253  EUSSIA

"Christ's  people"  (Christomye  Lyudi),  but  are  better  known
under  the  popular  name  of  "Wanderers"  (StranniTci) ,  or  "Fugi-
tives "  (Beguny).  Of  all  the  sects  they  are  the  most  hostile  to  the
existing  political  and  social  organisation.  Not  content  with  con-
demning the  military  conscription,  the  payment  of  taxes,  the  ac-
ceptance of  passports,  and  everything  connected  with  the  civil  and
ecclesiastical  authorities,  they  consider  it  sinful  to  live  peaceably
among  an  orthodox — that  is,  according  to  their  belief,  a  heretical
— population,  and  to  have  dealings  with  any  who  do  not  share
their  extreme  views.  Holding  the  Antichrist  doctrine  in  the  ex-
treme form,  they  declare  that  Tsars  are  the  vessels  of  Satan,  that
the  Established  Church  is  the  dwelling-place  of  the  Father  of  Lies,
and  that  all  who  submit  to  the  authorities  are  children  of  the
Devil.  According  to  this  creed,  those  who  wish  to  escape  from
the  wrath  to  come  must  have  neither  houses  nor  fixed  places  of
abode,  must  sever  all  ties  that  bind  them  to  the  world,  and
must  wander  about  continually  from  place  to  place.  True
Christians  are  but  strangers  and  pilgrims  in  the  present  life,  and
whoso  binds  himself  to  the  world  will  perish  with  the  world.
