Doukhobors

The Doukhobors (Canadian spelling) or Dukhobors (Russian: духоборы, духоборцы, romanized: dukhobory, dukhobortsy; lit. 'Spirit-warriors, Spirit-wrestlers') are a Spiritual Christian ethnoreligious group of Russian origin. They are known for their pacifism and tradition of oral history, hymn-singing, and verse. They reject the Russian Orthodox priesthood and associated rituals, believing that personal revelation is more important than the Bible. Facing persecution by the Russian government for their nonorthodox beliefs, many migrated to Canada between 1899 and 1938, where most of them reside as of 2023.

In Russia, Dukhobortsy were variously portrayed as "folk-Protestants", Spiritual Christians, sectarians, and heretics. Among their core beliefs is the rejection of materialism. They also reject the Russian Orthodox priesthood, the use of icons, and all associated church rituals. Doukhobors believe the Bible alone is not enough to reach divine revelation and that doctrinal conflicts can interfere with their faith. Biblical teachings are evident in much of the published Doukhobor psalms, hymns, and beliefs. Since arriving in Canada, parts of the Old Testament, but more profoundly the New Testament, were at the core of most Doukhobor beliefs. There continue to be spiritually progressive thinkers who, through introspection and debate, search for divine revelation to improve the faith.

Even though the original basis of Doukhobor theology is "Christianity", as portrayed in much of the original psalms, hymns, and theological foundations, these writings have slowly and subtly been revised by some Doukhobors over the last century to align with what can be said to be a living organic mixture of religious theologies. The complexity of navigating a peaceful existence on earth is not for the faint at heart, especially when the message of the Biblical gospels has, through political and theocratic means, been aligned to justify war through history. For example, if Jesus' teachings of love and a peaceful existence are the essence of God's will, then how can we make this a reality on earth. This noble pursuit has resulted in a very difficult existence, as many Doukhobors will avow. Alongside the Protestant and Baptist essence of grace and personal salvation through Jesus, many Doukhobors currently align neatly with the Biblical truths of Jesus' resurrection and message of salvation. The overarching enigma remains with the seemingly impossible task of attaining Jesus Christ's will for all people on earth. Firstly, the pursuit of peace or an absence of conflict and hence the enigma, as wars continue to this day. Secondly, a deep inner peace, a life of love, forgiveness, and compassion that all come from a relationship with God. Peace, whether it is inner peace or the absence of worldly conflict, has always been at the core of Doukhobor existence and will remain so as long as Doukhobors exist.

The Doukhobors have a history dating back to at least 1701 (though some scholars suspect the group has earlier origins). Doukhobors traditionally lived in their own villages and practiced communal living. The name Doukhobors, meaning "Spirit-wrestlers", derives from a slur made by the Russian Orthodox Church that was subsequently embraced by the group.

Before 1886, the Doukhobors had a series of leaders. The origin of the Doukhobors is uncertain; they first appear in first written records from 1701.

The Doukhobors traditionally ate bread and borsch. Some of their food-related religious symbols are bread, salt, and water.