Doukhobor Community Faces Extinction in Georgia
After centuries of exile from Russia, the Doukhobors' unique pacifist culture is dwindling in the Georgian villages where they once thrived.
Overview
- The Doukhobors, a pacifist Christian sect, were expelled from Russia in the 19th century for rejecting Orthodox practices and military service.
- Once numbering around 20,000 in Georgia, the Doukhobor community has dwindled to about 100 members spread across two remote villages.
- Despite the challenges, the Doukhobors have maintained their religious practices without interruption, even under Soviet repression.
- Many Doukhobors have returned to Russia or emigrated to Canada, where they continue to uphold their pacifist beliefs.
- Concerns are growing over the rapid assimilation and potential disappearance of Doukhobor culture, especially among the younger generation.