The main stages of the formation of the charitable institute of communities of sisters of mercy in the West and in Russia

The article discusses the main stages of the formation of the institute of communities of sisters of mercy in Western Christian denominations (Catholic and Protestant) and in Russia in order to study the history of diaconia in depth. Shown are some elements of the formation of the institute of charity in the West, and considered are the specific examples of hospital service, and organizations involved in helping the wounded in wars. The article analyzes the activity of nurses in Catholic monastic orders and Protestant organizations. Discussed is the issue of the emergence and development of active women’s ministry in the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 19th century, for which the prototype was the examples of communities of sisters of mercy in the West.