Page "Caste" Paragraph 136

The Russian priests formed a caste apart, according to Palmer.

They were distinct from both the peasants and the nobles.

The sons of priests were forbidden to undertake other occupations, and compelled to become priests.

Priests could marry, but only within their caste.

For centuries, the priestly caste had remained an unmixed social group.

There was near universal prejudice against the priests among other social strata.