L'influence du jansénisme en Russie au XVIIIe siècle : Deux épisodes

Abstract

Andrej Shishkin, Boris Uspenskij, Influence of Jansenism in eighteenth-century Russia: two episodes. The article is devoted to the steps taken by Jansenists from the Sorbonne in Russia. During the reign of Peter the Great, the Jansenists endeavored to introduce a dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the union of churches. The numerous autographical variants of "replies" give an idea of the reaction of the Russian clergy to this initiative. An analysis of these texts allows to draw up a picture different from the version accepted by scientists - from Samarin and Chistovich to Winter and Cracraft. The Sorbonne had a new chance to renew its initiative during the reign of Peter II. Influential Russian diplomats and nobles were favorable to the Jansenist endeavors. This also applies to the poet V. Trediakovskii. The part he played in this (which explains many events in his subsequent life) is subjected here to a special investigation.