In 1991 the independent Centre for Eastern Christian Culture was established in Moscow.

The aim of the Centre is to consolidate research into the legacy of Eastern Christendom, aiding the preservation and popularisation of the culture which formerly united all Ortodox countries and the Oriental Christian churches. Now it has once again become possible to examine and study Eastern Christendom as a whole and this is very important: a wide range of issues cannot be properly tackled unless the cultural historians of mediaeval Russia, Byzantium, Armenia, Georgia and other Eastern Christian regions combine their efforts. The Centre draws up and promotes new study programmes in the art and cul-ture of the Christian East, and seeks to bring traditional research topics back into the humanities. One key theme is study of the Holy land, the religious and cultural centre of the entire mediaeval world and a place of permanent contacts and interaction be-tween the Christian nations.

Among the Centres activities:
• Organisation of conferences and seminars;
• Preparation of monographs and collections of articles for publication;
• Collection and systematisation of information about the artistic and cultural monuments of Eastern Christianity;
• Expedition to study such monuments both within and outside Russia;
• The establishment of a library, archive and photo archive at the Centre;
• Consultations and expert advice on Eastern Christian culture and art;
• Preparation of lecture courses, specialist videofilms and other audio-visual aids;
• Preparation of exhibitions;
• Organisation of specialist training and tours for scholars.