A Disciple of N. I. Ilminsky between Altai and Sayan Mountains: Some Aspects of Missionary Activity of Priest Ioann Shtygashev

Abstract

This article is devoted to the activities of the outstanding missionary of the Altai mission, Priest Ioann Shtygashev (1861–1915), a graduate of the Kazan Teachers’ Seminary and a disciple of N. I. Ilminskij. The focus of the proposed research is one of the aspects of the missionary service of this figure – the methods of educational and missionary work with adherents of local tribal beliefs. The author examines the evidence of sources about the struggle of the Matur missionary against shamanism in the Khakass-Minusinsk region. A detailed story about one of the cases of a collision with the use of physical force (weaning of a shaman tambourine) is contained in one of the reports of the missionary himself and refers to the period of his teaching activity, before accepting the priesthood. The author of the article makes an attempt to analyze the motivation of the parties to the conflict. As a result, the author of the article proves that the thesis of S. D. Mainagashev and K. M. Patachakov about the use of physical pressure against shamanists by Priest I. M. Shtygashev is not confirmed by other sources. This point of view is grossly exaggerated and does not correspond to the reality. It was a common practice to persuade the local population to abandon pagan rituals.