Noble Boyarynia

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Peter I the Great's father, Boyarynya Morozova (1629-1676), initiated reforms in Russia; one of them sought to place the church under the tzar's authority. As a result, the Russian Orthodox Church divided into Nikonians (those embracing the new path, named after the revolutionary patriarch Nikon) and old-believers (led by Avvakum). Among other changes, icon and holy book revisions took place, as well as a change in divine service customs. A three-fingered cross gesture was also adopted, replacing the traditional two-fingered one.