МИЛОСЪРДИЕ И ЛЮБОВ В РАННАТА РУСКА АГИОГРАФИЯ

Abstract

Medieval Russian literature demonstrates the understanding of mercy as a special compulsory variety of asceticism, a specific form of the way to holiness. The manifestation of mercy in the hagiographic literary works is of a different kind and it is present in various layers. When comparing the numerous expressions of mercy it can be established that one and the same motivation lies in their roots, and this motivation is contained in the words: „Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy...“ (Mathew 5: 7). This paper considers the incarnations of the concept of mercy and love in literary works from Kievan Rus.