Ivan Kolesnikoff and Bulgarians

Since this blog started with a small series on the Russian missionary Ivan Voronaeff, I will like to continue in this direction and re-introduce Ivan A. Kolesnikoff. I am saying re-introduce since I have mentioned him at least two times in my previous blog. Short introduction we have Kolesnikoff mentioned as working as a missionary among the Bulgarians in Toronto. Well let's expand. Kolesnikoff was born in Russia and educated by orthodox clergymen, latter moved to Odessa and was converted in with his wife in 1889 to the Baptist church. After active preaching and exposing the mistakes of the orthodox church he was persecuted and was forced to emigrate first to Rumenia and then Bulgaria. /as I mentioned in my first blog this is a very interesting occurrence where North Dobrudja becomes a safe heaven for religious leaders fleeing tsarist Russia/ In Bulgaria he probably meet Ivan Ryaboshapka/another prominent Russian Baptist leader escaping religious persecution/. In 1903 he moves his family to USA and settles in Scranton PA, area with well known Slavic immigrant presence. There he works among Russians, Ukrainians and Bulgarians(this is new to me since I was aware only of Kolesnikoff's involvement with Bulgarians in Toronto/. In 1911 he moves to Toronto and continues to preach among the Slavs.

This post is also to reflect that for missionary boards /Baptist, Presbyterian, etc./ Slavic people were often grouped together we will see people like Kolesnikoff, Bagranoff, Katsunoff etc. working among a mix of Slavic nationals.

Also previously mentioned latter on Ivan Kolesnikoff makes a small statement about his fellow worker Ivan Voronaeff /after his Pentecostal conversion/. Interesting is also the fact that Voronaeff will return to Odessa /sire of Kolesnikoff's conversion/ and start his Pentecostal work among Ukrainians.

further let me mentioned that these immigration centers will re-circulate through our story line. Odessa will be starting point for Frederick W. Flocken /methodist missionaries to Bulgarians/ Burgass will be associated with Pentecostals, Constantinople will be site of Protestant publishing.