Abstract: The author considers the problem of the essence of the phenomenon of pilgrimage and its manifestations using the example of pilgrimage activities of the Russian Empire in Palestine in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries. The methodological basis of the research is the provisions of neorealism and the systems approach, the derivative of which was the use of historical-genetic, comparative and activity methods. It is shown that pilgrimage is defined as a journey to holy places and relics of sacred significance along a certain route for religious, health or other purposes. This activity includes four stages and is characterized by the presence of seven functions: spiritual-educational; educational; missionary; communication; uniting parishes; charitable; exchange of experience. The tradition of traveling to holy places has existed throughout human history. In the Christian era the inextricable connection of pilgrimage with religious experience became a special practice. It was revealed that the experience of Russian pilgrimage includes five stages. The third (Palestinian) stage is characterized by an increase in the Russian Empire's interest in the Middle East region. This necessitated the need to argue Russia’s intentions regarding the territories of the Ottoman Empire, contributing to the strengthening of the Russian spiritual presence in Palestine and the intensification of the pilgrimage movement in this direction, which from the second half of the 19th century consistently supported at the state and church levels. As a result, the Russian Spiritual Mission was founded, land plots were acquired and developed in the Holy Land, and infrastructure was created. State and church structures accompanying this activity were founded. Then the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society was created, which became the main organizer of the Russian spiritual presence, missionary and pilgrimage activities in the region during the period under review.

Abstract: The research subject is the energy aspect of competition between China, the EU, Pakistan and India in Central Asia at the present stage. The authors show that China is interested primarily in oil resources of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. China and the EU are trying to diversify external energy supply resources to reduce the dependence on the politically unstable Middle East. At the same time, the EU tries to reduce dependence on energy supplies from Russia. India and Pakistan are trying to realize their interests in Central Asia by planning their projects of oil and gas pipelines. The research methodology is based on the system approach. The authors also use the institutional, historical-genetic, socio-psychological and comparative methods. The authors prove that one of the key obstacles of development of economic connections between the states of Southern and Central Asia is the absence of direct transport link. On the other hand, the geographical closeness of India and Pakistan to post-Soviet republics, together with the readiness of Pakistan to open the access to its ports and the vast South-Asian market, are their main advantages.