Genesis a milestone for Ossetians

A significant milestone has been reached for the 550,000 speakers of the Ossetic language, who live in the North Caucasus, in Russia. They recently received the Book of Genesis in their own language.

Christian communities, such as the Epiphany Convent in the town of Alan, received copies of the Book of Genesis. Representatives from the St Petersburg branch of the Bible Society of Russia are pictured here with its leader, Mother Nonna, (centre).

Although Bible translation into the Ossetic language first began as early as the 18th century, it stalled - for several centuries - until a group of local Bible Society-trained enthusiasts began translation work again in 2002.

In October last year, a large crowd gathered at a library in the city of Vladikavkaz for the launch, which featured readings from Genesis in Ossetic, Russian, Hebrew and German.

Afterwards Bible Society distributed copies to libraries and Christian communities in North and South Ossetia, including in the town of Beslan which was the scene of Russia’s worst terrorist attack in 2004.

This article is from The Word at Work – New Year 2012.