“Greek” secular migration to Russia: priorities and regulation (end of 16th - first half of 17th centuries)

The article investigates the problem of the attitude of the Russian authorities to the “Greek” migration. The author tracks the general and specific features of the Orthodox christians’ migration from the Ottoman Empire and from its vassal states. It was revealed that the “Greeks”, like other foreigners, were willingly turned to the Russian citizenship. However, in peacetime the need for foreigners sharply decreased. The admission of military and other experts to Russia who provoked doubts concerning their allegiance was banned. These prohibitions referred mainly to the immigrants from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, not the “Greeks”. The authorities had always been ready to engage the “Greeks” in the service. The precedent effort of the migration of Greek jeweler Alexander Dmitriev changed the situation for a short period. All the “Creeks” were allowed to cross the border without coordination with Moscow departments (Diplomatic or Internal Affair). But then th e master asked a too large sum for his services. The authorities were extremely disappointed and refused to employ him in the Royal workshops. This was the only example during the first half of the 17th century when a “Greek” was rejected from the Russian citizenship. However, the incident of Alexandr Dmitriev had not changed the authorities’ politics, he became the reason for moving back to the old rules of coordination before allowing the “Greeks” to cross the Russian border. Besides, it was forbidden to hire foreigners, including the “Greeks”, who had violated the oath and fled from Russia. After that they had no chance to return.