Archimandrite Iliya (Matveev) - a distinguished figure in Perm “anti-schismatic” mission

In this article the life and work of the prominent Ural missionary archimandrite Iliya (Matveev) (1790 - 1839) is discussed - the employee of the “anti-schismatic” mission of Perm diocese established in 1828 by the Holy Synod for active fight with the split in the Urals. The changes in state policy towards the old believers under Nicholas I (1825 - 1855), which led to the limitation of their rights, stricter controls over the activities of Old Believer communities, especially in the Ural and Siberian provinces of the country where the concentration of the population of old believers was particularly high. For example, the activity of the Abbot of Solikamsk Trinity the Perm diocese the monastery of archimandrite Iliya (Matveev) shows the process of the revitalization of the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church in the fight against Old Belief split in the 30s of the 19th century. The analysis of the main directions and methods of missionary work of Orthodox pastors with old believers in “Nikolas epoch” is given, as well as difficulties and problems encountered by members of the “anti-schismatic” mission encountered in its activities...