Russian Old Believers - photo project by Mikhail Evstafiev

Since the late 1990s, I have been documenting the lives of Old Believers, the heirs of the thousands and thousands of Russians who rejected the 17th century Orthodox Church reforms, were heavily persecuted for that and forced to flee to remote areas or even to other parts of the world in order to survive. This project has taken me to different regions of Russia, Romania and the United States.

Today's world is more tightly integrated than at any other point in history. Our lives are influenced by the process of globalization, which has swept across the planet, drowning cultures, mixing peoples and imposing on them a market-driven way of life based on a common mass culture.

Yet some groups, like the Old Believers, bonded by old-style religious beliefs, have preserved a different way of life with a deep sense of tradition and values, creating environments in which morality and the many values it represents are still sustained. But for how long will they survive? Could such communities be an example of one of the last stands against globalization?

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• religion
• believers
• orthodox
• ritual
• rite
• Oregon
• Romania
• church
• cross
• crucifix
• icon
• raskolniki
• starovery
• staroobriadtsy
• starina
• lipovane
• raskol
• Easter
• Alaska
• Erie
• Nizhny
• Novgorod
• Christianity

[ArtObraz]

There are many communities of Old Believers in the US, Canada, Romania, Latin America, Australia, and of course in Russia.

[superiorjane]

That was beautiful. I live near Woodburn, and have often been curious about the lives of the Old Believers. These pictures made me want to learn even more .

[clarajanny]

Politics

Politics kill religion

[SwordsmanOfFaith]

It's good to know that the Old believers (atleast in Moscow) have reconciled themselves with the Moscow patriarchate.

Glory to God!

[MrNeme33333]

Слава тебе, Господи, что мы липовани

[Bigsquid91]

Name of the song?

[chume65]

Beautiful. I knew very little about this. Please tell me if you can, what is this piece of music?

[Stupness]

many starovers were exiled during soviet union from russia to georgia. few but some of their descendants still have their traditions kept

[sirroach1]

@545fight hey what do want to know, I am an old beleiver from woodburn



[545fight]

Hello. Is there are some oldbeliever communities in Europe or USA at our days?Please write back . Остались ли ещё старообрядческие общины в США или в Европе в наши дни?

[MsMeletina]

I grew up in the Russian Orthodox Old Believer church, mostly from Alaska where i was born to Oregon where I was raised. Many of my freinds and family members were in the pictures. The only thing I can say to the people who are curious is that you should just ask. In my church the clergy is always willing to explain things to anyone. Popular to contrary belief we do not push the outside world away, we have adapted to the changing world while not changing our own beliefs.

[lumberjak5010]

What is the name of this recording and record company please? Thank you for this beautiful video...I have so much respect for people who hold to their beliefs while everyone around them falls .....peace be with you all.