Tobolsk bishop's house in the 19th century

The study of various aspects of the Russian Orthodox Church history continues to be significant and relevant in modern science. From the second half of 15th - beginning of 16th centuries, we can speak about the emergence of two issues that will become the major touch points of Church and State. The strengthening of the absolute monarchy in the 18th century leads to the emergence of a new bureaucratic system in the state administration. These changes will inevitably affect the Tobolsk Bishop's house, and the conditions which it was placed in after 1764 led to changes in the principles of its organization and a significant restructuring. Therefore, the research objective is to redesign the process of socio-economic, political and cultural development of the Tobolsk Bishop's house in the 19th century. Various types of sources were used for the study: legislative and regulatory acts, published and archived materials introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. Documents of management and record keeping of the Tobolsk Bishop's house occupy a special place, in particular the materials of the General paperwork management of Church institutions: ordinances, regulations, correspondence materials of local ecclesial authorities, reports of Siberian metropolitans to the Synod, etc. The study approach and methodological tools made it possible to achieve the goal and solve the research problems. The study shows that after the reform of 1764, the Tobolsk Bishop's house lost its former land holdings for a certain period, and like other diocesan departments, it was transferred to the state allowance. Diocese abolition to the episcopate, which deprived the former political influence, certainly had negative features. However, in the 19th century, there can be seen a gradual way out of the situation and the former possessions and property return, which to some extent allows to return to the former position of a large feudal lord of Western Siberia.