The author focuses upon an inscription revealed in the circular baseline of the dome in the Catholicon (the cathedral church) of the monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos. Athanasius, who is mentioned in the inscription, can be identified with the abbot Athanasius recorded in the documents from 1020 until 1048. This recently uncovered dedicatory inscription and the similar in structure inscription on the pavement of the Catholicon of the monastery of Iviron are important examples promoting church officials in donation or renovation of the Catholicons in the flourishing Athos during the eleventh century. Through targeted expressions containing the quotations of psalms, the patron’s images are constructed, and their reputation after their death is strengthened. The discovery of the inscription is extremely important, the evidence undoubtedly shedding light on the early architectural history of the Catholicon. The latter has been thoroughly documented, but its study continues to be of interest to researchers until today.

Introduction. The article is dedicated to comparing the views of Gregory Palamas, as a representative of the Orthodox patristic tradition, and George Gemistos Plethon, who engaged in polemics against Palamism, on carnal love and marriage. Methods. Methods employed in this article are source research, information analysis, and comparative research. Sources on the subject include Plethon’s “Book of Laws,” “On Virtues,” and “Address to the Emperor Manuel on Affairs in the Peloponnese,” Palamas’ Homilies; Maximus the Confessor’s “Questions and Doubtful Passages”; Ioannes Damaskenos’ “An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith”; and “Mazaris’s Journey to Hades.” Analysis. Gregory Palamas fully embraced the perspectives on marriage and earthly love characteristic of Maximus the Confessor and strict Orthodox ascetics: love for bodily pleasures renders a person an enemy of God; carnal union, even within a lawful marriage, is not entirely free from sin, as it is associated with uncontrollable pleasure; sexual desire must be constantly suppressed in the pursuit of complete purity of thought; those who wish to serve God without hindrance are better off living in virginity and avoiding marriage; and monasticism is the civil way of life closest to divine nature. In contrast, Plethon regarded the aspiration to celibacy as a significant error: marriage and procreation are beautiful and divine, as through them a person fulfills their purpose of being a bond of the world, continually reproducing their lineage and eternally uniting within themselves the immortal and mortal parts of the universe; erotic pleasure is bestowed upon humanity from above precisely so that one cannot easily deviate from matrimony. The virtue of σωφροσύνη for Plethon does not equate to chastity in the Christian sense, which implies abstaining from all bodily pleasures, but rather signifies prudence in utilizing pleasures in a manner pleasing to God: bodily delights are necessary and permissible, but one must observe κοσμιότης – propriety and decency – in them. Although Gemistos, like Christians, condemned adultery, non-traditional sexual relations, and lack of restraint in pleasures, it was not because he deemed pleasures themselves displeasing to God; rather, it was because all these aspects do not align with the ultimate goal of carnal love and humanity’s duty towards the universe – procreation, through which humans emulate the Gods themselves. Results. Plethon diverged from Palamas not only in theological matters but also in his views on humanity and its purpose as a whole; Gemistos’ teachings on pleasures and his attitude towards carnal love stood in opposition to the ascetic rigorism of the Christian Church Fathers.

Introduction. The article deals with the spread of Pentecostalism in Russia in 1991–2024 and the interaction of the new Protestant denomination with society. The reasons for the success of the mission and the peculiarities of Pentecostalism in comparison with other directions of Protestantism are analyzed. Methods and materials. The methodological basis of the study was formed by the principles of historicism and objectivity, as well as special-historical methods: historical-comparative and historical-genetic. The development of Protestantism is shown as a holistic phenomenon in relationship with other Christian denominations. The data of domestic historiography, sources, and statistical information are compared with studies in regions with a large spread of Pentecostalism. The experience of work in the field of state-confessional relations is used. Analysis. The features of religious centers were studied: unregistered brotherhood, formed in the Soviet years, and unions of a new type, created in the 1990s. Results. The study found that Pentecostalism became the fourth largest Christian denomination in Russia, far surpassing the Baptists, who dominated during the Soviet era. Its success was facilitated by the combination of Christian fundamentalism with the modern character of worship, belief in the possibility of performing miracles in ordinary life, and active social work, primarily in the field of rehabilitation, as well as the missionary work of ordinary believers. It is concluded that further growth of Pentecostalism is unlikely due to the secularization of society, since fundamentalist churches require the convert to completely restructure their life.

Introduction. This article is theoretical in nature. The objective of this work is to raise the problem of information transfer in the formation of ancient technical reality. The novelty of this article raises the problem of transmitting technical information in antiquity as being posed for the first time, despite the abundance of works on the history of craftsmanship in foreign and Russian archeology. Methods and materials. The multidisciplinary nature of modern archeology determined the choice of research material, which includes publications by foreign and Russian archaeologists, anthropologists, folklorists, ethnologists, and historians. Research methods: comparative and systematic approach. The methodological basis of the work is a systematic approach to an object as a set of subsystems: morphology (the study of form in the general scientific sense), material, technology, and function. Analysis. These subsystems are presented in the form of two triads: historical and cultural (“morphology, material, and function”) and historical and industrial (“morphology, material, and technology”). The subject of research is the second triad. Results. As a result, we have identified the following ways of transmitting technical information in ancient times: replication according to a ready-made sample; imitation in another technology or material; the use of matrices or stamps; templates in the manufacture of complex artifacts; semi-finished products, the shape of which indicated the processing technology; and relocation of craftsmen. Presumably, “designers” or “interpreters” broadcast information from other-cultural “customers” about the peculiarities of decorating things with a high semiotic status; the focus on human characteristics; the preservation of technical information in folklore (epos and songs) and scientific treatises; and the proportions and sizes of the human body and its parts (transmitting metric ratios). Authors’ contribution. Yu.A. Likhter proposed the article’s concept, justified the methods and methodology used, and contributed some of the factual material. Yu.G. Kokorina collected the second part of the factual material, including foreign material, and conducted an analysis.

Introduction. This article provides a review of publications by Ural scientists exploring the subject of cooperation between Russia and other countries in the field of Russian industrial heritage. The scientific significance of the topic lies in the need to assess the impact of the global movement for the preservation of industrial heritage on the origins and development of the domestic one. Methods and materials. The directions of ongoing international cooperation were identified. In addition, the author explored over 30 currently available scientific publications concerning these directions in one way or another. For this purpose, general scientific and special historical methods were used (comparative/historical, historical/typological, and chronological domain-specific). There are no special studies comprehensively investigating the problem stated in the article. However, there exist three historiographic reviews that cursorily touch upon the subject of international cooperation in the sphere of industrial heritage. Analysis. The scrutiny of the scholarly papers identified several directions related to the study of the posed problem: the history and activities of the International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage, Russia’s membership in it; exchange of experience between scientists of different countries; organisation of international events; joint scientific research; the formation of the domestic conceptual framework in this scientific sphere and the use of international terminology; and the role of personality. Results. The analysis of the published materials shows that Russian researchers have studied quite thoroughly the influence of the International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage on the emergence of activities focused on the study and conservation of industrial heritage in Russia. Much attention has been paid to the history of the organisation of international congresses and conferences and the implementation of joint research projects, mainly with scientists from European countries. Some attention has also been paid to the problem of using and borrowing foreign terms and methods and their subsequent transformation in relation to domestic material. A conclusion is made regarding national researchers’ insufficient attention to analysing the impact of the personality factor in this sphere.

Introduction. This study identifies a system of factors for the development of the integration potential of the ideal image of the future Russian society, which addresses a significant gap in modern political science. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the use of a multidimensional analytical model developed by the authors to identify structural dissonances between the ideal, real, and declared images of the future at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Methods and materials. The research is based on a comparative analysis of in-depth interviews with representatives of the expert community (including heads of departments of regional government bodies, business structures, and mass media) and ordinary citizens of the Central Federal District and the Southern Federal District. The choice of the two districts is justified by the specifics of their socio-cultural profiles, historical development trajectories, and geopolitical status, which allows for a more detailed analysis of regional differences in perceptions of the future. Analysis. It is noted that the vector of perception of the country’s future is positive; however, there is fragmentation and stereotyping associated with the dominance of retro-orientations in the mechanism of forming ideas about the future, which entails a narrowing of the planning horizon. It is proven that key factors limiting the functionality of the vision of the country’s development prospects, and consequently differentiating society; include lack of social experience, status characteristics, and place of residence (socio-cultural characteristics of the region). The study reveals significant differences between elite and mass groups, as well as between generations. Results. Experts demonstrate a more complex, cognitively rich perception, while mass consciousness tends towards short-term planning and personalization of power. In high-risk conditions, the authors conclude that there is a need to form unambiguous interpretations of key evaluative categories in the information agenda at the federal and regional levels. This will help minimize the fragmentation of public space and enhance the integration potential of Russia’s image of the future. Authors’ contribution. I.A. Batanina – conceptualization, research design, supervision, and final approval of the manuscript. A.A. Lavrikova – methodology, development of research instruments, data curation, formal analysis, and writing – original draft. O.E. Shumilova – investigation, data collection, formal analysis of literature, writing – review and editing.

Introduction. The time period between the 9th and the 7th centuries BC in the Volga-Ural and the Lower Volga regions is commonly referred to in scholarly literature as the “Pre-Sauromatian period.” This article analyzes previously unpublished archaeological and paleoanthropological materials from five pre-Sauromatian burial mounds: Solodovka I (2 burials), Lenin II, Tingutinsky (Volgograd region), and the single kurgan Evdyk (Republic of Kalmykia). Four of the five burial complexes presented here have not been published before. Methods and materials. Due to the poor preservation of the paleoanthropological material, the study employed a standard protocol for assessing the occurrence of pathological conditions in the bones of the postcranial skeleton and skull. Analysis and discussion. The burials examined in this publication, originating from the Lower Volga region, date back to the 8th – early 7th century BC. The most characteristic feature of the archaeological complexes of this period in the Lower Volga region is the “impoverishment” of the material artifacts. Conclusions. Pre-Sauromatian burials are most often secondary insertions. The grave pits are predominantly rectangular in shape. The deceased individuals are typically placed in a flexed or semi-flexed position on their side with their heads oriented eastward or westward. The burials are usually accompanied by animal remains and characteristic ceramic vessels, while metal objects are relatively rare. The study of pathological features in individuals from the pre-Sauromatian burials in the Lower Volga region suggests that the diet of this population was dominated by tough and hard foods rich in animal protein. Traumas and markers of intense physical activity indicate some degree of social tension within the community, likely related to competition for resources under changing conditions. Signs of episodic and specific stress suggest that the population experienced stress during childhood. Indicators of negative environmental (vascular reactions) and social influences (traumas, arthrosis, and spinal diseases) allow us to hypothesize that nomadic communities of the 9th – 7th centuries BC were highly mobile. Authors’ contribution. A.N. Dyachenko analyzed the archaeological material examined in this study. E.V. Pererva analyzed the anthropological material from pre-Sauromatian burials.

Introduction. This article discusses issues related to the potential creation and implementation of social rating systems in the political sphere. Attention is paid to new phenomena in the development of social rating and the emergence of new services and platforms for evaluating citizens. The article considers domestic and foreign approaches to the analysis of the phenomenon of social rating and provides specific characteristics that are observed in the process of forming evaluation systems. Methods and materials. The article presents the results of an expert survey on a semi-formalized questionnaire. The study was conducted in April – June 2024. The respondents were 32 specialists (civil servants, deputies, and political technologists; specialists in the field of digital technologies; university administration staff; and teachers). Analysis. Assessment by experts of the definition, purpose of creation, and prospects for the implementation of a social rating. More than half of the experts note that at the moment there are no full-fledged social ratings in politics; only a part of the experts notes that they see certain elements of the manifestation of this system in politics. At the same time, many experts note the opportunities and threats of using social systems in the political sphere, which can be successfully used and integrated into the political system. Results. The conducted research suggests that the potential creation and implementation of a social rating can significantly transform many traditional areas of activity in politics. In addition, according to experts, social rating technologies will lead to full control of citizens and civil institutions and standardize socially approved behavior. At the same time, the potential creation and implementation of a social rating may simplify communication between citizens and the state and make it more transparent. On the other hand, the risks of control, the subjectivity of criteria, the loss of cultural characteristics, and the technical difficulties of tracking ratings make one skeptical of social rating technologies. Authors’ contribution. A.V. Sokolov developed the theoretical and methodological basis and methodological design of the study, identified the basic characteristics of the phenomenon of social rating, analyzed the cases of using social rating in Russia, formed a register of experts and organized their interviews, summarized the results of the work, and formulated conclusions. Sung-Hoon Jeh analyzed the cases of using social rating in foreign countries, formulated the dominant trends in the creation and implementation of social rating, analyzed and translated foreign sources, and participated in the interpretation of the collected empirical data. P.A. Babajanyan participated in the refinement of the general methodology and design of the study, conducted interviews and focus groups on the topic of social rating, and described the results. The authors jointly prepared the content and results of the study.

Introduction. The topics of scientific and qualification works of the beginning of the 21st century reflect a multifactorial approach to the study of Russian regional history. The history of primary public education remains a relevant direction of Russian historiography. Methods and materials. The article uses historical-statistical and historical-comparative methods to analyze historical abstracts of dissertations and dissertations in which periodical press materials are classified as the main types of sources. Analysis and results. The territorial scope of the scientific and qualification works covers the entire territory of the Kazan educational district, and the chronological one is mainly the second half of the 19th to early 20th centuries. A quarter of all authors addressed a wide range of periodicals, but their dissertations demonstrate a superficial analysis of the periodical press, limiting them to listing the contents of publications. Only a fifth of the researchers addressed periodicals at the district level. Regional periodicals were used on an equal basis with central ones, but in terms of the number of newspaper and magazine titles, they were several times inferior to the latter. They used periodical press materials in four main areas of scientific research: taking into account public opinion, studying the chronology of events, preparing interdisciplinary studies, and supplementing other types of sources. An analysis of dissertations showed that the potential of the periodical press (central, regional, and local) as a comprehensive historical source on the history is underutilized. The diversity of the central and regional periodical press of the Kazan district has resource potential in modern scientific research.

Introduction. The issue of Soviet women’s participation in the underground Resistance has not yet been the subject of detailed study in either domestic or foreign historiography. In this regard, it is important to examine the activities of Soviet women who acted in the ranks of underground organizations and groups in the occupied Crimea during the Great Patriotic War. Methods and materials. The study is based on biographical, gender, comparative historical, and regional methods. The biographical method helps the author to establish personal data and personal qualities of female doctors through the prism of the historical events described. The gender method allowed for a deeper understanding of the predominant role of women in the underground groups of the urban-type settlement of Koreiz and the city of Saki. The regional approach is manifested in the choice of two settlements of Crimea – Koreiz and Saki – as territories that became the object of analysis of underground organizations. The main composition of these organizations was female doctors who used their official position to save human lives in the territory of Crimea occupied by the enemy. The comparative historical method was used to compare the activities of the Koreiz and Saki organizations with the activities of other underground groups of the Resistance movement. Analysis. The activities of Soviet women in the underground organizations of Crimea during the Great Patriotic War are revealed using the example of the underground groups of Koreiz and Saki. By analyzing materials from the funds of the State and municipal archives of the Republic of Crimea, as well as museum institutions of Crimea, new facts were uncovered that reveal details of the struggle of Soviet women in the underground organizations of Koreiz and Saki. Results. In the ranks of the anti-Nazi Resistance in the territory of occupied Crimea, underground women were engaged in the following activities: 1) organizing an underground movement to involve Soviet citizens in the anti-fascist struggle; 2) agitation and propaganda work; 3) warning the population about impending roundups and saving Soviet citizens from being deported to Germany for forced labor; 4) sheltering Soviet soldiers and anti-fascist Slovaks from the 1st Slovak Fast Division who had escaped from captivity; 5) transporting Soviet soldiers who had escaped from German captivity and anti-fascist Slovaks from Nazi Germany who had gone over to the Soviet side to partisan detachments.