The cultural influence of the Church

Question 1

What percentage of the population subscribed to the Orthodox church?

Answer 1

70%

Question 2

How did the position of the Tsar change?

Answer 2

Tsar went from being a saint on earth, then by the late-nineteenth century, Church administration moved to the Holy Synod and the Tsar’s position became more secular.

Question 3

Why was the dominantion of the Orthodox church beneficial?

Answer 3

It was beneficial to the regime as a means of control over the superstitious and ill-educated peasantry.

Question 4

What were priests expected to do?

Answer 4

• read out Imperial manifestos and decrees
• keep statistics
• root out opposition
• inform the police of any suspicious activity

Question 5

What did Pyotr Valuev set up? When, and why? (3)

Answer 5

The Ecclesiastical Commission (1858) to look into Church organisation and practice in 1862.

Question 6

What did the church judge?

Answer 6

social and moral crimes

Question 7

What strict controls did the church have?

Answer 7

censorship controls

Question 8

How had the dominance of the Orthodox church weakend? (3)

Answer 8

• They had not kept up with urbanisation
• Orthodox religion seemed to have little relevance for the workers who were often attracted to the teachings of the socialist
• In the countryside superstition often held a stronger sway than the Orthodox priests