The religios situation in Stavropol-on-Volga in the late 18th – early 20th centuries

Abstract

Background. The religious history of a provincial, such as Stavropol-on-Volga was, appears to be a topical problem, as it was provincial towns that to a great extent shaped the historical image of pre-revolutionary Russia. The author analyzed the religious life in Stavropol-on-Volga in the late 18th – early 20th centuries. The purpose of the work is to study the religious life of Stavropol-on-Volga on the basis of a complex analysis of the religios situation in the town in the late 18th – early 20th centuries, as well as to reveal the nature of its changes during this period and to provide insights into charity and spiritual and educational activities. Materials and methods. The research goals were achieved through analyzing the documents obtained from the funds of the Central State Archive of Samara region and a municipal government-financed cultural establishment of the city district of Togliatti “City museum complex “Nasledie (Legacy)”. The methods included the comparative- historical method allowing to compare the objectives and functions of the clergy in the provincial town in the late 18th – early 20th centuries, the importance of which is evident for the data analysis, as well as the method of analyzing and synchronous comparison of archival documents. Results. The author studied the religious situation in Stavropol-on-Volga in the late 18th – early 20th centuries, as well as the issues of orthodox church construction and the evangelistic work. Special attention was paid to devout hermits visiting Stavropolon- Volga and the touched ones who lived there. The work asserts that the religious situation in Stavropol was contradictory in the late 18th – early 20th. Despite the fact that the town originally was the center of kalmyks converted to Orthodoxy, the nomads remained in dual faith, were unwilling to settle in one place and were resettled in 1842. It is substantiated that the efforts of the local clergy were directed to improving literacy of the public, recrouting personnel for this kind of work, which in turn contributed to the development of the local craft industry. Conclusions. Stavropol was a provincial town, but unique, with rich and interesting history, deep religious traditions, own devout hermits, touched ones, indigents, benefactors out of local folk, which combined a special provincial culture.

Keywords

• ecclesiastic administration
• kazan ecclesiastic consistory
• sectarians
• clergymen
• evangelists