Nonpossessors

Russian religious and political group

Also known as: Transvolgans

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July 1, 2026

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The Nonpossessors were a 16th-century monastic movement within the Russian Orthodox Church. They advocated for a life of prayer, meditation, and simplicity, dissociating from worldly affairs. A key tenet was their opposition to monasteries owning farms worked by secular laborers, preferring to own no property collectively or individually.1

This movement was part of a significant theological and political controversy. The Nonpossessors, led by figures like Nil Sorsky, called for greater tolerance and a more spiritual religion. They disputed the views of the "Possessors," led by St. Joseph of Volokolamsk, who justified the church's land ownership and the persecution of heretics. The Nonpossessors' ideals influenced later literary figures, such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky.2

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Maximus The Greek
This was between the Nonpossessors (or Transvolgans), who believed that monasteries should not own property and who had liberal political views, and the Possessors (or Josephites), who held opposite opinions on monastic property and strongly supported the monarchy, including its autocratic aspects. The Nonpossessors came to be led by…
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This was between the Nonpossessors (or Transvolgans), who believed that monasteries should not own property and who had liberal political views, and the Possessors (or Josephites), who held opposite opinions on monastic property and strongly supported the monarchy, including its autocratic aspects. The Nonpossessors came to be led by…
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Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk
Maxim the Greek, “the Nonpossessors,” as they came to be called, advocated monastic poverty, religious freedom, independence from the state, and loyalty to Constantinople.
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Maxim the Greek, “the Nonpossessors,” as they came to be called, advocated monastic poverty, religious freedom, independence from the state, and loyalty to Constantinople.
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Russian literature
Possessors and Nonpossessors
…followers, known as the “Nonpossessors.” Joseph justified the killing of heretics and the church’s possession of lands (thus the name “Possessors”). These positions were disputed by Nil and his followers, especially Vassian Patrikeyev (d. before 1545) and Maximus the Greek (c. 1475–1556). The Nonpossessors called for greater tolerance and…
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…followers, known as the “Nonpossessors.” Joseph justified the killing of heretics and the church’s possession of lands (thus the name “Possessors”). These positions were disputed by Nil and his followers, especially Vassian Patrikeyev (d. before 1545) and Maximus the Greek (c. 1475–1556). The Nonpossessors called for greater tolerance and…
Read More