The Spirit Wrestlers, Part II
The first Doukhobors reached Canada in 1898 and their leader followed in 1902. George Woodcock describes how fanatical sects later arose in their New World settlements.
If the Tsarist authorities hoped to overawe the followers of Peter Verigin by condemning him to exile in 1886, they had gravely misinterpreted Doukhobor psychology. Peter became the martyred leader, and wherever he might be moved there were always Doukhobors who would find their way to him and return with his messages.
In Siberia he encountered radicals of all kinds, listened to them, and argued with them. In particular he was impressed by the Tolstoyans, and adopted many of Tolstoy’s ideas, including his vegetarianism.
All he had read and talked of matured in Verigin’s mind, until in 1893, more than six years after he was sent into exile, he began to send his followers the series of instructions that made them once again into a militant sect, and began their long night of suffering under the Tsars.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
