ACTIVITIES OF ORTHODOX CHURCH FRATERNITIES IN POLTAVA DIOCESE: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIMENSIONS (THE SECOND HALF OF XIX – AT BEGINNING OF XX ENTURY)

Abstract

The article analyzes features activities of Orthodox Church fraternities that functioned in Poltava diocese from the second half of XIX to the beginning of the XX centuries.

It is noted that within the boundaries of the Poltava diocese, during the indicated period, two Orthodox fraternities were functioned the founding conditions and activities of which were determined by the then government policy of the Russian Empire. It is emphasized that both fraternities (Poltava Diocesan St. Makariі fraternity and Lubny Savior Transfiguration fraternity) covered the whole territory of the province with their network of branches. It is accented that Orthodox fraternities played an important role in the social and cultural development of Poltava province because they performed not only a spiritual and educational mission based on Orthodox moral and ethical values, but also to promote education among the population.