The Impact of Orthodox and Western Christianity on Societies:
A Comparative Historical Approach

The central problem underlying this international program, which has been underway since 1994, may be summarized as follows: how did two major Christian traditions influence differences in the historical development of societies in the regions dominated by Orthodoxy and Western Christianity?

The project is specific in two respects: a) it aims to make a comparative analysis; b) it aims to compare the impact of two Christian traditions upon societies.

Participants of coordinated research are seeking to explain certain distinctive features of history of East European and Western European societies as a result of the presence of two divergent Christian traditions in their midst.

Naturally, the implementation of this project gives rise to many methodological problems. It is not easy to fix the chronological and spatial limits for each of the envisaged lines of research; research "questionaries" should lead to comparisons beyond the level of typology; the source base for such a study of the history of orthodox countries is far more limited than for the study of the history of the West; the absence of special studies in some fields sets unavoidable limitations etc. "Round-table" discussions, seminars, workshops, and colloquia will help evolve methods conforming to the specifics of the project in question.

The level of research now attained in the field of historical studies and in general in the humanities, makes it possible to attempt to find a verifiable reply to questions which formerly were the province of philosophy of history rather than of historical research proper.

In view of the fragmentation of historical studies and the limited acquaintance of history students in the West with the studies of the history of the East and Southeast of Europe and vice versa, the project could promote the pooling and integration of research efforts of scholars in different countries. It is equally obvious that the very nature of this project requires joint work by researchers in various disciplines.

Multilateral international cooperation serves as a base for the implementation of the project. Scholars from Russia, France, Poland, Ukraine, Canada, the USA, Germany, Italy, Austria have been involved.

Main sponsoring institutions: Maison des sciences de l'homme (Paris), since 1992; Moscow Lomonosov State University, since 1992; Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Paris), since 1993; Academy of Sciences of Russia, since 1994; University Paris-I Sorbonne-Panthéon, since 1994; University of Wroclaw (Poland), since 1994; University of Alberta (Canada), since 1995; University Paris-IV Sorbonne, since 1997; Institut für europäische Geschichte (Mainz, Germany), in 1999-2002; Pasts, Inc. Center for Historical Studies, Central European University, since 2004.

The work on the project is coordinated: in France: by N.Lemaitre (University Paris-I, Sorbonne-Pantheon); in Russia: by M.Dmitriev (Moscow Lomonosov State University); in Canada: by A.Gow (University of Alberta); in Poland: by M.Derwich (Wroclaw University).

The first stage of work was devoted to the role of monasteries in social development of Orthodox and "Latin" societies in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period. Seminars were working in Moscow and Paris. The colloquium took place in Paris in September 1995. Proceedings were published in 1996 (Moines et monastères dans les sociétés de rite grec et latin. Etudes publiées par J.-L.Lemaitre, M.Dmitriev et P.Gonneau. Genève:Librairie Droz, 1996. – 504 p.).

The second stage was devoted to the political and social functions of the cult of saints in western and orthodox societies in Middle Ages and Early Modern Time. Seminars were arranged in Moscow and Edmonton. The colloquium took place in Wroclaw in May 1997. Proceedings were published in 1999 (Fonctions sociales et politiques du culte des saints dans les sociétés de rite grec et latin au Moyen Age et à l'époque moderne. Approche comparative. Ed. par M.Derwich et M.Dmitriev. Wroclaw: LARHCOR, 1999 – 487 p.).

The third stage was centered on the problem "Toleration and Persecution. Christian Attitudes to Jews and Judaism in «Latin» and «Orthodox» Christendom. Medieval and Early Modern Perspectives". Seminars and workshops were organized in Moscow, Paris and Edmonton. The first colloquium took place in Moscow in May 1997; the second in Paris in June 1999. Proceedings were published in 2003 (Les Chrétiens et les Juifs dans les sociétés de rites grec et latin. Approche comparative. Actes du colloque organisé les 14-15 juin 1999 à la Maison des Sciences de l'Homme (Paris). Textes réunis par M.Dmitriev, D.Tollet et E.Teiro. Paris: Honoré Champion Editeur, 2003). The third colloquium took place in Edmonton (Canada) in April 2000; the fourth was held June 2002 in Mainz (Institut für europäische Geschichte). The proceedings of Edmonton 2000 and Mainz 2002 colloquia will be published in the series "Jews and Slavs" (Moscow-Jerusalem, ed. by W.Moskovich).

In the fourth stage the book Etre catholique, être orthodoxe, être protestant. Confessions et identités culturelles en Europe médiévale et moderne. Etudes réunies et publiées par Marek Derwich et Mikhaïl Dmitriev (Wroclaw: LARHCOR, 2003) was published. That book presents research perspectives, hypotheses and guidelines of our program.

Many articles have been published in 1995-2004 and two new books are in preparation.

The results of research were presented and discussed in research seminars and workshops (Moscow Lomonossov State University 1994-2004; Paris, University Paris-I Sorbonne-Panthéon 1997-1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004; Paris, Ecole pratique des Hautes Etudes, 1999, 2000, 2002; University of Alberta [Canada] 1999-2000; Central European University, 2004; University Paul-Valery Montpellier III, 2004). Three PhD theses were written and successfully defended in course of program activities (M.Korzo, Moscow State University, 1999; S.Lukashova, Moscow State University, 2002; L.Berezhnaya, Central European University, 2003) and three other PhD students continue their work (B.Serov, O.Nemensky, A.Shpirt, all – Moscow).

Recent activities (2004-2005):

• 2004, January-March – informal research seminar "Confessional Traditions in Shaping Cultural Identities in Europe"
  
  Papers:
  • M. Janowski, Polish Academy of Sciences / CEU: Baroque in East-Central Europe: culture of diversity
  • L. Berezhnaya, CEU: Death on the crossroad of confessional and ethnic traditions – Polish and Ruthenians sermons and icons, XVIth – XVIIth centuries
• 2004, March 1-7: CEU-CRC session and workshop "Confessions, Cultural Identities and Proto-national Discourses in Eastern, Central and South-Eastern Europe. Middle Ages through XIXth century"
  
  (A) Round-table discussion: Orthodox and Western Christian confessional traditions in Middle Ages and Early Modern Period: how much different?
  
  (B) Workshop: Confessional traditions and historical anthropology: Eastern, Western, Central Europe
  • V. Bezrogov (Moscow): Confession and Religious Socialization in the Early Modern Europe in Mirror of Autobiographies
  • D. Poloznev (Yaroslavl'): Othodoxy and Cultural Identity in XVIIth century Russia: Yaroslavl' case
  • A. Toporkov (Moscow): Charms in the XVIIth century Russia: Christians and non-Christian elements
  • K. Dysa (Kyiv Mohylian Academy / CEU): Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Witchcraft in the Polish –Lithuanian Commonwealth in the XVIIth century Discussion
  (C) Round table discussion: Why intolerance? Why religious violence? Religion-ethnicity-intolerance from the long term (longue durée) prospective.
  • I. Toth, CEU / Hungarian Academy of sciences: Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in Central Europe, XVIth – XVIIIth centuries
  • M. Dmitriev, CEU / MSU: Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in Eastern Europe, XVIth – XVIIIth centuries
• 2004, March – informal MA and PhD seminar "Religion and Culture in Europe, A Comparative Approach" started working at the CEU (two first meetings/round table discussions took place)
  
  This informal seminar series aims to discuss from a strictly comparative perspective some key aspects of interaction between culture and religion in history of European societies.
  
  How much different were Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant attitudes to death, to love, to life? How strongly did the Byzantine, Asian and western European traditions influence lifestyle, gender relations, image of self and eschatological beliefs of Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Jews and Muslims of Europe? What were religious values and ethos shared by noblemen, clergy, town people, peasants, intelligentsia in France, Hungary, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus', Rumania etc. in various epochs of their past? What frontiers were more important – "national" or religious and cultural? How and why did the "proto-national" identities arise within Christendom? Why there were so many bloody religious and "national" conflicts, and of what sort they were? How the ethnic and religious differences were accommodated in the European history? What we don't understand still in the "human dimensions" of the European past? These issues will be placed in center of our informal seminar discussions and treated from the angle of historical anthropology…
• 2004, April, June, September-October, December – research and PhD seminar "Confessional traditions in shaping cultural identities in Europe" continued its activities at the Moscow Lomonossov State University. Papers were delivered by N.Lemaitre (Université Paris-I), D.Tollet (Université Paris-IV), J.-L.Lemaitre (EPHE, Paris), M.Dmitriev (Moscow State University), V.Zabroda (Moscow State University), O.Nemensky (Moscow State University), A.Lagno (Moscow State University), O.Nikitina (Moscow State University).
• 2005, January 17 CEU, Budapest: – Round table discussion "Max Weber, "weberian" tradition, Byzantine Orthodoxy and Europe"
• 2005, January 25, CEU, Budapest: Round table discussion: "Words and Images in Christian and non-Christian Cultures of Europe, Middle Ages through XXth Century"

Plans for 2005-2006

• 2005, February-March – continuation informal MA and PhD seminar series "Religion and Culture in Europe. A Comparative Approach" at the CEU
• 2005, January 31, March 14, April 7 – series of ateliers on "Europe latine, Europe orthodoxe. Christianisme de rite grec et latin dans l'histoire européenne" at the University Paul-Valery Montpellier III
• 2005, April-May – continuation of research and PhD seminar "Confessional traditions in shaping cultural identities in Europe" at the Moscow Lomonossov State University
• 2005, June – atelier on comparative studies in Eastern and Western Christianity in Paris, for MA/PhD students and researchers
• 2005, September – workshop at the CEU "Confessional traditions in shaping cultural identities in Europe"
• 2005, September – December – continuation of research and PhD seminar "Confessional traditions in shaping cultural identities in Europe" at the Moscow Lomonossov State University
• 2005, October – workshop at the Moscow State University "Confessional traditions in shaping cultural identities in Europe
• In course of 2005: collaborative network on the project "Orthodox and Latin Europe" will be created, preparation of international conference and corresponding book will start
• In course of 2005-2006 – website dealing with problems of this project