Clergy and Russian society liberalization at the end of 19th - the beginning of 20th century

The characteristics of political views of the Orthodox clergy in the period of liberal reforms at the edge of 19-20th centuries where participated the representatives of Russian Orthodox Church is given. Using comparative-historic method the changes in political non-homogeneous church milieu during two decades preceding local council in 1917-1918 are analyzed and also the reasons of lack of consolidation of liberal part of clergy with monarchists and center-right political parties. It is founded that liberalism of orthodox clergy and liberalism of secular society which autocratic power used in home politics tactics were different. Recognizing liberal freedoms and accepting the necessity of reforms, the clergy was for them by the way of enlightenment, trusteeship and other methods, according to the traditions of orthodoxy and constructive interaction of church, state and society. Thus, clergy was right and more conservative than autocratic power trying to weaken the positions of the church and it was stable in the centre of political specter when secular liberals were moving to its left flank.

Tambov eparchy, clergy, liberalism, renovationism, autocracy, political party