Rural clergy and their concerns in the 19th century(based on materials from churches in villages now belongingto the Gavrilovsky district of the Tambov region)

Abstract

The article analyzes the lifestyle and service activities of the clergy in the 19th century. As a result of the analysis, the author came to the conclusion that the mobility of this class was small. Family and family ties were very important for all generations of the clergy. A change of residence was usually associated with service appointments. Education influenced the success of a career. Therefore, fathers paid attention to the education of children, including girls. After completing the seminary course, clergymen were engaged in self-education, started home libraries and organized church libraries. Many young deacons and priests taught in schools. Diocesan control over the service and morality of the rural clergy was constant and serious. Misdemeanors did not go unpunished. The best received awards. The most painful problems for church and clergymen were social security, the availability and quality of clerical land, and payment of services. Their long-term unresolved nature, however, did not discourage most representatives of the clergy from the occupation of fathers.