A Sermon on the Feast of the Akathist to the Mother of God in a 17th-century Manuscript: Historical and Literary Context and Architectonics

Abstract

The article examines the manuscript collection of sermons of the 17th century "Statir" (Moscow, Russian State Library, Collection of Rumyantsev 411). The book was compiled by a priest from the Church of the Praise of the Mother of God in Orel-gorodok on the River Kama, the estate of the Stroganovs. The manuscript contains 156 homilies for various feasts, from which the text written for the service in honor of the feast of the Mother of God is selected. The historical context of the choice of the sermon's name is explained and the poetics of the sermon is examined. The main originality of the text is seen in the author's vivid presence, the idea of overcoming sinfulness is given a personal evaluation by the preacher. The author seeks to create the effect of people's unity in communion with the perfect image of the Mother of God. The Precept creates a synthesis of epic eschatological expectation and lyrical treatment of the soul. The sermon reveals individual feelings in line with the biography and personal qualities of the author, foreshadowing the future development of Russian philosophical lyricism. © 2021 Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. All rights reserved.