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Migrations of the Assyrians from Iran during World War I: Fragmentization of tradition and the new forms of religiosity By focusing on the Assyrian Christians scattered around Urmia in the north-western part of Iran during World War I, the article analyzes the processes and changes that occurred in the religious life of the population under the circumstances of depravity, trauma and migration. The migrations, as it is suggested, caused two opposing tendencies among Assyrians strengthening individualization and ethnicization of the religious matters. The migratory experience played a crucial role in transforming the Church institutions as it might be seen in reference to the Assyrian Church of the East and shifting the focus away from religious authority while giving space to more emotional, private, and finally Pentecostal religiosity.

Artykuł opiera się na założeniu, że historyczne znaczenie rewolucji konstytucyjnej Iranu powinno być badane nie tylko pod kątem samej konstytucji, ale także poprzedzających ją zmian społeczno-politycznych i kulturowych, a także debaty nad konstytucją. Wypełniając luki w badaniach nad mniejszościami tego okresu, w artykule omówiono społeczności zaratusztriańskiej i asyryjskiej z perspektywy porównawczej. Analizą objęto zagadnienia związane ze zróżnicowaniem sytuacji omawianych mniejszości u progu rewolucji, a także sposoby ich uczestnictwa w ruchu konstytucyjnym. Porównanie dwóch różnych społeczności mniejszościowych przyczynia się do zrozumienia zmian społecznych zachodzących w Iranie wraz z towarzyszącymi im napięciami. The article is based on the assumption that the historical meaning of the Constitutional Revolution of Iran should be investigated not only considering the constitution itself, but also the process of socio-political and cultural changes preceding it, as well as the debate over the constitution. Filling the gaps in research on minorities of that period, the article discusses the Zoroastrian and Assyrian communities from a comparative perspective. It covers the issues of the different situations of the minorities at the threshold of the Revolution, as well as the ways they participated in the Constitutional Movement. Comparing two different minority communities contributes to a deep understanding of the social changes taking place in Iran along with the accompanying tensions.

The development of Pentecostal Christianity in Iran in the years 1908-1916 was connected above all to the activity of the Assyrians living in the south-western part of the country, and especially the area surrounding the city of Urmia. At the turn of the 20th century, this relatively small area became the subject of numerous Christian missions - Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican and Orthodox - which had a significant influence on the region's religious structure. On top of its religious activity, the thriving and very active Presbyterian mission, founded in 1835, contributed to the region's cultural revival by establishing a network of schools. It also offered the opportunity for continued education in the USA, something which Andrew Urshan benefited from in the early 20th century. Having connected with the Pentecostal movement during his stay in the USA, he founded the Persian Pentecostal Mission in Chicago, giving himself the task of propagating Pentecostal experiences among Assyrians in Iran. As early as 1908, Urshan's associates travelled to Iran, whereas he followed several years later, in 1914. However, the political situation connected with the outbreak of the First World War and military actions in northern Iran meant that missionary work was impossible. The mission broke up, and ceased to operate in 1916. It was significant particularly for its attempt to combine Pentecostal experiences with the history of the Assyrians themselves - as Urshan's writings testify - and for its efforts to remind them of, or rather restore, the apostolic legacy.