Yu.A. Lysenko
Structure, Aims and Targets of the Kirghiz Orthodox Missions from Orenburg and Omsk Eparchies (Comparative Analysis)
In 80-90s of the XIXth century ruling circles of Russian Impair made a decision to organize missionary work among Kazakh population. In that period of time there were two eparchies on the territory of Stepnoy Kray - Orenburg and Omsk Eparchies, each of them began to create Kirghiz orthodox missions. Kirghiz orthodox mission of Omsk Eparchy operated on the territory of Akmolinsk and Semipalatinsk Province, Orenburg orthodox mission - in Turgay and Uralsk Province of Stepnoy Kray.
Kirghiz orthodox missions of Orenburg and Omsk Eparchies aimed to restrict Islam and spread of Orthodoxy in Kazakh steppe. However the peculiarities of socio-economic, cultural, ethno-confessional development of the regions lead to the difference in understanding aims and targets of mission's activity by the eparchy authorities. It was although reflected on the structural organization of the mission, on the character of relations with eparchy authorities and the determination of missioners duties.