Page 8, The Herald, Friday, November 30, 197° Doukhobors: “spirit wrestlers”’ f By PETER KINSEY GRAND FORKS, B.C. (CP) — Almost 200 yeara ago, Russian Orthodox clergy used the term Doukhobor to ridicule eB breakaway group of peasants, In Canada, the term haa become synonymous with bombings, burnings, and public nudity. The current popular im- pression is aa shallow as the way the group was viewed when It developed in Russia. The sect’s origin is unknown, for it began among illiterate Russian peasants. The name Doukhobor, meaning “spirit wrestler,’ was coined by Russian Orthodox priests by 1785 as 8 derisive term suggesting that the group fought against But the group accepted the name, saying iteignified that they fought for God. Doukhobors refused to worship man-made images — ikons — and rejected the outward rituals of the church. The foundation of thelr bellef is that the spirit of God ja within the soul of man and directs him. They believe, as the Bible saya, that church la where two or more are gathered together united itr the name of Christ. “They pray inwardly at aul times,” John J, Veringin, - leader of the Orthodox group, says in a brief pamphlet on the history of Doukhobors. "On fixed days, they as- semble for prayer-meetings, at which they greet each other fraternally with low bows, «thereby acknowledging every man as -a bearer of the Divine Spirit. “Their teaching is founded on tradition, which is called among them the Book of Life because it Hives in their memory and hearts. In this book are recorded sacred songs or chants, partly composed independently, partly formed out of the contents of the Bible, and these are committed to memory by each succeeding generation.” During a prayer meeting, men and boys stand on one side of the hall, women and girls — always with thelr heads covered — on the other, The iwo aldes face each other. There is no instrumental accompaniment to the hymo-singing, but the part harmony precludes its need. The aymbols of their faith are bread, salt and water, upon which they affirm thelr statements if called upon to testify in court. Doukhobors are vegetarians and pacifists, renouncing “killing, violence and in general ali relations to living beings not based oa ove as opposed to conscience and to the will of God." Leadership of the group was hereditary, with a new leader belng proclaimed at the sixweek commemoration . service of the previous leader's death. Verigin, however, suc- cessfully urged that the Orthodox group reconsider the traditional custom when he was proclaimed Jeader in iw6z. He auggested that rather than calling him the leader, they appoint him honorary chairman of a democratleally elected executive committee of the group, a position he can be voted out of at any tlme — “although there seems ilitle danger of that. . Previous leaders “were accepted as more wise, more able, therefore in that sense they can be related to dis- ciples" of Chriat, Verigin BAYS. He reluctantly agrees that some older Orthodox members still consider him In that light and says he has tried ta avoid thia by creating the honorary ‘chairman post. Members of the Reformed group, all former members of the radical Sons of Freedom sect, say their leader Stephan Sorokin is - regarded as a spiritual leader in the sense of a priest or minister. Sorokin ian't even a Doukhobor, but a Ukrainian who became & Baptist missionary. . And the © now-tiny r God O Freedomite factlon, whose members say they will believe in burning property as a means of renouncing worldly values and finding salvation, say they regard Verigin as their “‘spiritual and material leader,” and the “living Bible.” Verigin, whose group includes many former. . Freedomites, says he wants “nothing to do with the minority group. Christian comic enjoys church audiences | SASKATOON (CP) — Comedian -folk-singer Bob Stromberg believes he doesn’t have to tell dirty jokes to got to the top. “There's a misconception that humor always has to be raunchy. [want my humor to be wholesome, of a good quality and always positive.”” Stromberg mesmerizes his audiences with a pot-pourl of comedy, mime and original folk songs thet appeal to almost anyone. The New England native showed his. during a _ recent two-week tour of Travel-Save in association with CP Air requires marketing representatives to promote eight areas in B.C. No competition with unique program. Tremendous return for consultants effort. For appointment call; Jim Thomson : 669-1432 s Or sena resume to: Travel Save B.C, ard floor 800 West Pender Vancouver V6C 2VB Weatern Canadian churches, where he used four different ranging’ f sult rinyilences ran rom kindergarten children up to middleaged nightclub crowds. A committed member of the Covenant Church, Stromberg is' one of an in- creasing number of musiclans using the church o get a start in the per- rming , He loves church audien- ces, “You couldn't live off of just church performances, but you can't beat this, People come out and see you and always like you. If other comedians had .the right connections I'm sure they'd perform for these types or audiences too," His formula involves pranks through mime and _ serious folk ballads to demonstrate his ‘joy of living.” Unlike many comedians, his trademark ls helping people see the pe tive side of lifa and dding them about their natural fallibility. ‘ He says church audiences are more receptive to a com- bination of the serious and humorous than secular crowds, His human-interest stories and ballads deal with the frustrations of everyday life — being loved, finding my faith and I want ‘to use that in a way that people can relate to. There are so many people in the faith who can't relate to others.” Many of hia ballads directly refer to Christian values, ‘“‘Moake it your ob- jective to keep a litte per- Gast te today ere the rics to a song that urges people to avold dwelling on problems that will be the dinner-iable jokes of tomorrow. Stromberg’s talent for keeping a group of restless children under hia spell was perfected during his post- Zionist Akiva belleve that the key to Jewish survival is through “the creation of a world Gonist network, ita director 8. Abraham Duvdevani, executive director of Beni Akiva in Tel Aviv, says that the youth organization promotes the Jewish religion within the Zionlat movement, “We want to create good, religious leadership in Jewlih communities throughout che world as well as motivate Jewish youth to live in [erae},"” saya Duvy- devani. He was in Montreal recently as part of his annual tour of the 33 countries where Beni Akiva is located, Tn some places, it’s forced to operate as an underground movement, siibject to per- secution, Duvedvanl says. “These end up being the strongest groups," he says. Founded in 1920, it is the only youth movement to combine religion and college years with 4 children's ‘heatra in Chi- CAgo. He has perfected the art of with a contemporary story- Ine, but always managing to story-telling, buttering it up slip in the Christian moral at e end, network said key Zionism, he says. “For a long Ume Zlonlam was In the hands of non- religious people, Many religious Jews didn’t believe in Zioniam, and even now, some extremely religious ple living in Jersel don't lleve in the existence of the state of Israel.” Beni Akiva” has educational and social Programs for young people in 258 cilies through the world, and sponsors trips to Israel. It alao has 15 religious kibbutzim In Israel, other 435 are non-religious. . The Montreal chapter haa . 90 members, Religion roundup TORONTO (CP) — The Canadian Churchman says Rene Levesque’s white paper on the Quebec referendum denies the rest of Canada any chance for real negotiation, The national newspaper of the Anglican Church of Canada says in an editorial that the white paper ‘“‘is a carefullydrawn blueprint for action, and Canada’s consent has already been taken for © granted.”” “Although Mr. Levesque . entitles his blueprint, a proposal, the language Is that of an interim report, the negotiations.” end product, of, preliminary ;,, of ther nay. 8° The Canadian Churchman says thereis only one answer for the rest of Canada to give Levesque; ‘‘We will not negotiate sovereignty- association on the basis of the white paper.” LONDON, Ont, (CP) — Do Sunday sermons sound tired and bering? Maybe your parish leader needs an extra . winter holiday to lift his flagging spirits. . . The Huron Diocese of the, Atglican . Church | has, ' proposed giving Its clergy ay extra week of. ‘vacation,: _ adding tpthe fullmanth ana Rev. Harry Brydon of Tha- mesford, Ont., who is single, says the extra week would be especially beneficial for clergymen with familles, “T don't know how my married colleagues manage sometimes to keep up with the demands on them," Brydon -said, “A refreshed clergy gives you better service”? The matter has been referred to the synod’s ministries division for further study. ‘OTTAWA (CP) — There were raised eyebrows when Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Plourde circulated a questionnaire among priests which sought views on the Uplands Baptist Church Pastor Bob Lesyk 635-2807 ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE usefulness of the Knights of Columbus, a meén-only Catholle fraternal society. But the Archdiocese office now has issued a statement saying there is no conflict between the Archbishop and the Knights, an organization formed in the U.S. almoat 100 yeara ago and dedicated to charitable, social jPpiriotic activities, The - and © The Knights also aim to° provide financial ald to its members and to assist sick and disabled members, A church apokeaman sald _ the Knights “have always been the church's right arm," ; Hewever, one of the arch- bishop's stal€ said he wants to know how the present’ "activities of the Knights fitin | with the church y. vote Plourde is said to be eager ‘ for the Knights to engage ina family renewal Program being established in the Ottawa area. And the chuch statement noted that the international: leadership of the Knights has already begun a program of personal spirital renewal, % a ey + ih Oy Me ee RES “SUNDRY” 36 Corner of Halliwell and N. Thomas 9: 45a.m. Bible Teaching Sunday School 11;00 a.m. Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. Singing and Bible Study Wednesday 8:00 Home Bible Studies "You Are Welcome at Uplands” ‘§ Christian Reformed Church Sparks Street and Straume Avenue Reverend S. Van Daalen. Sunday School - Terrace 10:00 a.m. Sunday Schooi - Remo 1:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Worship Service Zion Baptist Charch Corner Sparks and Keith Pastor Pau! Mohninger Home 635-5309 “"" Sunday School 9: 45 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00a.m. St. Matthew's rhuglican Chanreh 4728 Lazelle Avenue 635-9019 ' Sunday Services - 10:00. a.m. Sunday School. Adults Discussion. 11:08. a.m, - Holy Communion for the family Minister: Reverend Lance Stephens - 635-5855 BROCHET, Man. (CP) — Instead of locking up the churcil até p.m. as some city parishes are forced to do to avoid vandalism, the Cree Indians In this northern Manitoba community fill the Roman Catholic St, PierZe Church every evening, “They sing before, they sing after, they sing during Mass,” says Father A, _ House of Praise 3406 Eby Street 635-3015 — 625-2657 Sunday Worship 10: 30 a.m. Education & instruction. Thurs. 7-8: 3¢ SACRED NEARY PARION 4830 Straume Avenue, Terrace 635-2312 SATURDAY EVENING 7:30r.m. SUNDAY MASSES 9:004.m. SALVATION ARMY. 4637 Walsh Avonue . Darveau. “This is ever 00 8 _ ‘ SUNDAY elt A class for all ages evening, lasting an hour and _ 9:30a.m, Christian Education Hour a half, and in hot or cold 11:00. a.m. Family Worship Service weather. 7:30 p.m. Evanglistic Salvation Meeting Welcomes eden ne feuds the singing TUESDAY NIGHT conducts the communion - 7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Mecting . You To service,” WEDNESDAY Worshi Brochet is about 1,100 kilo- 7:30 p.m. Ladies Home League Fellowship P metres _nor!h nf Winnipeg SATURDAY — , 7:30p.m, Youth Group Christian Counselling Emergency Welfare Spiritual Resources 635-5446 or 435-2626 KNOX UNITED CHURCH 4907 Lazelle Avenue Minister Reverend Dave Martyn CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Corner Sparks Street and Park Avenue Rey, Herman Hagen B.A. M.Div.0. 635-9485 Worsmp Service-aia.m. - seen sty ett unday Con Worship Service 11:00 a.m. CH URCH OF GOD ‘gare Communion leat Sunday each month 3341 River Drive Terrace, B.C. 638-1561 ee ats Foe Most Famaus Basket in the Werld* “Hetione Woon It's time to call your Weleame Wagon hostess. 635.5109 Reverend R.L. White Sunday School 10:00 a.m Reverend R.L. White Merning Worship 11:00 a.m. Evening Worship 7:30 p.m. “ Prayer Service Wednesday 7:30 p.m. flois Mohninger Evelyn Anweller 635-5571. '