The Catholic Priests Exiled to Western Siberia after the Suppression of the January Uprising (1863-1864): Some Research Issues

Abstract

The history of the Siberian exile was and remains a complex topical problem that requires comprehensive study. Modern difficult interstate relations give particular relevance to the appeal to the existing historical experience of living together in conditions of exile of representatives of various nationalities. Article is devoted to the consideration of the stay in Western Siberia of Catholic priests expelled from the Mogilev, Minsk, Vitebsk, Grodno provinces after the suppression of the January uprising (1863-1864). On the basis of available archival sources, the work reflects the issues of numbers, places of accommodation, material situation, the activities of exiled Catholic priests, supplemented the biographical information. When possible, some exiled Catholic priests carried out religious services, engaged in education. Thanks to their selfless activities, moral support took place, the unification of the exiles in the conditions of Siberia. The exiled priests, acting as speakers of national culture and language, influenced the spiritual development of the local population, contributing to the enrichment and diversity of its life. In the process of communication in Siberian conditions, the formation of interethnic relations and contacts between the Slavonic peoples took place.