MERIT PENSION FUNDS ESTABLISHMENT IN THE CENTRAL BLACK EARTH REGION EPARCHIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY: HISTORICAL SURVEY
The article considers the history of establishing merit pension funds for the clergy of the Central Black Earth region in the second half of the XIX century. Relying on published sources and archival materials the author examines the causes of contradictions among the clergymen on the issue of establishing merit pension funds and analyzes the basic approaches to the problem that were proposed by the clergy. The researcher concludes that the priesthood delayed the establishment of their own sources of financial assistance due to the lack of financial resources and experience in financial operations.