The Doukhobors’ Land

The Doukhobors emerged three centuries ago in Russia and used to form a pacifist community who rejected the Church’s liturgy and opposed any civil government. Their history is wrought with persecution, deprivation of liberty, and deportation. Despite the difficult conditions imposed on them, they remained faithful to their beliefs. Exiled from Crimea to Georgia, they founded several villages in the Javakheti region. To escape retaliation, a significant part of the community – supported by Tolstoï and his partisans – chose to leave, heading to Canada in the early 20th century.