Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich and the «three Athos»

This article examines the attention and support of representatives of the Russian Imperial House toward the «three Athos» (the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, the New Athos Monastery of Simon the Canaanite, and the «Russian Athos» in Crimea). It demonstrates that Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich played a key role in this regard. He became the first august pilgrim to the Holy Mountain, the Holy Land, and New Athos, contributed greatly to strengthening Russia's influence in the Middle East, and also showed interest in and supported the establishment of a domestic center for hermitage in Crimea. Many of his initiatives were supported by other members of the imperial family. All of this not only contributed to the development and prosperity of the monasteries (increasing their influence and authority, attracting pilgrims, and increasing the flow of donations) but also helped resolve a number of church and state issues. The Russian Athonite St. Panteleimon Monastery became one of the strongholds of Russian church policy in the Balkans and the Middle East, and the two «Athos» in the south of the Russian Empire, being spiritual and missionary centers, occupied a prominent place in the ecclesiastical, political, and social life of the country.