Relations of diocesan bishops of Tobolsk and Siberia and governors and governors-general during the Synodal period
Abstract
The article examines the relationship of the Tobolsk and Siberian diocesan bishops with the governors and governors-general in the synodal period. It is noted that during the entire period under review, these relations were correct and generally constructive. There were no cases of acute irreconcilable conflicts between representatives of the spiritual and secular authorities at the level of the diocese - the province. In some cases, these relationships went beyond formal communication. It is indicated that the subject of common concern and active interaction was, first of all, the issues of Christianization of the indigenous population of the region. There has been an evolution from energetic support for missionary activity from governors to a more cautious, restrained attitude. The secular authorities feared the unrest of the "foreigners", complications with the payment of yasak, so interference in their internal affairs began to be perceived as an attempt on the usual world order that had developed in previous years. It is noted that the Tobolsk rulers sought to use secular power as an additional tool to control the behavior of parishioners, their timely observance of Orthodox rituals. At the same time, governors and governors-general relied on diocesan bishops in solving a number of important social and political tasks, while making sure that the clergy did not go beyond the competencies outlined by legislation. It is concluded that the cooperation of the spiritual and secular authorities unfolded on a wide range of problems: from the popularization of medical knowledge among the rural population to the creation of Orthodox public organizations, from agitation against participation in the uprising of E. Pugachev to translations into "foreign" languages of the texts of the Holy Scriptures and legislative acts.
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