Russian state and missionary orthodox church in Siberia in XVII century

In 1620 Siberian diocese was founded in eastern Russia. In the scientific literature, it was noted that in Siberia XVII century representatives of the Orthodox Church were not deployed missionary activity among the peoples of the region. Historian Alexander Y. Konev, studying the state policy towards the peoples of Siberia, noted that the nature of religious policy in Siberia in the XVII century was defined "world outlook figures most of the Russian Orthodox Church." The head of the Siberian Diocese Archbishop Makarios believed that baptism in the Orthodox faith infidels Siberia was desirable thing, but only if it was voluntary and free, without the slightest suspicion of a forced landing of any external circumstances. In 1624 Tobolsk was sent from Moscow sovereign's decree allowing all wishing to baptize people tributaries, mile and a half salary. Clergy Siberia at this time agrees to the baptism in the Orthodox faith infidels Siberia only when it is voluntary and free. By 1634 among the Turks of Western Siberia, there were only 530 people accepted Orthodoxy. The situation in Siberia XVII century was a manifestation of the old traditions of the Russian culture and politics. A deep commitment to the clergy and laity of the Church Russian Orthodox faith, evidence of which was the Time of Troubles, combined tolerance to representatives of other religious traditions. Russian state supported, first of all, the Orthodox Church, while other traditional religions, who shared the peoples of Russia, enjoyed considerable tolerance.