Who is the churchwarden? What is his responsibility? You will find answers to these questions in the article.
Who is the churchwarden?
The churchwarden is a parishioner of the church who was in charge of the economy of the church community. He was elected in each parish for 3 years. This post was first introduced by the Decree of Peter I in 1721. According to state laws, the churchwarden was exempted from taxes.
Who could become a churchwarden?
The elder could be elected a parishioner, distinguished by his piety, devotion to the church, responsibly relating to the moral order of the parish and its material well-being.
A headman could not become a person under 25 years old who did not regularly confess and did not receive Holy Christ's Secrets, was released by the court from service or the clergy, wasted and insolvent debtor, a person who had a reprehensible occupation, consisting in cohabitation without a church marriage, living in the parish less than eight months.
The churchwarden was to be aware of all his responsibility as a guardian of the temple. The importance of the functions of the elder was manifested in the form of an oath, which became mandatory since 1890. The text was pronounced before the cross and the gospel, thereby emphasizing the seriousness of the service taken upon itself for the glory of God.
The duties of the churchwarden in Russia
Initially, the headman was responsible for the sale of candles. Then the circle of duties expanded, began to include the storage of church money and all church funds. According to the instructions, the churchwarden in Russia was obliged:
- When taking office, take church property according to the inventory, he was given out books of consumables. If during the inspection something was damaged or lost, then the former headman was responsible, and in case of death, his heirs.
- The elder must collect money in wallets or a mug, sell candles, accept donations to the temple, make offerings in the inventory, monitor the safety of money, as well as the cleanliness of the church, take care of the safety of church property.
- The headman is responsible for the sale of candles. In case of illness or absence, instructs someone else with the consent of the clergy. The person appointed by the elder must accept the candles according to the inventory and report after the sale.
- No one should sell candles illegally, the elder also observes this. He also monitors how candles are lit during worship, and how they are extinguished according to church rules.
- Money from the sale of candles, as well as donations immediately drops in special boxes.
- Counts income and expenses on a monthly basis, writes the data to revenue books.
- The elder is obliged to collect income from shops located on church lands, from houses and cellars rented out.
- He is responsible for the purchase of things necessary for the church, timely repair of buildings and utensils.
- The headman must look after the houses that are dependent on the church.
- It monitors the cottages at parishes so that the forest is used only for their own needs, and not for sale.
- Keeps data on the income and expenditure of money. If the headman was illiterate, he could invite a clerk or one of the parishioners.
- The elder is obliged to present income books when checking the deanery of the churches.
- Prepares an annual report on the accounts of all income and expenses of the church.
- The elder is forbidden to take church money for his needs. He does not have the right to give church things to other churches, to lend money subject to him.
Church Warden Awards
Such a responsible ministry certainly deserved to be encouraged. The elders could be awarded the orders of St. Stanislav, sv. Anna, as well as medals. The latter could be gold or silver (they were worn on special ribbons on the neck), as well as on the chest or in the buttonhole.
Church elders of the Moscow diocese
Many church leaders are known not only for the honest performance of their duties, but also for their personal contribution to the development of their church and city. For example, the elders are known in the Moscow diocese:
Abrikosov Aleksey Ivanovich - Russian entrepreneur, founder of the confectionery factory (now the Babaevsky concern), served as the headman of the Assumption Church on Pokrovka.
Bufeev Grigory Yakovlevich was the headman of the St. John the Theologian Church in Kolomna for a total of 28 years. He donated funds for the repair and arrangement of the temple, built a stone road to the church. Awarded the Order of St. Stanislav.
Protopopov Stepan Alekseevich - Moscow merchant of the first guild, entrepreneur and major philanthropist. He owned factories and plants. For many years, it was the headman of the parish church of the Assumption on the graves.
Merchant V.S. Leonov was the headman of the Floro-Lavrian temple of the Domodedovo district. Thanks to him, a women's parochial school was opened, opened in 1889.
Karzinkin Andrey Alexandrovich - merchant of the first guild, philanthropist. He was engaged in tea trade, owned a manufactory. He was the headman of the Three Saints Church in Kulishki.
Church elder Vasiliev Petr Vasilievich
The churchwarden Pyotr Vasilyev (1825-1899), a merchant of the second guild, also did charity work and social work. He served in Kungur, then remained there. He built a distillery, also engaged in the sale of wine. Pyotr Vasilyevich was an honest and decent man, he never cheated. He was truthful and conscientious, his word could be trusted. Always attended church services on Sundays and holidays.
Engaged in public service. Known as chairman of the City Orphan's Court, trustee of the male parish school. He was the vowel of the City Duma. He participated in the work of the Red Cross, the District Tax Presence, helped shelters, and maintained a public school at his own expense. He participated in the construction of an almshouse, and also regularly donated to the needs of Kungur temples. Vasiliev was also known as the head of the Transfiguration Church, served 12 years. He donated to the temple, kept singers and watchmen. In 1880 he was awarded a gold medal for wearing on his chest on the Stanislavsky ribbon. He was later awarded a silver and three gold medals.
In 1894, for unknown reasons, the plant he built was stopped, and the premises were transferred to the Perm Spiritual Department. His house also bequeathed to the church. Later he became seriously ill and died in 1899.