What is tithe in Rus'? Tithe - what is it? A tithe of land is how much in modern units of measurement

Transfer of a tenth of the property or produced product to the disposal of religious institutions and clergy. This ancient practice was widespread in antiquity, Judaism and neighboring Middle Eastern cultures.

V. z. The tithe commandments emphasize the amount (tenth) of the gift, which reflects the belief in the direct right of God to distribute the grain, wine and oil that people are allowed to produce. At different times in Israel's history, there were different regulations regarding tithing. Before the codification of Deuteronomy, the transfer of tithes was accompanied by local religious festivals in the sanctuary, for example, Amos (probably in connection with Jacob's vow, Gen. 28:22) mentions the tithe brought to Bethel (Amos 4:4). The first offspring of livestock and tithes from the harvest were intended for the festive meal. The priest served in the sanctuary, travelers, widows and orphans shared the meal with those who brought tithes. The unspent portion of the tithe was given to the priests, their assistants, and those in need (Deut. 14:22ff.).

According to Deuteronomy, the first offspring of livestock and tithes were brought to the main sanctuary, to Jerusalem (*at the place that He would choose for His name to dwell there,” 14:23), families and Levites from different cities were required to visit Jerusalem to participate in feast. If the journey was delayed and the tithe proved too difficult to supply, it was permitted to sell the tithe and buy all that was necessary for Jerusalem (v. 24ff.) But still this system did not adequately provide for the needs of the needy, so every third year it was prescribed to leave tithe in the native city (v. 2829; 26:1215) It was distributed among the Levites, strangers, orphans and widows, who could not provide food for themselves.

The delivery of the tithe to Jerusalem changed its very content. It has largely evolved from donating part of the harvest to something akin to a cult tax. In addition, the concentration of the liturgical cult in Jerusalem entailed the need of the temple priesthood for something like a permanent income. During the period of captivity, tithes became one of the taxes paid to the clergy. In post-captivity texts, the cult meal is no longer mentioned; During this period, tithes were stored in storehouses (Neh. 10:38; Mal. 3:10). She was no longer delivered to Jerusalem, but was given to the local Levites (Neh. 10:3738). Thus, the tithe actually turned into a tax.

There are only a few references to tithing in the NT. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for paying tithes (Greek:apodekatoo) but not fulfilling other important requirements of the law regarding justice, mercy, and faith (Matt. 23:23; cf. Luke 11:42). Luke tells of a Pharisee praying in the Temple: “...I give a tenth of all that I acquire” (18:12). In Hebrews 7:6; 8:9 has three references to Genesis that mention tithes.

In the early Church, members were required to pay tithes. Unlike in. h. rules it was considered as the absolute minimum of necessary donations, it was paid from all income; The Didache commands that the “firstfruits” be given from “money, clothing, all property” (13:7).

In later church history, the obligation to pay tithes always conflicted with Christ’s commandment to sell all property and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:21), as well as with Paul’s teaching, according to which Christ bears freedom from the requirements of the law (Gal. 5 :1). КVVIbb. the practice of tithing was firmly established in the historical Christian regions of the West, and in the 8th century. Carolingian rulers made the payment of church tithes part of state law.

By the 12th century The monks, who were previously forbidden to directly accept tithes in Crimea (and they paid the monks themselves), were given some freedom and were allowed to directly receive tithes and not pay them. Disputes often flared up: some tried to evade payment, others tried to appropriate the income from the tithe.

Medieval tithes were divided into land tithes (harvest fruits), personal tithes (results of labor) and mixed tithes (livestock products). In addition, they were divided into large ones (barley, oats, wood), which were transferred to the parish priest or abbot of the local monastery, and small ones, which included all other types of land tithes plus mixed and personal tithes.

In England, especially by the 16th century, the issue of tithes became a subject of constant conflict, since the welfare of the state Church depended on its payment. The attempts of Archbishop Lodado in 1640 to increase the volume of tithe payments were due to serious socio-political and economic reasons. The English Puritans and other groups advocated the abandonment of tithes in favor of voluntary offerings earmarked for the clergy. But the most heated and bitter controversy was caused by the issue of tithes during the Civil War. After it, the legally established practice of tithing lasted until the 20th century.

1) Tithe- - in favor of clergy, the church, a tenth of the monetary and natural income of believers. Existed among many peoples in ancient times. It is mentioned in the Bible, which is what justified it. It was preserved in feudal Europe and serfdom Russia until it was replaced by other forms of collecting funds from the clergy. obligatory for Adventists.

2) Tithe- - a voluntary gift to God, known to Jews since the times of Abraham (Gen. 14.20) and Jacob (Gen. 28.22). The law required tithes to be given from all the produce of the field (Lev 27.30; Deut 14.22) and from the herd (Lev 27.32), which went to the Levites, who did not have their own inheritance (Numbers 18.21). The Levites allocated tithes from their tithes to the priests (Numbers 18.26-28). Every third year, called the year of tithes (De 26:12), the Israelite used tithes in the place where he lived to feed the poor, orphans, strangers and Levites (De 14:28-29). All this was done to learn to fear the Lord (Deut 14.23), while it was necessary to confirm the correctness of tithing (Deut 26.13-14). (See sacrifice)

3) Tithe- a tenth of the income collected from the population for the benefit of the church. In Christianity, tithes have been known since the 3rd century. as a voluntary donation from believers. The requirement to pay tithes was first expressed by the church in 585 at the Council of Macon. In France, tithes were abolished during the French Revolution.

4) Tithe- - land measure in Russia, equal to 1.09 hectares. Church tithe is one tenth of income collected from the population for the benefit of the church.

5) Tithe- - land measure in Rus', equal to 2400 - 2500 sq. fathoms or 1.09 hectares. (cancelled as of September 1, 1927). There was also a church tithe, which amounted to a tenth of the harvest or other income collected from the population by the church; it was first introduced by Prince Vladimir the Baptist (980 - 1015). He gave a tenth of his income for the construction of the Tithe Church in the 10th century. Church tithes were abolished at the end of the 19th century.

6) Tithe- 1) Church tithe - a tenth of the income collected by the church from the population. In Rus' the book was established. Vladimir the Saint shortly after the Baptism of Rus' and was originally intended for the Kyiv Tithe Church, and then acquired the character of a widespread tax levied by church organizations (but not monasteries). 2) Church district, part of a diocese in Russia BC. XVIII century At the head of the tithe was the tithe, whose functions were partially transferred from 1551 to the priestly elders and tithe priests. 3) Russian land measure. Known since the 15th century. Initially, the tithe was measured in two quarters and was a square with sides of 0.1 versts (2500 sq. fathoms). The land survey instruction of 1753 determined the size of the government tithe to be 2,400 square meters. fathoms (1.0925 ha). In the XVIII - AD. XX century economic, or oblique, tithe (80x40=3200 sq. fathoms), economic round tithe (60x60=3600 sq. fathoms), hundred (100x100=10,000 sq. fathoms), melon (80x10=800 sq. fathoms) and etc. It was abolished due to the transition to the metric system of measures in 1918.

7) Tithe- - Russian measure of area equal to 2400 square meters. fathoms (1.09 ha). In the XVIII - beginning. XIX centuries the sovereign (economic) was used - 3200 sq. fathoms (1.45 ha).

8) Tithe- land measure equal to 2400 square meters. fathoms (1.09 hectares, so-called state D.). In the 18th - early 19th centuries. owner's, or economic, D. was also used, equal to 3200 sq. fathoms (1.45 ha). Church tax, amounting to a tenth of the harvest or other income, was collected from the population for the needs of the church.

Tithe

Deduction in favor of clergy, the church of a tenth of the cash and in-kind income of believers. Existed among many peoples in ancient times. It is mentioned in the Bible, which is how the clergy justified the need to observe this custom. It was preserved in feudal Europe and serfdom Russia until it was replaced by other forms of collecting funds for the maintenance of churches and the clergy. Now it is obligatory among Adventists.

A voluntary gift to God, known to Jews since the times of Abraham (Gen. 14.20) and Jacob (Gen. 28.22). The law required tithes to be given from all the produce of the field (Lev 27.30; Deut 14.22) and from the herd (Lev 27.32), which was used to support the Levites, who did not have their own inheritance (Numbers 18.21). The Levites allocated tithes from their tithes to the priests (Numbers 18.26-28). Every third year, called the year of tithes (De 26:12), the Israelite used tithes in the place where he lived to feed the poor, orphans, strangers and Levites (De 14:28-29). All this was done to learn to fear the Lord (Deut 14.23), while it was necessary to confirm the correctness of tithing (Deut 26.13-14). (See sacrifice)

a tenth of the income collected from the population for the benefit of the church. In Christianity, tithes have been known since the 3rd century. as a voluntary donation from believers. The requirement to pay tithes was first expressed by the church in 585 at the Council of Macon. In France, tithes were abolished during the French Revolution.

Land measure in Russia equal to 1.09 hectares. Church tithe is one tenth of income collected from the population for the benefit of the church.

Land measure in Rus', equal to 2400 - 2500 sq. fathoms or 1.09 hectares. (cancelled as of September 1, 1927). There was also a church tithe, which amounted to a tenth of the harvest or other income collected from the population for the maintenance of the church; it was first introduced by Prince Vladimir the Baptist (980 - 1015). He gave a tenth of his income for the construction of the Tithe Church in the 10th century. Church tithes were abolished at the end of the 19th century.

1) Church tithe - a tenth of the income collected by the church from the population. In Rus' the book was established. Vladimir the Saint shortly after the Baptism of Rus' and was originally intended for the Kyiv Tithe Church, and then acquired the character of a widespread tax levied by church organizations (but not monasteries). 2) Church district, part of a diocese in Russia BC. XVIII century At the head of the tithe was the tithe, whose functions were partially transferred from 1551 to the priestly elders and tithe priests. 3) Russian land measure. Known since the 15th century. Initially, the tithe was measured in two quarters and was a square with sides of 0.1 versts (2500 sq. fathoms). The land survey instruction of 1753 determined the size of the government tithe to be 2,400 square meters. fathoms (1.0925 ha). In the XVIII - AD. XX century economic, or oblique, tithe (80x40=3200 sq. fathoms), economic round tithe (60x60=3600 sq. fathoms), hundred (100x100=10,000 sq. fathoms), melon (80x10=800 sq. fathoms) and etc. It was abolished due to the transition to the metric system of measures in 1918.

Russian measure of area equal to 2400 square meters. fathoms (1.09 ha). In the XVIII - beginning. XIX centuries the sovereign (economic) was used - 3200 sq. fathoms (1.45 ha).

land measure equal to 2400 sq. fathoms (1.09 hectares, so-called state D.). In the 18th - early 19th centuries. owner's, or economic, D. was also used, equal to 3200 sq. fathoms (1.45 ha). Church tax, amounting to a tenth of the harvest or other income, was collected from the population for the needs of the church.

The tithe was a measure of a piece of land that had the shape of a rectangular parallelogram with two options for its sides:

• 80 and 30 fathoms - “thirty”;
• 60 and 40 fathoms - “forty”.

It was given the name “state tithe” and made the main Russian measure of land.

Interpretation of this concept

Tithe is a Russian unit of measurement in ancient times regarding land area, which was equated to 2,400 square fathoms (about 1.09 hectares) and was used in Rus' before the introduction of a special metric system.

It is also worth defining the term “sazhen” - a Russian measure of length, which is determined by the average size of the human body. So, for example, a small fathom is from the shoulder to the floor, and an oblique one is from the inside of the foot of the left foot to the top point of the fingers of the raised right hand.

Facts from history regarding this concept

It is known that at the end of the 15th century it was customary to measure land area in two quarters. A tithe of land was a geometric figure like a square with sides equal to 1/10 of a verst (2500 sq. fathoms). In accordance with the boundary instructions dating back to 1753, its size was equal to 2,400 square fathoms (1.0925 hectares).

Typology of Old Russian land measure

During the period of the late XVIII - early XX centuries. tithe was also used, the area of ​​which was represented by such varieties as:

1. Oblique - 80 by 40 fathoms (3200 squares).
2. Round - 60 by 60 fathoms (3600 squares).
3. Hundred - 100 by 100 fathoms (10,000 squares).
4. Bakhchevaya - 80 by 10 fathoms (800 squares), etc.

Then, at the end of the October Revolution, due to the transition to the metric system, according to the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR, dated September 14, 1918, the tithe measure was limited in use, and from September 1, 1927 it was prohibited altogether.

Together with it, other units of measurement common at that time remained in the past:

• inch (0.045 m);
• arshin (0.71 m);
• verst (1.06 km);
• fathom (2.13 m).

It is worth recalling once again that a tithe of land was equal in terms of our units of measurement to 1.09 hectares.

Another aspect of the use of the concept in question

Tithe in Ancient Rus' is also a kind of tax levied in favor of the clergy, authorities or religious community. To collect it, there was even a special official at the bishops' departments - the ten-man.

In that era, tithes were also small-sized districts in dioceses, which were administered by the above-mentioned officials, and then by priestly elders. In addition to them, ten priests subsequently arise in these districts, performing some of the duties of the above-mentioned official. They were chosen in Moscow at the beginning of the 18th century.

Origin of the term in question

It is worth recalling once again that tithes in Ancient Rus' were paid by the Russians to the horde during the era of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. The management system in those days was represented by such positions as foreman, centurion, thousander, prince. And in this form it existed for hundreds of years. As has already become clear, this system contains a cognate word - foreman. This is no coincidence.

This word means an elective position, that is, one candidate is selected from ten who are well known to each other, for example, peasants. This man was busy resolving various kinds of issues within a given community and represented its interests within the village, hundreds, etc. He was helped by the rest of the community members - the peasants.

This support was both physical in nature - working out additional time on the foreman's farm, and a kind of material - transferring part of one's harvest. Thus, 1 tithe was equal to 10% of either working time or harvest. This was the so-called contribution, which was made by each member of the community, except the foreman himself, into the common cause.

Material form of tithe

These could be fruits, grains, vegetables, wine, and later animals, which were regarded as the product of the earth. The tribute in question never acted as money, since the Law of Moses states that it belongs to the Lord from all the products of the earth. The money was used exclusively for its purchase in the city and never acted as a substitute equivalent.

Tithe was tribute in the form of animals and gifts of land. Nowhere in the scriptures is it stated that these can be bills or bank checks that must be placed on the church tray every week, as is the case in modern church institutions at the corresponding cathedrals.

Tithe: how much is it?

It is known that according to biblical texts, Israel was commanded to sacrifice tithes for seven years. It was divided into three types. According to the Old Testament, the first tithe was transferred to the priests and Levites in the amount of 10 - 100% of the total production of the earth for the first six-year cycle.

The second was given on holidays and amounted to 10 - 90% of the remainder after the tithe was transferred to the Levites. She was eaten before the face of the Lord. This tithe was allocated only for the first, second, fourth and fifth years. The third - was given to the poor in the amount of 10 - 90%. The type of tribute in question was deferred exclusively to the third and sixth years. None of its types were carried over to the seventh (Saturday) year.

Answer the question: “How much is a tithe?” - in the modern aspect, even the church ministers themselves find it difficult.

History of tithing in Christianity

We first heard about this concept from the Old Testament. This mention was made in the context that all the gifts of the Earth belong to the Lord, and withholding even the smallest part of it was regarded as an act of theft from God. Not a single believer even thought about not paying tithes.

In the Old Testament era, there was no temple or church, so Noah, Abel and other believers made tithes directly in the open air. If desired, each person was allowed to build a personal altar where tribute could be offered to God.

However, after some time, the Lord chose people and specific people to carry out worship services and tithe collection procedures. Everyone, without exception, brought it during the wanderings of Moses three times during the year.

Thus, tithe is a kind of assistance to the temple, consisting in supporting its activities and ministry, which acted as wages for priests, as well as their assistants preaching both in homes and in the temple.

Such rituals were carried out before the coming of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion on Golgotha. This kind of sacrifice was followed by the destruction of the temple in Kalvaria, and some Christians interpreted this as the abolition of tithes. However, you can see that no one canceled it. Even in the absence of temples, tithes still continued to be given, because they were a necessary means for the secular existence of both the clergy and religion in general. It became not so much a means of ensuring life, but rather a kind of symbol of faith and obedience.

Tithes were collected for the priests and apostles who preached their sermons both in Jerusalem and throughout the world. To confirm the words of Jesus regarding the continued existence of the laws on its collection contained in the texts of the Old Testament, adherents of Christianity give an example from his speech: “I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.”

The meaning of the number 10 in Christianity

It expresses a kind of perfection in relation to the divine order and acts as the third number in the sacred chain - 3, 7, 10. The number "ten" indicates the absence of deficiency, that the complete cycle is completed. And the tribute in question expresses exactly as much as is necessary.

The following points in sacred history, marked by the number 10, can be emphasized, namely:

1. The end of the era of antiquity by Noah occurred in the 10th century (Gen. 5).

2. Ten fundamental sacred commandments in Christianity.

3. The Lord's Prayer consists of ten main points.

4. The tithe was represented by what a person should give to God.

5. The redemption of the soul was expressed in 10 ger. (0.5 shekel).

6. The ten plagues represented God's cycle of judgment on Egypt (Ex. 9:14).

7. The power of the Antichrist implied 10 kingdoms, expressed by the ten horns of the fourth beast and the ten toes of the image of Nebuchadnezzar. There were ten nations that Abraham would have according to the promise.

8. 10 curtains covered the tabernacle (Ex. 26:1).

9. Fire came down from heaven exactly 10 times.

10. The ten virgins express the fullness of those called: faithful and unfaithful.

Thus, this number was not chosen by the Lord by chance, since, once again, it is worth recalling that this is the third number associated with perfection.

Afterword

Summarizing all of the above, we can distinguish three main definitions of the term in question, in particular:

1. Church tithe was a tenth of the total income, which was collected by church institutions from the population. In Ancient Rus', it was established by Prince Vladimir the Saint after the Great and was intended for Kyiv and subsequently acquired the color of a widespread tax levied by the relevant religious organizations, except for monasteries.

2. Tithes served as a church district in Russia, a certain part of the diocese until the beginning of the 18th century. At the head was a person holding a special position - a foreman. From the beginning of 1551, its functions were partially transferred to the tenth priests and priestly elders.

3. Tithe of land - an old Russian measure of the area of ​​a land plot. Since the end of the 15th century, it was initially calculated in two quarters and had the form of a square, the sides of which were equal to 0.1 verst (2500 sq. fathoms). Subsequently, according to the survey instructions dating back to 1753, the measure of land in question was equal to 2,400 square fathoms (1.0925 hectares).

As for the modern perception of this biblical law regarding tithes, each believer decides for himself whether he should pay the tribute discussed above or not and in what amount.

The noun "tithe" appeared in the Russian language several centuries ago. Over the course of its existence, it has acquired several meanings, and some of them are no longer relevant today. However, this is not a reason to forget them - after all, they are part of history. Let's find out what this word once meant and how it is interpreted today.

Tithe as a unit of measurement

Before the Revolution of 1917, every resident of Tsarist Russia knew that a tithe was a unit for measuring land area.

This measure arose and was actively used during the times of Kievan Rus. True, at that historical period it did not yet have a precisely defined size. The most common type of tithe in Ancient Rus' was a square with a side length of 50 fathoms (another obsolete unit of measurement, equal to 2.16 m). Its total area was equal to one tenth of a square verst. This, by the way, is where the name “tithe” came from.

It is worth noting that there were several types of them. At the same time, the most common was the so-called government tithe, which appeared in official documentation. It was this that was the most frequently used land measure in the Russian Empire until its decline.

At the same time, the government tithe was a different figure. Not a square piece of land, but a rectangular one. It was called depending on the length of its smaller side - “thirty” (with sizes of 80 and 30 fathoms) or “forty” (60 and 40 fathoms).

History of tithes in Rus' and Tsarist Russia

The first written mentions of this unit of measurement date back to the 14th century. But, given the number of wars throughout Rus', accompanied by fires in which documents were lost, historians believe that tithes as a measure began to be actively used earlier.

As mentioned above, for several centuries this unit did not have an exact size, and therefore differed in different historical eras. Because of this, in different periods the amount of territory recorded in documents belonging to a particular person could change. This, naturally, caused numerous disputes and redistributions.

To solve a similar problem, government tithes were introduced already in 1753 (this is 2,400 square fathoms). It was this type, along with the household scythe, the household round, the hundred and the melon scythe, that was actively used until the introduction of the metric system. This event occurred after the October Revolution in September 1918.

By the way, despite such a change, the tithe continued to play the role of a unit of measurement for another nine years, until a categorical ban on its use was imposed in 1927.

A tithe of land is how much in modern units of measurement

This measure has long been outdated, but mention of it can often be found in the literature. Moreover, these are not only works of classics written several centuries ago, but also some modern historical novels. In this regard, their readers are often interested in knowing the answer to the question: a tithe of land is how much in acres, hectares or even square meters? After all, in this way they can better imagine the size of the territory in which the work takes place.

In the works of the 18th-19th centuries, as a rule, we are talking about a government unit, and it is equal to 10,925 m². If we translate this into hundreds, a tithe will be 109.25 ares, or 1.0925 hectares. As for other types, in addition to the breech one, the round economic one is most often mentioned. In size it exceeds the economic oblique and is equal to 3600 square fathoms. Knowing this, you can calculate: a round economic tithe is how many acres (ar)? The correct answer is 163.881.

By the way, conversion from units of the metric system can be done using almost any online calculator of measures and quantities. Usually it indicates the government tithe of land. But there are also more advanced programs of this kind, in which hectares and acres can be converted into some other type of this measure. Most often - to the economic circle. So, if you have time and desire, you can try.

Another way to interpret the word

In addition to the name of the unit of measurement, the described noun was used in the administrative-territorial division of the Patriarchal region in the Russian Empire in the 17th-18th centuries. At that time, tithe was a unit of measurement for church administrative districts into which the diocese was divided. The head of each of them was called the "tenman". At the end of the 19th century. a similar name was replaced by the term "deanery".

"Tith" as a toponym

The word being studied also became the name of some settlements that are part of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. In Russia, this is a small town in the Vologda region and a village in the Novgorod region. On the territory of Ukraine, this is the name of a village located in the western part of the country - in the Volyn region.

The meaning of the word "tithe" from a religious point of view

The term being studied has another way of interpretation, and in this meaning it continues to be actively used to this day. This is the name of the tax in favor of the church, equal to a tenth of the income of each parishioner.

Most often, this tax is typical for Christian denominations, as well as Judaism. It is interesting that in different periods of history the attitude towards it was different. At one time, the collection of tithes was carried out by the state, and this tax was mandatory. In other periods, the payment of this tax became voluntary.

The history of the tithe

It is generally accepted that the emergence of the tradition of donating a tenth of what was purchased to the needs of the temple is associated with the name of the legendary Abraham. According to legend, after the Lord gave the man victory over his many enemies, in gratitude he donated a tenth of all the spoils to the Jerusalem high priest Melchizedek. Subsequently, this tradition became popular among the descendants of Abraham.

Tithe among Jews

The tithe became a mandatory tax for any Jew during the time of Moses. After liberation from Egyptian slavery, the descendants of Abraham faced the need not only to create a new independent state, but also a system of laws by which its citizens would live. The Bible says that the Jews did not have to come up with laws and rules. Indeed, during their stay in the desert, the Almighty himself gave them the Law by which they had to live and believe. It was here that the tithe first became a compulsory tax.

In the case of the Jewish people, the existence of such a tax was completely justified. The fact is that one of the tribes of Israel (Levites) took on the functions of priests. So that they could fully fulfill the duties related to the service of God and not be distracted, the remaining eleven tribes took upon themselves the responsibility for their maintenance (the Levites were the only ones who did not have their own land). Tithes were collected for this purpose.

In turn, each of the priests also gave one tenth of the money, food or goods they received for the needs of the chief of them, the high priest. It is worth noting that the Levites spent the funds received in this way not only for their own needs, but also for charity, supporting widows and orphans.

Tithe in Christianity

With the emergence of Christianity, many Jewish traditions were laid into its basis, among them the aforementioned tax. Initially, it was not mandatory, and you could pay it at your own discretion. But there were always not very many people willing to donate. Moreover, before Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, most of the people professing it were not rich.

When all the citizens of Rome voluntarily and forcibly became Christians, the rich were in no hurry to part with a tenth of their property. To encourage them, in 567 AD. e. At the Council of Tours, it was decided to present the tithe as an optional tax. At the same time, emphasizing that paying it testifies to the true faith of the parishioner.

However, such an attempt to put pressure on conscience did not have the expected effect, since owners of huge fortunes are often deprived of it. Therefore, most of them continued not to pay taxes or did so extremely irregularly. Thus, the new law affected only poor parishioners, who had already tried to tithe. After this failure, in 585, at the Council of Macon, this tax was declared mandatory, and those who did not pay it were excommunicated from the church.

A little more than two hundred years later, Charlemagne went even further and imposed criminal penalties on all defaulters, depending on their maliciousness. At the same time, the king also put forward a number of demands for the clergy. In particular, they were allowed to spend only one third of the money they received on themselves, the second part went to the construction and maintenance of church buildings, and the third was to be spent on charity.

Unfortunately, all that remained of Charlemagne’s wonderful idea (to use tithes for good deeds, and not just to satisfy the growing needs of the clergy) was soon only the obligation to pay it. Moreover, in future years, the church began to demand not only part of the income from agriculture (as it was initially), but also from all other activities. It got to the point that even prostitutes were forced to bring tithes to the temple, not forgetting to reproach them for their unworthiness of the craft.

In the next few centuries, real battles took place over the division of the collected tithes. Thus, not only the Pope demanded the lion's share of all money to maintain his court, but also many European monarchs. At the same time, the common people, merchants, knights and less noble nobility were not happy with the growing number of parasites. Therefore, with the beginning of the Reformation era, most European countries gradually began to abolish this compulsory tax and other religious levies. Currently, tithing is not a mandatory tax among most Christian denominations. At the same time, many of them returned to the principle of the Council of Tours in 567.

Church tithe

With the adoption of Christianity in Kievan Rus, as in other states, the mentioned tax was introduced. However, unlike European countries, all its burden fell on the princely shoulders. In other words, after the ruler collected tithes from the lands of his subjects, it was he who paid this tax. Moreover, from their own income as well.

Tithes among the Ottomans

A similar tax was used not only among Jews and Christians, but also in some Muslim countries.

Thus, during the Ottoman Empire, the inhabitants of the Bulgaria they conquered were forced to pay tithes. True, it did not go to the needs of the clergy, but to the Turkish feudal lords. Unlike the Europeans, the Ottomans at least told citizens honestly who and where their money was going, and not hiding behind the name of God to carry out extortions.

“tithe” today has many meanings. Originally goes back to Hebrew; ancient Greek; Latin: decima, which in religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, etc.) means a ten percent donation to the community.
The roots of tithe go back to ancient times, before the time of Moses, goes back to the time of Abraham, and then it became a rule (canon) in the Torah, as stated in the Bible (Old Testament, Torah, Book of Deuteronomy 12:17; 14:22-23).
The Tanakh says that tithes were known to the Jews for a very long time: the tithe begins from the moment Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils, which he received from the four kings he defeated, to Melchizedek, the high priest. The tithe included lands, herds, and it went to the Levites, who did not have their own land, for the benefit of it, it was a source of subsistence for them.
The Levites, in turn, assigned a tenth to the high priest. Instead of tithing in kind, it was possible to tithe in money (money substitution).
In Western Europe, tithe was initially a voluntary offering: it is the donation of a tenth of income to a church parish, but over time the church introduced a rule on compulsory tithing: in 567, the Council of Tours invited believers to contribute tithes, and in 585, the Council of Macon already prescribed under the threat of excommunication give tithes to the church. Since 779, during the time of Charlemagne, this was turned into a duty imposed by state law on everyone under the threat of criminal punishment (for the Saxons - the death penalty). Charlemagne ordered that the tithe be divided into three parts: for pilgrims, the poor and wanderers, for the clergy, and for the construction and decoration of churches.
Over time, the clergy increased the severity of the tithe tax, which was first demanded from agriculture; tithes began to be demanded from all profit-generating activities, even immoral ones (from the 12th century, Pope Alexander III). At the same time, the church itself increasingly evaded the proper purpose of the tithe. Relying on the support and protection of the feudal lords, abbots and bishops often gave tithes to their neighboring lords, which led to a peculiar side of feudalism in the church. The strengthening of royal power forced the clergy to share with the kings, then the popes began to demand part of the tithe in their favor. All this led to a situation where tithing became the subject of controversy between certain categories of society in the Middle Ages (especially Poland).
The era deprived the Catholic Church in a significant part of Protestant countries of income and possessions, which ended up in the hands of secular power and the nobility. The so-called process of secularization dealt a serious blow to church tithes.
Tithes survived in England despite attempts to abolish them during the 17th century revolution. Tithing continued to exist in Catholic states. In France, the period of abolition of tithes began in 1789, the revolution completely destroyed it, the clergy began to be supported by the state, and due to this, the value of land property rose by one tenth. Then the tithe was abolished in Germany (and its other states) and in Switzerland.
In Russia, tithe existed in the form of a tax. At first it was introduced in some principalities, and was only a tax on the income of the princes, but not on the entire population. Some time later, the districts began to be called tithes - the diocese (currently deaneries) was divided into them.
In such districts, the officials who were appointed to command by the bishops were called tithes - collecting tribute from monasteries and parishes in favor of the bishop's house was part of their duties. After the Council of the Hundred Heads, in addition to the tithes, priests of the tens appeared, to whom part of the responsibilities of the tens were transferred. In Moscow they were chosen back in the 18th century. They were called customers, archpriests, deans.