ACTUALIZED HISTORY IN THE WORK OF B.K. ZAYTSEV «Venerable SERGIUS of RADONEZH»

Abstract

In the article the religious prose of Boris Konstantinovich Zaytsev is analyzed. It is considered in the context of Russian medieval religiouse literature that was deeply rethinked by Russian emigrant authors. The themes of Ortodox culture and spirituality were very important for them because they believed that their mission was to preserve the pre-revolutionary Russian culture. The story «Venerable Sergius of Radonezh» which is written by B.K. Zaytsev is included in the well-known trilogy of the author about the life of the saints. So we can compare St. Sergius with others. The image of the Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra is presented as a sacred center of Russian Orthodox culture and statehood. Following the words of Epiphanius the Wise and preserving the emotional evenness, Zaytsev lends his interpretation to the key episodes from the life of Sergius and Lavra. Saint Sergius is just an example, favorite by the people themselves – clarity, light transparent and equal. St. Sergius left, in his influence on the world, from the historical framework. Having done his job in life, he remained a figure. We saw Sergius as a thoughtful boy, quietly obedient; a young hermit, and hegumen, and the elder famous Sergius. He is a delicate, modest and selfless man at the same time he is a spiritual leader and a significant public person. The description of the high mission of Sergius is combined with the history of the monastic community of the Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra. Zaytsev demonstrates that the monastery had a significant influence on the Russian medieval society and played an important role in revival of Russian medieval state. The article focuses on the antithesis as one of the compositional techniques of narration. The asceticism of Sergius is shown in the context of the famous ascetics of both Orthodox and Catholic churches.