The Role of Parish Trusteeship Bodies of Moscow in the Social Ministry of the Church in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

This article examines the term «social ministry» and clarifies the meaning it has in historical works. Furthermore, the research analyzes the history of the development of the social ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church from the Baptism of Rus to the beginning of the 20^th century. Having begun their work in 1864, parish trusteeship bodies reached the peak of their effectiveness right in the early 20th century. The new social institution managed to unite the parishioners as well as solve many social problems that existed in Russian society. Of course, trusteeship included providing material help — benefitting the poor and the homeless, bringing up children and giving them education. But the main task of Russian trusteeship was giving spiritual and moral support to those in need. For this, there were catechetical talks, Sunday schools, libraries, sobriety societies and other measures aimed at spiritual and moral upbringing. The trusteeship bodies of Moscow were the most successful ones at social service much because of the huge sums they spent on social ministry. Today, when studying the history of the social ministry conducted by parishes, it becomes clear that parish trusteeships played a great role in the most difficult time for the state, and also managed to partially solve the mass of issues that Russian Orthodox parishes faced at that period.