Rostovskaya T. K., Fomina S. N., Rodin N. V. Influence of the Russian orthodox Old believers church on the formation of Russian cultural heritage of Alaska. Vestnik slavianskikh kul’tur, 2020, vol. 55, pp. 50–63. (In Russian) DOI: 10.37816 ...

Abstract

The role of the Russian Orthodox Old Believers Church in Alaska is truly outstanding — it is she who is recognized there as a bulwark of the preservation of Russian culture and spirituality. The article examines the essence, main features of the Old Belief, the extent of its influence on the preservation of the Russian heritage in Alaska. As the paper revealed the preservation of culture and language`s identity outside domestic territory for such a long period of time testifies to many strengths of the Old Believers' lifestyle patterns. Several factors act as the key to the preservation of Russian cultural heritage in the Old Believer community of Alaska: traditionality, closeness, continuity. Basing on a comprehensive analysis, the authors conclude that at least three components of traditional education of the Old belief lose their relevance: piety, as a foundation of education, with internal and external expression; rigor, aimed at bringing up in a child such primary personal qualities as modesty, diligence; obedience i.e. respect for parents, fear of parental disappointment. The study allows for concluding that the  Old Believers, at the moment, are the main guardians of Russian culture in this region. However, crisis developments surrounding the preservation of Russian dialects as part of the Old Believers communities of other states, tendencies towards assimilation pose a threat to the preservation of the cultural heritage of Old Believers. The paper claims the urgency of developing a strategy for dealing with this category of native speakers and traditions, as well as of promoting field studies in their living environment.