Small Brotherhood Monasteries During the Reign of Peter the Great

The article presents the results of the analysis of legislative acts on monks and monasteries, approved during the reign of Peter the Great. Secular legislation during the time of Peter, beginning with the reign of Ivan III, was the result of the activities of Russian governments, which limited monasteries as much as possible in acquiring new territories. Secular legislation during the time of Peter, beginning with the reign of Ivan III, was the result of the activities of Russian governments that limited monasteries as much as possible in acquiring new territories. It is concluded that the decrees of Peter I were aimed at the complete prohibition and liquidation of small monasteries, which constituted the overwhelming majority of Russian Orthodox monasteries at that time.