Collegium Russicum

The Pontifical Collegium Russicum is a Pontifical College with a seminary of the Roman Catholic Church under the administration of the Society of Jesus, SJ, Rome.

History

The Institute is located near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, spatially separated from the Pontifical Oriental Institute next to the church of Sant'Antonio Abate all'Esquilino. Pope Pius XI. founded the Institute on August 15, 1929 in view of the bloody persecution of the Christian churches and religion in general by the Soviet state. Still in the 50s of the last century worked graduates of the Russicums as ordained priests under false names in their Russian communities. Before leaving, the priest received all the sacraments, including the last rites. Then they were received and approved by the Pope and the Father General of the Jesuits in secret audience. Under the administration of Russicums the St. Anthony's church stands next to the Collegium Russicum. There is celebrated and prayed according to Armenian, Chaldean, Alexandrian, antiochischem, Byzantine and Slavic rite.

The money for the construction and maintenance of the Institute came from donations from believers all over the world.

Well-known teachers of the Institute

• Julia Nikolaevna Dansas (born 9 March 1879 in Athens, † April 13, 1942 in Rome), Catholic nun, a university lecturer and Sergeant 18th Orenburg Cossack Regiment