THE CHARITABLE WORK OF THE AGENCY OF MARIA FYODOROVNA ROMANOVA' S DEPARTMENT IN OREL PROVINCE

The purpose of the article is to study the phenome-non of public charity as one of the forms of charita-ble work. The charity itself was a special social phenomenon and became widespread and practical in Orel province. The article is based on a wide range of archival sources. Both systematic and historical methods are used to comprehensively evaluate the signifi-cance and results of the functioning of the depart-mental system of care and upbringing of children of various classes and orphans as a form of organiza-tion of social assistance. The phenomenon of public charity was actively developing in the Russian Em-pire in the 19th early 20th centuries and played a significant role in the implementation of the socio-political activities of the Romanovs. The study sys-tematized information about the activities of the centralized network of the agency of Maria Fyodo-rovna Romanova's department, its organizational and financial aspects., Data on the pupils and other indicators characterizing the work of care homes were studied on the basis of archival materials. The historical features of state participation in charitable work and the organization of charity, education and protection of children in Orel province during the period under study are revealed. As a result, the author come to the conclusion that the activities of the charity department in Orel province are of great importance for the social de-velopment of the region.