Archi in Russia

Introduction / History

The Archi speak their language, Archi, in eight Archi villages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

High in the southern mountains of Dagestan in southern Russia, the rugged Archi people fiercely cling to their ancient identity. These fierce people conclude that they are not the off shoots of anyone.
The Russian government pressures the Archi to be subsumed under the language category of their near-by neighbors—the Avar—but the Archi never internally agreed. They utilize Avar for writing, and secondarily the Russian language, but the Archi speak their language in village families.
The Archi are known for their strengths of shepherding, weaving, and vigorous honor; but not for the qualities of mercy and grace, which have often been in short supply in this culture. No representatives of Jesus' grace have yet found their way into relationships within Archi culture.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Archi have observed strict Sunni Islam for over 1000 years. They blend Islam's Five Pillars and ancient superstitious practices, such as veneration of sacred trees, common to folk Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

The Archi need workers to share the gospel within their culture and language. They need a spiritual transformation that will lead them to the only savior.

Prayer Points

Christ followers have begun to build bridges into Archi culture, and four Archi people are Christian believers. Pray that the word of God will grow mightily and prevail into receptive Archi hearts.
Pray for translation efforts for the Lord’s Prayer and oral Bible materials into the local language. Pray for accuracy, wide distribution and open hearts.
Pray for the gospel of grace and the love of Jesus to find its way into the Archi culture.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Archi church.

Text Source:   Joshua Project