U.S. Grants Asylum To Russian Old Believers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30113, 23 April 1963, Page 13

U.S. Grants Asylum To Russian Old Believers

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON. April 21. The United States has granted asylum to more than 290 members of the Old Believers sect of the Russian Othodox Church, the Attorney-General (Mr Robert Kennedy) announced today, United Press International reported. The members of the sect, who neither smoke nor drink, are now living in the Lake Manyas area of Turkey. They are the descendants of some 5003 Old Believers who emigrated from Russia more than 300 years ago. Mr Kennedy said Russia had exerted pressure on them since 1959 to return to the Soviet Union and about 1000 returned last September. Those seeking to come to the United States did not want to go back behind the Iron Curtain.

However, the religion of those still in Turkey forbade

inter-marriage within their community or marriage with non-Christians. This led to their desire to leave Moslem Turkey, and their urgent appeal to the United States for admission.

“The Soviet pressures on those remaining to join the first group have intensified and toe morale of this small group is declining,” Mr Kennedy said in a statement. “Immediate action is required to prevent Its complete demoralisation.” Mr Kennedy said members of the group might start arriving in six weeks. The men were farmers and fishermen.

The Old Believer sect split away from the Russian Othodox Church in the 17th Century in a dispute over church rite's. For example, Mr Kennedy said. Old Believers crossed themselves with two fingers rather than three. Members of the sect still wore the farm dress of 17th Century Russia.