# Old Believer schism (1666)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1666-old-believer-schism
Location: Moscow, Russia
Themes: Schism

Patriarch Nikon's liturgical reforms split the Russian Church. At this point in the timeline (1666), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Alexander VII (7 April 1655 – 22 May 1667).

## Why it matters
Old Believer schism mattered because it changed the boundaries of communion between Christian churches, divisions that still shape Christianity today.

Pope at the time: [Pope Alexander VII](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-alexander-vii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Old Believers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Believers)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Old Believer schism](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Old+Believer+schism)
- [Wikipedia — Enlightenment and Revival (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity#Modern_era)