Activities of Parochial Temperance Societies at the Churches of the Moscow Diocese in the Late 19th — Early 20th Centuries

In this article we will tell about the holy Russian new martyrs — patrons of sobriety. These saints in the late 19th and early 20th centuries waged a real fight against drunkenness, which in those turning points increasingly affected Russian society, leading to the savagery of man, the breakup of families, and orphanhood. The forms of the fight for sobriety were only developing and could be different — from traveling educational lectures to the creation of sobriety societies and material assistance to those who refused to drink, and their families. Libraries were often opened at these societies, especially needed in rural areas. They were very popular. Their book collections were replenished with both spiritual and secular literature, which could usefully occupy the readers' free time and strengthen them on the path of sober living. Public readings «with foggy pictures» were also organized, during which the teacher's or priest's story was accompanied by illustrations projected onto the wall. This form of presenting the material was in demand due to its greater clarity and the low literacy level of the population. Temperance societies organized teahouses, which were supposed to replace visits to drinking establishments. Unfortunately, after the revolution, due to persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church (Church), this activity was stopped. Many priests who led temperance societies suffered for their faith and are glorified in our time. Temples and monasteries where the new martyrs and confessors served — patrons of temperance — were closed, destroyed, but are now gradually being restored. Parishes are being revived and the sobriety service of the Church is coming to life, so familiarization with pre-revolutionary experience is acquiring special significance. Today, many methods and principles of our holy compatriots, fighters against drunkenness, are actively studied, disseminated and continue to be used in helping sufferers and their loved ones in parishes. The article provides information on the activities of the patrons of sobriety in Moscow and the Moscow province based on a study of sources, including archival materials, periodicals and works on local history.