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Early Molokan Struggles EARLY MOLOKAN STRUGGLES FROM THE SPIRIT AND LIFE - BOOK OF THE SUN Published by THE CHURCH OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE November 2, 1942 Supervised by: ELIK PHILIP SHUBIN Translation by: PETE A. WRENN WILLIAM A. SHUBIN Corrections by: ALEX F. WRENN JOHN J. KASHERGEN Reprinted 1999 by the Molokan Conscientious Objector Advisory Board Revised 2002 for CD. 2 This booklet is a brief history of the Russian Religious Sect known as Spiritual Christian Jumpers, "Molokans". To better acquaint our young Molokan generation in the knowledge of our faith, its struggles, and sufferings for existence. Also to show herein how a true Christian Spiritual Jumper stood firm on the teachings of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, our Savior and the Holy Spirit. All the facts contained herein have been taken from the book "Spirit and Life". 2 3 SPIRIT AND LIFE - BOOK OF THE SUN Our forefathers, of Russian origin, living in central Russia, were forced to attend the Greek-Orthodox Russian Orthodox Church in the early days of the Russian settlement. From all outward appearances they seemed to submit to the Greek-Orthodox faith; yet with the inner man (their souls) our forefathers believed in the one and only Almighty God, and not in the wooden or stone icons or idols. In obeying the commandments of God, Spiritual Christians (Molokans), do not obey man-made laws that contradict the Holy Bible. The following are some of these commandments: There shall be no man-made Gods before me, slavery, taking of oaths, preparation or training for wars. Because of their faith and belief in the Holy Scriptures and in the living God, they were forced to suffer persecutions and tortures, even unto unseen depths. Through the wisdom and Spiritual Guidance of God Almighty, they could no longer keep this Spiritual Light and Wisdom a secret; but had to preach the truth of this living faith of God Almighty. Therefore, they had to free themselves from the Greek-Orthodox Church and all of its religious rites. From the forced eating of pork (taxed by the church), and other unclean foods which are pro- hibited by the Old and the New Testament. Where it also is stated, the icon (idol) is not God; and pork is unclean (not meat). For their refusal to partake of unclean foods, and to participate in the worship of idols and icons, they were brought before priests of the Orthodox Church, and charged with failure to attend the Orthodox Church, and of abiding by the church laws. With disregard for age or sex, they were seized and brutally tortured, horsewhipped, beaten with clubs and stoned. Many were left mutilated or crippled for the rest of their lives. Many died from these horrible punishments. Those that survived had their nose or other features cut off, branded like cattle, half of their heads and beards shaven, shackled and sent off to various prisons, where the wardens were instructed to put them to murderous labors. Some of the elders were banished to far off frozen corners of Siberia, where even animals rarely survive. Others were taken into slavery for life, some to be used as stakes in card games or other games of chance. The women were forced to milk swine: some were forced to feed young dogs and bear cubs from their own breasts. Young children that were left were sent to institutions and orphanages, where they were taught against their will the faith of the Orthodox Church. Even these diabolical treatments could not shake our forefathers from their faith in the living Almighty God. Semeon Matveich Uklein and Mathew Semeonovich Dalmatoff taught our people to coordinate their efforts in fulfilling their scriptural beliefs. They were among the first to come forth in open disagreement against the Orthodox Church. By the gracious mercy of God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our people were sent in a need for freedom to worship God and to interpret His Scriptures as they should be. They went from village to village teaching the true meanings of the Bible. Through their teachings many people were converted to this new faith, Spiritual Christians. In the Greek-Russian Church there are certain days when eating of meat, or drinking of milk are prohibitory. Our people, refusing to abide by these man-made laws, ate meat and drank milk at all times. It is thereby that the name Molokan or "milk drinkers" was given our people in the year of 1765, which we bear to this very day. 3 4 This Spirit filled the hearts of our elders, namely Peter Zhurovtzoff, Maxim Losev, and Mathew Mote- lev, who personally went to the Tsar with documents for pardon, freedom and religious rights. The Document as follows: THE PETITION To His Imperial Highness the Tsar of all Russia, Alexander Pavlovich, Your Honor: Since early times we upheld in secret the sect of sincere faith of the Spiritual Christians named by the common people, "Molokans". Founded by our ancestors and forefathers from the word of the Holy Bible given by the Lord God to his servant Moses on Mount Sinai, commandments and laws of justification only for the people of Israel; but in the name of Jesus Christ to open the way for the people that are living under the heavenly skies. He came in the later ages of Israel, born of the Virgin Mary, as a person, teaching all that came unto Him the will of the Lord God. Through signs and miracles in raising of the dead and healing people of different types of sickness. In the end bearing the sufferings of the Cross, on which he died for the sins of all mankind. On the third day he rose from the dead, according to the scriptures, appearing among his disciples after a certain time. He rose to the Heaven with the understanding that he will return to judge the living and the dead. His disciples by His instruction were to wait the fulfillment of His promise of the Holy Spirit, by the Holy Father. Upon receiving this gift, the Apostles preached His word to all corners of the universe. Writing the preaching of the New Testament, the Acts of the Holy Apostles, and the Revelation, Apostle John combined the Old and the New Testament together, which we now know as the Bible, which for many years was forgotten, although it was not forbidden to read it, even though it was hard to understand its writings. For the reason that it did not contain any headings, paragraphs or references. Remaining misunderstood for many years, even though it was re-examined and printed. Until the days of Queen Katerina Alekseevna, (Catherine the Great) who gave orders to print it in Moscow in 1513, it was not available to the common people of Russia. Now you lighted the lights of the hearts of all our people in our dear fatherland. Shining this light of God, through the Holy Scriptures, teachings from it was like the spreading of the waters of the ocean. This treasure being kept a secret for ages, until it appeared in our beloved Russia. For this has been the wish of our Lord God. Your attention is called to the fact that in all of the Holy Bible writings, nowhere does it say there exists a likeness of which one should bow to; or to portray an image of heavenly, earthly or unearthly likeness. Only to the one and only God Almighty, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It does not say in the scriptures that one should bow to man-made images (icons), or to assume upon one's self the sign of the Cross. All of this is strictly forbidden by the Holy Scriptures. So today the time compels us to open up your Royal Highness this secret, withheld by us since early ages. Since the reign of Prince Alexei Mihailovich (1645), and even to this day this secret was withheld from the knowledge of former monarchs and governors, provincial noblemen, district judges, even to the official priests and their parish. Wherever we gathered to read the Holy Bible or give prayer to God, instantly the priests and their parish would notify the police authorities. Who without pity would beat up, chain and handcuff, put in prison, sentenced to rigorous labors and severe punishment. These unbearable conditions forced us to bring to the attention of Your Highness, the cruel treatments of ancient time of Greece and Rome, identical to those of today. Scattering of families and innocent peoples. 4 5 The elders are banished, the youths forced into armed forces and young children arc given to var- ious institutes. Babies are taken away from the breasts of their mothers and sent to orphanages. To weaken one, heavy taxes, with severe penalties and fines are resorted to. For these reasons we ask you, all merciful ruler, to look upon your humiliated servants. Enter into this consideration of our un- fortunate lives, from these evil, abusive and forever scornful people. We are asking you with tears in our eyes, in the name of all our sufferers, let us be with our own convictions. So that we can establish firmly our ceremonies based upon the Holy Bible; and also on the thirty points, which were formally presented by the two Dukhabor delegates, in the times of Queen Katerina. They in place of receiving mercy, bore great punishment being sent to all parts of Siberia. But we, who are Spiritual Christians, hid away from fear of penalties, into the depths of obscurity, even to the days of the rule of Your Highness.
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