Patriarch Chairs Meeting of Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society
The Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society was established by Emperor Alexander III in 1882 to facilitate Orthodox Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to promote Palestinian studies and humanitarian cooperation with the peoples of the biblical region.
The Patriarch noted that during the Soviet era, the work of the Society was carried on by the Russian emigration and that with the collapse of communism, the Society was resurrected in Russia. He also spoke of the important role the Society plays in organizing pilgrimages and maintaining relations with the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Today the IOPS is headed by former Prime Minister, Sergei Stepashin who was also present at the meeting and spoke of the many achievements of the Society in recent years, including the successful negotiations for the resititution of former IOPS real estate from the Israeli government.
