Noble Boyarynia

Boyarynya Morozova (1629-1676), father of Peter I the Great, started the reforms in Russia; one of them aimed to subordinate the church to the tzar. As a result the Russian Orthodox Church split into Nikonians (those who followed the new course, the name comes from the revolutionary patriarch Nikon) and old-believers (they were headed by Avvakum). Besides other changes, such as the revision of icons and holy books, there were changes in the divine service. Also crossing oneself with three fingers, instead of two, was introduced.