The Doukhobors Trivia Quiz

Answer: spirit-wrestlers

It is historically suggested that the Doukhobors were given their name, which meant spirit-wrestlers (or wrestling against the spirit of Christ), by a Russian Orthodox priest. Due to the unorthodox beliefs of the Doukhobors in the late 1700s, it was felt that they were actually fighting against the "spirit" of Christ. Over time, however, the Doukhobor elders actually adopted the name Doukhobor (given to them by the priest), which they suggest means that the Doukhobor believers actually wrestle "with" the spirit of Christ, rather than "against" the spirit of Christ.

Answer: Nicholas II

Nicholas II strongly disagreed with the belief system of the Doukhobor faith. He was the reason that the Doukhobors fled Russia during the late 1800s. Most Doukhobors fled to Canada at this time because of severe persecution in their homeland. During his reign, Nicholas II demanded that his citizens swear an oath of allegiance, support military causes, and to bear weapons.

The Doukhobors were a pacifist group and refused to support Tsar Nicholas. Many burned their weapons and chose not to participate in war.

As a result, the Doukhobors were persecuted. Many chose to emigrate out of Russia, and many were executed because of their strong pacifistic beliefs.

Answer: Leo Tolstoy

Often regarded as one of the greatest writers of all-time, Tolstoy is probably most known for his novel "War and Peace". He regarded himself as a Christian who believed in such concepts as 'pacifism' and 'turning the other cheek', both of which are practiced by the Doukhobor religion. With these solid values in place, he assisted the Doukhobors (as they were being mistreated by their own government) to seek refuge in Canada where their values and beliefs would be respected.

Answer: Clifford Sifton

In 1896, Sifton was selected to be Minister of the Interior after Sir Wilfrid Laurier was elected Prime Minister of Canada. One of the policies that was implemented during this time in Canada was to encourage settlers to move and develop the Canadian West.

Many immigrants from Europe, such as the British, Scandinavians, Ukrainians, and Doukhobors, emigrated to the Canadian West in the hopes of establishing productive farms on the western plains and/or of evading persecution in their homelands.

Answer: British Columbia

In the Kootenay-Boundary region of British Columbia, nearly 80 Doukhobor communal villages had been established under the organization of Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB). Today, the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) is the largest Doukhobor organization in Canada.

Source: http://www.usccdoukhobors.org/about.htm

Answer: Lake Huron

In December of 1898, the first wave of Doukhobor immigrants were brought to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Over 2100 immigrants were brought at this time. A second ship named the Lake Superior brought over 2000 emigrants a short time later. In all, four waves of immigrants arrived in 1899 bringing over a final total of around 7500 Doukhobors. Many were quarantined upon their arrival due to the smallpox virus.

Source: https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-2041.1-e.html

Answer: True

Famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy assisted in arranging for the Doukhobors to be moved to Canada. In doing so, the Canadian government not only made an agreement to give the Doukhobors free land upon their arrival, the Doukhobors were also guaranteed freedom of religion and the right to not serve in the Canadian military.

Answer: Golden Rule

As a means of remaining true to their Christian beliefs, Doukhobors strongly follow the Golden Rule. They do this in many ways including abstaining from alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and excessive feasting. They also believe in living a communal lifestyle and sharing of worldly possessions.

Answer: Vegetarianism

Only within the last 100 years have the Doukhobors been practicing this lifestyle in most homes. As they are a pacifist religion, they do not believe in killing another human being. In principle, if they are not to kill another human being, they believe that they should not kill any of God's creatures (including animals). Many Doukhobors adhere to the practice of vegetarianism because of the various health benefits associated with it.

Teetotalism is the abstinence from all alcoholic beverages and is practiced by adherents of the Doukhobor religion. Haraam is an Islamic practice that means "forbidden". It typically applies to practices involving eating blood (which is typically not allowed in Islamic culture). Fruitarianism is a diet similar to that of vegetarianism, but individuals that practice this will only eat fruit. Some will only eat fruit that have fallen from a tree as this fruit has not been harvested so as to hurt the plant. Doukhobors are encouraged to eat both fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Answer: Lapshevnik

Lapshevnik is a traditional "noodle dish" made in Doukhobor culture. The other selections on the list are prepared in Doukhobor culture, but are derived from other Eastern European culture. For example, Borscht and Vareniki are of Ukrainian heritage, while Plov is of Persian and Turkish heritage.