Spiritual Education in Chernihiv region 1870–1882

The purpose of the study is to analyze the work of the spiritual educational institutions of the Chernihiv Diocese in 1870 - 1882. Methodologically, the work is based on the historical approach.
Scientific novelty.On the basis of materials published in the magazines «Chernihiv Diocesan News» and other sources, for the first time a comprehensive analysis of the activities and functioning of the spiritual educational institutions of the Chernihiv diocese, as well as parish schools in the general context of the development of Orthodoxy in the Left Bank of Ukraine.
Conclusions. Analyzing the work of spiritual educational institutions, we can conclude that the level of spiritual education in Chernihiv region during this period of historical time was quite satisfactory. In the 1870s and 1882s there were a seminary and three spiritual schools in the diocese. The seminary level was quite high. At the seminary was a Sunday school and, since 1885, an elementary school. At this school, seminary students participated in practical classes, giving the children basic concepts and basics of Orthodox doctrine, which promoted their church upbringing and strengthening in the faith. The level of training of spiritual school students was average or even below average. And if the Chernihiv school, which in its material and technical base was close to the seminary, gave a high level of education, then the studies in Novhorod-Siverskyi and Starodub schools were on the low level. In the diocese there were parochial schools, which were divided into two classes, church-parish schools and literacy schools. In all schools children of both sexes studied. Almost every school had its own library. The teachers’behavior with students was quite humane. School premises were usually located in peasant homes. The primary task of these schools was to provide primary education to the villagers of Chernihiv.