SMOLENSK DIOCESE AND SMOLENSK SCIENTIFIC ARCHIVAL COMMISSION IN THE BEGINNING OF THE XX CENTURY
The article reveals the participation of the Smolensk diocese in the organization and activities of social and scientific organizations of the early twentieth century, and in particular - the Smolensk Scientific Archival Commission. Representatives of the clergy made a significant contribution to the development of humanitarian knowledge. The activities of the clergy contributed to the compilation of parish chronicles and descriptions of monasteries, which contributed not only to the development of historical science, but also to the self-education of the clergy and the population of the provincial region of Russia. An analysis of the commission's documents makes it possible to trace the activities of the clergy in the field of public education, to analyze the contribution of the representatives of the diocese to the educational service to society. Turning to the specific material of the Smolensk diocese allows us to more accurately present the educational practice of the Church at the provincial level, to present its educational practice, to identify specific features due to the mental and historical and geographical features of the development of the Smolensk province. The contribution of representatives of the spiritual department to the activities of the Smolensk Scientific Archival Commission confirms the thesis about the relationship between religion and science. The main points of contact between the clergy and science were the activities of representatives of the spiritual department with the Smolensk Church and Archaeological Committee and the Smolensk Scientific Archival Commission. A large percentage of clergy representatives shows their interest in the scientific activities of this organization.