Patriarch Nikon of Moscow

Nikon, born Nikita Minin was the seventh Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' of the Russian Orthodox Church, serving officially from 1652 to 1666. He was renowned for his eloquence, energy, piety and close ties to Tsar Alexis of Russia. Nikon introduced many reforms, including liturgical reforms that were unpopular among conservatives. These divisions eventually led to a lasting schism known as Raskol (schism) in the Russian Orthodox Church. For many years, he was a dominant political figure, often equaling or even overshadowing the Tsar. In December 1667, Nikon was tried by a synod of church officials, deprived of all his sacerdotal functions, and reduced to the status of a simple monk.

7 May 1605

Born on the same birth day (7 May): Archibald MacLeish • Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery • Dani Olmo • Darren McGavin • Domenico Bartolucci • Joe Rice • Johannes Brahms • Joseph Gurney Cannon • Lisa Raitt • Mark Reynolds (footballer, born 1987) • Martin Bryant • Nikolai Arkharov • Nikolay Zabolotsky • Peter Carey (novelist) • Rendra Karno • Sidney Altman • Terry Allen (artist) • Tom Norman