The Romanov Dynasty

How did the Orthodox Church and its place in Russian society change over the period of the Romanov Dynasty, what was the impact of these changes, and what do they teach us about the nature of the Russian state over this period? What role(s) did religion and/or the official Church play in defining Imperial Russian culture, society, and politics? In what periods did the influence of the Church wax or wane, in what realms (politics, culture, society, etc), with what results? Give specific examples of events, changes, and influences and explain their impacts in each case.