Wikipedia
Molokan ( for "milk-drinkers") is a Slavonic exonym for members of different Spiritual Christian sects that evolved from Eastern Christians in the lands " of all Rus'." Their traditions (especially dairy consumption during Christian fasts) did not conform to those of the Russian Orthodox Church. Regarded as outside the traditional Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholic and Protestant denominations, they tend to identify as "Spiritual Christians".
Unlike the Protestant "reformists" of Western Europe, Molokans rejected conformity. There are almost as many different ways among Molokans as there are Molokans. Some built chapels for worship, kept sacraments, and revered saints and icons, while others (like Ikonobortsy, "icon-wrestlers") discarded these practices in the pursuit of individual approaches to Scripture. In general, they rejected the institutionalized formalism of Orthodoxy and denominations with similar doctrines in favor of more emphasis on 'Original Christianity,' as they understood it. They emphasized spirituality and spiritual practice; such sacramental practices as water baptism have been permitted only as tangible signs and symbols of more important spiritual truths.
Similar to Presbyterians among Protestants, they elect a council of dominant elders who preserve a sort of apostolic succession, considered heretical by the Orthodox Church. Molokans had some practices similar to the European Quakers and Mennonites, such as pacifism, communal organization, spiritual meetings, and sub-groupings. But they arose in Russia together with the Doukhobors and Sabbatarians (also known as Subbotniks) and similar Spiritual Christian movements of Duhovnye Kristyanye and Ikonobortsy. They migrated into central Russia and Ukraine around the same time.
Usage examples of "molokan".
Wordlessly, Molokan placed a bowl of stew and a mug of ale in front of him, and he fed himself with movements that made him think of factory machines.
Anit said, while Molokan and the children gaped in fright at the outworlder.
As he did so, Molokan waddled into the shop and stood blocking the door.
His death would free Molokan to find a new husband, someone who could give her and the children a better life.
Passport--Sails from Hull Petersburg Moscow Journey to Iekaterinoslav Kharkov Rybalsk--The German Colonies The Molokans The Crimea--The Tartars A suspicious halting-place--Simpheropol Feodosia Odessa--Constantinople Smyrna Syra--Malta Nismes--Bagneres de Bigorre Pialoux CHAPTER XX.
We obtained some information respecting the Molokans, and were directed to Nicolai Schmidt in Steinbach, who often has communication with them.
As the Molokans speak nothing but Russ, we shall be in want of an interpreter in our visit to them.
The settlements of the Molokans, consisting of three villages, each of about a thousand inhabitants, lie to the south of the German colonies.
At the next, Wasilowkov, they met with Terenti Sederhoff, the apostle of the Molokans, whose remarkable history J.
Old believers and new believers and Judaisers and Khlysty and Popovitzy, and Bespopovitzy and Avstriaks and Molokans and Skoptzy —every faith praises itself only, and so they all creep about like blind puppies.