The kisser is the strangest and most mysterious profession that has ever existed in Russia. This name is capable of misleading anyone. Moreover, not only people who are inexperienced in knowledge of the language are confused, but also various writers, critics, and some public figures. In fact, this is a profession that was on the territory of Russia in the 15-18 centuries. Throughout the history of its existence, it has undergone changes, so its definition has changed. This is even more misleading.
General information
The kisser is a kind of administrative term that most often characterized a particular profession. This concept existed in Russia from the 15th to the 18th century.
Kissers were such workers or public figures (akin to modern tax authorities or officials) who kissed the cross. Directly during this process, they began their duties, as they took an oath before the Lord. It was a kind of oath, and to break this word meansbetray God. Therefore, people were afraid to act against the rules.
This position was elective. There was no specific profession that would characterize her. The kissers could perform the following procedures:
- To collect taxes. They took money from the peasants, after which they transferred it to the authorities. A part was kept as an intermediary percentage.
- Search and execute murderers. In the West, in Texas, there was a similar position, when a specific price was assigned to the head of a criminal. This was also the case in Russia, although it did not gain popularity.
- Work at customs. They charged a fee for the goods that they transported through a specific place.
Thus, there were no specifics regarding this position.
First value
Who is a kisser? The meaning of the word is ambiguous. There are two explanations that differ radically from each other. The profession first appeared in the 15th century. Then it did not exist independently. The person who held this position had a great responsibility to the authorities and the people. At the moment, there are "descendants" of the profession - a bailiff, employees of tax authorities.
The kisser is a person who was responsible for collecting taxes, and was also directly involved in the judicial system. He searched for and executed criminals. Each worker was assigned to a certain territory. And when he went beyond it, he became an ordinary person without a position.
It is impossible not to note the choice of the profession. Appointed a personthe people through ordinary voting. Therefore, we can say that the beginnings of democracy appeared in Russia already in the 15th century.
Before Ivan the Terrible became the executive power of Russia, kissers were ordinary workers. They were elected to office by popular vote. At first they were ordinary employees who acted on their own. There was no leadership over them.
Second value
At the end of the Time of Troubles, such a profession as a kisser has changed. The meaning was now focused on bureaucratic activity. Roles and responsibilities have changed. Now the worker only needed to collect taxes or deprive people of their property if they did not pay off their debts to the state in a timely manner.
Speaking of what the kisser did, one cannot fail to note one unique feature. Each month, the employee had to collect a specific amount. And if he raises the bar, then next time it could not be less. If such a situation was observed, then he had to pay the missing funds from his own pocket. Or the kisser was handed over to slavery, where he worked until he paid off his debt.
For obvious reasons, the position in question was not popular. People took risks, because they could collect more taxes than required, providing themselves with a comfortable existence. But, on the other hand, there is a high probability of falling into slavery.
Toward the beginning of the 19th century, the profession gradually fades away. her onthe relevant departments are coming to replace them - tax, customs authorities.
Why did this profession appear?
The kisser is a profession that would definitely appear. The fact is that it was necessary to create a system that would collect taxes. But at the same time it was necessary to minimize bureaucracy. Then it was decided to choose tax collectors among public figures. They came into their own without specific pay.
Another advantage of kissers was that an illiterate person could not go to collect taxes. All people already knew how to read, count and write. Therefore, the state authorities, in order for the tax collections to come into their own hands, did not have to do anything. Thus, a kind of cooperation was formed between public posts and the leaders of the country.
Lip kisser
In Russia there was such a position as "lip kisser". Despite the similarity to something romantic, it meant something completely different. The elders and kissers themselves performed various duties. They included tax collection and dealing with crime.
When a person did something bad, they had to find him and make a trial. As a result, the criminal was either sent to hard labor or executed. And the word "labial" here has a common root with "destroy".
Where does the name "kissing man" come from?
Kissers in Russia are suchpeople who did a certain job. For their obligations, they took responsibility on a voluntary basis. Then there was no employment contract or any other document that had legal force. Therefore, the performer could not be forced to strictly fulfill his obligations to the people and state structures.
However, fear of the law was not enough back then. People were more afraid and afraid of God. Therefore, before taking up a certain position, they kissed the crucifix. That is, a person swore before God that he would responsibly approach the fulfillment of his duties to the people.
At the same time, it was impossible to indicate the presence of a specific position. People were just doing their job. Only then, after some time, they received official employment. First, they needed to show themselves and prove themselves.
Conclusion
Thus, kissers in Russia are people who performed certain duties that are part of the concept of the profession they chose. The position is elective, there has never been specifics. After the 18th century, it lost its significance, but left many modern historians perplexed. After all, the name of an administrative term is often compared with something lyrical, love. But in fact, he has nothing to do with it.
