EASTER SHORT STORIES BY I. N. POTAPENKO

Abstract

The article deals with the Easter short stories by I. N. Potapenko, which play an important role in the writer’s work. His stories, written in the best traditions of Easter literature, develop the motifs of spiritual resurrection and renewal, forgiveness, sobornost’, universal brotherhood, participation in the Easter joy of the risen Christ, love for people (“Poetry,” “To embrace the whole world,” “Tar Barrels,” “Aunt Sasha,” “Truly Risen,” “Old Wives’ Tales”). The motif of empathy with the passion of the Lord resounds in “Three Easter holidays.” The phenomenon of false shame associated with an open confession of faith in Christ is explored in “False Shame.” The theme of “the inscrutability of the ways of the Lord” is revealed in “Cheap Purchase.” Memories of childhood or youth form the basis of the majority of the author’s Easter short story plots. Childhood memories associated with the celebration of Easter contribute to the spiritual healing and transformation of the heroes. Some of the Easter short stories are humorous in nature (“Aunt Olya,” “The Castle of Chukcha,” “Arbitration Court”). There is a parody of the Easter genre in “What you can see in a dream.” Most Easter short stories by I. N. Potapenko reflect the Orthodox concept of man with its ideas of salvation of the soul, repentance, redemptive suffering and spiritual transformation. The edifying and heartfelt Easter short stories by I. N. Potapenko remind us of the gospel values, make us reflect on the meaning of life, and urge us not to neglect the salvation of the soul for the sake of earthly well-being.