The history and activities of the Russian Orthodox church in Kyrgyzstan

In the 10th century, the Orthodox branch of Christianity entered Russian territories as a result of the missionary activities of the Byzantine Empire, leading to the establishment of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian Orthodox Church played a significant role in the growth of Russia as a nation and empire. In the 19th century, the Russian Orthodox Church extended its missionary efforts to the Kyrgyz people, one of the oldest ethnic groups in Turkistan, which had come under Russian imperial rule. The church aimed to introduce Christianity and Russian culture to the Kyrgyz population after the Russian Empire's occupation of Turkistan. This thesis examines the historical presence and activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan. It begins by addressing the thesis's topic, significance, purpose, scope, limitations, methods, and sources in the introduction. It then provides a general overview of the Kyrgyz people's history, their beliefs before their conversion to Islam, and the historical trajectory of Kyrgyz-Russian relations. The first section delves into the entry of the Russian Orthodox Church into Kyrgyzstan, its relationship with political and social developments in the region, its approach towards the Kyrgyz people, its efforts in education, culture, and religion, and the challenges it faced during the periods of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the era of independence. The second section explores the organizational structure of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan and delves into its religious, social, educational, and cultural activities. The primary goal of this thesis is to uncover the historical role of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan and to shed light on its contemporary status. Keywords: Russian Orthodox Church, Kyrgyz, Christianity, Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan Diocese, Missionary.