Archimandrite Leonid (Kavelin) and St. Panteleimon Monastery: on the history of the relations between Russia and Mount Athos in the second half of the 19th century

Abstract

This chapter examines the relations between Russia and Mount Athos in the second half of the 19th century. The author examines certain aspects of the Church and diplomatic activities of Archimandrite Leonid (Kavelin) during his service in the Embassy church in Constantinople (1865–1869). Drawing on previously unused materials published by researchers of Saint Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos and archive material from the personal fund of Archimandrite Leonid (Kavelin) (Department of Manuscripts of the RSL, Coll. 148) that have also not yet entered scientific circulation, the author traces the interaction between the chief priest of the Embassy church with N. P. Ignat’ev, who was the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in the East, on the protection of the interests of Russian monasticism on Mount Athos.