Whilst searching for theses on religious identity I came across references to the Molokans. So in the interests of learning at least one new thing a day, did you know this Christian unitarian sect that broke away from the Russian Orthodox church in the sixteenth century rejects the Trinity and the concept of priest as mediator between God and man, reject the use of icons, advocate social justice and equality of human beings, men wear beards and the women usually a lacy head shawl, adhere to Jewish dietary laws and do not eat pork, shellfish, or other “unclean” foods, and men and women sit apart in their services. However, apparently only around 20,000 people ethnically identify as Molokans, living in Russia, America and Australia. (Ref and ref)


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