Materials of the CSA of the RK as sources for the research of the missionary activity of orthodox preachers (XIX-early XX centuries)

Abstract

The article presents the materials of the Central State Archives of the RK revealing the missionary activities of preachers of Orthodoxy in the territory of Kazakhstan in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Documents from funds of religious institutions, colonial administration, statistical and judicial bodies, etc. are presented and analyzed. Information is given about the ongoing work to attract Kazakhs to the new faith of Orthodoxy and to reject their Muslim religion. Scientists studying the activities of Orthodox missionaries in the national regions of the Russian Empire have identified numerous methods used by them. These include the provision of benefits to baptized foreigners, assistance from high-ranking Russian officials, as well as employees of the local administration, the inclusion in the school curriculum of books and textbooks published by the Orthodox missionary society according to the N.I. Ilminsky system, visits to prisons and the recruitment of prisoners, the publication of anti-Islamic literature and its distribution in settlements with Muslim populations. Many of these methods were used in working with Kazakhs, who for a long time were considered indifferent, pagan or «bad Muslims». The article draws attention to the fact that the initial stage of the baptism of the Kazakhs is almost not related to the activities of preachers of Orthodoxy, since at first, that is, before the formation of the Missionary Orthodox Society, the work to increase the number of Orthodox from among the indigenous inhabitants was carried out by local government officials, church ministers, representatives of different classes.