...in progress....Updated Mar 26, 2010... 

This story created more feedback than any published so far -- phone calls, copies handed out, and e-mail. See e-mail at the end. It shows the power of the Internet to communicate. Over 500 new Molokans readers visited this site. To those who passed out copies at your churches and to your friends: Please copy this update and pass it around. To those reading this on paper: Learn to use the Internet yourself. Find more information at: Molokan NEWS  (E-mail) 

2001 September 17 -- Monday -- Memorial of the Trumpet -- This is my perspective of today's incident in our sobranie (assembly hall, often caled "chruch" in English.).

First, it's not the worst fight in this church. Elders report that 50-60 years ago they had some awful fights and arguments. 30 years ago, I remember men shouting, insulting, marching out of church in anger. One of these men who often burst out in rage had a diagnosable mental illness. But these past 2 months are the first that members called the police into church to report a peace disturbance. Every service now is either interrupted or completely stopped by force. Today (Sept 17) was the first time an ambulance had to take someone away after a fight.

Historical Note: Thank God we are not as brave, or foolish, as Moslem radicals who sacrifice themselves with bombs and plane crashes! The roots of this feud originated when Uklein tried to compromise with Dolmatov. See Miliukov. The Saturday Molokans moved their rituals to Sunday, and with the Zionism they learned from the Germans in the "Milky Waters" region evolved into Jumpers, many of whom were reorganized and led by Maksim Rudometkin in the Caucasus. Upon bringing his "secret writings" to Arizona and publishing part of them, the "new rituals" further evolved to where we no longer resemble the pork-eating evangelic Christians who were first called "molokane".

All the names used here are Tolmachoffs, unless noted. Once used, other family names will be shown by last name initial. 

This fight is really about throwing out, or keeping, the Book of Sun: Spirit and Life (Dukh i Zhizn'). 10 years ago, Dave Jack wanted to remove the "book of Satan" and Phil Prohoroff debated/fought against him. This feud resulted in a drop in attendance. And Dave Jack's family (brothers, parents and most uncles) boycotting. Two years ago another family who moved away tried to sell the church and we intercepted a contract to give the cemetery to the City of Glendale. The idea was to give the city 33 feet of the cemetery to build a road in exchange for the city taking ownership and maintaining the cemetery for ever. The contract showed that the representative of the Arizona Molokan Church, Bill John, lived in Kerman, California! Their reasoning was that no "real" Molokans would be left after they moved -- all would become like the Reformed Molokans in Oregon. The families that boycotted joined with those who attended to meet with city officials and committees to declare that the Arizona Molokan church did not authorize any sale or gift of any property. The city says that it will never build a road through the cemetery -- ever. Dave Jack, volunteer cemetery caretaker for 15 years, declares that no matter what his cousins who moved away say, he and his kids will care for the cemetery forever. 

As some members aged,  died or moved away their church officer positions were unfilled. John Popoff died. Jack had a stroke. When Jim Treguboff died, Dave Jack thought he was going to be the church president, but Phil Prohoroff was given the job. There are no minutes and few records of these transactions, mostly it's oral history. [We are in a quandary. Few are literate, or take the time to write things down. Because things aren't recorded, people argue over what happened. On the other hand, I sometimes get flack for writing and distributing what happened so everybody has the same information. They complain it's too much to read.]

In the past 2 years, three families moved to Arizona and joined the church. Two are from Australia, one from San Marcos via Oregon. All have roots and history in Arizona. Each moved for a different reason. Attendance increased 50% and each contributed to the service with speaking and singing skills. All were viewed as "outsiders" and a unified "Satanic" threat.

This year those who attend church agreed to clean up the building, parking lot and cemetery grounds. Unfortunately not everyone was involved in, or knew of, every decision resulting in arguments and hurt feelings. Thousands of dollars were spent. The church got repaired, painted, and new window blinds installed. But there are no shades to protect the wood. The parking lot got new gravel but water still collects in the middle. Flowering plants line the fence with a drip irrigation system, which doesn't work. The large shade trees got cut trimmed then cut down, removing any shade from the building or parking. Fearing that the cemetery was going to be changed, a personal chain and lock was placed on the gate. I cut the chain so we could enter to pick up the trash, cut weeds, and move a mound of dirt placed over old graves to divert water from flooding the cemetery before a concrete wall was installed. We got the university to bring GPR (ground penetrating radar) equipment to see if it could locate the graves that lost their wooden markers. We learned that our soil has too much clay for this best-available technology to work. See GPR Doesn't Work for Arizona Cemetery and Molokan Cemetery Search: Some mysteries stay that way. 

Doing things to the church and cemetery aroused the clan that boycotted so much that they returned to take back "their" church and kick the Satanic Maksimisti back to Australia. On Sunday August 12, Jack's sons and brother marched into church telling everyone that there will be no more church service unless those from Australia leave and the "book of Satan" (Dukh i Zhizn') is thrown out. The cowboys announced that they had a meeting with their members and elected a new president, Pete about 75, and assistant minister, Jack Jack (who thought that Maskim was the first Molokan). The shouting match started before I arrived and continued after I left -- more than an hour. During the week, Pete demanded that the bank account be turned over to him. Phil P. consulted with the lawyer who reincorporated the church and was advised to report any disturbance of the peace to the police to make an official record of any harassment. The next Sunday, August 19, we didn't attend church, but learned that the police were called via 9-1-1 on a cell phone at 11:46 AM. Pete, his nephews and Pete Uraine and his wife, Sandi (not Russian) came to take back their church. 3 officers with guns entered the church and told Pete and his nephews that if they shouted they would be arrested. Lead Officer R. Haleman filed incident report number 01-93108 stating that the incident was resolved. This was the first police report to get filed incident about an incident inside the church, during a service. The surprise guest was Pete U. who married out and hasn't attended church in decades, except for a funeral. The next meeting I attended and Pete and a nephew waited until the service was over to have a heated, but not raging, discussion. Pete also mentioned that he did not like the police being called.

During Pamiat' Trub (Blowing of the Trumpet), Church proceeded unusually calmly for the first time in months. About 20 attended. In previous weeks Pete declared that he was the church president and today he sits at the head of the reader section. For the first song started by his brother Fred, Pete was given the book to read the phrases, but he declared that the words were too long and he turned the book over to me to read. I read for both songs. After 2 songs and 2 speeches, Pete announces that "people have appointments to keep". The presbyter, John Conovaloff (my father), asks Pete what he is talking about and what does he want the church to do. (Dad doesn't like when people shout out commands to him.) Pete insists that church should be cut short. John C. says Pete can leave if he needs to, and nobody will hold it against him. Pete says that the elder Mike just said that we should leave early. Mike denied that he said to leave early. (Mike made a rambling speech in Russian, and Pete doesn't understand much Russian.) John C. tells Pete that we are doing exactly what our ancestors did, and asks what is it that Pete wants to change. Pete says nothing and stays. The head speaker and singer indicate that they have no more to offer. John C. announces, "Then, let's pray".

As the benches are removed, Pete grabs his end of the bench and criticizes the Maksimist young boy who is carrying the other end. Singer Phil P. places a white handkerchief on the table. (Several American Jumper churches are putting the hanky down first to keep the dirty money off the table cloth. We've followed this "new" practice on and off for the past few years.) Before anyone could place money on the table, Pete removed the hanky. Phil P. shouted a protest and got another hanky and placed it on the table. Pete shouted something and took that one and threw it across the table in the corner on the floor. Efim marched between the table and Pete and blocked him with his arm and shouted in Russian something like "Stop, go back!" Another hanky was placed on the table. 

Susanna Prohoroff* rushes outside to call 9-1-1 to report another disturbance. She's getting quicker at calling for help. Also Bill Jack goes to his truck and cell phone to call. [* This is NOT Susanna Evonovna Prohoroff (Oregon)]

Pete, about 75 years old, pushed against Efim, both standing on the rug, while Sally (Pete's wife) reached between the men and grabbed the hanky. Harry Haprov, about 35 years old, placed another hanky on the table and Pete pushed hard to get it. Harry H. and Pete are both on the rug. Harry H. restrains Pete by grabbing him around the waist and moving him away from the table. Pete struggles to get to the hanky and the rug twists. Both Harry and Pete are off balance. Pete falls, banging his head on the wooden floor and is unconscious for a few minutes. Sally, Pete's wife screams.

Pete's brother Jack, about 82 years old, who has a pacemaker and had a stoke, rushes into Harry H., Efim and Phil P., swinging his fists and arms as fast as he can. Jack's really punching hard given his illnesses. He can't talk much at all. Sally kneels to aid husband Pete and kisses his forehead. Everyone else is watching, some are shouting. Even Liza Haprov gets smacked in the face by Jack.

I go outside to tell Susanna P.* to ask for paramedics. She's on the porch. Then seeing Bill with a phone shout for him to do the same. I tell Bill that his uncle Pete fell and is unconscious. I cue Bill as he tries to report the address and directions on the phone.  [* This is NOT Susanna Evonovna Prohoroff (Oregon)]

One version of how Jack fell was that he backed up over his brothers feet and tripped, but his relatives claim that he was attacked.

I wait on the street for the paramedics while everyone else is inside. Mike gets driven home by his daughter-in-law. The fire truck arrives, followed by an ambulance. I guide them thu the gate and enter the church. John Prohoroff leaves with his family. I see that Jack has a little blood on his face and shirt. Phil P. reports that it was "self-defense".

I ask my dad, John the presbyter, if he wants to stay. He says, as he always says, this is a Tolmachoff fight, and he can't do anything with them. He gets up to leave, and mom follows to get in my car. Their car is in the shop. Then the first police officer arrives. I see that he is an African-American and get out of my car to let him know that some of those guys in there are racist. I tell him that it's a church argument and some will tell you they got attacked, but the first man to fall was the instigator and he slipped on the rug. The officer asked me to stay for a while. We waited outside. Then 2 more police cars came. 3 police officers in all. The Black officer left. One officer was interviewing Phil and Susanna Prohoroff* on the porch, then they all went back inside. Not being told to stay,  we drove out onto the street and as we turned we saw the paramedics move one man to the ambulance on the stretcher. It was Pete. [* This is NOT Susanna Evonovna Prohoroff (Oregon)]

We drove home. The police would be listening to all the stories for another hour. Maybe someone will hire a lawyer to sue, maybe not.

In general, today the Maksimisti did not throw the first punch or the first insults. The uncles of the Cowboys followed the "code of the west" and started to "kick ass" first.

Jack was also taken to the hospital by his family and has not attended church as of Oct 21.

In a few days I'll check the police incident report. I wished that everybody would have just stayed in their places and let the elders try to handle Pete's outburst. Fred has tried calm his brothers and nephews, with little success. Instead of going outside, I could have restrained Jack from behind to keep him from hitting so many people, but he's a big man and in a rage.

Update for Sunday Sept 23:
Church Remains in Siege
About 15 showed up. Absent were the Phil T. and John P. families. Phil P. was out of town tending a family matter, but wife Sue attended. Because Pete Uraine came again, Dad could see that there was going to be another confrontation and he stalled starting the service for over 30 minutes. Men and women talked in separate groups, until 4 cowboys entered -- Gary Jack, Jack Jack, and Bill Jack, and Pete's ni nash (not Russian) son-in law, their cousin. Gary, a big fellow, was red in anger and wanted to know who was Phil P. Not finding him, Gary quizzed Harry H. about who he was and why he was there. Harry responded that he was here to pray and invited Gary to sit next to him. Gary was too angry to sit. Then the ni nash cousin said that he would defend his father-in-law, and how could Christians behave this way. After about a half-hour of emotional expressions from the cowboys, dad suggested that we just pray and go home. He said a prayer and sat down. I went over to my old friend Gary, who I never saw mad, and began conversations with the cowboy side. I demonstrated by grabbing Gary around the waist, as Harry H. did to his uncle Pete, how Pete slipped on the rug. 

The boys asked a lot of questions fast. They wanted to know why the handkerchief was used, and how it got onto the table. I answered that some believed that money was filthy and should not be on the table, and the money is usually wrapped in the hanky anyway. The boys said that was against their tradition. The son-in-law said he spoke with other pastors an found no use of a hanky to collect money. His cousins, explained to him that Molokans aren't like other American churches. I pointed to the hanky pinned to a towel hanging on the wall, and explained that someone "in the spirit" placed that hanky up there where no hanky was before. Did they want to take down that hanky too? Then I asked why they are bickering over a hanky when the real issue is the Dukh i Zhizn'. They agreed that the book needs to go, too. The son-in-law only attended our church once before and wanted to know if we had a Bible. I uncovered the table and explained each book. Then I pointed to the modern English Bible that Phil P. bought and uses for his speeches. The son-in-law quickly inspected each book and asked how can people who use the Bible fight in church. We all agreed that everybody is ashamed, and we all feel bad that people got hurt. Pete U. suggested that the church should go to Pete's house and pray for him to recover, but the presbyter replied later that if Pete won't let us pray in our own church, why should we go to his house to pray for him. 

Later Sunday night, I reflected as old Russians would about cause and effect. When bad things happened, God is punishing you. Pete stepped on our prayer rug (some even called it our "alter") and shouted and fought to remove a handkerchief (often used symbolically by our spiritual members) so God dropped him to the floor with a bang on his head to stop his nonsense and blasphemy in church. His brother Jack went into a demented rage, punching at what he thought was the devil, but got himself so distraught that he has headaches now. Is this insanity, or is the Lord working in strange ways?

Update for Wednesday Sept 26, Day of Atonement:
No problems on the Day of Atonement holiday. 
We performed a complete service for the first time in 2 months. 8 people attended. During the prayer our prophetess, "in the spirit" announced in Russian that the handkerchief which had been displayed on the wall, on a towel, will be moved to the table. She unpinned the white handkerchief and moved it to the table, placed the offering on the handkerchief and wrapped it up. After the service we got a clarification that this handkerchief, which was one of 2 on the wall, will remain on the table. It's purpose will be to collect the charity offering (money). This handkerchief was placed on the wall as a memorial to our elder prophet Pavel Popoff by his late wife Manya, about 15 years ago after his funeral and before his memorial service (pomneki). [In Russia, I attended 40 Molokan churches, sobraniie. Most all used a folded towel, or cloth, to collect money, which was placed inside the fold, such that no one could see how much you gave. Dukhovnie Molokane will not start a service until 2 towels are at the end of the table opposite the presbyter.]

Updates for Sunday Sept 30 and Monday Oct 1:
No More Problems up to the beginning of Kuscha
Normal and complete services were held on the following 2 meetings. 12 members attended for the first day of Kuscha. Without the turmoil, 20 to 30 may have attended. Some members, particularly several women, are avoiding church during the strife.

Updates for Sundays Oct 7 & 14:
Church Under Siege Again
Service rituals could not be completed for 2 weeks. Most members are avoiding church. Gary Jack has attended both days as "security" along with cousin Mike. Pete attended on Oct 7, but not Oct 14. To avoid conflict, the service is cut very short, omitting most of the rituals. 

Update for Sunday Oct 21
Church Remains Under Siege to Evict Maksimisti (Australians)
For the past month no services could be held due to intrusions by the security force of Gary Jack and cousin Mike. The elders held off starting sobraniia waiting to see if it was possible. A heated discussion covered many topics, some name calling, some history of who donated what in the past, and some corrections of false rumors. Today Pete again did not attend, but his son-in-law (Mike, not Russian) and nephew Gary came to supervise the serving of a court order of protection from Pete and wife Sara. A Hispanic man in shorts entered and served Harry Haprov with papers ordering him not to associate with Pete or Sara, or to be on the "Molokan Christian Church" property. On Monday Harry petitioned for a hearing to protest against the attacker claiming to be the victim.

Update for Sunday Oct 28
Church Remains Under Siege, but Court Order not Used
About regular attenders, including the Haprov's, entered the prayer house today, and another 10 remained outside, including Pete, his daughter, her husband and two kids, and two nephews. All but one outside dressed in the Molokan traditional manner. After waiting for the crowd outside to come inside for over 30 minutes, the presbyter announced that we would simply have closing prayer. Most of the conversation was about the neighborhood association proposing to landscape the street, also a neighbor came to talk with the membership about the project. Most significantly, the court order to prevent Harry Haprov from being on the church property or near Pete was not used. No one called the police to arrest Harry, even though he clearly violated the court order. Harry has petitioned the Glendale Municipal Court for a hearing to contest the order. Those who remained outside were not interested in attending a church service and several remained steadfast in coming every Sunday to evict those who they call the "trouble makers" and who they believed attacked their elderly fathers. We seemed to agree that the judge will decide.

Update for Monday Oct 29
Hearing Set for  Wed., November 7, 4 PM, Glendale AZ
This will be one of the few times that a Molokan Church has had to settle their problems in court. 

Here's 13 e-mail responses about this story so far: (Molokans love to verbally gossip. Most support freedom of the press, but some attack the written message, the messenger, and/or this media.). See more on the Molokan Forum.

13.  Michael P. Lediaev (Jan 16) (long) Solution to a Problem

12. Efseaff Family (Oct 9)

Thank you for being so open and honest about what is happening with the Molokans in Arizona, especially with regard to the recent events and conflicts in the church there. You said it very correctly in one of your comments (and I am taking the liberty to "read" into your statement what is not being said) that the real issue at hand is not the white handkerchief, but how much tolerance there is going to be for the presence, existence and influence of the Spirit and Life book among our Molokan people today.

The book is heresy. There is no easy or "soft" way to say that. For those who care to investigate the history of those men whose writings are found in that book, with specific attention to the "spirit" that inspired and deceived L. P. Sokoloff, M. G.Rudometkin and E. G. Klubnikin, it is evident that the Spirit and Life book is not written by Christians, for Christians. Rather, it is a book promoting the unification and "brotherhood" of a pseudo Christian cult, using the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, to gain validity.

The drawings of Klubnikin in that book are the work of a demon possessed 11-year old boy. His own description, written in his own words, of how the "spirit" took over and controlled his body to begin writing and drawing what he did, is classic demon possession, commonly known as "automatic writing" by those who, even today, practice communicating with "spirits". It does not appear that this is something many of today's American born, English speaking Molokans take very lightly. 

Klubnikin's writings are a startling testimony of the deception of Satan upon M. G. Rudometkin, who is revered and honored as "king of spirits" in many of the songs that are found written in the Molokan songbook. In fact, on page 362 of the present day Molokan songbook, in the 14th line of Song 456, M. G. Rudometkin is clearly identified by that title, "king of spirits". On the other hand, Jesus Christ is never identified by the specific title, "king of spirits" in any of the Biblical text. Thus, the dilemma: Should Molokans who are Christians participate in church services that give honor, praise and glory to Rudometkin as "king of spirits", or should they make an issue of the lyrics in the church music, and in so doing, bring attention to the controversy, which then makes it seem like they are disrupting the apparent "peace" in their churches.

Thus, as you so accurately stated, the real issue behind the conflict and controversy there in Arizona, as well as in the California and Oregon Molokan churches, is how those Molokans who want to have a relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ, minus the teachings found in the Spirit and Life book, can do so without creating conflict and "opposing" those Molokans who insist on preserving, protecting and defending "the spirit" which emanates from the writings that are found in that book of heresy. This is especially difficult when the elders and church leaders who dominate the "political control" of a particular church continue to shove the Spirit and Life book down the throats of those Molokans who don't accept that heresy. In the past, individuals who have chosen to deal with this issue have found that it always leads to open confrontation, and this is so undesirable, especially to decent folks.

Apparently, in your Arizona church, there is no clear dominant political control among the present elders and church leaders. Obviously, this kind of situation opens the door for the type of "physical enforcement" of church policy that you describe. My prayer is that God use what has happened there in Arizona to draw our Molokan people back to him, back to the message of salvation and grace through our Lord, Jesus Christ. In so doing, may God continue to reveal the utter evil of Satan's filthy hoof prints that are found permeated throughout the pages of the book of heresy, the Spirit and Life book.

Keep up the good work! And don't let the negative comments get to you. Not everyone is going to like what you do. This is normal and even though such comments are unpleasant and even hurtful at times, it is to be expected, so keep your chin up.

11. P. Babashoff (Sept 27)
Do you not have any brains!!!!? Why do you have to post any bit of information that someone wants without their authorization? You probably will post this and I will not be telling ANYONE about this page as you are doing any practicing Molokan a disfavor. You don’t even know who I am and I already have a very bad feeling about what you do. TRY AND DO SOMETHING GOOD.  Have a nice day.

10. T. Prohoroff (Sept 24)
I came across your site and read your accounting of what happened on Monday in the Molokan church in Arizona. I appreciate the time you took to put this together.

There was one statement that you made in your article that is not setting well with me at this time and I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts about this with you.

In the last sentence of the first paragraph, you write: "Thank God we are not as brave as the Moslems who sacrifice themselves with bombs and plane crashes."

First off, I don't think these evil-doers to be Muslim at all. I believe their faith is an all-consuming one to terrorize the world -- for that, I don't even think it can be called "faith" -- I think "brainwashed" and "cult" may be more appropriate. There are Muslim people all over the world who are peaceable, prayerful folks just going about their business. The madmen who did this had no peace, and their leader is clearly not a man carrying out God's commands.

Secondly, I do not think them *brave* in the slightest. Far from it. Brave is an admirable word. Brave are the people who are digging through an unsteady 100 million tons of rubble so that families may finally receive confirmation that their precious loved one is accounted for. Brave are the people who are willing to put themselves at risk so that we may continue to live in free land -- the very freedom our people so desired and traveled so far for. These people who kill others out of hate on a suicide mission are neither Muslim nor brave.

That's my .02 & I thank you for hearing me out.

9.  (No_Name) (Sept 23)
First I must say that you have done an exceptional job on this website. Who would have ever thought that someone would have the courage to stand up and inform us all of what's happening in our wonderful lives and better yet, it turns out to be a " brat " .....of our own. Good job and keep up the awesome work. One thing I have noticed is that you haven't done a report or let alone even commented on the "Clark Street Church" in Hacienda Heights. I'm always wondering what is going on in our brotherhood but when it comes to this "sabraniya" I'm left without info. I haven't heard from any of those church members in a couple years and it seems that we have all lost contact. What can you tell me about them?????????? 

8.  M. Shubin (Sept 22)
Some things are better left alone, Andy use your talent to secure positive items. I have an idea that your e-mail goes out to many readers that wouldn't understand some of our people and the way they conduct them selves, I know I don't. Keep up the good work

7.  P. Babashoff (Sept 20)
I heard that something happened in Arizona during Feast of Trumpets. Can you tell me.

6.  E. Wren (Sept 20)
Sorry to hear of the trouble in your church during the last Holiday observing the Blowing of Trumpets. Let's not forget the reason for the Holiday, the shed blood of Jesus Christ atoning for our sins, the forgiveness we receive, as we are to show to each other. A tool I have found useful is to say the following: "Father in the name of Jesus, because you have commanded us to forgive one another and because you have forgiven me, I forgive so and so for doing such and such, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T FEEL IT IN MY HEART RIGHT NOW." This releases any hold Satan might have on you or the others in the situation and allows the Holy Spirit to begin working in those of you who are seeking resolution and peace.

I will never forget what your grandfather did for my grandfather when they were in prison together because of their refusal to register for the draft in WWI. He saved my grandfathers life, full of the Holy Spirit, in the love of Christ. Both men were men of the God, filled with the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ. I'm sure prayer was their biggest weapon, as it is for all spirit-filled believers. 

This battle going on in your church can only be resolved through fasting and prayer. It would be better if the whole church did a 3-day fast, but if not you and your family can do it on your own. Your father is the presbyter, he has authority in the spiritual realm of things, where this battle really is taking place. What you reported was physical manifestations of this spiritual battle. 

Although I found the information interesting, many prominent people in the Molokan community are wondering why you posted the article on the Website for all the world to see. They feel it brings a bad light on the Molokans and it is personal church politics that is nobody else's business, and would like for you to stop airing dirty laundry in public. (My words, not theirs). I guess it's true, for those who don't understand the history and dynamics of the U.S. Molokan community, this article reads very damaging. I guess it's something you have to be born and raised in to understand, just like it is for all ethnic groups that have migrated here and maintain a community. 

From my experiences in other non-Molokan Christian churches, disputes and disagreements occur, power plays occur, Controlling Spirits manifest in people in positions of authority. In non-Molokan Christian churches, most everyone is behaved during the services (controlled), all the other stuff occurs outside of the services. That is when people raise their voices, voice disagreements. At one church I have attended, I saw one member raise his voice in anger against another member, who was blatantly and unrepentedly living a life of sin and trying to lead others into it. The stirred up member said "He doesn't even belong in church". The other guy took off running scared, because he knew it was true and didn't want to deal with the wrath of the other member. Next week he was back in church, doing his job with the sound-system. I think they finally made him step down. Also, the non-Molokan Christian churches have a ruling body, a committee which controls things. In Molokan churches the stuff occurs during the services. That is the way it has always been, that is just one of the differences I have noted during my current informal study of religions. I have always thought Molokan services one of the most democratic. Members express their point of view during the services. If things don't work out, disagreeing parties leave and form their own Molokan church.

Then, when somebody important, or a relative from another church dies, there they all are, attending the funeral, giving support to one another. Or if kids from one church grow up and marry a kid from another church, there they all are, having a wedding. And someone is always in the kitchen, working hard preparing food, etc. With all of our differences, we are a community.

From my perspective, you should be praying for those involved, fasting, reading the Bible and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you.  The comment about lawsuits was awful, as believers, we are supposed to settle our differences outside the courts, because we don't know how the courts are going to rule. (Paraphrased from the New Testament).

For those who believe and seek His Face, God turns into good, what the devil tries to do for bad. That has been my experience. I will lift up your church in prayer for quick and peaceful resolution.

Humbly submitted, your friend in Christ.

5.  Bill, Billy & Lisa (Sept 19)
[Though this is about the plane crashes, it is also about religious terrorism.] 
We are keeping this candle burning for all the people & their families who were in the planes, buildings and anywhere near the explosions on Sept. 11th. May God be with them and help them through this terrible time. God Bless

Keep The Candle Going
I asked God for water, he gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, he gave me a garden.
I asked God for a tree, he gave me a forest.
I asked God for a friend, he gave me YOU.

There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle.
The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship:

                      ()
                      ||
                      ||
                      ||
                      ||
                      ||
                    ------- 

4. William A. Federoff (Sept 19): 
I normally tolerate anyone who has a different opinion. Unfortunately, it seems that anyone with two bits can get a websight [sic], set himself up as I don’t know what or to what end, and publish what he pleases for what ever reason. When this happens, my experience is that it generally serves no purpose. Your own father reflected wisdom and gave you good advice and I quote “this is a Tolmachoff fight” which you evidently didn’t understand. I’m wondering by what authority you have set yourself up as spokesperson for the Molokans????? And choose to publish nothing but trashy gossip and on the internet yet.

3.  Koozma Tarasoff (Sept 19): 
Remember the wisdom of Mohandas Gandhi: "An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind." Vengeance is not the way. Also recall the wisdom of Lev N. Tolstoy: "Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of other candles, so one heart illuminates another heart and can illuminate thousands of other hearts."

Let's be that candle of wisdom. Let's stand up, use reason and seek nonviolent and friendly means to resolve our human problems.

I recommend that you all see this wonderful story about how to really end terror:
http://www.chriscorrigan.com/aine/answerillustrated.html 

2.  K. Sisoyev (Sept 19): 
That is a sad story about fist fighting in the church - Hope all is well with you Andrew - thanks for the news - 

1.  J. Bivin (Armenian-Molokan, Isreal) (Sept 18):
What a terrible thing to happen during a religious service. But violent disagreements take place in many of the fine evangelical congregations. Many times we'll hear fierce arguments coming from the  synagogue across the street from us with some of the men storming out of the building screaming insults. For all of our moral attributes and pious beliefs, we're still subject to the flesh and pride. It's ironic that one of the basic tenants of the Molokan faith, refusing to fight or go to war, is the very thing that the enemy uses to bring division among the brotherhood.

When you have time, please explain Dukh i Zhizn vs. the Bible. I understand the Cowboys are the Jumpers, but where does the "Bible" come in?

You're doing a great job with the Molokan News. Keep it up.