Raskol: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Raskol (Russian раско́л, meaning 'split' or 'schism') was the event of splitting of the Russian Orthodox Church into the official church and the Old Believers movement. This was triggered by the reforms of Patriarch Nikon in 1653 – 1656.

The official church denounced the Old Believers as raskolniki (раско́льники), i.e. 'schism-makers'.