STYKHYRY BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN ILLINA'S BOOK: OBJECTS OF SYMBOLIZATION

Abstract

The article examines the hymnographic monument of the early Slavic literary Middle Ages - Stykhyry before Christmas, which are contained in the Illina's Book. Jesus Christ is the main object of worship in the Christmas alphabet Stykhyry. Another object of symbolization is the scraper couple (Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary). The third object is the event of the birth of the Liberator of the world. In Stykhyry before Christmas, the literary symbolization of these objects is actively unfolding in all three directions. At the same time, in each direction the symbolization appears not homogeneous, but multifaceted. In the direction of establishing complicity in the phenomenon, three objects fall under the symbolism at once, which is rather an exception than the norm even in the "godly-virgin" hymnography, where the Son of God and the Virgin Mary are usually celebrated together. Images of Christ, the sacred couple, and the event of the Savior's birth are mostly represented by figurative universals with a wide (blossoming scepter) or fixed (unburned bush, seedless fruit, door, etc.) range of hymnographic applications. And in the direction of establishing communion with God, the emphasis is on a special form of interaction between the three incarnations of the Holy Trinity. This form is the manifestation of the gracious all-conquering power - the divine energy that overcomes the devilish realm of sin and liberates man.