Pension Provision of the Clergy and Members of their Families of the Volyn Diocese in the XIX – early XX centuries

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the main stages of the formation of the pension provision of the clergy, their widows and orphans in the Volyn diocese during the XIX – early XX centuries.

It was found that in general the material majority of the freelance clergy and members of their families was extremely difficult. The state began to pay attention to this problem only in the second half of the nineteenth century. Given the numerous requests of the clergy in the 1860s, the situation improved somewhat. However, only individuals who had served for at least 35 years could apply for funds from the state treasury. Therefore, the situation of all others remained deplorable. Most of them had to look for ways to survive on their own in old age. In the event of the death of eligible priests, the payments due to them went to widows and orphans. Assistance was also provided to widows who had minor children with incurable diseases or the disabled.

As a result of the study it was found that in the 80s of the XIX century the situation has slightly improved as the length of service has been reduced to 20 years for the right to receive a pension.

Material stability for freelance clergy and their families came only in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when emeritus funds began to operate in practice and pension contributions from their salaries were approved at the state level.