DISTRICT CLERGY ASSEMBLIES AND BOARDS OF GUARDIANSFOR THE POOR PARISH CLERICS IN THE VOLOGDA EPARCHY (1860s-1870s)
The article dwells on the boards of guardians for the poor parish clerics established in the Vologda eparchy during the late 1860s and early 1870s. These institutions are considered both as a form of corporate charity of the parish clergy and as a subsidiary source of their material support. The boards were originally founded in 1868, when the first Vologda clergy assemblies took place, and ceased to exist in the early 20th century. Despite the limited resources, the boards managed to develop a rather efficient system within the eparchy. This was mostly due to the targeted material support confined to certain locality. The main types of material support were: appointment of those in need to the lowest parish positions and small annual grants in cash, in kind or in mixed form. The source of funds for the boards were various collections and donations made by the district clergy.