THE PROCEDURAL ISSUES OF THE POCHAIV MONASTERY TRANSFER TO THE GREEK RUSSIAN CLERGY PROPERTY IN THE SECOND THIRD OF THE XIXTH CENTURY

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to elucidate the mechanism of the Pochayiv Monastery transfer to the structure of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1831, the range of conflict issues between the Russian and Greek Uniate clergy and the government officials’ participation in the above-mentioned process. The research methodology is based on the principles of objectivity and systematicity. The following general scientific methods have been used: analysis, synthesis, generalization, induction and deduction, and special methods of historical cognition – historical genetic and comparative in order to solve the set tasks. The methods of classification and critique of sources have been used at the stage of archival material selection. The scientific novelty is that for the first time in Ukrainian historiography numerous unknown archival materials were involved in the scientific use, which made it possible to clarify the circumstances of the transfer of the Pochayiv Monastery to the Russian Orthodox Church. The Conclusions. According to the Emperor’s Decree, issued in 1831, a set of measures was developed by the Main Department of Spiritual Affairs of Foreign Religions, and orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to include the Pochayiv Monastery in the Greek Russian Church, which also proved the importance in the government’s intention to strengthen the Orthodoxy in the western part of the Empire. The above-mentioned documents laid down diverse measures, which were taken to ensure the transfer of the monastery from the Basilians to the Orthodox. In addition, the government officials participation in the Commission work and the deliberate removal of the Greek Uniates from its membership indicated the political motivation of the act. Ignoring the powers of the Greek Uniates Collegium, the superior treatment of its representatives made it possible to accuse the Basilians of negligent document management and concealment of property. Hence, the procedure for the transfer of the Pochayiv monastery was violated by the current authorities, which clearly outlined the direction of the Tsar’s ethnic confessional policy, which was aimed at eliminating opposition denominations in the Russian Empire, including the Greek Uniate Church.

Keywords: the Pochayiv Monastery, the Pochayiv Lavra, the Greek Uniate Church, the Greek Russian Church, Uniates, clergy, the Russian Orthodox Church.