The role of the Russian Orthodox Church in the integration of the Eastern Caucasus into the Russian cultural space during the Caucasian war (with the example of the left wing of the Caucasian cordon line)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the experience of the Russian Orthodox Church in the fortresses and fortifications of the Left Wing of the Caucasian Cordon Line. During the study of the available literature and sources available to us, it was revealed that the missionary activity of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) was based on the principles of tolerance towards local peoples and Islam. Analyzing the activities of the ROC on the cordon Line, it is worth noting that initially churches on the Line were erected as regimental ones, with military units - to maintain moral and ethical values among Orthodox soldiers. The Russian government, at the founding of the first fortresses of the Caucasian Line, saw cordon fortifications as the agony of confrontation, which, in their opinion, could only be used as a dividing line between the troops and the highlanders. At the beginning of the 19th century, the fundamental idea of Caucasian politics changed and the policy was transformed from defensive to civilian colonization of the region, where the activities of the church were presented more than just overseeing and observing the spiritual needs of military personnel on the Line. The churches, both civil and military, participated in the complex process of acculturation in the region, where, by means of their functioning, they pushed the boundaries of the idea and perception of the mountaineers about Russia, carried out missionary activities in spreading Orthodoxy on the Lines, supported the ritual and everyday life of the Orthodox population of the region - civil and military. The activities of the Russian Orthodox Church extended to the issues of the dissemination of education, which in general had a positive trend for the region. In the fortifications and fortresses of the Left Wing of the Caucasian Cordon Line, the activity of the ROC was relative, in comparison with the Right Wing of the Line. This was due to the fact that the main concentration of the Orthodox population was concentrated there.