Solovetsky Uprising, which took place since 1668until 1676 today is one of the most remarkable events in Russian history. The uprising was organized by monks who refused to innovate Patriarch Nikon.
Solovki uprising: reasons
For a start it is worth noting that Solovkithe monastery at the beginning of the 17th century became an important military site in connection with the Russian-Swedish war. After all, all its buildings were perfectly fortified, which allowed to protect the land from the invasion of enemies. In addition, each person who lived in or near the monastery was armed and well trained to defend himself against attack. By the way, at that time the population was 425 people. And in the event of a siege by the Swedish troops in the monastery kept a huge amount of food stocks.
The first discontent of the priests causedthe reform of Patriarch Nikon, who condemned the Old Believers. In 1636 a whole batch of new books corrected in accordance with the reform were sent to the Solovki monastery. But the monks, without even looking at the books, sealed them from the chests and sent them to storage in the armory. This was the first expression of discontent with the governing bodies.
It is also worth recalling that the beginning of the 17th centuryaccompanied by constant mass uprisings against the government and innovations. It was a hectic time, when even the smallest changes could turn into a real insurgency. And the Solovki uprising was no exception to the general laws. Some historians have attempted to expose the rebellion of monks as resistance to ignorant clergymen and adherents of the old faith.
Solovetsky uprising and fighting
In fact, the rebellion was not onlymonks of the Solovetsky monastery. They were joined by fleeing soldiers, disgruntled peasants, and also associates of Stepan Razin. After such a replenishment, the uprising has already acquired some political significance.
It is worth noting that the first few yearsvirtually no fighting was undertaken. The king hoped for a peaceful solution to such a sensitive issue. For example, government troops moved to the Solovetsky Islands only in the summer. For several months they tried, unsuccessfully, to block the connection of the rebellious monks to the mainland. As soon as the cold weather set in, the troops moved to the Sumy prison. Interestingly, most of the archers simply dispersed home. Such a relatively peaceful situation was maintained until 1674.
It was in 1674 that the government found out thatKozhevnikov, Sarafanov and other brothers of Razin in arms are hidden by the monastery walls. Since then began the real attacks, which were accompanied by the victims. The government allowed active hostilities, including shelling of the walls of the monastery.
And in December 1675, the monks decidedno longer pray for the king. Not all the rebels liked this “innovation”, so some of them had to be temporarily imprisoned in the monastery prison.
Solovetsky uprising: results
Despite the constant, round-the-clock siege,Undermining and shelling, the government forces failed to penetrate the walls of the monastery. In January 1677 a retainer Feoktiste left the rebels, who immediately went to the royal troops. It was he who told how to get inside the monastery unnoticed.
Ночью первого февраля пятьдесят стрельцов тихо penetrated through a small secret hole (window for carrying water) into the drying room of the monastery. Then the soldiers opened the gates and let the rest of the troops go.
In the courtyard 30 rebels tried to repel the attack,but without success - the battle was unequal. Interestingly, to this day, behind the walls of the monastery of the monks was almost gone - some of them left the house without permission, and some were expelled. Several clerics were imprisoned at the monastery - they were set free by government forces.
Thus, the Solovki uprising stopped. As a result, about 30 insurgents were executed, the rest were sent to prison.
