ИСТИНА

In my paper I analyze the reasons for the interest of Russian Imperial statesmen, Orthodox clergymen and the conservative public leaders to the ethno-religious communities of the remote regions (Abyssinians, Assyrians of North Persia, Orthodox Arabs of Syria and Palestine). I demonstrate that such an interest reflected the deep changes in the public consciousness of Russia which was looking since 1880s for the new “little brothers”, new objects of "tutelage" and "protection" abroad. The problem of perception of the "exotic" peoples by Russian travelers, diplomats and religious activists will be investigated, as well as various activities - political, educational, religious, and other - aimed at these communities. The results of the undertakings of the Russian conservative circles will be analyzed. Conclusions are made on the issues of national and ethnic identities, evolution of the conservative ideology, mechanisms of policy-making, relationship between Church and state in late Imperial Russia.