Russian Literature
Russian literature: History
Overview
Russian literature has long been a cultural focus of the entire world. It's not surprising that the formation of Russia's first literary traditions goes back to the first century. The adoption of Christianity boosted the development of literacy, philosophy and theological literature. The earliest literary works were not written in the Russian language but in Old Church Slavonic which was developed in the 9th century by Greek missionaries Cyril and Methodius.
Old Church Slavonic became the liturgical language of the Orthodox Church, prompting literary activity in Russia.
In 988 Vladimir I, Grand Duke of Kyiv, converted to Christianity and made it Russia's official religion. Eventually, religious ties between Russia, the Byzantine Empire, Ancient Rome and Greece strengthened and began to share common traits. As literacy rapidly developed, so did Russian literature. Historical chronicles, sacred scriptures, biblical texts, sermons, biographies of saints and other religious writings and poems were translated from Greek into Old Church Slavonic which remained the literary language of Russia until the 17th century. At that time, books served mainly as a means to foster religious awareness. In the long run, Christianity marked the character of the Russian literature. Church literature laid the foundation for the ideas of Russian unity and Russian national identity.
First works of Russian literature
Byzantine Greek writings influenced the first texts created during the Kyiv period. The most significant sermon, "Slovo O Zakone I Blagodati" (1050; "Sermon on Law and Grace"), is a detailed oration written by the head of the Orthodox Church in Russia at that time, Metropolitan Illarion. It is believed to be the first original work of Russian literature.
The chronicle "Povest' Vremennykh Let" (1113; "The Tale of Bygone Years," also known as "The Russian Primary Chronicle"), attributed to the monk Nestor, explores the history of the
Overview
Russian literature has long been a cultural focus of the entire world. It's not surprising that the formation of Russia's first literary traditions goes back to the first century. The adoption of Christianity boosted the development of literacy, philosophy and theological literature. The earliest literary works were not written in the Russian language but in Old Church Slavonic which was developed in the 9th century by Greek missionaries Cyril and Methodius.
Old Church Slavonic became the liturgical language of the Orthodox Church, prompting literary activity in Russia.
In 988 Vladimir I, Grand Duke of Kyiv, converted to Christianity and made it Russia's official religion. Eventually, religious ties between Russia, the Byzantine Empire, Ancient Rome and Greece strengthened and began to share common traits. As literacy rapidly developed, so did Russian literature. Historical chronicles, sacred scriptures, biblical texts, sermons, biographies of saints and other religious writings and poems were translated from Greek into Old Church Slavonic which remained the literary language of Russia until the 17th century. At that time, books served mainly as a means to foster religious awareness. In the long run, Christianity marked the character of the Russian literature. Church literature laid the foundation for the ideas of Russian unity and Russian national identity.
First works of Russian literature
Byzantine Greek writings influenced the first texts created during the Kyiv period. The most significant sermon, "Slovo O Zakone I Blagodati" (1050; "Sermon on Law and Grace"), is a detailed oration written by the head of the Orthodox Church in Russia at that time, Metropolitan Illarion. It is believed to be the first original work of Russian literature.
The chronicle "Povest' Vremennykh Let" (1113; "The Tale of Bygone Years," also known as "The Russian Primary Chronicle"), attributed to the monk Nestor, explores the history of the