THE OLD BELIEVERS OF SOUTHERN VYATKA IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE XIX CENTURY

The article examines the situation of the Old Believer population of Southern Vyatka in the first quarter of the XIX century and the impact on their lives of the government and local authorities’ confessional policy. The increasing role of religion in the life of modern society, combined with an increased interest in Russia's past, makes research on the history of the Old Believers relevant. During the period under review, the government's policy towards the Old Believers was quite tolerant, which was reflected in the increase in the number of Old Believers, the formation of new spiritual centers and their increasing role in the social, spiritual and political life of Vyatka province. An analysis of historical materials shows that local authorities in Southern Vyatka built their activities in accordance with national trends. The territorial scope of the study covers the south of Vyatka province, that is, the Nolinsky, Urzhumsky, Malmyzhsky and Yaransky counties. The bespopovites of the Fedoseevsky accord are the most widespread here. There were significantly fewer Old Believers of the priestly type.