On the history of the first Tatar Cyrillic alphabet and the formation of baptized Tatars’ written tradition

The author describes the history of the creation of the first Tatar Cyrillic alphabet and the formation of baptized tatars’ ( Kryashens’ ) written tradition in the second half of the 19 th century. The example of Kryashens helps to understand the peculiarities of the creation of writings for the baptized non-Russian peoples of Eastern Russia, and the role of Orthodox missioners and educator in that process.