Locul și rolul mănăstirilor în viața socială și culturală din Basarabia (a doua jumătate a sec. al XIX-lea – prima jumătate a sec. al XX)
The place and role of monasteries in the social and cultural life of Bessarabia (sec. half of the XIX century – the beginning of the XX century)

Summary/Abstract: In the present article, the place and role of the monastic community in the cultural and social life of Bessarabia in the second half of the XIX century – the beginning of the XX century is revealed based on archival sources. The author pays special attention to the activity of monks in such religious organizations as the Chisinau branch of the Palestinian Imperial Orthodox Society, the Brotherhood of Christ, and the monastery schools. It is presented a detailed description of the social composition and of the age of the students, as well as the disciplines they studied. The article pays special attention to the participation of the clergy in World War I (1914–1918). In this context, the participation of the novices of monasteries within Bessarabian Workers’ Brotherhood, whose workshop was located in the monastery house, is presented in detail. Attention is drawn to the fact that monasteries and monasticism manifested themselves in the opening in Chisinau of the Bessarabian Orphanage (1915), intended for the children of fallen soldiers. The charitable activities of the monastic brothers in fundraising and clothing collecting for soldiers are highlighted. The author also publishes materials about the printing activity, which took place at some monasteries. It is pointed out that the tradition of copying by hand is preserved during this period in some Bessarabian monasteries.

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