Old Believer merchants role in the pre-revolutionary Russian life and social development.


Dmitry Svincov, Kiev Lipovan Old Believers National Cultural Society
Kiev, Ukraine


Charity was always considered to be an adequate engagement to any religious person. The Morozovs, Ryabushinskies, Tretyakovs – these families are well-known all over the world. Merchant Degtyarev`s family is well known for its social activities and patronage of art. Mikhail Degtyarev comes of this good stock and his charity helped many of workers and students in Kiev. The complicated thread of his life is observed in this publication.