The Stranniki (Russian for Runaways or Wanderers) are the strong Pomorsky Old Believers who rejected prayers for Tsar Peter and all government papers (identification, passports, money, etc). They would not wear clothing contrary to Old Orthodox Russia, nor eat with those of contrary Faith and Practice. Keeping themselves separate from the antichrist society they went far into the Siberian wilderness. This blog is about these people and my effort to conform my life to theirs.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Rejecting Naturalization Antichrist Seal

The 1953 New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. X we see on page 123 the following:

“From the Filipovtzi [Old Believers], toward the end of the eighteenth century, arose the ‘Pilgrims’ (Stranniki) or ‘Fugitives’ (Bye-guny), who, in conformity with Matt. x. 37-38, forsook their homes and families, rejected legal [that is State sponsored] marriage and the certificate of naturalization with the seal of the ‘Antichrist,’ and ate no food from the vessels of strangers. A sub-sect of the Pilgrims intentionally postponed their vow of wandering until toward the end of their lives, but occupied a less honored position.”