On the question of the institute of patronage in the Kyiv metropolis in the 16th century and its meaning

The article names the sources of the formation of the right of patronage on the territory of the Belarus and Ukraine and reveals the essence of patronage. The types of patronage (royal, etc.) that existed in the 16th century are indicated, the main rights and obligations of patrons are listed. The author analyzes the significance of this institution in the Kyiv Metropolis and comes to the conclusion that a purely negative assessment of this historical phenomenon, which has become axiomatic in historiography, requires some adjustment. The article was written on the basis of a report presented by the author at the 5th Barsov Readings at St. Petersburg Theological Academy on December 13, 2021.