The conflict between the Russian ecclesiastical mission in Jerusalem and the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian society in 1909–1914: a new interpretation
Abstract
The article is devoted to the history of the relationship between two Russian organizations: the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society (IPPO) and the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (RDM) at the early XX century. The RDM entered into a struggle with the IPPO for the leading position among Russian institutions in the Holy Land. The problem was aggravated by indetermination of the functions of these structures and their interdependence. The main reason for the conflict was competition for accommodation of the Russian pilgrims and associated income. Another challendge to the IPPO was note of head of the RDM Archim. Leonid (Sentsov) sent to the Holy Synod criticizing the activities of the Society and proposing to allow the RDM to control the schools of the Palestinian Society and the organization of the pilgrimage movement. The discovery of new archival sources provides a more accurat picture of the clash of interests of the Russian organizations in Palestine, the participants in this confrontation and unpublic mechanisms of solving such issues. Russian representatives in Palestine often acted uncontrollably, promoting their own business interests. It was obvious that consolidation of all Russian institutions in the Middle East was necessary, but the question was who would head this system, including controlling the funds sent from Russia to Palestine. The conflict between the RDM and the IPPO was resolved at the highest political level. Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna had more opportunities to influence the Emperor than the bishops of the Holy Synod. This fact predetermined success of the IPPO. At the same time, the Grand Duchess did not seek to weaken the RDM, but, on the contrary, insisted on raising the status of its prior to strengthen the position of the Russian Orthodoxy in the Holy Land.
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