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The article examines the history of Orthodoxy among the Chinese in the context of the religious landscape of the Far Eastern borderland. It presents data on the spread of Orthodoxy in the Amur region among Chinese subjects in the middle of the 17th century – second half of 19th century, as well as information about the number of Orthodox Chinese and Manchus in this region at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries. The features of the perception of Chinese subjects by Orthodox Russians at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries are revealed. The author reveals the features of the perception of these subjects by Orthodox Russians and concludes that such conversions were not widespread. This conclusion is supported by both statistical data and information from periodical publications on confessions. At the same time, the adoption of Orthodoxy by Chinese citizens was perceived by clergy as a promising issue that contributed to the development of intercultural communication. Far Eastern clergymen's ideas about religious landscape in the Far Eastern border regions included sacred places with foreign religious origins, including Chinese-Manchu shrines. In Orthodox consciousness, consecrating the territory of Far Eastern borders was associated with building churches and presence of Christian saints, such as St. Nicholas and the Virgin Mary, among others.

Key words: Chinese, Manchus, religious landscape, Far Eastern borderlands, Amur region, missionary activity, Orthodoxy

DOI: 10.22250/20728662-2025-3-46-58

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About the author

Olga V. Pelevina – PhD (Philosophy), Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Amur State University; 21 Ignat'evskoe shosse, Blagoveshhensk, 675027, Russia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.