DUKHOBORTSY, du'KU-bort'si. or DUKII0 HORS (Russ., spirit-wrestlers. from du•hii. spirit + boron, to overcome, to fight; so called from the denial by the sect of the divinity of the Holy Ghost). A Russian religious sect, founded in Kharkov. about 1740-50. It increased in numbers under Kolesnikoff in the Government of Yeka terinoslav (1750-75), and under Kapustin in Tambov (1755-S5). This rapid growth caused governmental persecutions in 1793-94 and 1797 BOO, hut Commissioner Lopukhin's favorable report ( 1801) moved the Government. on his recommendation, to settle the Dukhobortsy d n the bank of the river Moloehnaya in Taurida. A large tract of fertile land and a comparative im munity from official annoyances brought a period of thrift and prosperity. About 1811) the Govern ment resumed hostile measures.. which culminated in their deportation to Transcaucasia (1837). Pobiedonostseff's policy of bringing all religious elements of the empire into conformity with Greek Catholicism was responsible for the severi ties which attracted the attention to the sect in the nineties. After long petitioning many thousands were allowed to leave for Cyprus and Canada. Their religious views are simple and handed down by oral tradil ion. Christ wa.- only a man of superior godlike intellect, and his soul has migrated into many mortals. KolesnikotT
and Kapustill among others. All people are equal. and. being children of CIod, do what is right: hence there is no need of rulers. They do not visit the churches. considering that wher ever two or three persons endowed with intellect. even if •Jews or Mohammedans, gather for wor ship, there is a cluiren. They accept the Ten commandments. and of the Bible 'only the useful' portions, interpreting the rest allegorically. They have no icons. confession, or ceremonies at marriages. which they contract by the heart's inclination only. In private life. wives and hus bands are sisters and brothers; the parents aro addressed: 'old roan; `old woman.' The plenary power of a Dnkhobor community is vested in the assembly of elders. As members of society they are generally conceded to be quiet, sober, and hard-working. They belong exclusively to the peasant class. in the fall of 1902 the sect in Canada suffered great hardships. They felt in spired to seek the Christ. and set out across the bleak stretches of Manitoba. regardless of all personal discomfort. Intense was the cold, and many fell by the way. At length, urged by a spirit of humanity. the Government interfered. and insisted on their tnrning back to their homes.