Russian Emperor Peter I the Great and Tambov Diocese

The problem of church-state relations during the reign of Emperor Peter I is studied. In the general historical discourse, the cause-and-effect relationships of the state reforms carried out by the emperor in Russia and related events from life of Tambov Diocese are considered. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a systematic understanding of church history in critical eras, including the regional aspect, in order to build effective interaction between the state, the Church and society at the present stage. Using narrative and historical-chronological methods of research, a holistic picture of the life of the Tambov Diocese at the end of the 17th – beginning of the 18th centuries is recreated, noting the facts of the negative influence of the internal policy chosen by Emperor Peter I towards the Orthodox Church, up to the deprivation of its independent government, which continued from 1701 to 1758. Concrete facts from the life of representatives of the clergy and laity are given, revealing the depth of socio-political contradictions that have arisen. In conclusion, we claims that Peter’s reforms had a destructive effect on the activities of Tambov Diocese founded in 1682: they gave rise to internal discord, prevented active missionary preaching among the heterogeneous local population for several decades.