Persecution of Jews in Russia

Gennady of Novgorod
Archbishop Gennady of Novgorod (1484-1504) commenced a systematic repression of Judaizers. He was supported by Joseph Volotsky, Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich III of Moscow, and other clergy. Ivan, in 1491, had Skhariya the Jew executed, and Gennady had many Judaizers executed.

Alexander
The Grand Duke Alexander of Lithuania in 1495 expelled Jews from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and confiscated liens held by Jews against Christians.

Catherine I
Russian Empress Catherine I issued an edict in 1727 expelling Jews from Russia and Ukraine: “The Jews ... who are living in Ukraine and other Russian towns are to be immediately deported beyond the frontier, and must henceforth not be allowed to enter Russia under any circumstances.” She was an Orthodox Christian.

Elizabeth Petrovna
In 1742, Elizabeth Petrovna, Empress of Russia, ordered the expulsion of all the Jews of the Russian Empire and called them “enemies of Christ.”

Catherine II
Empress Catherine II (who reigned from 1762 to 1796) segregated Jews and restricted them to the Pale of Settlement. She doubled the taxes on Jews; the added taxes were lifted if they converted to Orthodox Christianity.

Nicholas I
In 1827, Emperor Nicholas I (who reigned from 1825 to 1855) required by law that Jews from 12 to 25 years old join the military and be required to complete 25 years of service. Jews were also compelled to convert to Christianity.

Alexander III
Emperor Alexander III (who reigned from 1881 to 1894) favored Orthodox Christianity. He supported pogroms and attacks on Jews and imposed various rules and bans on them: they weren't allowed to own land and property in rural areas; they weren't allowed to hold government office, run schools, or appeal against a court sentence; they could be deported if they lived outside the Pale of Settlement; they weren't allowed to work in the legal, military, or medical professions; their entrance to universities and secondary schools was restricted; they weren't allowed to vote in zemstva and municipal elections; they were forced to sell up businesses; and their rights to trade or sell products was restricted.