Parish clergy of Voronezh diocese in the fight against famine of 1891–1892

Relevance . In times of crisis, Orthodox clergy often became the backbone of the state, not only providing spiritual support to parishioners, but also performing the most important ideological and social functions. A study of the experience of the parish clergy of the Voronezh diocese in providing assistance to the population during the famine of 1891-1892 will help find mechanisms for the most successful interaction between the Church, government and society in the context of large-scale social challenges. The purpose of the article is to study the contribution of the Orthodox parish clergy to supporting the peasant population of the Voronezh province, as well as to examine the main forms of organizing charitable, social and educational activities of the clergy during the famine of 1891-1892. The objectives are to characterize the features of social and charitable activities of parish clergy and to consider the forms of pastoral service to provide moral support to peasants during the years of national disaster caused by crop failures. Methodology . The article is based on a comprehensive review of sources and scientific research. The author used content analysis, historical-comparative, historical-genetic, historical-statistical methods in solving the tasks. Results . The author examined the main forms of organizing social and charitable activities of the Voronezh parish clergy to provide assistance to peasants during the "tsar famine" of 1891-1892. The implementation of the synodal definition of August 21, 1891 on the organization of diocesan committees to support people, as well as the personal contribution of Orthodox clergy to charity, are analyzed. Conclusion . During the peasant famine of 1891-1892, the Voronezh parish clergy made a significant contribution to the fight against the large-scale national disaster. The Voronezh diocesan committee for supporting the population carried out a huge amount of work to attract funds and food for the starving people.