Russian Old-Rite: Why are they Graceless and Wrong?

[Lenexa]

In doing a little free-time researching I have found that there is a great deal of information on the Russian Old-Believers now available and I thought that I would ask those of you with good info to help point me in the way of some good books or articles in defense of Tsar Alexei and Patriarch Nikon and the Reforms.
What is a proper Orthodox view of what happened in Russia due to the Nikonian Reforms? and how should we view the Old Believers?
The best defense I have read yet, taking into consideration I have read very little, is that there were a host of heresies and sects in Russia during the time of Patriarch Nikon and the Reforms were geared to weed out practices that were old and separated the Russian Church from the rest of Orthodoxy. Basically that the Russian Church is not a Church above and Alone the Truly Pious Bastion of Orthodoxy. Also I read a biographical sketch of St.John Maximovitch in which he is said to have remarked, "No, Patriarch Nikon was the greatest of Patriarchs!" I would appreciate any and all help whether in public or private.
With Love and Prayers!

[GOCPriestMark]

There have already been several discussions on this forum. You might find some useful information here:
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7288
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7291
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2923

[Lenexa]

Many Thanks! I don't know why I was not finding these when used the search engine. Forgive my laziness.
This will give me a lot of help and a lot to read and think about.
Fr. Mark and all while I am asking questions has there been any good discussions on the numerous lesser known schisms and heresies that existed and still exist in Russia?
Good books on the subject?
I know a little of Rasputins sect but I have read Radzhinsky's book on him and it hints that there were many mixtures of paganism and Old Believer Orthodoxy that developed beyond the Urals which Raputin may have delved into when wandering. Of course that is primarily hearsay but I would appreciate any help!
Of course if I read Russian many of these troubles would be solved.
Thanks!

Oh and Before I forget does anyone know of any research into the libraries of texts of the Old Believer communities? I have also read that the Old Believers, to continue Tradition and training men in the faith maintained many old texts that are of interest to scholars. For example an old Slavonic text of the Liturgy of St.Gregory/St.Peter was discovered amongst an Old Believer community living abroad.

[Starman]

Russian Orthodoxy was never divinly established as an historic patriarchate. Divine providence established Antioch, Rome, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Constantinople.

[Lenexa]

Starman it is nice to meet you and I pray you are having a good Fast!
Unless you are an Antinomian and talking about Providence, Rhode Island!
Divine Providence definitely established Moscow as an legitimate historic Patriarchate. I understand where you are coming from and the way that Moscow was established as a Patriarchate has been questioned as being the result of bribery by Boris Gudonov but there can be no doubt that God is in control of His Church and that St.Patriarch Job and the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate were established by Divine Providence!
But this is better to be discussed elsewhere such as in a new topic or privately. I'd love to discuss this with you and am interested in what your view is and your reasons.
Asking your prayers!
Eucherius

[joasia]

Russian Orthodoxy was never divinly established as an historic patriarchate

Russia was given autonomous authority by Constantinople. And you should read some of the lives of the Russian saints. They are not excluded from the Orthodox Church. They are well-established,also by the Greeks. So watch what you say.

Divine Providence worked in Russia too. Maybe you should read up about it before you make such statements.