“The Tobolsk diocesan gazette” as a source for the history of social welfare and charity of the Russian Orthodox Church, 1882-1905

The article considers the possibility of using a periodical printed edition as a source on the history of social security and charity of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1882-1905 using the analysis of publications in the Tobolsk Diocesan Vedomosti as an example. It is noted that the issues of charity and social security were covered in the “Tobolsk Diocesan Gazette” in two planes: the propaedeutic building and information materials about the life and activities of diocesan, parish and corporate charitable organizations. The propaedeutic corps actualized these areas of activity of the diocesan leadership and clergy through sermons, announcements and appeals, was mainly placed in the unofficial part of the publication and was often full of “emotional statements”. Information materials about the life and activities of diocesan, parish and corporate charitable organizations are posted in the official section and have a clear structure. The conclusion is made about the uniqueness of the “Tobolsk Diocesan Gazette” as a source containing a wide range of diverse information on the history of social security and charity of the Russian Orthodox Church of the specified period.