The role of Tobolsk Diocesan Women’s School in maintenance orphans and poor maidens of clerical rank

The article considers the activity of Tobolsk Diocesan Women School, organized regarding its social functions, which prevailed at its establishment. The reports of the Society of Assistance to Needy Pupils of Tobolsk Diocesan Women School from the funds of Tobolsk Historical and Cultural Museum’s scientific library and Tobolsk Diocesan Bulletin provided the author with the materials for the analysis. The proposed data is firstly introduced into the scientific literature. The positive dynamics in the school's activity is shown, the termination of which occurred due to the violent change of the state form of government in the revolutionary years. The article reports that the total number of pupils yearly increased, due to the expense of the poorest clergy children as well, raised the issue of organizing a society supporting needy pupils, which, at the expense of attracted donations, would be able to ensure its activities accumulating funds and acquiring the State bank securities. It is emphasised that the society brought certain fruits within a short period of its activity, partially satisfying financial needs of orphans and the poorest clergy daughters by purchasing schoolbooks, buying summer and winter clothes and shoes, issuing annual allowances and repayable loans for urgent needs. A detailed classification of the structure of income and expenditures is proposed. The author concludes that the activity of Tobolsk Diocesan Women School on thier orphans and poor clergy daughters' social welfare, though not changing the overall picture of poverty anong the clergy, still can be positively characterized.