Orthodox Monasteries as Centers of Christian Civilization on the Eastern Borders of the Russian State

Abstract

The study is devoted to the history and activities of monastic monasteries in Siberia, their importance in the context of the integration of Siberian territories into the Russian statehood, due to the duration of the processes of Christianization: from the creation of a church administrative unit in Siberia (1620) and completion at the beginning of the twentieth century. The research involved complex and communicative approaches, axiological aspects and methodology of local history, involving the reconstruction of a regional historical narrative. It is noted that the establishment of monastic monasteries has become an important factor in the spread of Russian statehood. The ways of creating monasteries related to both monastic and public initiatives, as well as by decision of the diocesan authorities, are considered. We pay attention to the scientific discourse of modern historical science on the issues of dating the establishment of monastic monasteries and an individual research approach. The contribution of monasteries to the economic development of territories is determined, the main directions of social and educational activities of monastics are indicated. We consider the role of the women’s Orthodox communities of Siberia in the second half of the XIX century, contributing to the strengthening of the ideological basis of the empire, influencing the formation of moral and value attitudes and improving the educational level of local ethnic groups. The special role of monasteries in the history of the region is justified, due to the territorial and climatic conditions, the multi-confessional and multilingual nature of Siberia, when a few monks performed various functions, engaged in missionary, socio-educational and educational activities. We draw a conclusion that Orthodox monasteries in Siberia were outposts of the spread and establishment of Christian civilization, monasteries provided communication with the non-ethnic population, involving them in the Orthodox mentality, forming a vector of the socio-cultural topos of the peoples of Siberia.