Malakans

Malakans, commonly known as Molokane (Russian: Молокане, "Milk-drinkers"), are a historical religious group associated with the Old Believers in Russia. They formed during the 16th to 17th centuries as part of the Raskol (schism) that split from the mainstream Russian Orthodox Church and are generally regarded as part of the priestless, or Bespopovtsy, currents that rejected the formal hierarchy and many church rituals in favor of simpler, scripturally based worship.

Molokan belief and practice emphasize personal piety and congregational worship conducted in homes or modest prayer houses rather than ornate churches. They retain elements of Old Believer doctrine such as a vernacular, scriptural approach to worship and a focus on family life and mutual aid. Their designation as "milk-drinkers" arises from traditional explanations of their diet during fasting and other practices; the exact origin of the name is debated and not a self-designation.

Historically, Molokans spread across central Russia into the Caucasus and Central Asia, often facing pressure or restrictions from authorities and the Orthodox establishment. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Molokans emigrated to North America—primarily the United States and Canada—seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity, where they formed agrarian communities and maintained distinctive religious customs.

Today the Molokan presence is smaller but persists in Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus, and in diaspora communities in North America. They remain linked to the broader Old Believer world, sharing heritage with related groups such as the Doukhobors while preserving unique practices and traditions.