Christianity ranks second in Dagestan in terms of the number of its followers after Islam. There are around 140,000 Christians, including denominations like Russian Orthodoxy, Armenian, Protestant and Catholic.
According to a 2012 survey, in Dagestan[1] 2.4% adheres to the Russian Orthodox Church and 1% are non-denominational Christians.[1]
Estimates of Christians among the non-Slavic indigenous population range from 2,000 to 2,500 thousand. Predominantly of these are Pentecostal Christians from the Lak[2][3] ethnicity. The largest congregation is Osanna Evangelical Christian Church - Pentecostal in Makhachkala, with more than 1,000 members.[4]
Of the 40 Christian organizations operating as of March 1, 2005, 12 belong to the Russian Orthodox Church.[5]
The position of Christianity, especially Orthodoxy, in Dagestan was significantly influenced by the migration and demographic processes that took place in the second half of the 20th century. Over the past 40 years, the number of peoples professing Christianity in Dagestan has been steadily declining.[5]
The Christian mission in Dagestan periodically faces great difficulties, and some preachers are endangered or simply killed. Protestant and Orthodox missionaries are exposed to a similar danger.[6][7][8]
- ^ a b Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia". Sreda, 2012.
- ^ "Slavic Center for Law & Justice". SCLJ.
- ^ Magomed Gasanov (2001). "On Christianity in Dagestan". Iran and the Caucasus. 5: 79–84. doi:10.1163/157338401X00080. JSTOR 4030847.
- ^ Roman Lunkin. On the Death of a Pastor: Artur Suleymanov and the Christian Enlightenment of the Peoples of Dagestan. 07-22-2010
- ^ a b Confessional relations in modern Dagestan
- ^ Arthur Suleymanov and the Christian education of the peoples of Dagestan
- ^ Gunmen in Russia’s Dagestan attack churches, synagogue and police post. 06-23-2024.
- ^ Gunmen Kill at Least 6 at Synagogue and Churches in Russian Republic. 06-23-2024.