Russia's Old Believers
Ivan Boiko
The Old Believers constitute a singular minority within contemporary Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. Raised within a strict framework, amidst the violence of the 17th century, this religious and social community is now the only surviving group in modern-day Russia that bears witness to the medieval tradition. The Old Believers’ rupture with the modern world has effectively allowed for the preservation of religious, social and cultural practices descending directly from Slavic and Byzantine traditions, in spite of the difficulties they have faced to survive. The origins of this rupture between the Old Believers and the official Orthodox Church date back to the reforms undertaken by the patriarch Nikon in the 17th century, which concerned several essential cornerstones of the orthodox faith, such as the name of God. These reforms brought about a veritable schism, also known as “Raskol”, which remains the only such breach of its kind in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. In opposition to these changes, numerous members of the clergy and the population protested, led by Avvakum, their guide and mentor, and soon came to call themselves the keepers of the “Old Faith”, naming themselves “Old Believers”. This resistance would provoke centuries of particularly violent repression, murders and persecutions. Relentlessly pursued and subject to arrests en masse, they were forced to flee to the borders of the country in order to continue to live within their faith in a state of semi-clandestinity. The extermination of their priests also forced them to live as private communities deprived of any religious hierarchy. Ever since these persecutions, the Old Believers have sought their own way, seeking to recover a common identity and conserve the “Old Faith”. Hence they live cut off from the world, considering everything that followed the schism to be the work of the Antichrist, and that God is no longer present on Earth. Their philosophical principles are therefore based on the rejection of this world that has been abandoned by the Divine Presence. For more than four centuries, they have nonetheless had to cope with the existence of the outside world and thus lead a life full of compromises. The dogma and strict laws governing their way of life consist of a series of taboos and prohibitions in reaction to the modern world (tobacco, automobiles, electricity, medicines etc.) The act of being photographed features among these various taboos. Ivan Boiko’s work is even more remarkable for this reason. A long period of familiarisation with his subject - initiated and developed over years spent on site - was vital for the balance that he was ultimately able to find. The very essence of the Old Believers’ current way of life defined his photographic approach: between a delicate intrusion into their daily life (work in the fields, religious ceremonies or the intimacy of the domestic sphere), and the ambivalence of the portraits conceded by the few adults and children who accepted the camera’s eye, Ivan Boiko let himself be guided by the ineluctable constraints and puritanism of this community. His images are the point of intersection between the many contradictions faced by the Old Believers. Above all they reflect a rare world, whose faces and places allow the authenticity of a recovered past to reemerge.
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151953 Grass cutting STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151950 Grass cutting STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151956 Grass cutting STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151952 Grass cutting STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151998 Old lady walking on the path in front of her house. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151964 Praying before a baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151962 Prayers before the baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151963 On the way to a baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151941 On the way to an infant's baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151951 Baptism STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0152001 Praying after a baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151961 Prayers before a baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0152002 Two old ladies talking. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0152000 Praying after a baptism. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151965 Old lady in front of her house. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151972 Harvest STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151939 Harvest STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151971 Harvest STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151970 Harvest STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151943 Harvest STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151960 Boys at the crossroads. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151958 Mother and child. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151938 Old woman outdoors STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151973 Children listening to the singing of hymns. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151997 Portrait of an old man. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151959 Children in the street. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151957 Mother and child STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151955 Children on a bench. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151996 Une vieille femme chez elle STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151993 Little boys (brothers) at the entry to their house. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151980 Old lady with bread. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151991 Two sisters in front of a house. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151954 Family STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151966 Women with dog STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151974 Singing spiritual songs STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151969 Landscape (rain) STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151975 Family in the kitchen STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151976 Girl outside STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151942 Old couple indoors. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151994 Young girls in front of their house. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151940 Girl STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151977 Girls (sisters) in the kitchen. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151992 Girl in the courtyard STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151978 Little girl in the window STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151979 Three villagers outdoors STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151981 Family in the kitchen STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151982 Girls outdoors STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151983 Family in the kitchen STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151984 Landscape with cow. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151985 Girl running in the street. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151986 Cow STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151987 Landscape STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151988 Women with children in the yard of their house STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151989 Old man with his grandson STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151995 Une vieille femme et sa petite-fille. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151947 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151946 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151948 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151944 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151999 All-night vigil of prayer at Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151967 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151968 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151945 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151949 All-night vigil of prayer for Easter. STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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Ivan Boiko / Picturetank BOI0151990 Landscape STRICT EDITORIAL USAGE CONFORM TO CAPTION AND CONTEXT. WITHOUT MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. |
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