The persecution actually began under Peter the Great. By the time Communists came into power most old believers had already fled. The main reason for persecuti

The persecution actually began under Peter the Great. By the time Communists came into power most old believers had already fled. The main reason for persecution was the old believers distrust of state power. They didn't accept rule by it and they didn't take any part in it. They were similar to the Amish people in the US.