One of the minority groups in Armenia is the Molokan community. Their name derives from the Russian word “moloko,” meaning “milk.” The name is believed to have originated from their practice of consuming milk even on religious feast days, contrary to Orthodox Christian fasting rules. Moreover, the Molokans explain their doctrine by saying, “Our milk is spiritual.”
As spiritual Christians, they have attracted attention not only for their honesty and hard work but also for their religious customs. They reject many established religious rituals: they do not recognize the veneration of icons or the authority of priests and other high-ranking church officials. They are also skeptical about the canonization of any individual. Instead, they prefer to communicate with God in their homes during prayer.
The Molokans are considered a peaceful people who are not even permitted to touch weapons. They lead an austere lifestyle. For them, the most important thing is to do good in accordance with Christian principles.
In the second half of the 18th century, Molokans began forming large communities in the central and southern regions of Russia. Later, they faced persecution and were exiled from Russia. In Armenia, they mainly live in the villages of Fioletovo, Margahovit, and Lermontovo. They do not live in isolation; Armenians also reside in these villages.
I first encountered the Molokans, also known as Malakans, while exploring Kars in Türkiye, and I wrote about them on my blog, highlighting their contributions to the region.
Photos: Füsun Kavrakoğlu, 2026.
Armenia, Zaruhi Orbelyan, Yerevan, 2025, pp. 126–127.
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