6 Photos of Maksimists by Sergey Maximishin
FIOLETOVO — Molokans (self-named "Spiritual Christian [Jumpers] ") — the Russian religious movement close to Protestantism. In the middle of 19-th century Molokans under the order of tsar Nikolay have been banished to difficult of access mountain areas of just annexed Armenia and Azerbaijan. Now in mountains of Armenia remained two villages (Lermontovo and Fioletovo) where Molokanes live compactly Photo: typical Molokan's house. Three open books lay in everyone Molokan’s house: the Old Testament, the New Testament and revelations of Molokan’s prophet Maxim Rudomyotkin. [These are not Constant Molokans, but an off-shoot group from Jumpers — Maksimists.]
DELIJAN — Molokans [Maksimists?] praying assembly.
FIOLETOVO — The name "Molokan" was used in reference to the people who ignored the 200 fasting days, drinking milk (moloko = "milk" in Russian).
FIOLETOVO — Economic specialization of Molokans is cultivation of cabbage. In days of Soviet Union Molokans sold their prepared on special recipes sauerkraut on all country and earned huge money. Today it is difficult to them to overcome numerous state borders between republics of the former USSR and their economy has come to decline. 70 percent of cabbage of an old harvest are used as fertilizer for a new crop.
FIOLETOVO — Molokans prefer to bake bread at home.
FIOLETOVO — Дети молокан. Molokan children.