Novokreshchenaja Mordva of the Alatyrsky district in XVII - the first half of the XVIII century

In the article process of Christianization of mordva of the Alatyrsky district in XVII - the first half of the XVIII century is analyzed. The orthodox monasteries became the centers of distribution of Christianity in the Mordovian region. The government tried to involve gentiles in acceptance of Christianity in the XVII century, first of all, with economic measures. The policy of Christianization non-Russian was is closely connected with the taxation which differed both in rigidity, and in stimulation. To the middle of the XVIII century the mass christening of the Alatyrsky mordva has been complete. The christening of mordva and opening of churches became an important step in strengthening of Orthodoxy and autocracy in the region, have played a positive role in spiritual and moral education of the people, have left a noticeable mark in education development. Acceptance of the state religion equalized a mordva social legal status with the Russian population, gave the chance of revenues to public service, career development, facilitated trade and economic contacts, etc. To acceptance of Christianity there was a sociocultural integration of mordva into structure of the Russian Empire.