“Followers of Judaism”. Subbotnik sect of the Saratov province in the 19th-early 20th century: Problems of identification and perception

Abstract

The article attempts to analyze the problem of identifying subbotniks through the prism of regional refraction, using the example of Saratov province as one of the sectarian centres of residence in the period under consideration. Subbotniks strove for the reception of Old Testament texts, religious traditions and ritual practices, under the influence of which the sectarians’ identity had been developing. The author also examined the origins of subbotniks in the region, their numbers, settlement areas and the building of contacts with normative Judaism supporters. Particular attention is paid to the Gers, a group within the subbotniks who identify themselves with Jews. The official authorities perceived the Judaizers as Jews, applying appropriate sanctions within the political discourse framework.

Keywords

• subbotniks
• russian judaizers
• gers
• saratov province
• religious identity
• construction of identity
• reception of traditions
• normative judaism