The Manifesto of October 17, 1905 and the Orthodox parish clergy in 1905-1907

The author examines the socio-political component in the activities of the Orthodox parish clergy in the period 1905-1907. The author turns to the study of the influence of the Manifesto of October 17, 1905 "On the improvement of the state order" on the worldview and moods of the clergy. Based on published sources and unpublished archival materials, the attitude of the white clergy to the main document of the period of the first Russian revolution, which became the most important quasi-constitutional act of the early 20th century, is shown. The appearance of the Manifesto on October 17 forced the church authorities to grant the clergy the right to speak on the topic of the political agenda, assigning the duty to read and interpret the royal act to the laity. The public speeches of the priests, published in the diocesan gazette, emphasized the importance of the freedom granted by the emperor. The research methodology was based on the principle of historicism. The systematic method and reliance on the source allowed us to objectively consider the stated problem. The conducted research allowed us to conclude that the Manifesto of October 17, 1905 had a significant impact on the minds and moods of the parish clergy. The available information (speeches, sermons, teachings of the parish clergy, materials of consistories) allow us to assert that in the public consciousness of the clergy, this legislative act was perceived as freedom granted by the sovereign emperor not only for parishioners, but also for the clergy and clergy themselves. The ideas of the Manifesto inspired hope for the renewal of not only state, but also church life. In public speeches on the Manifesto, the clergy often criticized the authorities and expressed sympathy for the liberation movement. Thus, the Manifesto of October 17 became one of the factors that led to the politicization of the parish clergy of the Russian Empire at the beginning of the XX century.

Russian Orthodox Church, parish clergy, manifesto, revolution, reforms, diocese, Synod, empire, peasants, constitution