CRS Religion Summaries MOLOKANS page 3 of 3

Molokan Church

Molokans, like Doukhobors, are the spiritual descendants of Bible-centred Russian Christians who refused to join the Russian Orthodox Church in the 1600s. Today only a minority of Molokans (whether in Russian or Australia) adhere to old Russian customs, forms of worship and rituals. Today there are about 20,000 Molokans and 200 Molokan churches in the world.

Brief History

The Molokans trace their roots back to a seventeenth century movement among the Russian peasantry away from the tsarist-dominated Russian Orthodoxy. Known as Spiritual Christianity, it was one of the many sects that arose, and it soon proliferated into numerous branches. In general, Molokans followed the Bible literally -- "they were Bible centred" opposing the religious leadership of the tsar or pope. By ignoring fasting days designated by the Russian Orthodoxy Church (approximately 200 days per year), those who used dairy products on fast days were labelled "molokani" ("milk drinkers"). The name Molokani was first applied to a group of Spiritual Christians in the Tambov province of Voronezh Guberniia around 1765.

In time, Molokanism and Doukhoborism spread widely in central and southern Russia, but the burdens of religious intolerance and pressure to enter military service, which violates their religious principles, forced them to accept internal exile to the outlying regions of the Empire, where they gained a measure of religious toleration. In the beginning of the 1800s when Russia conquered the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) large numbers of sectarians, mostly Molokans, and later Doukhobors and "Khlysti", were resettled in the undeveloped areas of Transcaucasia, where they remained until the first decades of the present century, until some migrated to USA. They were encouraged by the example of the Doukhobors who had proceeded them to Canada.

In the late 1800s, estimates for the Molokan population ranged from 100,000 to half a million. Less than 3% (about 2,500) joined the migration to America. Since then Molokan identity has dwindled, in Russia because of Stalin's purges and ban on religion, and in America because of many influences, such as language, cultural clash, intermarriage, competing religions, etc. Today, approximately 20,000 people ethnically identify themselves as Molokans. They are equally divided between Russia and America, with a few in Australia. About 200 active Molokan churches exist worldwide. In Russia, some Molokan churches have re-appeared due to laws now permitting religious freedom.

Summary of Beliefs

In a sense Molokans are Protestants for rejecting Orthodoxy. They are similar to Presbyterians in that they have lay-ministers and a loose council of dominant elders. In terms of their pacifism, communal organisation, and form of worship (spiritual meetings) they share historical similarity to Quakers, Mennonites, and Doukhobors.

There are two major subgroups of Molokans: the Postoiannye (Constant or Steadfast, i.e., unchanged or original) Molokans, and the Pryguny (Jumpers, also called Leapers, Skippers, Prancers, or Dancers). The two groups differ in some points of doctrine, domestic custom and ritual.

Church Hierarchy

There is no central church or organisation. Since the collapse of the USSR, Molokans in Russia have formed the Society of Spiritual Christian Molokans. However this organisation is ignored by most of the churches. There are 5 Molokan churches in and around Adelaide, and 2 in WA. Each operates independently, there is no central secretariat for Molokans in Australia. There are friendships between congregations and visits but no legal connections.

Terminology/Forms of Address

Each church has its own "front row" of elders, which my be represented by the "presbyter" (presiding elder), president, or someone appointed to do this task.

Protocol

Women must wear head cover and be escorted by a male when entering a Molokan church. As Old Testament believers, some Molokans keep their home "kosher-style" in the Jewish manner and do not eat pork, shellfish, etc, at home. Others have no dietary restrictions.

Special Occasions

The most pervasive feature of this religion is the communal singing of spiritual songs and verses from Scripture in Russian. The songs and psalms are sung in the context of domestic and community gatherings, during the Sunday and holiday services, at weddings, child dedications, funerals and memorials, prayer meetings and on other occasions.

The Australian Molokans categorise themselves as "Jumpers" and/or "Maksimisti". In both cases they follow, like the Jumper Molokans in America and the Maksimisti Molokans in Russia, the Old Testament holidays, as originally practiced by the Jews. Principally, these are: Passover, 50th Day (Pentecost), Calling of the Trumpets, Day of Judgement, and Feast of the Tabernacles. The Molokans in Australia determine each year when these days will be according to their reading of the lunar calendar -- moon periods. Because several Molokan elders

interpret the lunar calendar themselves and not as the local Jews, these days often, but not always, approximate the similar Jewish holidays.

Other important occasions are, of course, weddings, child dedications, funerals, etc.

A major difference in holidays occurs between the major branches of Molokans--the "Jumpers" and "Constants" or original Molokans. The Constants, most of the Molokans in Russia, follow the historic Christian holidays, or "Christ's holidays"--Lent, Circumcision, Easter, Christmas,... The Jumper/Maksimisti in contrast follow "God's holidays"--those in the bible. There is another sort of Molokan--the "Spiritual Molokan"--now only found in Russia, who follow all 10 holidays, Christ's and God's.

Current at November 1999.