Evgeny M. Kopot «For us, the necessity of studying the peoples of the Christian East is not a matter of debate»: Towards an Understanding of the Scholarly Legacy of С.A. Panchenko (1968–2024)

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the memory of the outstanding Russian orientalist, Professor K.A. Panchenko (1968–2024), whose scholarly legacy has made a significant contribution to the study of the Christian East. K.A. Panchenko viewed this field of study to a considerable extent as part of Russia’s cultural and historical self-understanding, emphasizing the profound connection between the Orthodox East and the Russian historical process. His publications covered a wide range of topics, from the history of Middle Eastern Orthodoxy during the Ottoman period to sacred geography and the daily life of Christian communities in the Levant. Special attention is paid to K.A. Panchenko’s research method, which combined meticulous work with primary sources with a balanced analysis of contemporary historiographical trends, rejecting any fascination with superficial postmodern interpretations. Among his key achievements are the discovery of unique Arabic manuscripts that refute established historical narratives, the reconstruction of the «dark places» in the medieval history of Middle Eastern Christians, and the creation of a comprehensive history of Orthodox Christians in the Middle East during the Ottoman period. K.A. Panchenko also proved to be a talented academic organizer, bringing researchers together through conferences and collective projects. His pedagogical work at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University and his international appearances, including his keynote address at the conference «The Antiochian Orthodox Church from the 15th to the 18th Century: Toward a Proper Understanding of Its History» at Balamand University (2023), strengthened the prestige of the Russian school of Oriental studies. The publication emphasizes the continuity between K.A. Panchenko and the classics of Russian Oriental studies — V.R. Rosen, I.Yu. Krachkovsky, and B.A. Turaev. This essay serves as a tribute to the scholar and invites further study of the Christian East within the research framework he proposed.

Keywords

Christian East, sacred geography of the Middle East, Christian elites of the Middle East, K.A. Panchenko, Patriarchate of Antioch, Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Orthodox Arabs, Middle Eastern Orthodoxy, Russian Oriental studies

For citation

Kopot’ E.M. «For us the question is not why Russia should study the peoples of the Christian East»: Towards an Understanding of the Scholarly Legacy of K.A. Panchenko (1968–2024) // The Historical Reporter. 2025. Vol. LIII. P. 16–37. DOI: 10.35549/HR.2025.2025.53.011

Evgeny M. Kopot’

Senior Lecturer, Institute of History and Politics, Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPGU). Moscow, Russian Federation.

e-mail: em.kopot@mpgu.su

SPIN-код: 4877-1419

AuthorID: 682530

ORCID: 0009-0009-4145-2349

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