Obdorskaya orthodox mission of 1832-1833: unsuccessful experience of preaching christianity among the inhabitants of the tundra

Abstract

The Obdorskaya mission of 1832-1833 made it into the Christianization of Trans-Ural tundra aborigines history as one of the most unsuccessful. Among the reasons, the researchers name some such as the transport disorder of the region, the aboriginal elders' resilience, as well as secular authorities', who feared the indignation of the aborigines. To this we must add the not very successful choice of the mission head, Hieromonk Makarii, who did not show the needed will and dedication in missionary service. It also turns out that at that time the traditional economy and the social structure of the aborigines were in a state of crisis as a result of climate warming. In these conditions, traditional religious beliefs were actualized, which led to a sharp rejection of the evangelical preaching by the tundra inhabitants and, as a consequence, the failure of the mission.