Information about the author:
Arda E. Ashuba
Arda E. Ashuba, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Abkhaz Studies at the Abkhaz State University, Corresponding Member of the Adyghe (Circassian) International Academy of Sciences (AMAN), Director of the Abkhaz Institute for Humanities Research named after D. I. Gulia under the Academy of Sciences of Abkhazia, Aidgylara str. 44, 384900 Sukhum, Republic of Abkhazia.
E-mail:
Abstract:
The article outlines the main stages of the early introduction of Abkhazians to Christianity, and the existence of Orthodox traditions in Abkhazia from apostolic times to the present day. An overview of educational activities undertaken in the late 19th – early 20th centuries with the aim of reviving Christianity in Abkhazia, restoring the foundations of Christian culture and Christian traditions among the population is presented. It is shown that irreparable damage to these traditions was caused by the processes associated with Muhajirstvo; against this background, the activities of Abkhaz educators, Abkhaz intelligentsia and clergy were of invaluable importance not only in cultural and educational terms, but also for preserving the ethnocultural identity of the Abkhazians as a whole. The article focuses on the history of the creation of the translation commission and the translation of the Gospel and liturgical books into the Abkhaz language, as well as the role of the outstanding poet, historian and teacher D.I. Gulia, who, possessing encyclopedic knowledge, took part in the commission’s work. The Appendix to the article contains a translation into Abkhaz of the Book of Jonah, completed by the author, A.E. Ashuba.
