You suffered and were exiled and even now suffer want, because you wished to lead a Christian life, not only in words, but also in acts. You refused to commit any violence against your neighbor, to swear, and to do police or military duty. You even burned weapons, that you might not be tempted to defend yourselves with them. And, in spite of all the persecutions, you remained true to the Christian teaching. Your acts became known to men, and the enemies of the Christian teaching were confused when they heard of your acts. They either locked you up and deported you, or exiled you from Russia, trying in every way to conceal your acts from men. But the followers of the Christian teaching rejoiced, triumphed, loved and praised you, and tried to emulate you. Your acts have done much toward the destruction of the kingdom of evil and the confirmation of men in the Christian truth.

L. N. Tolstoy: To the Doukhobors of Canada
(15 February 1900).

Sketch of Doukhobor people's Gorelovka village. Tiflis province, Russia, (H. F. B. Lynch, 1893)