“The Prayers of the Sinful Prince Semën Shakhovskoi”

Abstract

Abstract Prince Semën Ivanovich Shakhovskoi has long been recognized as a significant figure in early seventeenth-century Russia, mostly for his writings in a range of genres (historical tales, letters, theological treatises, liturgical services, and prayers). He has not, however, attracted the level of attention from scholars that his works deserve. This study examines one subset of his corpus, his prayers, for traces of biography and individuality of this important author. It argues that Shakhovskoi’s prayers are both modeled on Orthodox textual traditions and customized to reflect the events and hardships in his life. The study also shows that Shakhovskoi – a warrior and diplomat – was well-versed in biblical and Church sources, making him a rare figure in the intellectual history of Muscovy: a true secular intellectual.