In 1652, Patriarch Nikon of Moscow (r. 1652-1658) introduced a number of ritual and textual reforms with the aim of achieving uniformity between Russian and Greek Orthodox practices. Nikon, having noticed discrepancies between Russian and Greek rites and texts, ordered an adjustment of the Russian rites to align with the Greek ones of his time. He acted without adequate consultation with the clergy and without gathering a council. After the implementation of these innovations, Muscovite state power anathematized and suppressed those who acted contrary to them. These traditionalists became known as "Old Believers" or "Old Ritualists".
The Old Believers, or semeiskie as they are called in Siberia, make up a unique regional ethnographic group. They were founded more than 200 years ago by a group of Russian Ortodox Christians unwilling to accept the liturgical reforms of the seventeenth century Russian Orthodox Church, in particular Patriarch Nikon. In 1650, Old Believers broke away from the Russian Orthodox Church, and led by Avvakum Petrovich, an archpriest who was later executed, they were cruelly persecuted for their actions by the government and the church. As a result, many devoutly religious Old Believers committed suicide by burning themselves. Eventually, the Old Believers divided into sects, some sects fleeing to the borderlands, others exiled to Siberia. In 1764, during the reign of Katherine the Great, Old Believers from Poland were taken into the remote wilds of Transbaikalia, which is now the Buryat Republic. Scattered across the region, they lived in isolation and preserved their beliefs, including their sacred two finger cross sign. They settled down and cultivated new lands, forming communities and faithfully following old traditions. In Siberia, they are called semeiskie (family) because unlike other exiles, many brought their entire families with them. In the Urals, they are known as Kerzhaks, in Romania, Lipovans and in Turkey, Nekrasov Cossacks. In 1971, the Council of the Russian Orthodox Church officially recognized the rites and practices of the Old Believers. The descendants of these original Old Believers still survive and practice many traditions and cultures of the past. Presently, Old Believers of Transbaikalia are a unique group, a colorful blend of Ukrainian, Belorussian and Polish culture. The Old Believers have preserved many of their Ukrainian, Belorussian and Polish traditions, beliefs, folk tales and songs. This is seen in several areas of their culture. For example, only semeiskie in Transbaikalia use the Ukrainian words bulba or lustochka(potato, bread). Family names and dialect, style of clothing and house decorations are also linked to their European past. In addition, music is particularly important to Old Believer culture. The great Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov notes that their songs are an example of ⌠ancient pure Russian melody.■ Even today in Buryatia, Semeiskie villages have gifted singers who follow the traditional singing styles and transfer this gift of music to their sons and daughters. Semeiskie folk groups performing the polyphonic, or multiple person and instrument singing of old Russian songs, have become quite famous in Russia and abroad.