The Role of Emperor Nicholas I in the Reunification of the Uniates in 1839

The article focuses on clarifying the role of Emperor Nicholas I in the reunification of the Belarusian Uniates. This framing of the issue represents one aspect of examining the influence of the state in this process. It is emphasized that evaluating the significance of the imperial factor must be done in conjunction with assessing the role of Bishop Joseph (Semashko), who was the leader in the initiated case. The article analyses data concerning the religious attitudes of the future emperor and the extent of his familiarity with the particulars of the Belarusian-Lithuanian provinces. It is elucidated that upon ascending the throne, Nicholas I was inclined to continue the policies of his predecessor regarding the Uniates. However, he also demonstrated a tendency to act more decisively, safeguarding them from being transferred to the Latin rite. Additionally, the new Tsar was distrustful of the Poles and their aspirations for a special state status of Poland within the Russian Empire. Beginning with the memorandum of 1827 received from Joseph Semashko, the representative of the Uniate department of the Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Collegium, outlining measures to transform the Uniate church for its return to the Russian Orthodox Church, Emperor Nicholas I recognized the significance of the plan and approved its implementation. However, the latter was executed with hesitations and delays, partly due to the involvement of other individuals such as state dignitaries and the Orthodox episcopate. Not all of them comprehended and placed trust in Semashko’s plans. For this reason, the Right Reverend Joseph had to persevere on multiple occasions and seek the support of the Emperor. As a result of the preparation for reunification, a request and a conciliar petition addressed to the Tsar were prepared. The Russian monarch accepted both proposals but deferred them to the Holy Synod, which held all the canonical powers necessary to admit Uniates into Eucharistic communion. Accordingly, Emperor Nicholas I fulfilled the role of patron and mediator in resolving the Uniate issue.