12.5 Russia, and the first people to leave

12 · The Assyrians of Urmi: a background · a plain-language guide to Assyrian (Sureth) grammar

The Treaty of Turkmenchay (1828) fixed the Russo-Persian border, and Assyrians from Urmi began settling in Russia — especially the Caucasus, near enough to keep in touch with family on the plain. Many joined the Russian Orthodox Church, and in 1898 that church opened a mission in Urmi, winning converts from the other missions too. Part of the enthusiasm was political: the Assyrians hoped a major Christian power with interests in the region would protect them. Others went to Russian cities, St Petersburg in particular, and many to the United States, where a missionary-school education opened doors. The Russian census of 1897 counted 5,400 Assyrians in the empire.

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