CHRISTIAN TURKS AND THEIR STATUS IN TODAY

Before Islam, Asia originated religions tried speed among Turkish tribes however, none had become a popular belief. Judaism and Christianity was also among those that seek opportunity to spread around Turkish tribes. Especially Christianity was in effort for recognition in Middle Asia from the first ages through Nestorian missionaries. Some Turkish tribes accepted Christianity by Nestorian missionaries who were tradesmen, where churches and monasteries were built in some trade centers like Samarkand. There were two solid motivation for Turks on the spread of Christianity. They were Byzantium Empire and Czarist Russia as well as the churches they belong. Traces of many Turkish tribes were lost as they migrated along the Black Sea to Balkans where they faced the pressures from Byzantium and accepted Christianity. Those Turkish tribes that accepted Christianity through pressures of Czarist Russia still stand today. One motivation for their existence could be their motivation to stand those pressures. Today Gagauz, Chuvashes, Yakuts, Karamans and Khakass still stands with their traditions and languages as Christian Turkish tribes. Besides these, Dolgans and Karagashs are also known Turkish tribes with their Christian identities. Followers of Christianity can also be found between Altays and Teleuts.