A faith exiled from Russia years ago on the verge of disappearance in Georgia

A faith exiled from Russia years ago on the verge of disappearance in Georgia

Sub: IR

SEC: Places in news

Context:

• Doukhobor Community that migrated to Georgia from Russia due to religious persecution is having concerns about the loss of cultural identity and traditions due to declining membership.

About Doukhobor Community:

• A pacifist Christian sect with unique beliefs and practices, originating in 18th-century Russia.
• Founded on principles of nonviolence and communal living.
• They rejected Orthodox Church and military service under Czar Nicholas I.
• Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, also a pacifist, who donated the profits from his final novel Resurrection to help Doukhobors emigrate to Canada.

Cultural Practices:

• Nonviolence is central to their identity, with a strong emphasis on communal support.
• Community life focuses on shared agricultural practices and self-sufficiency.
• Prayers are conducted without priests and led by community members, reflecting their grassroots spirituality.
• Hymns and prayers are traditionally passed down orally.

Expulsion:

• In 1830s, thousands from the community were expelled from Russia for refusing military service and allegiance to Czar Nicholas I.
• Expelled from Russia, they settled in various regions, including Canada.
• They stablished villages in regions near the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing nonviolence and communal worship.
• At their peak, the community grew to about 20,000 members.

Current Status:

• Approximately 100 Doukhobors remain in Georgia, primarily concentrated in the villages of Gorelovka and Orlovka in the South Caucasus, Georgia.
• Significant Doukhobor populations exist in Canada, particularly in British Columbia, where they have established vibrant communities.

Challenges:

• The community is threatened by assimilation pressures as younger members, influenced by surrounding cultures, explore alternative beliefs.
• The diminishing population raises concerns about the survival of cultural practices and communal identity.
• In Georgia, tensions exist with ethnic Georgians and Armenians.