Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural Ras·kol·niks, Ras·kol·ni·ki [ruh–skawl-ni-kee] /rəˈskɔl nɪˌki/.
- a member of any of several sects founded by dissenters from the Russian Orthodox Church who opposed the liturgical reforms of Nikon in the 17th century.
“dissenter from the Russian Church, an Old Believer,” 1723, from Russian Raskolnik “separatist,” from raskol “schism, separation.” The schism was a result of reforms by Patriarch Nikon in 1667.