 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2012) |
.jpg) Molokan men, 1870s | |
| Founder | |
|---|---|
| Semyon Uklein (1733–1809) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Russia: 50,000–100,000 Ukraine: 10,000–20,000 Armenia: 10,000–20,000 Georgia: 5,000–15,000 United States: 10,000 Azerbaijan: 5,000–10,000 Mexico: 2,000 Turkey: 1,000 (ancestry)[1] | |
| Religions | |
| Christianity (Spiritual Christianity) | |
| Scriptures | |
| Bible | |
| Languages | |
| Russian Erzyan[2] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Russians Mordovians[2] | |
| Website | |
| сдхм molokane |
The Molokans (Russian: молокан, IPA: [məlɐˈkan] or молоканин, "dairy-eater") are a Russian Spiritual Christian sect that evolved from Eastern Orthodoxy in the East Slavic lands. Their traditions, especially dairy consumption during Christian fasts, did not conform to those of the Russian Orthodox Church, and they were regarded as heretics (sektanty). The term Molokan is an exonym used by their Orthodox neighbors. Members tend to identify themselves as Spiritual Christians (духовные христиане, dukhovnye khristiane).
The specific beliefs and practices varied sharply between the various sects of Molokans. Some built chapels for worship, kept sacraments, and revered saints and icons, while others (like Ikonobortsy, "icon-wrestlers") discarded these practices in the pursuit of individual approaches to scripture. In general, they rejected the institutionalized formalism of Orthodoxy and denominations with similar doctrines in favor of more emphasis on "Original Christianity" as they understood it. They emphasized spirituality and spiritual practice; such sacramental practices as water baptism have been permitted only as tangible signs and symbols of more important spiritual truths.
Similar to Presbyterians among Protestants, and considered heretical by the Orthodox Church, they elect a council of dominant elders who preserve a sort of apostolic succession in their view. Molokans had some practices similar to the European Quakers and Mennonites, such as pacifism, communal organization, spiritual meetings, and sub-groupings, but they arose in Russia together with the Doukhobors and Sabbatarians (also known as Subbotniks) and similar Spiritual Christian movements of Duhovnye Kristyanye and Ikonobortsy. They migrated into central Russia and Ukraine around the same time. As such, the Molokans have been compared to certain kinds of Protestants (such as Anabaptists and Baptists) because they have multiple similar aspects since they reject the Orthodox priesthood and icons, have their own presbyters, hold the Bible as their main guide and interpret the sacraments "spiritually". They are thus in many ways similar to Anabaptist and Quaker Christians.[3][4][5][6][7]
- ^ Akça, Bayram; Kiyanç, Sinan (June 2017). "Malakanlar'in Anadolu'daki̇ İzleri̇". Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Araştırmaları Dergisi. 18 (39): 22–43.
- ^ a b Исследование традиционной культуры и быта молокан-эрзя в Армении. НИИ ГН при правительстве Республики Мордовия
- ^ "Among Armenia's Molokans". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
Molokans are sometimes compared to the Amish or Mennonites in the United States for their pacificism.
- ^ Wardin, Albert W. (2013-10-28). On the Edge: Baptists and Other Free Church Evangelicals in Tsarist Russia, 1855–1917. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62032-962-7.
- ^ Buss, Andreas (2018-11-01). The Russian-Orthodox Tradition and Modernity. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-474-0272-5.
- ^ Mollica, Marcello (2016). Fundamentalism: Ethnographies on Minorities, Discrimination and Transnationalism. LIT Verlag Münster. ISBN 978-3-643-80201-9.
- ^ "Protestants in Russia: An active minority". New Eastern Europe - A bimonthly news magazine dedicated to Central and Eastern European affairs. 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2022-08-08.