Old Believers

Old Believers, Old Ritualists, White Russians (Russian: староверы | starovery or старообрядцы | staroobryadtsy) are descendants of conservative members of the Russian Orthodox Church who refused to accept a reform imposed in the mid-17th century by the patriarch Nikon.  is the common term for numerous religious communities, which maintain the old liturgical and ritual practices of the Russian Orthodox Church.

They have been heavily persecuted for their beliefs in Russia after the split from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1666 due to a series of reforms created by Patriarch Nikon of Moscow (who was later stripped of his rank). Important religious symbols worn every day include the poyasok (поясок, “belt”) and a cross worn around the neck to indicate their bond to Christ.

Some 2000 Old Believers live in Canada, most of them in Alberta.