ORTHODOX PRIESTS IN THE SECOND STATE DUMA OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE

Abstract

This article examines the involvement of Orthodox priests in the legislative work of the State Duma of the Russian Empire of the 2nd convocation (1907). Turning to the materials of liberal and conservative periodicals, the author considers the public opinion on the priests’ participation in elections and their activity in the Duma. Examples are given of the use of repression against priests put forward as opposition candidates during the elections to the State Duma. The author demonstrates the distribution of the clerics by factions, as well as their age, education level and position in the Church hierarchy. Further, the article analyses the speeches made by the priest deputies in the State Duma on highly important issues: abolition of death penalty and military courts, attitude towards political terror and political prisoners, as well as the agrarian question. Differences in the political views among the clerical deputies are indicated, e.g. on various punishments for the crimes committed. In addition, measures taken by the Synod against certain priest deputies connected with their activity in the State Duma and absence from the Duma meeting over the plot against Nicholas II are considered. Among the most active clerical members the following can be named: F.V. Tikhvinsky, Bishop Eulogius and Bishop Platon. The author concludes that the priests’ participation in the elections to and the work of the State Duma was a way for the authorities to exert pressure both on the voters and the deputies through the moral authority of the Church. At the same time, attempts to impose ecclesiastical punishment on the left-wing clerical deputies were seen as an infringement on the independence and freedom of opinion of the State Duma members.