“The Book of Alms-Gathering” for 1761—1764 from the Archive of Monastery Vatopedi as a Source to the History of Ukrainian-Athonite Relations in the Eighteenth Century

Abstract

Purpose of the study. On the basis of the analysis of little-known archival sources and published materials to trace the existence of the links between the Monastery Vatopedi and the Ukrainian Cossacks in the 18th century.

The methodological basis of the study is based on the principles of historicism, scientific objectivity, systematic, dialectical approach to historical phenomena. According to the set aim and tasks, the sum of general scientific, interdisciplinary and special methods of research was used.

Scientific novelty. A previously unknown source from the 18th century from the Monastery Vatopedi on Athos (“The Book of Alms-Gathering”, 1761—1764) was put into scientific circulation. It is an important document on the history of the Ukrainian Athos relations in the 18th century. In this manuscript Vatopedian monks recorded all donations received from the Cossacks and clergy during their travels in the Ukrainian lands of Slobozhanshchyna and Hetmanshchyna in the 1761—1764, allowing us to trace the geography of Athonite travels in the Ukrainian territories, their contacts and donations received. The analysis of archival and published materials helped to find little-known aspects of Ukrainian Cossacks’ ktitorial support of Athonite monasteries and, in particular, travels of Vatopedean monks through Ukrainian lands of Slobozhanshchyna and Hetmanshchyna in 1761—1764, “ktitorial patronage” of Vatopedean monastery by Zaporizhzhia Sich and support in developing of the Holy Theological school Athoniada within this monastery. It was noted that an analysis of the sources shows that benefactors, donators and sponsors of Athos monasteries at this time were often representatives of the noble Ukrainian Cossack petty officers, who viewed their participation in the support of Athos monasteries as a necessary attribute of their elite status in Ukrainian society in the 18th century.

Conclusions. The analysis of the sources shows that the Patriarchal Stavropigial Monastery of Vatopedi on Athos had close contacts in the Ukrainian lands throughout its centuries-long history. These relations were especially active in the 18th century, when the Ukrainian Cossacks joined the ktetor support of this one of the most respected monasteries on Mount Athos. This, in turn, helped both to strengthen contacts with the centre of Orthodox monasticism on Athos and increase its popularity among the Ukrainian monastic community and the Cossacks, ensuring mutual spiritual and cultural exchange and influence on each other.