Russian influence within the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem (1847-1917)

Abstract

The period from 1847 to 1917 witnessed a significant rise in Russian influence within the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. The issue transformed from mere religious patronage into a political and strategic tool within what became known as the "Eastern Question." The first Russian ecclesiastical mission to Jerusalem was dispatched in 1847, headed by Archimandrite Porphyry Uspensky. While the mission's stated aim was to support Orthodoxy, its implicit goal was to break the cultural and religious monopoly held by both France (Catholics) and Britain (Protestants) in the Holy Land. Russian influence faced an internal obstacle in the form of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which was under the control of Greek leaders. This led the Patriarchate to support Arab demands within the Orthodox Church against Greek dominance.  This is where the importance of this research lies, through the role played by Russian influence in the conflict between the Orthodox Arabs and the Greek Patriarchate. Russia used financial support to pressure the Patriarchate into appointing leaders aligned with its policies. Jerusalem became an annual destination for thousands of Russian pilgrims, peasants, and nobles, transforming parts of the city into predominantly Russian quarters. Through this influence, Russia aspired to solidify its position as protector of Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman Empire and establish a permanent foothold near strategic routes in the Middle East. It also aimed to counter the growing Western (Protestant and Catholic) influence in Palestine

This powerful influence with the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Russian funding ceased, much property was confiscated, and the Church's role diminished in favor of the new colonial power Britain, which entered Jerusalem that same year.