CHARITY AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY OF THE ORTHODOX CLERGY OF THE UKRAINIAN DIOCESES OF THE ROC (THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY – THE BEGINNING OF THE XX CENTURY)

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the charity and volunteer activity of the Orthodox clergy of the Ukrainian parishes of the ROC and to estimate the role of patriotic clergy in establishing full-fledged community centers, the revival of national and cultural values of the Ukrainian people. In particular, the purpose is to consider the charity activity of representatives of the Ukrainian clergy – figures of national and spiritual rkevival V. Hrechulevych, M. Orlovsky, S. Baranovsky, A. Sendulsky and others. Research methods. Methods of statistical, problem-historical and comparative-historical analysis are used. Scientific novelty. The article examines the little-known facts of charity and volunteer activity of the Orthodox clergy, including establishing Sunday schools, literacy classes, libraries and reading rooms for children, their parents and adult illiterate peasants at their own expense. The authorities were dissatisfied with such activity and the Orthodox clergy was persecuted, as the authorities did not actually have control over such forms of education. Conclusions. The representatives of the Ukrainian parishes of the ROC often went beyond charity and volunteer activity in their actions, they established centers of free thought, critical attitude toward spiritual authorities and autocratic government, and they created the basis for development of Ukrainian national, cultural and spiritual revival.

Keywords

• orthodox clergy
• charity
• frateries
• spiritual revival
• v. hrechulevych
• m. orlovsky
• s. baranovsky
• a. sendulsky