The daily life of missionaries in Yakutia, according to the writings of Bishop Dionisy (Khitrov)

Abstract

Yakutia is a territory of harsh climatic conditions and vast distances, requiring endurance, dedication and firm faith from the guests, to this day surprises with its formidable atmosphere. 150 years ago, the missionary had a very, very difficult time. In everything that was connected with everyday life and everyday practice, one way or another, there was a strong influence of the local population, on whose experience the Orthodox missionaries did not hesitate to rely on. They practically did not complain about harsh living conditions and spent the night in yurts, cold kitchens. Often had to stay overnight «right in the snow». The same applies to food - the clergy switched to the native diet, which consisted of meat, fish and various dairy products. Without a doubt, the missionary service, which the Orthodox clergy of Yakutia testified to, is a feat of Christian asceticism, characteristic of people with a deep Christian faith, and it can certainly testify to the deep religiosity characteristic of the Russian Orthodox clergy of the 19th century. The article tells about the daily life of the missionaries of Eastern Siberia, in particular, on the personal experience of one of the outstanding missionaries of the XIX century. Bishop Dionysius (Khitrov) of Yakutia. The surviving travel journals present a general picture of the missionary of that time.