World culture: “Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society: 130 years in the Holy land” exhibit in St. Petersburg

On March 13th 2012 the Museum of the History of Religion (St. Petersburg) is launching an exhibition which casts light on the 130-year-long history of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society and its activities in the Holy Land. Visitors of the exhibition can discover works of art, book rarities, arts and crafts, old and modern photographs (all in all some 200 exhibits).

On May 21st 1882 Palestine Orthodox Society (since 1889 – Imperial) was set up on the order of Emperor Alexander III in Petersburg. Its purposes included: arrangement of journeys of Russian pilgrims, supporting the Russian Orthodox Church in its spiritual service, cultural and educational activities among the local population, comprehensive scientific study of the historical heritage of Christianity in the Holy Land. After the Revolution the organization ceased to exist, while the Russian Palestine Society which was occupied solely with research began operating at the Academy of Sciences. In 1992 the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society resumed its religions, pilgrimage and cultural-educational activities.

The show at the Museum of the History of Religion touches upon all areas of activities of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society.

The exhibition is called to promote and consolidate good-neighborly relations with countries and peoples which populate the Middle East. It tells about the efforts which were undertaken and are still undertaken today by the Russian state, scientific community, Russian Orthodox Church to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Russian Palestine.

The exhibit is available till May 1st 2012.