The grounds for an absolute divorce for other persons except Jews are:
1. Adultery.
2. Bigamy.
3. Impotence existing at time of marriage.
4. Absence without news for five years.
5. Condemnation to the loss of all civil rights.
6. Banishment to Siberia with the loss of all special rights. Either party may petition for divorce on this ground.
7. Entrance of both spouses into a religious order, provided they have no children who need their support and care.
8. Conversion of a non-Christian to the Russian Church, provided he or his consort desires such divorcement.
Procedure.—In the case of a Christian who is not an “Old Believer” or a member of the Russian Church, the petition for divorce is filed in the ecclesiastical court. After this the bishop designates a clergyman, who is to make an attempt to reconcile the parties. Not until this attempt has failed is notice served on the defendant and the day set for a hearing of the cause. If the court decides in favour of a divorce, the decree must be submitted to the Synod for revision. In case of condemnation to the loss of civil rights, a divorce is granted immediately.