There is a survey of the state of monasteries at the north-eastern boundaries of the Russian Empire, contemporary for the author. He classifies two groups of male monasteries: dying and flourishing ones. The ‘dying’ monasteries are situated in the European part of the country; the quantity of monks and disciples there is constantly diminishing. These monasteries are out-dated from the economical point of view. The ‘flourishing’ monasteries are located at the boundaries of the European part of the country; the author calls the Solovetsky Monastery the most outstanding one of them.
Describing the ‘flourishing’ monasteries, the author notes that, in spite of the difficult climatic circumstances, these monasteries are able to provide their brethren with enough supply and to attract newcomers and pilgrims. These monasteries are of some ‘spiritual power’; in hard times, they are ready to support the local population – mostly peasants – with ‘a word and a deed’. The ‘dying’ monasteries do not possess such abilities; the author considers this fact as one of the reasons of anti-clerical moods. He is sure that Orthodox monasteries are in need in the European part of the country, they could be a spiritual fundament and support for the local population.