Change of Molokans’ role in the social life of Tersk region

The article is concerned with a topical, but poorly studied by the Russian historiography issue of formation and development of the Molokan sect in the Tersk region. The author shows a complicated way of legitimization of the religious association, which turned out to be successful owing to the revolutionary renovation of the Russian society in 1905-1907. The scientific relevance of the research is determined by the introduction into academic use of a number of the archival documents reflecting the positive impact of the Molokans on the Cossacks and Russian population of the region at the turn of the 20 th century.