Proceedings of the 44th International Academic Conference, Vienna

RUSSIAN EMPIRE’S POLICY OF ACCULTURATION FOR CHRISTIAN SECTARIANS (XIX – THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURIES)

SERGEY LYUBICHANKOVSKIY, ELENA GODOVOVA

Abstract:

This research is about features of a policy of acculturation for Christian sectarians in the territory of Orenburg region of XIX – the beginnings of the 20th centuries. The subject of the relationship of the Orthodox Russian Empire with Christian sectarians repeatedly rose in modern scientific literature. However the situation in the huge suburban Eurasian region on the border of Europe and Asia – the Orenburg region – wasn't analyzed systemically. The purpose of our research – to study a question on the basis of primary sources from the local archive. The government sought to provide stability in the Orenburg province and incorporation of the region in the structure of the Empire by means of acculturation policy. This policy concerned not only the Muslims living here but also Christian sectarians. Christian sectarianism in a mass look has appeared in the Orenburg region from the second half of the 19th century. The activity of Russian Orthodox Church in the Orenburg diocese has been directed to the identification of sectarians and "their return to a bosom of a church" through explanations and education. If efforts of the church didn't result in desirable results, then more drastic measures with an involvement of the Orenburg provincial administration and police were taken. As a result in the region, steady process of formal transition to Orthodoxy at a secret observance of former ceremonies was supported. The factor complicating work of the Orthodox Church with sectarians in the territory of the Orenburg province was her status of the territory in large quantities accepting immigrants among whom sectarians have been presented in a large number. The research is executed at the expense of a grant of the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 17-18-01008) in the Orenburg State Pedagogical University.

Keywords: History of acculturation, Identity, Christian sectarianism, Russian Empire

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2018.044.026

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