The History of the writing by archimandrite Leonid (Kavelin) of the book “Abkhazia and the New Athos Simon-Kananitsky monastery there”.

In Byzantine world Saint Mount Athos was an exemplary embodiment of Orthodox spirituality. It attracted devotees and pilgrims who spread its traditions in different territories of the Orthodox ecumene. One of these places was the New Athos in Abkhazia — a witness of the reception of traditions of Byzantine Church. Scientific study of the New Athos’ tradition is associated with the archim. Leonid (Kavelina). The article presents for the first time the reconstruction of the events connecting with the history of writing his book “Abkhazia and Novo-Athos Simon-Kananitsky Monastery there” according to the documents of his archive, namely, by his correspondence with the monks of the Athonite Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery.