Little Russia is located. The village of Fioletovo in the Lori region is completely populated by Molokans.

Molokans - spiritual Christians, as they call themselves, have created their own oasis on the territory of the republic, where they have preserved their identity, where they manage to observe their traditions and rituals.

There are practically no TVs and computers in the village, modern technology they consider unclean. Villagers learn news either from each other, or from relatives who have gone to work in the cities of Armenia or Russia, or from their grandchildren, who, despite the prohibitions of adults, keep Cell phones.

“I’m sitting here, peeling cabbages, and then my granddaughter “sneezes” and takes pictures of me. I tell her, they say, take pictures of yourself, baby, and not me, I also found a beauty. Here’s yours, didn’t find anyone else? Let others taking pictures," says Maria Timofeevna, grimacing, nodding at the photographer.

There is a common opinion that Molokans are secretive, unsociable people, they do not like "strangers". Most likely, this is a myth, since all those Molokans that we met turned out to be very friendly.

"Russian tourists often come to us. Do you know what they ask first of all? Don't the Armenians offend you?" - laughing, says a friend of Maria Timofeevna - Tatyana Ivanovna.

She noted that Armenians and Molokans have been living side by side for two hundred years.

"Armenians are our brothers and sisters. We are already the fifth generation of Molokans living in Armenia. What problems can there be between our peoples?" the woman wonders.

In any city or village in Armenia, you can meet children in caps and T-shirts with the inscription "Spirits" and with the profile of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In Fioletovo, we did not see children in such clothes. The "Velvet Revolution" seems to have bypassed the village. The villagers did not take part in the revolution and did not feel any change.

"In the neighboring Armenian village (Margaovit - ed.), roads were blocked, some slogans were shouted out. And what about us? We don't know Armenian, would we go there and what? Why should we?" - said the neighbor of our two interlocutors and hurried to the garden.

© Sputnik / Asatur Yesayants

One of the women asked if it was true that Pashinyan was responding to people's letters.

"If yes, then let's write him a letter, Tatyana Ivanovna. Let him return all the money that Ter-Petrosyan (the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan - ed.) Withdrew from our pension and ate. What if he returns it?" - offers Maria Timofeevna, referring to her friend.

In turn, Natalya Maksimovna, who opened the first and only guest house in Fioletovo, doubts that the revolution will improve the situation in the village. A separate article will be written about her guest house.

"We hardworking people, we even have small children working in gardens, looking after pets. But there is no place to sell us our good. All neighboring Armenian villages are empty. And the cities too. You have to travel to the capital to trade. Is it really possible for some leader to change this - to return people to the villages where there is no work for them? Probably not," the woman says.

© Sputnik / Asatur Yesayants

Many Molokans recall with nostalgia the Soviet times, when they lived in clover, the village prospered, and the young did not have to leave in search of work. They do not believe that the change of power in the republic will somehow change their lives for the better.

This is a continuation.

In the first part, I talked about how Rubik Mangasaryan and I decided to make a joint article about the Molokans, and how nothing came of it. Now, apparently, the time has come to tell who the Molokans are and how they ended up in the Caucasus, including Armenia.

(Lermontov shoemaker. Photo by Ruben Mangasaryan)

A bit of history

In the process of preparing the first article on the Molokans, I called the Russian Consul in Armenia to talk about the Molokans. We agreed to meet, and when I arrived, it turned out that Ivan Yakovlevich Semenov was sitting with him. Molokanin, former minister, and at that time - chairman of the Fund for Assistance and Assistance to Russian Compatriots of the Republic of Armenia.

This meeting of ours was the beginning of a very warm relationship that continues to this day. Ivan Yakovlevich seems to know all the Armenian Molokans. Well, even if he doesn’t know someone or has forgotten because of the prescription of years, then they all know him - that’s for sure. I checked many times.

A little time passed after our first meeting, and Ivan Yakovlevich brought me the manuscript of his future book, The History of the Transcaucasian Molokans and Dukhobors. I don't remember taking great participation in its editing, but when it came out, I was very flattered to see thanks from the author "for helpful tips».

But, I think, the main thing in our cooperation was that the book included more than a dozen beautiful photographs of Rubik.

So, from the manuscript and from the stories of Ivan Yakovlevich, I learned a lot about the history of the Molokans. This was supported by information from other sources, and now I will try to describe it, literally, in a nutshell.

So, in Russia, about XVI century(some researchers think that earlier), dissatisfaction with the official church and especially the church hierarchy increased so much that it gradually took shape, as they said then, into heresy, and now they would say “into a sect”. Actually, it was the direction of "spiritual Christianity", which soon split into two parts - Dukhoborism and Molokanism.

main idea consisted in the fact that for communication with God the church is not needed, priests are not needed as intermediaries between man and God. Spiritual Christians do not recognize church sacraments, do not worship icons. Actually, the Dukhobors, unlike the Molokans, do not recognize the Bible either. All researchers note the similarity of this trend with Protestantism, but which arose on Russian soil.

TO XVII century there are more and more spiritual Christians. They settle in the central provinces of Russia, engage in peasant labor, and according to all sources it turns out that they were wonderful peasants, since their religious communities also played a role economic organizations, and at that time it was a very advanced way of organizing work.

And there are so many Molokans and Dukhobors in the 18th century that it begins to disturb the authorities. And at the very beginning of the 19th century, they were collected from everywhere and evicted to the Taurida province, on the banks of the Molochnaya River. But about thirty-five years pass, and they are again resettled - this time to the Caucasus - to modern Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. There were Molokan and Dukhobor villages in the Kars region, but they were empty even before the First World War.

Arriving in the Caucasus in the middle of the century before last, Molokans settled, including in the north modern Armenia. So, for example, the city of Sevan was the Molokan Elenovka, Hrazdan - Akhta, Tsaghkadzor - Konstantinovka, Tashir (Kalinino) - Rumyantsev, Dilijan is now on the site of the Molokan villages of Golovino and Slobodka (later Papanino), the famous Sevan Pass was once called Semenovsky, in the honor of the Molokan village of Semyonovka, located at the very top of a dizzying mountain road, and so on.

Ivan Yakovlevich Semyonov told me that back in Soviet time there were more than thirty Molokan villages in Armenia. Now there is only one left - Fioletovo, with a population of just over a thousand people. The village got its name in honor of one of the 26 Baku commissars. Her real name was Nikitino. Nearby is Lermontovo (former Voskresenka), separated from Fioletov by the Armenian Margaovit (former Amzachiman).

But Lermontovo is no longer half Molokan. Both Armenians and Kurds now live there.

These villages are located 15-20 kilometers from Vanadzor (formerly Kirovakan), the third largest city in Armenia. It is only two hours drive from Yerevan.

Semyonov said that there are now less than five thousand Molokans left in the country, and more than a thousand of them live in Fioletovo. And at the end of the eighties of the last century, there were about fifty thousand Molokans in Armenia.

The Molokans have been living in Armenia for 170 years, without mixing with the local population and without losing their language. They managed to build their own little Russia in the new conditions and live in it separately, but not alone.

And the conditions were not favorable - the Molokans had to settle in highland villages, some of which are located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level, in places with a difficult climate, unfavorable for agriculture. But the Molokans survived this test, and religion played a huge role in this.

And why, in fact, "molokans"?

The name "Molokans" is interpreted in different ways. There is a version according to which this name came from the fact that the Molokans did not adhere to the fasts adopted by the Orthodox Church, they ate fast food, mainly dairy products, on fasting days. By the way, Molokans do not really recognize Orthodox posts.

According to another version, the source of the name may be the Molochnaya River in the Melitopol district of the Taurida province, where the Molokans lived in exile for several decades before they were evicted to the Caucasus.

But the most accurate (as it seems to me) version was given by Tsaghkadzor Molokan Alexander Tikunov. On a frosty winter Sunday in 2001, instead of riding skiing, drank tea at his house, and he, quoting the Bible by heart, said that the name "Molokans" should be interpreted allegorically.

In the First Conciliar Epistle of the Holy Apostle Peter there is such a phrase: "... like newborn babies, love pure verbal milk." Tikunov said: "The word Holy Scripture, depending on the spiritual level of a person, produces a different effect. When a person in spiritual concept small, the word of God is like milk to him. Spiritual milk. Hence our name - Molokans.

Molokans believe that every believer should satisfy their spiritual needs, improve their behavior and their feelings. important place in their beliefs is the theory of the transmigration of the soul of Jesus Christ from the Father to the Son. Molokans reject the worship of images - icons, the cross.

“We are considered spiritual Christians,” says Tikunov, “we interpret the Bible allegorically, in other words, we perceive it spiritually.”

My knowledge of the Molokans and their philosophy was quite unexpectedly supplemented by a story
English traveler and member Geographic Society H.F.B. Lynch. IN late XIX century, he visited Armenia and wrote two thick volumes: “Russian Armenia” and “Turkish Armenia”. In the volume of "Russian Armenia" he perfectly describes the Molokans and Dukhobors. Here is a short excerpt from the description of the Molokans:

“God dwells in the living objects of his love… I spoke with an old man, who captivated me with his pretty voice and manner, about the religious beliefs of the Molokans. They revere Moses and the prophets and the Holy Gospel, but practice their religion in their own way. The singing of psalms seems to be the main external expression of their religious feelings. Children are not baptized, but they are brought to the chapel, a chapter from the Gospel is read in the presence of the child, and his name is publicly announced. The marriage union is consecrated by a similar ceremony.

The Molokans live in a closed community. Its members strive to put into practice their social ideals: non-violence, brotherhood, equality, economic cooperation, spiritual perfection. The spiritual leader of the community is the presbyter. He interprets the Bible and is an authority on religious matters and communal, secular matters. But in fact, many no, no, yes, and they will violate the strict prohibitions of the presbyter.

But I think that's enough about religion and history for now. It's time to return to how Rubik and I received our first experience of writing an article about the Molokans, and what came of it.

But that's already tomorrow.

How are the Molokans (special ethnographic group Russians) appeared in Armenia, and who are they in general? Journalist Mark Grigoryan helped find the answer to this question.

They cannot be called Old Believers or Old Believers, they belong to spiritual Christianity, close to Protestantism, since they rejected the Orthodox cult. From point of view Orthodox Church, Molokans are sectarians, says journalist Mark Grigoryan, long years who studied the history of the Molokans in Armenia.

The Molokans appeared in the 17th century, but this movement flourished in the 18th century.

"The institution of the church, especially in the 18th century, was powerful and dominating over ordinary people. This trend sought to free itself from this pressure. There are some elements of Protestantism in this," said Grigoryan.

The Molokans and the Doukhobors (another religious denomination) were at first in the same movement, but soon separated. Popularity among ordinary people even under Catherine led to the decision of the authorities to resettle them. That is how they ended up on the banks of the Molochnoye River in the Tauride province, and in the first half of the 19th century they were already resettled in the Caucasus, on the one hand, in order to send them away, on the other, to increase the Christian population in the rebellious region.

"Now there are about 15 thousand of them in Armenia," says Grigoryan.

According to him, in general, Molokans reject the church as an institution. That is, for them, communication with God is direct, direct. However, at the same time, it is a religious movement that is based on the Bible.

“Especially, the New Testament is confessed very seriously, worship is based on this,” notes Grigoryan.

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Photo: Ruben Mangasaryan

Molokans live compactly in Armenia in two villages - Fioletovo (the village consists entirely of Molokans) and Lermontovo (about 80% of Molokans). The journalist and TV presenter said that his first visit to the Molokan village of Fioletovo in Armenia did not go too smoothly. It was not allowed to take pictures and record voices on a voice recorder.

"It felt like we were walking on main road, but on both sides of the wall, through which we can not penetrate," recalls Grigoryan.

He admits that this only fueled professional interest. Grigoryan and Mangasaryan began to work actively, meet with various Molokans in Yerevan, study their religion and customs. During the second visit, everything was also not easy, but we managed to take several dozen photos.

"The next time we handed out photos, it helped to break the ice. In particular, there was a case: one photo of Rubik showed an old man with bushy beard. It turned out that between the time the photograph was taken and when we returned with it, the old man had died. His son told us, “this is the only memory of our father,” Grigoryan said.

Photo: Ruben Mangasaryan

They made friends with several Molokans, Grigoryan even found their relatives in the United States, who practically do not speak Russian, helped them establish a virtual connection - via e-mail, which is new in Fioletovo.

TV is considered no less outlandish. Its absence (at least in prominent places) is also one of the striking features in the houses of the Molokans. Grigoryan explained this by the moral prescription of the Molokans.

“In the eyes of many, TV is a tool that brings immorality, examples of violence, nudity and all this “bad” into the house. Some elders forbid having TVs at home,” Grigoryan said.

However, not everyone strictly follows this prescription. Grigoryan himself was a witness to this.

"On one of our trips to Fioletovo, we noticed that there were large wardrobes in the kitchens. wardrobes. It turned out that TV sets were kept in these cabinets," Grigoryan said.

Thus, they are hidden from "prying eyes". As for the rest of the equipment, the Molokans own it. Grigoryan even knows a doctor of sciences who is engaged in space research.

The attention of guests in a Molokan house can also be attracted by the number of children, there are often many of them. According to Grigoryan, believing Molokans believe that their number depends on "how much God will give", they do not limit themselves in this. And marriages take place mainly between members of the community or with those who have adopted their religion.

The issue of military service and the use of weapons is not as acute for the Molokans as it is for one of the branches of the Dukhobors. Grigoryan said that at the end of the 19th century, the Dukhobors once burned all the weapons in the vicinity of the village of Gorelovka (in Javakhk) as a sign of their peacefulness. For this, the royal authorities severely punished them. Leo Tolstoy came out in their support, writing an article in the New York Times about how heroically they acted.

Concerning modern life Molokans in Armenia, they have a very developed concept of community life, they have managed to integrate into society.

According to the journalist, the Molokans occupied several economic niches in the country. They are respected in these areas. Molokans are famous not only for sauerkraut, but also for high-quality repairs and cleaning. This is a kind of brand of Armenian Molokans.

Fioletovo and Lermontovo are Armenian villages in which communities of Molokans formed in the 19th century, declared sectarian and banned in Russian Empire. At the conference “Problems of Identity in the Context of World Experience”, Diana Karliner, the author of the “Reserve”, spoke with anthropologists of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Roman Starchenko and Pavel Serin, who this year conducted a study in the villages of Molokans that have preserved traditional way.

- What is your interest in the Molokans in Armenia connected with?

Paul: Initially, we wanted to study the behavior of the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Armenia, but it would be impossible to seek out informants scattered throughout the country due to its specifics: Armenia is a mono-ethnic republic, 98% of the population are Armenians. There are only a little over 12,000 Russians there, and about half of them are Molokans, who live compactly.

Novel: For the expedition, we chose the villages of Lermontovo and Fioletovo, where the Molokans, who moved in the 19th century, retained their traditional way of life. In Lermontovo - 85% of the Russian population, in Fioletovo - only one Armenian family, all other residents are Molokans of various assemblies. Moreover, our institute already carried out research in these villages 25 years ago and issued a number of publications about the Russian sectarians of Transcaucasia.

- Is it ethical to call Molokans sectarians?

Paul: They call themselves that - old Russian sects, spiritual Christianity. They do not recognize crosses and icons, they have a strict ban on the use of alcohol and tobacco. In their organization, in their perception of the Bible, they are similar to Protestants.

- What would you say about their identity? Molokans consider themselves Russian?

Novel: More often, the inhabitants of these villages do not share the concept of "Russian" and "Molokan". For many of them, "Molokan" means "Russian". These concepts exist in such a spike. At the same time, they separate themselves quite strictly from Russians living in Russia. At the same time, this does not prevent them from considering these villages as a corner of Russia in Armenia.

Many Molokans have visited Russia and are proud of themselves for maintaining traditions while living away from Russia. At the same time, the Molokans are clearly aware that Armenia is a god-given, sacred land for them, which accepted them when they were not needed on the territory of the Russian Empire. At the same time, the perception of Russia as a homeland among the Molokans is preserved.

Paul: Imagine that from the first half of XIX centuries, seven generations have changed there - these are all people who were born and raised in Armenia. The Molokans are not newcomers there at all. They clearly realize that Armenia is their country.

Entrance to Fioletovo

Photo: Pavel Serin

“The Armenian language is not imposed on the Molokans”

How is the situation with the Armenian language? Do they speak it?

Paul: Most of the Molokans in these villages do not know the Armenian language, and in Soviet years did not know. Now the Armenian language is taught in schools, exams are taken at Armenian. At the local school, in Fioletovo, all education is in Russian. Until 2011, there were two Russian teachers there, now all the teachers there are Armenians, none of them live in these villages. Armenia has Russian-language classes, schools with in-depth study Russian, but such a completely Russian-speaking school is only in the Molokan village. At the same time, the leadership of the school strictly draws boundaries: the school is not Russian, education in it is not according to Russian standards, and it is subordinate to the Ministry of Education of Armenia. But the teachers themselves do not impose the Armenian language on the Molokans. Those who do not live in these villages, but in Yerevan and others major cities, they speak Armenian. Some learn Armenian at school or in the army. Many of those interviewed, for example, said that when contacting government bodies they are immediately provided with an interpreter, and, in general, the Molokans do not feel a great need to learn the Armenian language.

- What is the reason for this linguistic behavior? Why is this happening?

Paul: One should not think that Great Russian chauvinism is manifested in this. The literature indicates that earlier the Molokans spoke the Azerbaijani language, which from the 19th century until the formation of the Republic of Armenia was actually the language of interethnic communication throughout the region. This is also explained by the fact that Azerbaijan language easier to learn than Armenian. It is also important to say that the Russian language is not infringed upon in Armenia - on the contrary, now there is an upsurge in its study. Communicating with Armenians in Russian, Molokans receive some benefits.

Language is not only the knowledge of words, it is etiquette, certain rules of conduct that must be accepted. When Molokans speak Russian, they acknowledge that they remain in their own field and play by the rules of inter-ethnic cooperation.

As an employee of the administration in Fioletovo said, since there are few Molokans in Armenia, the Armenian brothers “make a discount” and switch to Russian themselves. Molokans are well aware of Armenian customs, Armenians also know Molokans, while borders remain between them.

- Have you noticed in the speech of the Molokans words borrowed from Armenian? Or some feature of speech?

Paul: We did not conduct a dialectological study, I cannot say for sure. But some Molokans in Fioletovo have a slight Azeri rather than Armenian intonation. I have not heard this among the Armenians, but I have heard it among the Molokans - they speak with the pronunciation of "Azerbaijanis".

“Why do Molokans have such famous sauerkraut?”

How did the Molokans behave in a situation of conflict between Azerbaijanis and Armenians?

Novel: The Molokans did not take one or the other position. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the Molokans of Armenia and Azerbaijan were in economic relations.

Paul: Moreover, the Molokans of Transcaucasia found themselves between two fires. The Stavropol Molokans, who once moved from Azerbaijan, recall that in the 1920s, when the Azerbaijanis squeezed out the Armenians, they hid in the Molokan villages, and when the Armenians became stronger, they began to do the same with the Azerbaijanis. During the new conflict, there were cases when Molokans acted as mediators between Azerbaijanis and Armenians so that one of the parties could safely leave.

- Do Molokans not have a ban on serving in the army?

Paul: In the 19th century, when universal military service was introduced, the Molokans believed that they could be conscripts, that is, not to kill, but to serve in auxiliary units. In the Soviet years, as you understand, it was impossible not to serve, and it was also an experience for acquiring a profession, obtaining passports. For Molokans, with the concept of military service, everything is quite usual. Previously, there was an unspoken agreement that Molokans were not sent to the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, especially to Karabakh. The son of one of our informants was sent to Karabakh, and he went to deal with it. His argument was understandable: “What if the son from the Armenian army is taken prisoner in Karabakh? He is Russian, do you understand what the international conflict will be like then? Up to the point that Russia supports one side and sends troops to Karabakh.” So the guy was saved.

Novel: Many even aspire to join the army, in which young people are socialized, and there they learn Armenian. As a rule, Molokans prove to be good workers. It is believed that a Molokan is able-bodied and will do quality work.

- Why do you think such an opinion about the Molokans was formed?

Pavel: In the Caucasus, they believe that believers will do it honestly, they will not deceive, as agreed, it will be so. Why do Molokans have such a famous sauerkraut? Because they make it with high quality, without impurities, do not weigh it down.

Molokans are proud of such an attitude to work, but I would not say that they somehow stick it out. But the Armenians often said that the Molokans, for example, are good builders. “The Molokans built my house” sounds like a sign of quality. It's a paradox: in Russia, it is believed that Armenians are good builders, but there it is the other way around.

- Who do Molokans work? Do you know Molokans who hold an influential position in Armenia?

Novel: Molokans are peasants, workers. They do not aspire to high positions. The intelligentsia left in different waves of migration. Many families are engaged in animal husbandry, live on the sale of milk. Of course, some complain that milk is cheaper than soda, but nevertheless it is now more profitable than selling sauerkraut.

Paul: You can hear the phrase from the Molokans: "We transported this cabbage throughout the Union." And it's true, in the Soviet years their business prospered. The same Molokans from Fioletovo could accumulate significant capital and live much better compared to the Armenians of nearby villages. But now everything has changed, because the Union collapsed, economic ties were cut off, plus there was also a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In general, it became unprofitable to sell vegetable products, and many switched to cattle breeding. In addition, cabbage is a seasonal product, and milk is real money every day.

Lermontovo

Photo: Roman Starchenko

Novel: We spent a day on a roam with the head of the local administration. Alexei Ilyich Novikov is such a man Soviet type from films about an honest and strong chairman. He combines work in administration with animal husbandry. Molokan cows graze in alpine meadows. In the spring, when the snow melts, they drive the cows to the mountains, and some family members stay there for half a year.

“Selling land to Armenians is “losing land””

- And how do communities perceive the move to big cities, for example, because of work? Is it a tragedy?

Novel: No, this is not a tragedy, many have already left. They do not move on their own, they usually go where there are communities. Molokans live in Krasnodar Territory, V Stavropol Territory, V Rostov region. Some of them went to America and Australia. Molokans have a clear rule: one day a week must be devoted to attending a meeting (religious service. - Note. ed.), give the day to God. One presbyter told us: "If the family does not support the community, then the community does not support it." If a person does not go to meetings, then the meeting may not see him off last way or refuse him to conduct a marriage ceremony. These rules are not written anywhere, but Molokans for the most part follow them.

- What happens to those houses in the villages where the Molokans once lived and then moved?

Novel: Nobody lives in them. However, these houses are not sold to Armenians. The head of the administration, Alexei Ilyich Novikov, told us that they were ready to sell houses only to Russians.

- Why?

Paul: Residents of Fioletovo and Lermontovo are related to varying degrees. So that the family leaves and there are no relatives left in the family who can look after the house - this simply does not happen. The same practice exists in the Russian villages of Russia, when the elderly are taken to the city, and the land, the garden is given to the neighbors in exchange for the fact that they will look after the house. Since many of them are relatives in the villages, they do not want to “sell houses to strangers”. They say they would sell to the Russians, but the Russians don't buy there, because these villages are not in the sunny part of Armenia, not in the Ararat valley - there is a difficult climate, not a resort at all. Besides, people live agriculture, and sell land to Armenians - this is called "losing land."

Violetovo
- They do not conflict with each other?

Paul: No, there are no conflicts. Now there is no such problem, but earlier Molokans could live together with subbotniks, although this is a completely different direction. The Subbotniks do not have a ban on wine, they allow divorce with difficulty, while the Molokans completely deny it. Nevertheless, there were mixed marriages - the wife passed into the assembly of her husband. Now Molokans can move from congregation to congregation relatively calmly, it depends on the situation in the family and in the congregation itself. Maximists, however, may not agree to the marriage of a daughter with a man from another congregation. But this is also not defined, there is such love - she wanted and left. Of course, if this is the daughter of a chorister or presbyter, that is, a respected person with a certain morality, with social capital, this is a blow for him, contacts between families may be interrupted. But it is always decided personally. It is important to emphasize that Molokans are ordinary living people. None of them are "backward" or "canned". Yes, they have their own habits, their own views, a certain way of life, but they ordinary people in which a lot depends on the relationship.
For Molokans, photography is a sin, and no one wants to be like in a zoo. They live there, the economy is there, the children grow up, and tourists unceremoniously invade personal space. Of course it offends them.

Paul: There are formal prohibitions, and they are not always limited to these two villages. It is rare to find a TV in Molokan homes, because it is the devil's incarnation, while everyone has mobile phones with the Internet. But recently, at the "Artdocfest" they showed the film "Molokanka" - a very beautiful, well-made film, honest. One of the heroes is the head of the All-Russian Union of Molokans, a presbyter. How did I find out about the film? From the group of Molokans "VKontakte"! And his granddaughters came to the hall. Again, he didn’t have a TV, but he had a phone, and his children are developing a site about Molokans, they want people to know about them. And there they allowed themselves to be filmed, I think, because there is a large community in the Stavropol Territory, they felt at ease.

In Armenia, the Molokans have another problem, which is connected with the state of the republic. There is no one to sell milk, cabbage - there is quite a large labor migration from Armenia, many Armenians left. We were told about Molokans who work at the airport and see queues of Armenians striving to take off - and so they have such a joke: “Armenians, what have we done to you? Why are you flying away?! Stay!” They themselves have grown into these mountains, they have a lot to do with these mountains, they cling to that land.

2010, the events at the arena, history drew another parallel .. Time before the arena and after. In the light recent events, anti-Caucasian-Asian sentiments, as an Armenian from Uzbekistan, I wanted to remember one very old event that allowed me to look at the world with slightly different eyes ... 1986 Aspen Grove near Leningrad, a training regiment of the USSR Ministry of Defense ... We are 180 people from Central Asia, delivered there from Tashkent warmed by the Autumn Sun, there under the low Baltic Sky with constantly drizzling slanting rain and slush ... They took the oath, took up guard duty ... and our hot guys were mowed down by a cold and the only place where it was possible to lie down for at least a couple of days - this is a San. Part, but it’s not rubber either .. Somehow I’m standing in line for an appointment and I think, “it still won’t work, there are too many people ..”, as a Slavic sergeant approaches me, Yes, not Slavic, but typically Russian in appearance, and in purely Armenian asks me, “Friend, are you Armenian?”, I was taken aback and answered, “Yes, and who are you? Andrei, we have been living in Armenia for 200 years, have you heard Molokans?” .. I answer “No, I didn’t have to ..” and he “How so?” I say, “I’m from Uzbekistan, brother ..” he says, “What’s the difference, you’re still Armenian ..!” .. And Andryukha helped me take a break from the hardships, which I was unspeakably happy with ... But that’s not the point .. 24 years have passed, and I remember you Andrey, a Russian guy from Karabakh, I regret that I didn’t ask your last name and didn’t take your address .. But after that I know one thing Armenians and Russian Molokans are dairy brothers, I’ll even say cabbage ... The best sauerkraut in Armenia is made Molokans, they sit in all Armenian markets and communicate and trade in purely Armenian language .. very hardworking people for 200 years of development in the Caucasus, these people have perfectly comprehended the local languages ​​​​and have not lost their native Russian, their faith, their customs ... I want to introduce To your attention a small sketch of the Molokan

The Molokan sect arose in the second half of the 18th century in the Tambov province. The nickname "Molokans" stuck to the sectarians, most likely because they consume milk during fasting. They call themselves "truly spiritual Christians." In the 19th century, Molokans, fleeing oppression, began to move to the outskirts of the empire, in particular to the Transcaucasus. They live there to this day, preserving the customs and faith of their ancestors.

Article: Molokans

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The Molokan sect arose in the second half of the 18th century in the Tambov province. The nickname "Molokans" stuck to the sectarians, most likely because they consume milk during fasting. They call themselves "truly spiritual Christians." In the 19th century, Molokans, fleeing oppression, began to move to the outskirts of the empire, in particular to the Transcaucasus. They live there to this day, preserving the customs and faith of their ancestors.
We met Molokans, or rather Molokans, at the Yerevan market. They sell sauerkraut here. The fame of it goes all over the republic, so there is no end to buyers. We drove to the Molokan village of Fioletovo with an uneasy feeling. We heard a lot about the lack of sociability of local residents, that they do not allow themselves to be filmed. For them, photo and video cameras, TV, newspapers - everything is from the evil one. In part, it turned out to be so, and yet those who told us about them were clearly exaggerating. The first Russian settlements in Transcaucasia arose in early XIX century. Basically, sectarians of various persuasions moved here. Today, their main representatives are spiritual Christians, better known as Molokans. Orthodox called them so because they are in fast days they consume milk.

In 1842 the Molokans founded the village of Nikitino. Previously, there were about two dozen Russian settlements in Armenia. Today there are two left, one of them is Fioletovo, the former Nikitino. Here is what an English traveler who visited Armenia in the 19th century wrote about the locals: “Their limbs are somehow badly connected at the joints. The Russians are in stark contrast to the Armenians, thanks to high growth and twisted gait. Facial features are irregular, eyes are small and facial expressions are not animated enough. The suit gives the men the look of retired soldiers. The women wear headscarves and clean dresses.” Molokans are indeed very clean. This can be seen in the state of houses and streets. There are two of them in the village - Central and Pogrebnaya.

The Molokans built the first huts together. Cattle, land - everything was public. Diligence, a sober lifestyle, conscientiousness helped the Molokans, wherever they went, to quickly get on their feet - in America, and in Mexico, and in Armenia. They have retained these qualities to this day. In pre-revolutionary times, the community was headed by 12 so-called apostles. A noticeable mark in the history of Fioletovo was left by one of these apostles, Maxim Gavrilovich Rudometkin. Molokans revere Rudometkin as a saint. Within the community, he founded a current of jumpers. During prayer they in a special way jumped up and down, bringing themselves into a state of ecstasy. Among his adherents, Rudometkin began to introduce a certain Zion language invented by him - the language of communication for future Christians. For example, hello, in Zion it will be: “parginal-assurinal-yuzgoris”. Maxim Gavrilovich ended his days in the Suzdal monastery, where he was imprisoned for life by the authorities. Today, the church is led by a pastor. He is elected general meeting. The presbyter has no privileges. Everyone in the community is equal. Its members call each other brothers and sisters. Humility, love, unity - this is the basis of a righteous life. The main precepts of the Molokans: do not envy, do not steal, do not offend your neighbor, help the weak, respect the elders. Smoking and drinking are condemned. Those Molokans who do not shave their beards live according to the laws of their ancestors. They don't go to the movies, they don't go to dances, they don't swear, they don't touch tobacco and alcohol, free time divided between God and the family. Those without a beard go to Russia to work and lead a free lifestyle.

The village has its own prophet, Ivan Vasilyevich Zadorkin. He is 72 years old. The prophet has 9 children and 25 grandchildren. Despite hard life, no one left, everyone lives in Armenia. Ivan Vasilyevich, as they say here, "walks in the spirit." From time to time he has visions, the "Holy Spirit" descends. This spirit, through Zadorkin, informed the Molokans that the two mountains between which the village lies will shelter it from the Apocalypse. The mystical abilities of the father were transferred to the daughter Galina Ivanovna, by her husband Yurtaeva. She lives in Yerevan. Vasily Ivanovich has a son, Timothy, who, unlike his father, does not adhere to the old order. Does not wear a beard, drinks, smokes. He spent six months in prison, got caught stealing copper wires. In Fioletovo, no one condemns Timofey. You can't force or force someone. Timofey is a bulldozer driver and often goes to work in Tyumen. For many Molokans, work in Russia is the main source of income. There is not enough land for a family, and the families of the Molokans are large, there are about three hectares - unless you feed yourself.

We visited Alexei Nikolaevich Novikov. His wife, Nadezhda Vasilievna, busied herself at the table. Alexey Nikolaevich complains about life. The harvested crop - cabbage, potatoes, beets - is difficult to sell: sometimes you have to feed cattle with vegetables. To recoup the cost of irrigation, you need to sell a ton of potatoes, another four tons - to pay for fertilizer. One hope for the children who live in Stavropol. Old people often visit them, but they are not going to move to Russia. Simple peasant food is on the table. Before eating - the obligatory prayer "Our Father". The Molokan prayer sounds almost the same as the Orthodox one.

Spiritual Christians celebrate almost everything Orthodox holidays. Molokan fasts last a week - any food is excluded. Everyone is starving: adults, children, even cattle are not fed. Molokans are not supposed to have a TV. Considered as idolatry. However, many families have television receivers. As long as they are hidden. The presbyter will never enter the house and will not begin to pray for the one who keeps Satan, that is, the TV set. It remains a mystery why the Molokans let us into their homes. Probably, the desire to communicate with new people took over. The house of Alexei Nikolaevich Novikov stands on Pogrebnaya Street. She leads to the cemetery. This is the last path of any violet who died in his homeland. Drunkards and swearers are buried according to donkey custom, that is, without a funeral service. locals they bury the dead themselves and do not put crosses on the graves. The Molokans consider the cross to be a weapon of the enemies of Jesus. Instead of a cross on the graves, there are iron tablets with the names of the dead.

The life of a Molokan village is hard. And this despite the fact that the Molokans are very hardworking. Potatoes and cabbages are staple foods, and they will not be born well. The old people here are refusing pensions, because you cannot take what is not earned by today's labor. I must say that the life of urban Molokans is not much easier. Many, especially young people, tend to leave the village. Part of the Molokans moved to Russia. Galina Ivanovna, the daughter of the prophet Ivan Vasilyevich, ended up in Yerevan after her marriage. Galina has five children, a cat with a cat Eddie and Lady. Having many children is a blessing for the family, no matter if it lives in abundance or not. There are practically no divorces among Molokans. The eldest daughters Anya and Vera do not go to school. Their business is household. We came to Galina Ivanovna's house for breakfast. Nobody puts their hands on the table. A table for a Molokan is a special subject. During prayer, it turns into an altar, on which sacred books are laid out: the Gospel, prayer books and the so-called ritualists. These books are passed down from generation to generation. Galina Ivanovna does not imagine that her daughters can marry anyone other than the Molokans. Marriages with Armenians are rare. Boys Ivan and Misha go to a Russian school, go in for sports: Misha - barbell and basketball, Vanya chose karate. Although Armenian and Russian children live peacefully. All children of Galina Ivanovna speak Armenian fluently. After breakfast, the kids go to school. Anya and Vera stay at home. There is not much to do here for them - it will not take much time to cook dinner and clean the only room. It is unlikely that the city authorities of Yerevan will find an opportunity to improve living conditions large family. The very same Galya-Molokan can not earn an apartment. She is a nanny in an Armenian family. The child's parents want him to speak Russian fluently. Such is market internationalism. Many Molokans tend to leave Armenia also because every year it becomes more and more difficult to get an education in Russian in the republic. Ripped from their environment, they quickly lose their identity, forget the customs of their fathers. It will be very sad if the Molokans dissolve in the mass of the Armenian or Russian population. Be that as it may, in 2005 spiritual Christians are going to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the very royal manifesto, according to which they received the right to freely profess their faith.
Here are the things…….