Difficulties of mission among the indigenous population of Siberia in the middle of the XIX century according to the written heritage of St. Innocent (Veniaminov): religious and social aspects

Abstract

With the annexation of new lands in Siberia to the Russian Empire in the 16th century, Christian mission began there. From the 19th century the work of preaching acquired a larger scale than before, preachers appeared who left their mark in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. One of the leading missionaries of that time was St Innocent (Veniaminov). During his long ministry in Siberia at the Kamchatka pulpit, the vladyka encountered difficulties of mission among the indigenous population related both to confessional specifics and to the socio-cultural peculiarities of the region. These difficulties are reflected in the rich written heritage of the saint, including letters, notes, reports, reflections, articles and scientific works. It is about them that the article is narrated. The purpose of this work is to consider the difficulties that St Innocent had to face on the mission field in Siberia in religious and social aspects. The multifaceted nature of the problems associated with bringing the word of God to the people and described in the written legacy of the Vladyka indicates his all-round involvement in the work. As a result of the work done, we can say that the personal example of a Christian has a tremendous influence on the work of preaching.