The Doukhobors of Georgia

The Doukhobors or "Spirit Wrestlers" were expelled from Tsarist Russia in the 19th Century for practicing a "heretical" form of worship.

Photographer Agnes Montanari visited the community in the village of Djavakhetie, on a high plateau in Georgia.

Little has changed in dress and customs since the 19th Century. Few men remain on the remote plateau.

Women pay their respects at the tombs of the leaders expelled by the Orthodox church. Many had arrived on foot and several died on the way.

A ceremony to celebrate the Trinity, or Pentecost, begins at the House of Prayer at 0500.

A ritual kiss during the religious service. To avoid persecution as heretics, 19th-C Doukhobors recited the psalms as a slow, barely-comprehensible chant.

The Doukhobors are farmers and methods have not changed for 150 years.

Milking cows by hand - the first task of the morning. The cattle and land are owned by the community and managed on a co-operative basis.

Koozma and, before him, his father and grandfather have prepared the community's cheese since the family arrived in 1830. Stalin is said to have enjoyed it.

One of only two shops in the village, owned by an Armenian. The Armenians are slowly taking over, buying houses from the leaving Doukhobors.

Only 700 Doukhobors remain in the village, as the younger ones leave for town. Photographs: Agnes Montanari

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