This book describes the history in late 19th-century Russia and immigration to Canada of an ethnic and religious group known as Doukhobors, or Spirit Wrestlers. The book is a translation into English of the Russian original authored by Grigorii Verigin, published in 1935. The book's narrative starts with the consolidation of Doukhobor beliefs inspired by the most famous Doukhobor leader, Pëtr Verigin. It describes the arrival of Doukhobors in Canada, their agricultural and industrial accomplishments in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and the clashes and misunderstandings between Doukhobors and the Canadian government. The narrative closes in 1924, with the scenes of Pëtr Verigin's death in a yet unresolved railway car bombing, and of his funeral. The author emphasizes the most crucial component of Doukhobor beliefs: their pacifism and unequivocal rejection of wars and military conflicts. The book highlights other aspects of Doukhobor beliefs as well, including global community, brotherhood and equality of all the people on earth, kind treatment of animals, vegetarianism, as well as abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. It also calls for social justice, tolerance, and diversity.

Auteur

Grigori Vasil'evich Verigin was the brother and active supporter of Doukhobor leader Pëtr Verigin. Veronika Makarova is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Larry A. Ewashen was a curator for 18 years at the Doukhobor Discovery Centre in Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada. He continues as a performer and music teacher, and presents special seminars on the Doukhobors and Lev Tolstoy at universities.

Contenu

Chapter 1. Resettlement from Taurida region to the Caucasus.

Chapter 2. Pëtr Vasil'evich Verigin.

Chapter 3. Life and death of Luker'ia Vasil'evna Kalmykova

Chapter 4. The arrest of Pëtr Vasil'evich and his exile from the Orphan's Home. Chapter 5. His exile according to the administrative order to Arkhangel'sk gubernia for five years.

Chapter 6. The transfer of Pëtr Vasil'evich from Shenkursk to the island of Kola.

The extension of his exile for five more years. The return to Shenkursk.

Chapter 7. What happened to the Orphan's Home. Division of the Doukhobors.

Chapter 8. My trip to Shenkursk and my communal life there.

Chapter 9. Pëtr Vasil'evich's message to the Doukhobors through Ivan Evseevich Konkin.

Chapter 10. The relaying of the message and its fulfilment by the Doukhobors.

The exile of Ivan Evseevich Konkin.

Chapter 11. The new exile of Pëtr Vasil'evich to Obdorsk of the Tobol'sk region for five years. The trip by Vasili Gavrilovich Vereshchagin and brother Vasili Vasil'evich to Shenkursk to visit Pëtr Vasil'evich and their receipt of a message for the Doukhobors.

Chapter 12. Prisoner transport of Pëtr Vasil'evich to Obdorsk, Tobol'sk Guberniia.

Chapter 13. Accomplishment of the mission. Letter of Pëtr Verigin to the Doukhobors. Doukhobors' refusal of military service. Imprisonment of Vasili Verigin and Vereshchagin.

Chapter 14. The burning of weapons in three gubernias and the return of the reserve conscription cards

Chapter 15. The burning of weapons in the Akhalkalak area and the brutal massacre by the government. Chapter 16. The destruction of the livelihood and possessions and resettlement among the Indigenous peoples.

Chapter 17. My arrest and life in prisons.

Chapter 18. Torments in the Ekaterinograd Disciplinary Battalion.

Chapter 19. Exile to Iakutsk area. The description of the prisoner transport to Nizhneudinsk.

Chapter 20. The continuation of prisoner transport. The last words and death of Vasili G. Vereshchagin.

Chapter 21. Life in Nel'kan

Chapter 22. Life in Notor, Iakutsk and other areas.

Chapter 23. A trip to Russia.

Chapter 24. A trip abroad.

Chapter 25. Arrival in England. Meeting the Chertkovs.

Chapter 26. A request for relocation. A letter by Pëtr Vasil'evich to the Empress Alexandra Fëdorovna Romanova.

Chapter 27. The Relocation.

Chapter 28. A letter of Anastasiia Vasil'evna Verigina to Empress Alexandra Fëdorovna Romanova.

Chapter 29. The march of brothers and sisters for God's cause.

Chapter 30. The release of Pëtr Vasil'evich Verigin by the Russian government and his journey to Canada to the Doukhobors.

Chapter 31. Pëtr Vasil'evich travels around all the villages. His speeches and his advice to the people.

Chapter 32. The Congress for the discussion of the land issue. Acceptance of land.

Chapter 33. Starting the communal household. The life of Pëtr Vasil'evich in Otradnoe.

Chapter 34. Cancellation of land entries by the government for non-acceptance of allegiance to the British King Edward.

Chapter 35. A letter to the government and the people of Canada regarding cancellation of land entries.

Chapter 36. A move to British Columbia. An explanation to the government.

Chapter 37. Detailed inquiry and investigation by Royal commissioner William Blakemore.

Chapter 38. The explanatory letters of Doukhobors to Blakemore.

Chapter 39. The inquiry report and the recommendation of the Royal Commissioner William Blakemore. Chapter 40. A conversation between Military Minister Bowser and the Doukhobors about the registries and schools.

Chapter 41. The resolution by soldiers who returned from the war reached at a big meeting in Nelson on February 13, 1919.

Chapter 42. Canada and Doukhobors

Chapter 43. Death and Funerals of Pëtr the Lordly