Harbin Exarchate and the Russian Diaspora in Northeast China

In the context of emigration and intercultural interaction, issues of education and cultural revitalization were important for establishing national identity and coherence among diaspora communities. The Russian diaspora in Manchuria, formed in the fi rst half of the 20th century, faced the challenge of organizing not only their spiritual, but also educational, cultural, and social lives. In this regard, the Harbin Exarchate played a signifi cant role as a structure uniting representatives of the Catholic community following the Byzantine Rite. This organization helped preserve the national heritage, form cultural identity, and provide social support. Its activities served as an important tool for adapting and integrating Russian emigrants into their new environment, enabling them to maintain their connection to historical traditions while successfully responding to the challenges posed by their new surroundings. The article attempts to analyze the sociocultural and educational initiatives of the exarchate, which had a signifi cant impact on the development and sustainability of the Russian emigrant community in Harbin. The research is based on the study of surviving archival materials from the Exarchate, documents from the Catholic Church, memoirs of pupils from educational institutions, and scientifi c literature that to a greater or lesser extent touches upon the issues under discussion.