The New Student's Reference Work/Dukhobors

Dukhobors. The name signifies Spirit-fighters, and was given to certain Russian peasants because they denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, they also denied that Christ is more than a superior man, who is reincarnated often, appearing in the persons of the founders of this sect and also in many other people at different times. The sect was established as early as 1750, in the province of Kharkov, in south-central Russia. Dukhobors have no church-building, and will not enter churches, saying that wherever two or three are gathered together a religious congregation exists. They have no ceremonies, even at marriages. The Ten Commandments they accept, and whatever else in the Bible seems to them to be useful. They are governed by an assembly of elders, and usually are quiet people, sober and hardworking. They are peasants, all of them. From 1750 to 1793 the sect grew so rapidly that the Russian government began a persecution. In 1800 this policy was changed to one of kindness. Large tracts of fertile lands in central Russia were granted the industrious peasants. In 1819 persecution was renewed, and they were removed to a less favorable district. In 1890 Pobiedonostseff began to apply to them his policy of forcing all Russians into the Greek church. The Dukhobors then begged permission to emigrate. Some were allowed to go to Cyprus; and a large body emigrated to Manitoba, where they still live. Their prosperity in that country continued until 1902, when large numbers of them started in the dead of winter in an aimless march, hoping somehow to find Christ. The Canadian government was finally obliged to drive them home to preserve their lives. In 1903 and again in 1908 the same thing occurred, women and children joining in the march.