MONASTICISM

МОНАШЕСТВО

Павленко Вита Анатольевна

студент, Институт общественных наук и массовых коммуникаций, Белгородский национальный исследовательский университет,

РФ, г. Белгород

ABSTRACT

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of Russian monasticism. The article describes the historical and cultural features of the development of Russian monasticism and Orthodox church and monastic culture.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Статья посвящена феномену русского монашества. В статье рассмотрены историко-культурные особенности развития русского монашества и православной церковно-монашеской культуры.

Keywords: the history of the Church, monasticism.

Ключевые слова: история Церкви, монашество.

The topic of the study remains relevant in light of the almost two-thousand-year history of Orthodox monasticism. Its most ancient stage is of particular interest, not only because later periods of history are more meaningful and informative, and therefore are subject to more detailed study, but also because the essence of monasticism, which is still the support of the Church and everyone, is based on the strongest foundation of the Gospel of Christ. her member, ensuring their durability and strength. It should also be noted that the origin and development of monasticism are closely related to the formation of the Orthodox Church. The Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov, the holy Optina elders, whose times are relatively close to ours, are contemporaries of the Venerable Anthony the Great. In each of them the unity of the earthly Church with the Heavenly Church, of time and eternity is clearly visible.

The historical and cultural features of the development of Russian monasticism and monasteries in the 11th-13th centuries reflect the rich and multifaceted development of Orthodox church and monastic culture during this period.

Influence of Byzantium and Western Europe: In the 11th-13th centuries, Russian monasticism was strongly influenced by both Byzantine and Western cultural traditions. This was manifested in architecture, icon painting, liturgical practices and rituals, which often had parallels with similar phenomena in Byzantium and Western Europe.

The flourishing of monastic communities: In the XI-XIII centuries there was a significant flourishing of monastic communities and monasteries in Rus'. Monasteries became centers of cultural and spiritual development, where handwritten books were created, iconographic masterpieces were developed, and scientific research was conducted.

The emergence of local centers of holiness: During this period, many monasteries arose in Rus', becoming centers of holiness and spiritual asceticism. Monasteries such as the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and others attracted many admirers and became places of pilgrimage.

Formation of religious education: In the XI-XIII centuries, the active formation of a system of religious education began in monasteries. Future clergy, monks and laymen studied here, gaining knowledge in the fields of theology, writing and other sciences.

The study of monasticism has attracted many researchers from various disciplines, including historians, religious scholars, linguists and archaeologists.

Russian historian O.A. Platonov, who made a significant contribution to the study of the history and culture of Ancient Rus', including monasticism.

Interest in the study of monasticism and monasteries is aroused by the work of E. E. Golubinsky “History of the Russian Church”. This work has a separate section devoted to the history of monasteries. It touches on various aspects of the emergence of monasticism in Rus', presents brief descriptions of monastic regulations, analyzes the features of management and financial support of monasteries, as well as the characteristics of the monastic way of life. [1].

Dmitry Sergeevich Likhachev is a famous Russian researcher of the history and culture of Russia, who has conducted a lot of research on the topic of ancient Russian monasticism. Significant contributions to the study of Orthodox monasticism in the East were made by P. Kazansky [2], I.I. Sokolov. in his work “The state of monasticism in the Byzantine Church from the middle of the 9th to the beginning of the 13th century” [5], as well as Klyuchevsky V.O. in his work “Ancient Russian Lives of Saints as a Historical Source” [3]. Igor Steblin-Kamensky is a Russian historian, a specialist in the history of religion, who studied monasticism in Ancient Rus' and its role in the formation of Russian culture. Alexey Viktorovich Schmidt is a Russian religious scholar, author works on religious life in Rus', including monasticism. Ivan Lazarevich Lazarev is a Russian researcher of the history and culture of Ancient Rus', who also studied monasticism and its influence on society. These and many other researchers have made significant contributions to our understanding of monasticism in Ancient Rus', its history, practices and influence on various aspects of Russian culture and society.

The prehistory of Russian monasticism is rich in history, intertwining spiritual aspirations, cultural influences and social changes.

In the early Middle Ages, when Christianity was just beginning to penetrate Rus', monasticism as an institution already existed in Byzantium and in the West. The first monasteries in Rus' appeared in the 9th-10th centuries under the influence of Byzantine culture. Monasticism played an important role in the formation and spread of Christianity, as well as in the preservation of cultural and religious traditions.

An important stage in the history of Russian monasticism was the adoption of Orthodoxy by Russia at the end of the 10th century. This event became a turning point in the development of monastic life in Rus' and led to the emergence of many new monasteries.

During the Middle Ages, Russian monasticism continued to develop, sometimes experiencing difficult times due to political and social upheaval. Monasteries became centers of spiritual life, education and culture, attracting many who wanted to adopt the monastic lifestyle.

During the period of the Russian Empire and during Soviet rule, monasticism also continued to exist, although it was subject to various persecutions and restrictions. During the Soviet period, many monasteries were closed or turned into other institutions, but some were still able to survive.

Researchers of Russian monasticism in the second half of the 11th - early 14th centuries pay attention to this time as the “Golden Age of Russian Holiness.” During this period, Russian monasticism reached its heyday, when many outstanding spiritual personalities, saints and elders, left their mark on the history of Orthodoxy.

St. Sergius of Radonezh, founder of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, is considered one of the key figures of this time. His spiritual guidance and strict asceticism attracted many followers and contributed to the spread of the monastic lifestyle.

Also, this period is associated with the names of St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Alexander of Svir, St. Seraphim of Sarov and other saints and elders. Their lives and deeds inspired many believers and left an indelible mark on the history of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Researchers pay special attention to this period, considering it as the period of the highest flowering of spiritual life and religious culture in the history of Rus'. The great ascetics of that time are considered symbols of true Orthodox holiness, which continues to inspire believers and researchers to this day.

Modern Russian monasticism continues to live and develop, playing an important role in the spiritual life of the country and representing an important element of its cultural heritage.

References:

1. Golubinsky, E. History of the Russian Church. In 2 volumes, T.I. The first half of the volume: The first period, Kiev or pre-Mongol / E. Golubinsky. – M.: Krutitskoye Patriarchal Compound: Society of Church History Lovers, 2002. – P. 563
2. Kazansky P. S. History of Orthodox Russian monasticism, from the founding of the Caves Monastery by Saint Anthony to the founding of the Holy Trinity Lavra by Saint Sergius / P. S. Kazansky. – M., 1855. – pp. 50-54, 76
3. Klyuchevsky V. O. Old Russian lives of saints as a historical source / V. Klyuchevsky. – M., 1872. – P.105.
4. Platonov, O.A. The story of bygone years. / O.A. Platonov. – M.: Institute of Russian Civilization, Homeland, 2014. – P. 544.
5. Sokolov I. I. The state of monasticism in the Byzantine Church from the middle of the 9th to the beginning of the 13th century [Electronic source] / I. I. Sokolov. – St. Petersburg, 2003. Access mode: http://jerry-01.livejournal.com/8336.html