Nikon (1605–1681)

Patriarch of Moscow 1652–58, a Mordvin by origin. He introduced several reforms (correction of books used in church services, unification of the ritual, and so on) which caused a schism in the Russian Orthodox Church. Nikon's attempt to put the authority of the church above that of the state led to a conflict with the tsar Alexis Mikhailovich. He was condemned by the church council of 1666–67 and confined to a monastery.