Fioletovo: Armenia's Molokan Village

Photos by Karen Harutyunyan

On the road from Dilijan to Vanadzor lies the village of Fioletovo in Lori province, the largest Molokan settlement in Armenia. The village has been inhabited entirely by Molokans since the 19th century, when members of the Russian Christian community settled here after being exiled from the Russian Empire.

A short distance away is the village of Lermontovo, once also entirely Molokan but now home to both Molokans and Armenians. Between the two lies the Armenian village of Margahovit.

These villages are nestled in one of Armenia's most scenic landscapes, surrounded by forests and mountains. The Aghstev River, which rises in this area, winds its way through the valleys.

Today, Fioletovo remains the country's largest Molokan village and serves as the spiritual center of Armenia's Molokan community.

Mikhail and Natalya are famous in the village and beyond. They opened a traditional tea house in Fioletovo, where visitors are welcomed with tea brewed in a kettle or a samovar. Natalya also makes exceptional blini (Russian pancakes), served with sea buckthorn and other homemade jams.

Their three children and eleven grandchildren now live in Moscow and Stavropol. Every summer, when the grandchildren return to the village, they never want to leave.