V. Mordvintsev, Dr. Habil. (History), Professor

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

I. Irchak, Master’s student

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2021.150.3


THE STATE OF THE CONVENTS OF THE KYIV VICEREGENCY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SECULARIZATION REFORM OF 1786-1788

The article deals with the changes that happened to convents of the Kyiv viceregency during the period of 1786 – early 19th century caused by the secularization reform.

The authors engaged archival materials, collections of legislative acts, statistical information and previous scientific researches, which allowed comparing and analyzing the characteristics of 5 monasteries of the Kyiv viceregency before and after the reform of 1786-1788.

Particular attention is paid to the economic state: methods of earning income before and after secularization, the number of nuns and dependent peasants, the established amount of emolument were described. The article mentions the difficulties faced by the monasteries that remained after the reform and the reasons for their closure and resettlement. It was found that frequent problems for the monasteries were the emergency condition of the buildings, the lack of money for repair work and the unprofitability of keeping a small number of nuns in different monasteries.

Attention is drawn to the position of nuns of closed convents: the establishment of special monasteries (in the Kyiv governorate it was Jordanskiy Mykolaivskiy convent) and ways of earning additional income, the establishment of payments from the treasury were mentioned. The characteristics of the Florivsky convent, which was the only first-class convent in the Kyiv viceregency and one of the two monasteries left at the beginning of the 19th century, are given.

The authors concluded that one of the main reasons that could improve the financial situation of the monastery was its authority in the Russian Empire, ability to attract new pilgrims and donations.

Key words: Left Bank Ukraine, monasteries, female monkhood, Kyiv, secularization, gender history.

Submitted: 21.09.2021

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