Census books of 1701–1703 as a source for the study of female monasteries of the Russian State

The history of Russian female monasticism is one of the little-studied topics. One of the main sources that allows us to characterize the monasteries of the late XVII – early XVIII centuries are the census books that were compiled as part of the initial stage of the church reform of Peter I. The census books of 1701-1703 are a multifaceted source. A large place in them is occupied by information about monastic temples and their interior decoration, about the treasury, where monastic documents were kept, libraries, economic activities, land holdings, etc. The study showed that the census books for the study of nunneries are a very informative source. On their basis, it is possible to establish the number of women's monasteries. They contain information about the management of monasteries, about the social status of nuns, their daily life, as well as about the income and financing of monasteries by the state. The materials of the description to one degree or another reflect the church transformations of Peter I carried out in the country in 1701-1703, which had a significant impact on the life and way of life of the nuns. This makes the census books a very promising source for studying the history of women's monasteries in Russia at the turn of the XVII–XVIII centuries.