On a degree of influence on a world civilization in a cultural heritage of mankind it is difficult to find analogues the Greek culture which in itself represents the many-sided and multilevel phenomenon. In the chronological plan the Greek culture breaks up to culture of Ancient Hellas, given to the world philosophy, theatre, the literature, politics and many other integral elements of a modern civilization, culture of the Byzantium which becoming a cradle of Orthodoxy and has rendered significant influence on a cultural heritage of the medieval East, and also culture of the modern Greek world absorbing in of achievement last and bringing essential contribution to spiritual and creative development of mankind.

 During millenia the Greek culture differed openness is was showed as in harmonious integration of achievements of other peoples, and - probably even in the greater measure - in enrichment of their own cultures. It is possible to tell safely, that those the situation remains and until now. Modern Hellenism is far from being it is limited to limits of the national Greek state, but represents the wide international phenomenon from Northern America up to Australia and from Southern Africa up to Russia. Certainly, the powerful potential of the further development and enrichment of the Greek culture consists in it, on the one hand, and the big interest to it on the part of the most different peoples - with another. Not casually already long time Philhellenes acts as the integral element of Hellenism.

 By virtue of historical circumstances the Greek people appeared scattered on the different countries and continents. Nevertheless, the aspiration was always typical of its representatives to rallying and consolidation, preservation of national identity, maintenance of close communications with the historical native land. As the main uniting beginnings comprehension of an accessory to the uniform nation, the cultural - religious generality and sensation of participation in the general historical past, to a great history of Greek people traditionally acted. All this caused the careful attitude to national culture and traditions and special feeling of the responsibility for their preservation and augmentation.

 As colorful illustration of Hellenism the history can serve in Russia where the Greek element is submitted especially widely to this. The Greek-o-Russian communications have a long history and strong traditions. The Greek settlements to Black Sea Coast, creation of the Slavic alphabet and educational activity happened from Soluni (modern Saloniki, Greece) by Cyril and Mephodiy, acceptance of Orthodoxy from Byzantium and connected to it a cultural exchange and influence - only some brightest pages of an interlacing of historical destinies of two peoples since the most ancient times. At the end of XVIII century the Greek-Russian communications(connections) and development of the Greek culture in Russia receive a new powerful pulse that was promoted by strengthening the Greek community in the south of Russian empire, protection of the Russian authorities and the increased interest to Greece among the Russian public. Undoubtedly, communicating the orthodox belief was that component which caused initially goodwill Russian and Greeks to each other. Russia helps Greeks in finding national independence and formation of the national state and actively involves the Greek element on again got grounds in the south of empire. The Greek population, using numerous privileges and the privileges given by the Russian authorities, turns to a dynamical component of a political and economic life of Russian empire.


 Down to the beginning of XX century the Greek-o-Russian communications and Hellenism in Russia actively develop under influence of such factors, as creation of the Greek societies and the organizations, activity of rich Greeks - patrons of art, active participation of Greeks in a political life of Russian empire, development of the Greek education in Russia, the publication of periodicals and literatures on Greek language, mutual interest of Greeks and Russian to each other, active contacts between two countries both on official, and at a human level and many others. It is typical, that the more representatives of the Greek nation and Russians appeared involved in process of maintenance and development of the Greek culture, the more solitarily it affected preservation and distribution of Hellenism in Russia and on development of the Greece.

 The difficulties of the Soviet years which were dropped out on a share of Greeks of Russia, and the transitional economic ailments resulted in mass outflow of the Greek population from the countries of the former USSR to Greece, certainly, steel for Hellenism new test. Nevertheless activity of the Greek societies in Russia and societies of Greeks - natives of Russia in Greece, resettlement in the USSR political refugees from Greece at the end of 1940 - the beginning of 1950th years, origin and development Neohellenistics in Russia, researches in other areas of the Greek history and culture, the cultural exchange, and also never interrupted connections with Greece and the help rendered by the national state to the Greek Diaspora promoted preservation of traditions of the Greek population of Russia and maintenance of constant interest to Greece among the broad audiences of the Russian public.

 At the moment before us the new page in a history of Hellenism in Russia opens. Stabilization of a political and economic situation in the country, strengthening of the Greek community, amplifying interest to the Greek culture, a history, language as among representatives of Diaspora, and constantly growing number of Philhellenes create conditions and cause necessity of giving of a new pulse to development of the Greek-o-Russian communications and Hellenism in Russia. To promote the decision of this task the created Greek cultural center is called.