Missionary Activities in the Crimea and the Transcaucasus in the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

Commencing in the mid-sixteenth century, Russian Orthodox missionaries actively proselytized in the Crimea and the Transcaucasus, seeking to convert the local Muslim inhabitants. In support of these activities, this region was also made accessible to European Protestant missionary societies, who were granted broad privileges by Catherine II (1672-96) and Alexander (1801-25). In this connection, the most active bodies were the Edinburgh Missionary Society, the London Missionary Society, the Basle Missionary Society and the Baptist Missionary Society. Drawing on the records of these societies created by the Protestant missionaries, this article exposes their objectives in the region, the geographical areas in which their activities were concentrated and their methods. The focus of the article will be centered on the conversion of the Crimean prince, Sultan Katı Giray, to Protestantism and his subsequent actions.