New Israel

What it is

New Israel is a new religious movement that developed within the broader context of Russian sectarianism during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It originated as a branch of the Postniki, or fasters, following internal divisions within the Old Israel group after the death of Perfil Katasonov. The sect holds a strict monotheistic view, rejecting traditional mysteries and most established church practices. They accept all food types and replace religious marriage with civil unions chosen under divine guidance rather than family arrangement. This structure creates a distinct community separate from mainstream society.

Where it comes from

The movement was initially founded by a peasant named Mokshin but gained prominence under his successor, Vasiliy Semionovitch Lubkov, born in 1869. In 1891, Lubkov declared himself the living God and took control of the sect. By 1905, the group moved its center to Rostov-on-Don, spreading influence across southern Russia. The sect was heavily influenced by the Dukhovnye Khristiane movement and later spawned two offshoot groups: Noviy soyuz duhovnovo Israilia and Novohristianskiy soyuz.

How it is done

Lubkov enforced highly restrictive rules on his followers, confiscating all personal possessions to form a single communal family. Dissenters were expelled from the town with the phrase Za okolitsu. Members lived in isolation, refusing to learn local languages or socialize with outsiders, which ensured total dependence on their leader. The community operated as a self-contained agricultural unit with no external political or social ties.

What it is for

The group sought refuge and autonomy for its followers. After visiting the United States in 1911 without finding it suitable, Lubkov negotiated with Uruguayan officials. Two hundred families immigrated in 1913, establishing the farming town of San Javier near Montevideo. The purpose was to create a protected environment where the sect could practice their beliefs without interference from the Russian Empire or Soviet authorities.

Who does it

Vasiliy Lubkov served as the central authority figure, claiming divine status. He managed the community's resources and directed immigration efforts. Followers were ordinary peasants who left their previous lives to join the commune. The leadership structure was authoritarian, with Lubkov controlling land grants and daily life. Later, some members returned to the Soviet Union, settling in the Tselinsky District along the Manych River.

Peoples and places

The New Israel sect is primarily associated with Russian immigrants. While originating in the Russian Empire, a significant portion settled in Uruguay. The community remained culturally distinct, maintaining Russian language and customs while isolating themselves from both Uruguayan and local Russian-speaking populations. Some members later migrated back to the Caucasus region within the Soviet Union.

What people believe

The sect believes in one living true God, rejecting complex theological mysteries found in other traditions. They view Lubkov as a divine figure or prophet. Their faith emphasizes simplicity, accepting all foods and prioritizing civil marriage over religious rites. Family ties are secondary to the will of God or the leader in matters of partnership and community structure.

Compare and confuse

New Israel split from the Old Israel sect and shares roots with the Postniki and Dukhovnye Khristiane movements. It differs from these groups through its specific leadership claims and its unique history of transatlantic migration to South America.

Law and persecution

The sect was persecuted in the Soviet Union. In Uruguay, the government eventually intervened in 1972, destroying cultural institutions and arresting educated members of the community. Despite this repression, the group continues to exist today.

Questions people ask about New Israel

Good reading and sources

• New Israel on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data