"Pearls" of Yampol District

1. "Pearls" of Yampol District

2. M.M. Nepliuyev (1851-1908) • M.M. Nepliuyev was a well-known theologian, social practical worker, teacher and public figure. • After the graduating from the St. Petersburg University he worked as a counselor of the Russian Embassy I in Germany. But soon he decided to leave his career and to devote himself to the cause of enlightenment, improving of moral and material life of peasants. Блюститель Трудового Братства J{. J{. 3{еплюевъ.

3. Nepliuyev's Activities • In 1879 M.M. Nepliuyev published a book “Historical Mission of the Russian Landowners”, where he called all rich landowners to devote themselves to the agrarian and cultural improvement of the village. Nobody supported him. • In 1880 young Mykola Nepliuyev came back to his family residence and soon opened the orphanage. He brought up orphans himself. • Then he opened primary schools and professional agricultural schools, which trained “cultural corn-growers”.

4. The Orthodox Vozdvizhensk First Working Fraternity • In 1889 some school-leavers under the guidance of Nepliuyev wished to unite themselves into the community which was called “The Orthodox Vozdvizhensk First Working Fraternity”. • Nepliuyev’s manor became the material base of the organization.

5. The Attitude of the Society • Innovatory activity of this great man frightened the Central Church Authority. • But M.M. Nepliuyev was in good relations with Romanovs’ family. And in 1894 Alexander III issued an edict about the official status and the rights of juridical person.

6. Activities of the Fraternity • The members of the fraternity worked in the fields, on the farms, in the gardens and forests, on the plants and at schools.

7. Leisure Time They regularly had literary and musical parties. They also had a rich library, a dramatic company of actors, their own symphony orchestra and the orchestra of folk musical instruments.

8. The Fate of Nepliuyev's Fraternity • In 1919 Nepliuyev’s Fraternity became the Soviet Commune. But in 1924 the organization was abolished by the atheistic Soviet power. Its leaders were subjected to repressions.

9. We Reserve the Memory of Great Nepliuyev • Nowadays there are some buildings in Vozdvizhensk which remind us about that unusual human organization. • There is a museum where you can find some photos, books, documents and many interesting things. • You can always see many flowers on Nepliuyev’s grave.