Privačios fundacijos ir donacijos stačiatikių cerkvėms bei vienuolynams Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje XIV a. pabaigoje–XVI a. pradžioje

Private Foundations and Donations to Orthodox Churches and Monasteries in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Late 14th–early 16th Century The oldest foundation and donation related documents intended for Orthodox churches and monasteries and issued by private persons date back to the late 14th century. Until the mid- 15th century only isolated documents are available, however starting with the 1440s the number of documents gradually increases up to the very beginning of the 16th century. In total, 107 documents are known (their register is presented in the article). Throughout the period under investigation most of the document drawers were regional dukes (mostly the Gediminids, several Rurikids), however, starting with the middle of the 15th century persons of noble descent were also recorded among the document drawers. 32 different locations where Orthodox churches and monasteries were provided for have been detected (mostly in the duchies of Kiev, Mstislavl, Pinsk, and Slutsk). The largest number of grants (15) were issued for the maintenance of Kiev Pechersk and Pustynsk monasteries which suggests of the importance of Kiev as the centre of religious authority. Document subscriptions indicate that most of the persons who wrote these documents were laymen.