Ever since the Doukhobor culture began as a peasant group in southern Russia, with their different teachings and traditions, their origin was rather hidden. The Doukhobors rejected church rituals, believing that God is in each human being and not in a church. They replaced the Bible with orally addressed psalms and hymns, which they called the Living Book. These are sung to this day at molenie (religious gatherings). Doukhobors did not use any religious symbols at these meetings, except for the display of bread, salt, and water. Which represent the elements that sustain life.
Soon many of the Doukhobors were allowed to emigrate to Canada, assisted by author Leo Tolstoy. More than 7,500 sailed to Canada in 1899 and settled in what was to become Saskatchewan, where they lived as a community. With 500 more Doukhobors, more where allowed to join them in 1902, making the migration of the Doukhobors the largest single mass migration in Canadian history. In 1908, a large group of Doukhobors moved to Southern British Columbia, where they bought land and established a self-contained community of 6,000 members. Although some Doukhobors split off to establish their own farms and became independents.
Doukhobors are a fraction of Russian dissenters, many of which now live in western Canada. Are small portion of Doukhobors, known as the Sons of Freedom were known as radical pacifism which brought them fame during the 20th century. Today, their descendants in Canada are approximately 20,000, with one third still active in their culture.
Our Personal Family History
Baba teaching us to make vareniki.
Our Baba's side
Both of our Baba's parents were born in Georgia Russia. Great Baba, Marhuta Horkoff (1888-1981) and Sam Harshenin (1886-1966). They immigrated to Canada likely in a smaller wave of Doukhobor immigrants.
Our Dyeda's Side
Our Great Baba and Dyeda Alex Sr Gleboff (1903-1965)and Anne Chernenkoff (1906 - 2008) were first generation Canadian, born in Saskatchewan near Kamsack. They met and married in Castlegar B.C.
Annie’s parents, our Great Great Baba and Dyeda) were Nick Chernenkoff and Doris Polonikoff who immigrated from Georgia.
Alex’s parents were William Gleboff and Katya (unsure of last name) They also immigrated from Georgia, Russia likely with that first large wave of immigrants who arrived in 1899.