PHILANTHROPY IN CONSTANTINOPOLITAN MONASTERIES AND THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN THE PALAIOLOGAN PERIOD

The institution of monasticism was a vital component of the Byzantine social and economic life especially in terms of their philanthropic functions. Almost entire Byzantine society was attached to monastic foundations which satisfied various needs of the destitute people depending on their economic bases throughout the empire’s history. Therefore, the visibility of the institution of monasticism within the Byzantine society was mainly based on its philanthropic activities and charitable institutions that built the bridge between people from different social strata. After all, these philanthropic activities and institutions necessitated a strong economic power to remain to function. However, the economic hardships within the Palaiologan period had a negative impact even on the wealthiest monasteries of the late Byzantine Empire and their philanthropic activities. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the nature of the financial resources of Constantinopolitan monasteries that made philanthropic activities possible in order to have a better comprehension of the Late Byzantine socio-economic history