of faith.
The trend of the Old Belief – ‘the priestless sect’ – generated in the Novgorod lands. The Pomorian Old Orthodox Church was named according to the place of residence of its first communities near the lake Vyg in Karelia, not far from the White Sea. Over time the Pomorian communities permeated into many places in the North and in the center of Russia.
So, in January 1912, the first issue of the illustrated monthly magazine of the Old Believers of the Pomorian Old Orthodox Church, accepting marriage, the ‘Shield of Faith’, was published in Saratov. The Saratov magazine immediately acquired the church-wide significance: it was spreading the word about events not only in the Volga region, but throughout the country. The magazine staff paid much attention to issues of the enlightenment and public education. So, already in one of the first issues of the magazine there was an article entitled ‘How to Open an Old Believer School’ with detailed and clear explanations of legal and practical issues. There were constantly printed the notes on the organization and work experience of the Old Believer schools, materials on teaching the Law of God, liturgical singing and reading. The magazine was published from 1912 to 1917. Since 1913 the publication of the supplements began – these were the liturgical books and writings of the Old Believers – coast dwellers.
The ‘Shield of Faith’ was one of the most remarkable Old Believer editions of the period of proclaimed freedom of faith.
