Kavatsevad

Kavatsevad is a term used in the context of the Russian Orthodox Church to refer to a group of monks who, in the 19th century, were known for their ascetic lifestyle and their opposition to the reforms of the church. The term "kavatsevad" is derived from the Russian word "kavatsevat," which means "to desire" or "to long for," reflecting the monks' intense spiritual pursuits and their desire for a more austere and traditional form of monasticism.

The kavatsevad monks were primarily based in the Russian province of Bessarabia, which is now part of Moldova. They were known for their strict adherence to the Rule of St. Basil the Great, which emphasized simplicity, poverty, and solitude. The kavatsevad opposed the reforms of the church, which they saw as a departure from the traditional monastic ideal. These reforms, initiated by the church hierarchy, aimed to modernize the church and make it more accessible to the laity, but the kavatsevad saw these changes as a dilution of the monastic spirit.

The kavatsevad's opposition to the reforms led to a period of tension and conflict within the Russian Orthodox Church. The church hierarchy eventually excommunicated the kavatsevad, and many of the monks were forced to leave Bessarabia. However, the kavatsevad's influence on the Russian Orthodox Church and the broader spiritual landscape of the region remains significant. Their story serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates within the church about the nature of monasticism and the role of the church in society.