In the Fifteenth Century, Strangely Enough, It Was the Priests Who Were Active Public Figures

In the fifteenth century, strangely enough, it was the priests who were active public figures. And after the annexation of Novgorod to Moscow in 1478, Ivan III began to persecute those Novgorod priests who held an active public position. But, understanding the importance of men of this type in the existing socio-political situation, he spared the most outstanding of them, summoned them to Moscow and drew them close to the court. Thus Fyodor Kuritsyn became the confessor of the Grand Duke.