Religiousness of refugees living in the territory of Tambov province during thr first World War: 1914-1918

Abstract

The article is devoted to the internally displaced persons of the First World War, who found their new places of residence in Tambov province. It was assumed that the period of refugee status would not last long, but it lasted for many years. People lived in terrible conditions, without means of subsistence, torn from their usual environment. But even when they found themselves in an unfavorable situation, the refugees continued to receive religious care from the clergy of Tambov diocese. After the revolution of 1917, when parts of the former Russian Empire began to gain their own independence and such states as Poland and Lithuania appeared, the refugees acquired the status of repatriates. The new Governments of these States made a careful selection among them, trying to make sure that no persons undesirable from the point of view of the new Governments entered the territory of these States. This further delayed the process of returning refugees to their homeland, and some were forced to stay in Russia forever. The religiousness of the refugees during this period is difficult to assess, since in the conditions of the Civil War and the open persecution of the Church, the clergy could not fully organize spiritual care for the refugees.