Church and historical knowledge as elements of the younger generation education and preservation of the Cossacks' national/identity in conditions of emigration

The article analyzes the role of church and historical knowledge in the education of the coming generation and preserving of the Cossack emigrants’ identity in 1920–1960s. The study object is presented by Don and Kuban Cossacks as the most organized part of the Cossack emigre during the research period. The paper deals with the settlement geography and number of the Cossack emigrants. The main problems of their constrained residence abroad are being showed. One of the main problems was the problem of preserving identity. Among factors which were helping to preserve the Cossack identity there were preserving and development of the Cossack culture including the Cossack traditions and customs; education of the coming generation. The church was important institute defining the Cossack life under conditions of emigration. Moreover analyzing the spiritual aspect of the Cossack residence abroad shows us that the role of church to some extent was the decisive one in preserving cultural traditions of the Cossacks and its national/ethnic identity as consequence. In some way only the church for a long period of time was some unique magnet for the Cossacks under conditions of emigration. It contributed to communication between Cossacks and preserving some elements of traditional Cossack culture