Organization of pilgrimages to the holy places of Palestine and Athos in 1882-1900

The article explores the history of Christian pilgrimage organization to holy sites in Palestine and Mount Athos through the southern provinces of the Russian Empire with the participation of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society (IOPS). The subject of study is the Society's activities aimed at transforming pilgrimage routes and creating an effective system of institutional support for pilgrims. The work covers the period from the founding of the Palestine Commission in the 1860s to the end of the nineteenth century. The authors analyze the role of the southern regions as key transit territories that connected the internal provinces with seaports. Socio-economic factors influencing the development of the pilgrimage movement and the mechanisms of administrative interaction between the Society and believers are also examined. The research provides a deeper understanding of the specifics of organizational decisions aimed at ensuring the safety and accessibility of visits to Jerusalem for various strata of the Orthodox population of the Russian Empire. The methodology is based on comparative-historical analysis and statistical methods. To visualize the dynamics of pilgrimage flows, the authors constructed combined histograms and graphs. The scientific novelty lies in the systematic substantiation of the role of the IOPS in solving transport and logistics problems related to visiting Palestine. Researchers conclude that the Society's activities facilitated a transition from spontaneous travel to centralized movement. The growth in the number of pilgrims was supported by informational assistance at all stages of the journey. This work was carried out by authorized representatives of the Society in the provinces and experienced members of the organization at a consultative level. The article demonstrates that the infrastructure created successfully overcame the economic barriers to pilgrimage. The outcome was the strengthening of Russia's cultural presence in the Middle East through the implementation of the "soft power" concept. The conclusions confirm the high efficiency of the IOPS's administrative model, which ensured the sustainable development of pilgrimage connections between the empire and the Christian world. The work highlights the significance of the Society as the leading organizer of religious travels during the considered historical period.