Popoftchins, or Popovshchins

Popoftchins, or Popovshchins a name given to the different sects of Russian dissenters who recognize the validity of ordination as given in the Established Church, and receive most of their popes (q.v.), i.e. priests, from that communion. The Popoftchins are divided into five principal sects: the Starobertzi, or Old Ceremonialists, the Diaconoftschins, the Peremayanoftschins, the Epefanoftschins, and the Tschernaboltsi. Those who have no priests at all, or who do not acknowledge the validity of Church ordination, are termed Bez- Popoftchins, or No-Priesters. See Mosheim, Eccles. History, vol. 3; Platon, Greek Church (see Index).