Вестник Екатеринбургской духовной семинарии (Jul 2022)
Missionary Tasks of E. V. Putyatin’s Diplomatic Expeditions to East Asia (1852–1858)
Abstract
This article deals with diplomatic expeditions to East Asia (1852–1858) in the context of Russia’s foreign policy. The question is whether the head of the expedition, Vice Admiral E. V. Putyatin, had any missionary tasks. Revealed is the lack of a complex assessment of Putyatin’s activities as a diplomat and missionary. When writing the article the author analyzed paperwork and research literature on the problem, as well as E. V. Putyatin’s letters and memos, and the diaries by Archbishop of Japan Nicholas (Kasatkin) also. The diplomat’s views on proselytism, missionary education and freedom of religion have been revealed. The article cites a memorandum on the actions of Adjutant General Count Putyatin in Japan dated 19 March 1856, his letter of 1869 to Count D. A. Tolstoy, Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod, and other documents, revealing the religious side of diplomatic negotiations. The use of methods of analysis and synthesis enabled the author to identify the missionary component in the diplomatic expeditions of 1852–1858, including a study of the personnel of the first expedition of E. V. Putyatin, and his religious state throughout the entire trip. The analyzed articles of the Shimoda and Edo Treaties with Japan, as well as the Tianjin Treaty with China have shown the presence of missionary tasks. Highlighted is the position of the Japanese authorities denying the right to freely perform Christian worship by foreigners, and that of E. V. Putyatin who was able to secure the opening of a consulate and defend the right to move freely around the country and the right to build churches. The facts and sources considered in the article, and the analyzed literature have led to the conclusion about the exceptional contribution of Vice Admiral E. V. Putyatin towards preparing the ground for the future missionary activity of the Orthodox Church in East Asia.
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