Among other things, he points out that the "women of the kingdom of Moscow are illiterate," and deduces the conclusion that the chief cause of all contemporary troubles in the kingdom is excessive ignorance.

He declares, "We must learn from foreigners, and send our children abroad for instruction"-- precisely Peter the Great's policy, it will be observed.
Another writer, Yury Krizhanitz, must have exerted a very considerable influence upon Peter the Great, as it is known that the latter owned his work on "The Kingdom of Russia in the Middle of the Seventeenth Century." This book contains a discussion as to the proper means for changing the condition of affairs then prevailing; as to the degree in which foreign influence should be permitted; and precisely what measures should be adopted to combat this or that social abuse or defect.

The programme of reforms, which he therein laid down, was, to proceed from the highest source, by administrative process, and without regard to the opposition of the masses.

This programme Peter the Great carried out most effectually later on.
Battle was also waged with the old order of things in the spiritual realm by the famous Patriarch Nikon (1605-1681), who, as a peasant lad of twelve, ran away from his father's house to a monastery.

Although compelled by his parents to return home and to marry, he soon went back and became a monk in a monastery in the White Sea.