Soteriological context of the image a righteous man in fictional prose of I. S. Shmelyov.

Abstract

The object of this research is the embodiment of the Orthodox anthropological ideal in the works of I. S. Shmelyov. Among multiple images of a righteous man described in the literature, I. S. Shmelyov in his works features “righteousness in the world”. Dilogy “Summer of the Lord” and “Pilgrimage” is selected as an example, namely the image of Gorkin as church-going person among others. His image reflects a peculiar worldview model that reconciles the contradictions of worldly and religious life, due to the dominant of Christocentrism — the uniform principle of an Orthodox person. Through the prism of soteriological attitudes, the author traces in the image of Gorkin the embodiment of the principles of Christian morality, love for the neighbor, and orientation towards the Prototype. The main conclusions consist in development of the original concept of a church-going person, which is based on the Orthodox understanding of human. The author distinguishes between the Orthodox and the abstract spiritual, which is essential for an adequate interpretation of the applied artistic method. Based on Shmelev's reference to the fundamentals of Orthodox anthropology, the interpretation of images suggests using the theological concepts and the elements of patristic teachings. A sequential, rather than fragmentary analysis, is carried out on a specific example of the image of Gorkin. The methodological novelty of such approach lies in the establishment of a profound axiological connection between fiction and Christian anthropology, which underlies the artistic uniqueness of Shmelev's works.