Oration of John of Damascus on the feast of annunciation in edition and translation of Gavril Stefanovic-Venclovic

Abstract

Gavril Stefanovic Venclovic is, in many ways, a unique figure in Serbian literature. Today, we know this travelling preacher, hieromonk and scribe as the author of a huge collection of handwritings, out of which some less than a half written in folk language. Most of them are translations of Church-Slavonic anthologies to Serbian, with valuable Venclovic?s adaptations and additions to the source text. An Annunciation Day oration by John of Damascus is particularly interesting in that sense. By its dialog form, it was suitable for Venclovic?s literary method, as his numerous additions and adaptations show. Conversations between Archangel Gabriel and Virgin Mary, and Virgin Mary and Joseph get distinct folklore character in Venclovic?s interpretation. This paper brings an overview of Venclovic?s edition of Annunciation Day oration by John of Damascus. In order to provide a broader context, we present a brief history of Annunciation Day celebration, as well as the historical development of this feast?s orations in Christian tradition, with focus on Venclovic?s likely sources. To illustrate his original literal creation, segments without matches in source text are extracted. Language and colloquial tone of Venclovic?s edition have their roots in the source text. However, they are also in line with his enlightenment endeavour, expressed in his effort to reach his listeners in order to pass the orations moral efficiently. For these reasons, Venclovic?s insertions in John?s oration are numerous and represent a sketch of folk spirit from the first half of 18th century, as well as an alternative path along which the written language could have been developed.