Concerning the founding of the Kiev Caves Monastery and Russian-Athonite connections

Te author of this article raises the question of the reasons behind the decision of Russian pilgrims to receive monastic tonsure on Mt. Athos and the connection with the historical context of events in Kievan Rus. Te circumstances behind the appearance of a signature of a Russian abbot on the acts of the Protate of the Holy Mountain in 1016 are examined, as well as the tonsure of St. Anthony of Kiev on Mt. Athos. Te author concludes that the question of ecclesiastic jurisdiction, which is very complex, played an important role in these events, as did also the issue of the political support of Russian dukes. Te desires of Russian dukes led to the emergence of Russian monasticism. Te ties between Rus and Mt. Athos, identified at such an early stage in the history of the Russian Church, demonstrate that communications were well developed, on the one hand, and that tight connections between the founding of Russian monasticism and the political events in Rus had existed, on the other.