Greek in Kazakhstan
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Anonymous
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| People Name: | Greek |
| Country: | Kazakhstan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 13,000 |
| World Population: | 10,114,900 |
| Primary Language: | Russian |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 91.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.40 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Greek |
| Affinity Bloc: | Eurasian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Greeks are the descendants of the migrants from the Balkan Peninsula who came to Russia partly in the eighteenth century, but mostly in the nineteenth century. This migration was the result of the political situation from the Balkans and Russian-Turkish wars, leading to considerable movement of the population. The Christian population, oppressed and mercilessly robbed by the government of the Ottoman empire, saw in Russia their liberator from the centuries-old Turkish oppression. They left their homes and followed the Russian army in masses.
In the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774, the Greek rebels from Greece fought on the Russian side and, after the war, a considerable part of them settled in the Crimea. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Greek settlements had lost their military importance. The Greeks who lived in the steppe districts in the Crimea and on the coast, used the Tatar language (they were called Greeks-Tatars). The other part, which lived in the mountain regions, preserved their own language which was a dialect of the modern Greek language. This group was called "Greeks-Hellens."
Today, Greeks live in 70 countries including Kazakhstan. They speak Russian. Most came in the 1940s when they were send there by Josef Stalin.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Though they have a small population in Kazakhstan, Greeks have their own Federation of Greek Communities of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This federation prints a newspaper in Greek, sponsors Greek dances, and teaches the Greek language traditional dance. A number of ethnic Greeks have contributed to Kazakhstan as athletes.
Since they speak Russian, they may attend Russian Orthodox churches.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They are usually Greek Orthodox, which is similar to Russian Orthodox. In fact, the Russian Orthodox Church was first patterned after the Greek Orthodox model.
What Are Their Needs?
They are religious but lack understanding of the Gospel and a close relationship with the living God. Greeks need to allow the Holy Spirit to move in their churches and homes so they can experience all the Lord has for them.
Prayer Points
Pray for Greeks in Kazakhstan to find a vibrant faith in Christ and become an example of what God can do for all of us.
Pray for the Lord to raise up and thrust out Greek disciples who will make more disciples in Kazakhstan.
Pray for Kazakhstan’s Greek community to hunger for spiritual meat and find it in Jesus Christ.