The role of confraternities in the Greek-Catholic Church in 18 th century (Bratslav Voivodeship)

Abstract

The role of church confraternities in the eighteenth century, in the Bratslav voivodeship
is shown. The legal status, conditions of becoming a member of the confraternity, internal
self-organization are presented. It is determined that in the region there were over thousand
confraternities. Based on documents from visitations their quantitative and personnel structure
and their responsibilities are shown. Sources of funding – from crediting to patrons who are
released from tithe – are discovered. Activities of confraternities in the area of financial support
of the church – purchase of church’s equipment and liturgical books, repair and maintenance of
places of worship – are analyzed. It is determined that in some parishes, such as French
village and Labushniy Chechelivsky rural deanery, priests prevented the establishment
of confraternities and preferred to manage parish independently.
Keywords: Greek Catholic Church, сonfraternities, ktitor, parish’s financing , Bratslav
voivodeship