 Around 1800, a group of Popovtsy, mainly merchants from Moscow seeking the abrogation of discriminating legislation which obstructed their commercial activities, offered to acknowledge the leadership of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox State Church, on condition that they would be allowed to use the old books and rites.They came to be known as "Edinovertsy" and are generally not regarded as Old Believers, but rather "Old-Ritualists".The two churches of the "'Popovtsy" are