The demographic composition of the Tambov monasteries in the second half of 19th - early 20th centuries

Based on a comprehensive study of published and archival sources the demographic composition of the Tambov monasteries in the post-reform period is considered. The characteristics of the demographic changes that have taken place are revealed. The demographic structure of the monastic community is studied in detail. The main focus is on the analysis of the “Records on the monastics” in which brief biographical information about the inhabitants of the Tambov monasteries is collected. In total 12 inventories with chronological coverage from 1850 to 1910 are studied. It is revealed that women’s monasteries, both urban and rural, are peasant in their social composition. Although the percentage of representatives of other classes in urban monasteries is still somewhat higher. The tendency to change the social composition of male monasteries also leads to an increase in the number of peasants in them in the post-reform period, especially at the turn of the century. The composition of the monasteries according to other indicators: education, age, geographical origin of the monastery inhabitants is also analyzed. The conclusion is made that during the period under study, the women’s monasteries, in addition to their basic functions, acted as a social valve, giving shelter to those girls who, in the conditions of overpopulation of the village, found their place in the Orthodox monastery.

monasteries, monks, novices, Tambov eparchy, demography, social composition, geographical origin, educational qualification