Church Diplomacy in the USSR of the 1960s in a Private Report of Bishop Pitirim (Nechaev) to Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) on the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

The article attempts to consider the nature and features of Orthodox church diplomacy 1960s as an element state-church relations intra-church management practices. In context a documentary complex on history Moscow Patriarchate basis unique “private message” compiled by one active prominent figures diplomacy, Bishop Pitirim (Nechaev, 1926–2003), addressed head Chairman Department External Church Relations Patriarchate, Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov, 1929–19), practice diplomatic missions second half is reconstructed. study reconstruct powerful vectors public Soviet Union in mid-20th century, ecclesiastical diplomacy; drawing corporate source, its values objectives are emphasized. publication based methods modern archaeography, reconstructive method, factor analysis practice. Its relevance due acute shortage research publications devoted era. shows that bishop began his career Russian Ecclesiastical Mission Jerusalem (1957–59) did not leave Middle East agenda. published document unusual informative; unlike known official reports deposited separate copies fond Council for Affairs under Ministers USSR (fond 6991 State Archive Federation), mostly inaccessible, it contains personal emotional characteristics, lifting veil over informal communication hierarchs when discussing issues diplomacy. Pitirim’s report distinguished psychologism attention detail mood correspondents participants interaction, their assessment was important part analytics Introduction such sources into scientific use enriches our notion 20th dimension, means