In 1652, [[Patriarch]] [[Nikon |Nikon (1605–1681; Patriarch of Moscow]] (r. the Russian Orthodox Church from 1652-to 1658) ]] introduced a number of ritual and textual reforms revisions 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 According to the Old Believers, Nikon acted without adequate consultation with the clergy and without gathering a council. After the implementation of these innovationsrevisions, Muscovite state power the Church [[anathema]]tized and suppressed with the support of Muscovite state power the prior liturgical rite itself as well as those who acted contrary were reluctant to pass to themthe revised rite. These traditionalists Those who maintained fidelity to the existing rite endured severe persecutions from the end of the 17th century until the beginning of the 20th century as ''schismatics''. They became known as "Old Believers" or "Old Ritualists", a name introduced during the reign of Empress [[Catherine the Great]]. At the same time they continued to call themselves simply Orthodox Christians.