The Taurida and Odessa Karaite Spiritual Board and the development of the Karaite public education system in the Russian Empire (second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries)

The aim of the study is to identify the role and influence of the central institution of confessional self-government of the Karaites of the Russian Empire, the Taurida and Odessa Karaite Spiritual Board, in organizing educational institutions for Karaite youth in the Taurida Governorate; the participation of the clergy in the development of curricula for the Alexandrovsk Karaite Spiritual School; the public awareness campaigns and educational activities of the Karaite Spiritual Board in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries. The article examines a set of measures aimed at reforming the traditional system of Karaite public education during the specified period and analyzes the role and participation of representatives of the Karaite clergy in this process. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that, based on information found in archival documents (some of which are being introduced into scientific use for the first time), materials from pre-revolutionary publications of specialized departments, and statistical data, an assessment is given of the role of the Karaite Spiritual Board in spreading enlightenment among co-religionists. As a result, it was established that the Taurida and Odessa Karaite Spiritual Board took a direct part in preparing projects for the creation of educational institutions for Karaite youth and the subsequent organization of the educational process in them. Persons who, at various times, held the position of Karaite Gahams and headed the spiritual board, as well as the rectors of Karaite Kenasas (Gazzans), many of whom were also teachers in schools and schools for Karaites, made an important contribution to the training of teachers of theological disciplines. They took a direct part in the development and adjustment of curricula for Karaite educational institutions and were involved in the selection of appropriate doctrinal and educational literature for teachers and students.