May 24, 2018 in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral Cathedral Temple Christ the Savior in Moscow His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' the eighth ceremony of election and awarding of laureates of the Patriarchal Saints Literary Prize Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. After the presentation of the nominees, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the audience with a word.
Your Eminences and Eminences! Dear members of the Board of Trustees of the Patriarchal Literary Prize named after Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles! Dear participants and guests of our ceremony!
I cordially greet you all. Today we have gathered for the eighth time to elect and award the laureates of the Patriarchal Literary Prize.
This year, our ceremony takes place directly on the day of memory of the patron saints of the award. And this is very symbolic. Slavic alphabet celebrates this year significant date. 1155 years have passed since the famous Moravian mission of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, who, together with their disciples, compiled the first translation of the Gospel into Slavonic. Thanks to the ascetic labors of the Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers and their followers, the Slavic peoples received the most important thing: the opportunity to read and hear the word of God in mother tongue. They became available precious treasures Christian spiritual culture.
Yes, scientists will tell us that the language of the translations was largely artificial and was an attempt to combine various Slavic dialects, creating a universal script based on them. However, the fact that this experience, these ingenious creative efforts had a huge impact on all subsequent development Slavic languages, is beyond doubt. And this experience of creating, in a sense, an artificial language pursued one specific goal: that all Slavic tribes could use the same alphabet, the same grammar, the same language.
Of course, the Russian literary language had yet to go through big way becoming. But what would Russian literature be like if it were not fed from the life-giving source of the Church Slavonic language? What would be the path of the entire Russian culture if it were not based on the gospel values and ideals instilled in it by the labors of the holy Thessalonica brothers?
I am convinced that if such literature and culture had existed at all, if it had not been dissolved in the ocean of history, it would not have occupied such an outstanding and glorious place in world culture as Russian literature now deservedly occupies.
When I say "Russian literature", I mean, of course, first of all the work of our great classics: Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov and other masters artistic word. But not only that.
Let's not forget that the literary language, as the well-known Russian linguist Nikolai Sergeevich Trubetskoy wrote, "is an instrument of spiritual culture and is intended to develop and deepen not only fine literature in the proper sense of the word, but also scientific, philosophical and religious thought". Do we realize today, reading works of art, scientific works and journalism, that all these are branches of a wonderful tree that has grown from a seed sown many centuries ago by Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles?
The possibilities of language are revealed to a person and the possibilities for comprehending this world. For wisdom is known in the word(Sir. 4:28), as he tells us Holy Bible. The Russian language has amazing beauty and richness. expressive means, allowing to accurately, deeply and in the finest shades convey any human thought. No wonder Lomonosov, comparing Russian with others European languages, admired him splendor, liveliness and brevity, strong in images .
Beautiful and competent speech produces not only a strong aesthetic effect, but also carries a powerful intellectual charge, sets a high cultural standard for the audience. And therefore the educational role of literature begins precisely with the language. Reading the classics, we admire not only ideas and deep meanings embedded in the work, but also wonderful style, juiciness of language and beauty of images. All this together makes an impression on the reader.
However, what do we observe today when we open the works of some contemporary authors? An abundance of jargon and vulgarisms, colloquial expressions, rough foreign borrowings and constructions and intonations not characteristic of the Russian language. And in oral speech, we hear phonetic intonations that are not characteristic of the Russian language, which, for unknown reasons, are used today by our youth even when communicating with each other. If you listen closely, these are not Russian, but English intonations. This, I think, should also be paid attention to, because it destroys the integrity of Russian speech.
speak in understandable language means to penetrate into the essence life problems and spiritual quests of contemporaries. And real literature, seeing through these depths, is called upon to answer people's questions on the basis of the word of God, from the standpoint of the Gospel and the Christian attitude to reality.
The Importance of Literature in national history has always been great. It would not be an exaggeration to say that all Russian culture is essentially literary-centric. For centuries, the writer and poet was perceived by our people not only as a master of words, but also in many ways as the conscience of the nation. It is no coincidence that in Soviet years When the Church was significantly limited in its pastoral possibilities, it was literature that conveyed eternal moral values to people, and raised important spiritual questions for contemporaries.
Today, talk about the crisis of literature, the crisis of culture, including the culture of reading, has already become common place. One can think a lot about this and complain about the fact that people for the most part began to read less, that more and more often they choose to read not a serious classic, but an entertaining book. At the same time, it is no longer possible to turn a blind eye to the fact that the crisis has turned into new reality, the features of which cannot be ignored.
Modern people live at high speeds. They are crushed by the flow of information that falls on them from everywhere: from TV screens, from radios and the Internet. We cannot protect ourselves and others from this constant information impact. But we can help people by teaching them to distinguish noise from signals, fake and fake from the real and really valuable.
Obviously, the reader's consciousness has changed significantly over recent decades. For unhurried and thoughtful reading, our compatriots sometimes have neither the time nor the opportunity. Modern reader, if you use images famous novel Ivan Alexandrovich Goncharov, more and more like a businesslike and impatient Stolz, carried away by the search for entertaining and interesting things, rather than like a complacent and unhurried Oblomov, ready to think and think about something for hours.
I will now say, perhaps, a somewhat unexpected thing. The so-called "entertainment literature", which everyone used to scold, can also be useful. If you take it as a form of education. In our memory, there are already several successful examples of how works on Orthodox themes, written in the entertainment genre, became in demand by readers. They were read in the subway, these books were given to friends and acquaintances. Through these works, albeit in an entertaining form, contemporaries got acquainted with the Orthodox faith, with the life of the Church, learned about Christ and the Gospel.
Of course, reading the same Dostoevsky, Leskov or Clive Lewis requires a certain cultural and intellectual preparation from a person. Is it possible to expect that people who do not have such training will be able to appreciate their works? Our compatriots, who have survived 70 years of an atheistic regime, sometimes lack elementary knowledge about God, about the spiritual and moral foundations of life, set out in a simple and in plain language. And those who it is necessary to teach the first principles of the word of God, milk is needed, not solid food(Heb. 5:12), the apostle Paul testifies.
The task of a true writer is not only to evoke emotional reaction the reader at the level of "like - dislike". Modern literature, unfortunately, often does not go beyond such an emotional impact on a person. But still, it’s not the stylistic and plot “special effects” that make the work truly worthy. It is important to touch the secret in the soul of a person, to find a response in the heart, to awaken a thought.
The emotional approach in evaluating the phenomena of reality is characteristic for the most part of the consumer society. But literature is not a product or service that you can “like” on a site and erase from your memory after some time. Literature is, first of all, the lessons of experience. Even if what you write about concerns historical events centuries ago. By passing the story through personal life, spiritual and intellectual experience, you tell the reader something very important. This message is not from the series "this also happens in life." This message is an invitation to think.
For the eighth year now, we have been gathering in this hall to present the Patriarchal literary prize to the authors who have not forgotten the lofty vocation of literature, the great moral responsibility of the writer.
It is wonderful that thanks to the writers included in the list of nominees of this year and past years, our contemporaries have the opportunity to read for real good works corresponding to high ethical and aesthetic ideals.
There are no easy times, as you know, and our literature will face new tasks, new problems will appear, about which we simply know nothing today. These challenges will come into the life of society, into the life of every person. And every time the writers have to do moral choice: whether to resist evil and darkness with the power of one’s word, whether to create for the sake of affirming eternal moral values, and not momentary glory and wealth? I hope that all of our nominees and laureates follow the right path.
Remembering with gratitude the feat of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, let us reverently preserve and increase the spiritual and cultural heritage left by them, use the opportunities and talents bestowed upon us for the sake of witness about the One Who is the True Way and Life(John 14:6).
I would like to wish you all God's help and further creative success. May the blessing of the Lord be upon you all.
I sincerely thank you for your attention and propose to proceed with the solemn ceremony of election and awarding of laureates.
Trubetskoy N.S. Common Slavic element in Russian culture // Trubetskoy N.S. To the problem of Russian self-knowledge. Paris, 1927.
Lomonosov M.V. Dedication to "Russian Grammar" (1755).
Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'
On May 28, 2012, the presentation of the Patriarchal Literary Prize named after Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles took place in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. This award was established in 2009 "to encourage writers who have made a significant contribution to the establishment of spiritual and moral values in life modern man, family and society". It is awarded not for a single book, but for the entire work of the writer. Candidates for the award are nominated by “Primates of Local Orthodox Churches, heads of self-governing Churches within the Moscow Patriarchate, diocesan bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, bodies state power CIS and Baltic countries, synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as editorial offices of literary magazines. The first time the Patriarchal Prize was awarded in 2011, then the winner was Russian writer V. Krupin.
This year in short list The awards included 10 nominees: Archpriest A. Vladimirov, writers V. Bahrevsky (the script for the television series "Split" was written based on his novels), B. Ekimov, V. Nikolaev, O. Nikolaeva, A. Segen (based on his book, filmed famous movie"Pop"), A. Solonitsyn, S. Shcherbakov, A. Yakovlev and literary critic, translator I. Charota.
With a group of teachers, librarians and parishioners of Obninsk churches, we visited not only the awards ceremony, but also the procedure for choosing laureates. The ceremony was led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.
Briefly about the impressions. The hall is very beautiful, comfortable, decorated with fresh flowers. Spacious foyer with great winter garden. The orchestra plays softly. The atmosphere is upbeat. Nominated writers sit in the front row.
It all starts with a common prayer and a welcoming speech by the Patriarch. After that, ballots with the names of the nominees are distributed to the members of the Chamber of Trustees of the award, and then, while the counting commission (archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov, MGIMO professor Y.P. Vyazemsky, rector of the Moscow Conservatory A.S. Sokolov) counts the votes, we watch a film representing each nominee . At the end of the counting of votes, His Holiness signs the bulletin of the commission right on the stage. And the winners are solemnly announced. They were writers - namesakes Olesya Nikolaeva and Viktor Nikolaev. Writer Viktor Nikolaev (b. 1958) - reserve major, Afghan, author of the books “Alive in Help. Notes of an Afghan”, “From generation to generation”, “Fatherlessness”, “Shamorda stories”. Olesya Nikolaeva (b. 1955) is a poet, prose writer, essayist, she has published 13 books of prose, 11 of poetry, 4 collections of essays. Since 2008, she has been actively working for Orthodox TV channel"Saved".
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presents the awards and warmly congratulates the laureates and nominees. The laureates have a response. And then they all take pictures together.
This ended the official part, and the concert began, in which the choir of the Moscow Theological Academy, children's choirs and choreographic groups, singers. We especially liked the wonderful children's choir "Moscow Bells" and the men's choir, which perfectly performed the old waltz "Amur Waves".
In the foyer one could buy books by writers and nominees. We bought new book laureate of the V. Nikolaev Prize "Shamorda Stories" and 2 books by the nominee of the Prize S. Shcherbakov.
By the way, the library has at least 10 books by O. Nikolaeva, 3 books by V. Nikolaev, as well as books by A. Vladimirov, V. Bahrevsky, A. Segen and A. Yakovlev. And more detailed information about the laureates and nominees can be found in the May issue of the Orthodox Book Review magazine, which is also in the library. Read!
photo sketches
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| Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. | |
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| The Counting Commission is working. | |
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| Patriarch Kirill signs the protocol of the Counting Commission. | |
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| Children's choir "Moscow bells". | Choreographic studio "The Nutcracker". |
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| Moskva River opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. |
The number of applications from contenders for the Patriarchal Literary Prize named after Saints Cyril and Methodius has become the largest in the history of the award, the head of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, said at a press conference, RIA Novosti reports. This year the Patriarchal Literary Prize will be awarded for the sixth time. Among the nominees are people famous in the literary community.
Of the 56 applications submitted, eight nominees were included. These are Priest Nikolai Blokhin, Gromov Alexander Vitalievich, Yekimov Boris Petrovich, Karpov Alexey Yuryevich, nun Evfemia (Pashchenko), Sergeev Valery Nikolaevich, Tarasov Boris Nikolaevich, Archpriest Andrey Tkachev. As Aleksey Varlamov, laureate of the 2013 Patriarchal Literary Prize, noted, “the prize is not given for individual work, but for the cumulative contribution of the writer to Russian literature, ”according to the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Another nominee for the award - the writer Ksenia Krivosheina - withdrew her application without explanation.
Members of the Chamber of Trustees will determine this year's laureates at a solemn ceremony in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on May 18. Writer Alexander Segen, laureate of the 2015 Patriarchal Literary Prize, spoke about this year's nominees: “Priest Nikolai Blokhin is a spiritual ascetic who suffered for his faith in the Soviet years. Alexander Gromov came to the faith when he served in Afghanistan, and talks about it in his books. Boris Ekimov - represents a constellation of village writers. Alexey Karpov is known as the author of books about Prince Vladimir, Yaroslav the Wise, Alexander Nevsky and many other heroes of the ZhZL series. Nun Euphemia writes very bright works, including for children. Valery Sergeev wrote a book about Andrei Rublev in the Soviet years, published in the ZHZL series. Boris Tarasov is familiar to readers as the author of the biographies of Pascal and Chaadaev. And Archpriest Andrey Tkachev is a well-known preacher and writer.”
The annual Russian Patriarchal Literary Prize, established by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church on the initiative of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on December 25, 2009, has been awarded since 2011. It was established to encourage writers who have made a significant contribution to the affirmation of spiritual and moral values in the life of modern man, family and society, who have created highly artistic works that have enriched Russian literature. The award has no analogues not only in the history of the Russian Church, but also in the practice of other Local Orthodox Churches.
The number of laureates, according to the regulations on the award, cannot exceed three people. At the same time, one of the innovations of this year was that each of the members of the House of Trustees can cast not one, as before, but three votes.
The first laureate of the Patriarchal Literary Prize in 2011 was the writer Vladimir Krupin. In the second premium season (2012), Olesya Nikolaeva and Viktor Nikolaev became the winners. In the third premium season (2013), Alexei Varlamov, Yuri Loshchits and Stanislav Kunyaev received awards. In the fourth premium season (2014), the winners were: Fr. Nikolai Agafonov, Valentin Kurbatov and Valery Ganichev. In the fifth premium season (2015), the winners were: Yuri Bondarev, Alexander Segen and Yuri Kublanovskiy.
The list of nominees for the 2015 Patriarchal Literary Prize includes:
Archpriest Leonid Safronov; Bondarev Yury Vasilievich; Burlyaev Nikolai Petrovich; Volodikhin Dmitry Mikhailovich; Voropaev Vladimir Alekseevich; Kublanovskiy Yuri Mikhailovich; Matveeva Novella Nikolaevna; Segen Alexander Yurievich.
May 26 at 13:00 at the International Multimedia Press Center of MIA "Russia Today" ( Zubovsky boulevard, house 4) will host a press conference dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Patriarchal Literary Prize and the award ceremony of this year's laureates. A video recording of the event will be available at the link on the press center website http://pressmia.ru/pressclub/20150526/950142685.html
On May 28, 2015, in the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' will lead the solemn ceremony of electing and awarding the laureates of the Patriarchal Literary Prize.
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Patriarchal Literary Prize, a jubilee collection of works by writers - laureates and nominees of the Prize 2011–2015 is published. Written in beautiful language, serious and funny, lyrical and filled with warm humor, they will not leave readers indifferent. The book will be of interest to a wide range readers.
The Patriarchal Literary Prize named after Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius was established by the Holy Synod on the initiative of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill in order to encourage writers who have made a significant contribution to the affirmation of spiritual and moral values in the life of a modern person, family and society, who have created highly artistic works that have enriched Russian literature.
The winners of the Prize are elected by a vote of the members of the House of Trustees from among the nominees who were included in the short list of the Prize. Voting takes place at the ceremony of election and awarding of the Prize, in the presence of representatives of the media.
The Chairman of the Chamber of Trustees is His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'; Secretary of the House of Trustees - Chairman Publishing Council Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk Kliment. The House of Trustees includes representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the literary community, public figures, figures of science and culture. Among them: Archbishop Anthony of Borispol, Bishop Veniamin of Borisov, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), Alexander Arkhangelsky, Alexei Varlamov, Andrei Vasilevsky, Yuri Vyazemsky, Valery Ganichev, Konstantin Kovalev-Sluchevsky, Boris Oleinik, Yuri Polyakov, Alexander Sokolov, Boris Tarasov, Viktor Fedorov, Sergei Chuprinin and others.
The Patriarchal Literary Prize named after Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal to the Apostles has no analogues in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church and other local churches. The award is intended to promote the development of interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the literary community. The prize is awarded in the nomination "For a significant contribution to the development of Russian literature."
The award is intended to promote the development of interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the literary community - primarily those writers who, with their work, establish the foundations Christian faith. Primates of Local Orthodox Churches, heads of self-governing Churches within the Moscow Patriarchate, diocesan bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, state authorities of the CIS and Baltic countries, Synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as editorial offices of literary magazines and literary and public organizations have the right to nominate candidates for the award. .
The organization of all events related to the selection of the Prize nominees, as well as the preparation of meetings of the Chamber of Trustees, the Council of Experts and the organization of the Solemn Ceremony for the election and awarding of the laureate of the Patriarchal Literary Prize is entrusted to the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The first laureate of the Patriarchal Literary Prize in 2011 was the writer Vladimir Nikolaevich Krupin. In the second premium season (2012), Olesya Alexandrovna Nikolaeva and Viktor Nikolaevich Nikolaev became the winners. In the third premium season (2013), Alexei Varlamov, Yuri Loshchits and Stanislav Kunyaev received awards. In the fourth premium season (2014), the winners were: Father Nikolai Agafonov, Valentin Kurbatov and Valery Ganichev.
More detailed information about the Patriarchal Literary Prize and this year's nominees is available
In September, the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church opens the seventh season of the Patriarchal Literary Prize. Applications for this award will be accepted until February 2017. How is it reflected in contemporary literature? spiritual state human, about communication different eras reflects the Metropolitan of Kaluga and Borovsk Kliment, Chairman of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. His article is devoted to the work of the laureates of this year's Patriarchal Literary Prize - Priest Nikolai Blokhin, prose writer Boris Ekimov, literary critic Boris Tarasov.
In history they distinguish different periods. One is called gold, the other, for example, silver or bronze. The secular culture of Russia knows two special eras of its heyday, called golden and silver age. Obviously, both periods are associated with the desire of society to comprehend the surrounding reality and its tragic experience (whether it be the war with Napoleon or the Russian revolutions of the early twentieth century), referring to the spiritual potential of the Russian people, to those most important values that were once the basis and still pores define originality civilizational development Russia. This is reflected in the development philosophical thought, and in various types art, especially in domestic literature.
In the current post-Soviet time, the need for self-identification is also acutely felt, which, in particular, is reflected in the search for a national idea, a unifying principle for the modern Russian society. The Russian Orthodox Church, which has preserved the most important values of Russian civilization for centuries, supports that modern Russian literature that helps to find answers to these burning questions. In this regard, let's try to reflect on what distinguishes the modern period in the history of Russian literature, considering the work of the latest nominees for the Patriarchal Literary Prize named after Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal to the Apostles.
Prose writers became its new laureates this year Boris Nikolaevich Tarasov, Boris Petrovich Ekimov And Priest Nikolai Blokhin. These are the people different fate, but in their work there is a tangible common component. With a variety of topics and genres of works, all three authors broadcast modern reader the eternal norms of Christian ethics, as an active, practical part of the worldview that our people have adopted since the time of the Baptism of Rus' by the saints prince equal to the apostles Vladimir. And another unifying principle is the fact that they all survived Soviet era when a direct and frank statement religious views and even good word against the Church was persecuted by the atheistic state.
Priest Nikolai Blokhin in the Soviet years, while still not a priest, he was arrested and spent several years in prisons and camps for illegally publishing and distributing Orthodox literature. It was then, in prison, that he wrote his first story, Grandma's Glasses. He even jokes - the prison made him a writer. Today he is the author of many books that are well known to Orthodox readers: "Deep-bog", "Give me a brother", "The Chosen One", "Paul", "Frontier", "Christmas Tale", "Vladimirskaya".
The perception of any sorrows as a source of a person's rebirth, as an inciting beginning to his inner change, runs through all the author's work. This leitmotif is internally gained through suffering, understood by the priest Nikolai Blokhin on personal life experience. It is no coincidence that he said exactly this in his response at the ceremony of awarding the laureates of the Patriarchal Literary Prize.
The theme of the Christian faith, finding it, Baptism as the greatest sacrament and the main event in a person's life, the choice between faith and its denial, between concession to sin and the fight against it, occupies a central place in the work of priest Nikolai Blokhin. It is she who is the main core around which other themes, ideas, characters are located. It is to her that everything in the story is subordinated. For example, in the stories “Grandmother’s Glass”, “The Chosen One”, the author depicts how deeply people have changed, including the youngest, just children, when they believed and accepted Baptism, how differently they began to look at the world, at themselves, at those around them. The reader gets the impression that adult characters are divided primarily on the basis of faith or unbelief, that this is precisely their defining feature. That is why coming to faith radically changes adult heroes as well.
I have heard that Blokhin's heroes lack psychologism, which is why they are somewhat schematic and even unreliable. But, in my opinion, most of them are not without the main thing - internal change as a result of spiritual choice. The absence of the subtleties of emotional experiences in the narrative can be explained by the fact that the writer, creating his characters, sought to focus the reader's attention on the main thing - to show the responsibility of the person himself for his own choice.
This choice is always alternative: either acceptance of the Savior, the desire to follow Christ, read the Gospel, the lives of the saints, try to follow their example, or unbelief, or even a willingness to communicate with dark forces ... According to the author's intention, this choice, as the focus of spiritual life every person at every age stands at the center of the story. He is the main thing that the author wants to tell the reader about, and everything else is secondary, less important. That is why here both some "schematism" and the absence of "psychologism" in individual images are possible.
In the books of the priest Nikolai Blokhin there is an element of fantasy. It is intertwined with reality, and in the living fabric of his works it is impossible to separate them.
Often only children with their immediacy better than anyone else capture the essence of what is happening and can express it. In my opinion, the most striking example of this is Alyosha from the story "Give me back my brother." The child, not understanding what adults intend to do, not knowing at all that what adults have planned (termination of pregnancy) is possible, intuitively feels trouble. Fearing that something threatens his future brother, he turns to adults (parents and hospital doctors) with the most important request for him: “Give me back my brother!” And these words of the child “wake up” the elderly doctor, who thought that during the years of work in such a hospital he got used to everything. Then he confesses that “he didn’t run away from the war like that” when he found and caught up with Alyosha to report that his brother was alive, that he had not been killed ...
The theme of suffering for the faith and readiness for these sufferings, the determination to endure them with God's help, but not to retreat, occupies a significant place in the work of Priest Nikolai Blokhin. Here we can recall the teacher Julia, Zoya and Seva-Sevastyan from the story "The Chosen One".
Of the works of the priest Nikolai Blokhin, the most artistically strong, in my opinion, is the story "The Depth-Swamp", which tells about the events of the times civil war. The reality in it is intertwined with elements of fantasy, each character has his own story, and it is not immediately and not always clear to the reader why this particular hero suddenly sees a mysterious monastery, a place of salvation for many, when other people do not see him. One of the most important thoughts in this story is the hope for the possibility of repentance, which remains with a person even when it is obvious that he has committed terrible atrocities, and by earthly standards this cannot be forgiven. In this regard, first of all, I remember the commander of the Red Army Vzvoev, who also suddenly saw that monastery and even ended up in it.
The writer conveys to the reader the idea of the importance of preserving Orthodoxy by every living generation, despite the obstacles inherent in his time. This is very important not only for us living today, but also for our descendants. Spiritual succession is the essence of the history of our people as a whole and its individual families, which, like a baton, pass Orthodox faith and a virtuous life from one generation to the next.
This year's winner Patriarchal Prize writer Boris Petrovich Ekimov- one of the best prose writers not only of our time, but, as it seems to me, of all Russian literature. His works are written at the highest artistic level. This is exemplary (if I may say so) prose, created in the best traditions domestic literature. I remember how many years ago I first read the stories of Boris Petrovich, and they made a very special, unforgettable impression on me.
Each period of the country's history is reflected in its secular culture in its own way. Various works of art: painting, musical and literary compositions, and the like, are the most valuable and detailed evidence of the era in which they are created. To a large extent, it is from them that descendants can judge the period as a whole, the development of culture and society, and what worried the people who lived then. Someday our time will be judged by our descendants cultural heritage our era, including literary works contemporary authors. I think that among the best, worthy prose works the books of Boris Petrovich Yekimov will remain in history.
Most of his works on the subject can be attributed to the village prose. But all of them tell not only about the inhabitants of the village, they are about all people. Love to small homeland, beauty native nature, the habit and craving for rural work, for one's own land, joys, sorrows, worries, relationships between relatives and fellow villagers - all this is in the works of B.P. Ekimov. One of his collections ("Return") has a subtitle "Stories of Living Life". Exactly this precise definition essence of the whole prose of the writer.
There are many themes in his works, they are intertwined with each other into a complex artistic whole, they cannot be divided into components, separated from each other. To the question of what, for example, one of the best stories in all Russian literature, The Shepherd's Star, cannot be given a monosyllabic answer. Better to read it.
The novels and stories of Boris Ekimov are imbued with a Christian spirit, including those in which there is no direct mention of Christian realities. Let me again recall The Shepherd's Star and its protagonist Timothy, for whom the moral principle "do not steal" is so natural that it does not even occur to him that it is possible to appropriate other people's sheep. At first, he cannot even think that this is exactly what the owner, who hired him as a shepherd, intended. Timothy himself does not take someone else's.
“I don’t need someone else’s spirit, - he removed the money. - How many a pass, thank God, was not flattered. But what about ... People are crying somewhere, and we will crow with happiness, - he said weakly, but still hoping to convince . “You won’t flourish on other people’s tears.”
The whole image of the village simpleton, in which the greatness of the Russian spirit is focused, appears before the reader in the same lively, unimagined, whole way. Timothy is truly responsible for his work, he remembers the advice of the old shepherd, from whom he himself once studied. He lives in full force only in his small homeland, near his native farm, where he is surrounded by nature close to his heart, so familiar and at the same time the most beautiful nature.
But for all his simplicity, Timothy has wisdom. He does not take offense at the master's son of a teenager, who at first behaves somewhat arrogantly. Over time, Timofey becomes a truly close person for this boy. Unobtrusively, he convinces the teenager that it is impossible to spoil the growing bread. You can’t let a herd into the field, because even if the authorities are ready to turn a blind eye to this, a person should not act against conscience:
“You don’t drive into bread. To poison bread is a great sin.”
The story "The Mistress" vividly illustrates how a concession to one sin pulls a whole chain of subsequent ones. main character Olga is a widow and wants to find her happiness with Mikhail, a childhood friend who has a wife and children for a long time. Dreaming about the destruction of someone else's family and about life together with someone else's husband, Olga goes further and further along the path of untruth, hardening her heart. She puts the mother of her dead husband out of the house in which she lived all her life, despite the fact that her mother-in-law always helped her raise her daughters, took on the hardest work. Olga forces her to move to another village with her daughter, where she is not too welcome, and then refuses to accept her back. When old woman asks with tears to let her spend the last earthly years in this house, Olga emphasizes that now they are strangers. All the injustice, the soullessness of Olga's stubborn desire to remain the only mistress in the house is denounced by her relationship with her own daughter Rosa, who insists that grandmother Akulina ("Baba Kulya") live with them. After all, for her, the “babanechka” is the dearest and most beloved person.
The story "Speak, mother, speak ..." about complete mutual understanding and true love between long ago adult daughter and mother. Both at a distance are able to feel what is especially important close person, and give him just that. Both know, remember and take care of what a loved one loves and appreciates.
Although these works do not directly speak about Christianity, such was the era, but moral values are written everywhere in them.
The 2016 Patriarchal Prize winners included Boris Nikolaevich Tarasov- writer, philosopher, literary critic, doctor philological sciences, Professor Literary Institute named after M. Gorky, who for many years headed it as rector, Honored Worker of Sciences of the Russian Federation.
In the series "Life wonderful people Boris Nikolaevich Tarasov published two books. This artistic biographies Christian thinkers Pascal and Chaadaev. I believe that most readers appreciate this, probably the oldest book series, which appeared back in 1890. It was from that time that the publishing house F.F. Pavlenkov began to publish biographical and artistic-biographical books under the general title. Later, in the 30s of the XX century, the series was resumed by Maxim Gorky.
Both books by Boris Tarasov are in demand by readers and have been repeatedly reprinted. The general readership, in my opinion, knows both thinkers somewhat “one-sidedly”: one as a scientist, the other as a contemporary of Pushkin, the addressee of his lines, a man whom the government declared crazy for his writings. Other aspects of their activities seem to remain in the shadows. Meanwhile, Chaadaev himself considered himself a Christian thinker. In the books of B.N. Tarasova B. Pascal and P.Ya. Chaadaev are revealed as versatile, deep personalities. Boris Nikolaevich has done a great job. He studied and analyzed many sources, as a result of which his books turned out to be very informative and fascinating.
In addition to the biographical works mentioned above, Boris Tarasov published a number of educational books(“In the world of man”, “Where is history heading”, “Historiosophy of F.I. Tyutchev in the modern context”, “Man and history in Russian religious philosophy and classical literature”, “The Secret of Man” and the Secret of History (Unread Chaadaev, Unheard Dostoevsky, Unidentified Tyutchev)”, “Dostoevsky and the Modern World”, etc. He also prepared the two-volume “Nicholas the First and His Time” and the one-volume “Knight of the Autocracy”), titles which testify to the author's constant interest in the history of Russian literature, its connections with religious philosophy.
I would like to dwell in particular on the book by B.N. Tarasova "Where history is moving (Metamorphoses of people and ideas in the light of Christian tradition)". In it, the author consistently pursues a relevant thought: when they try to put some other values in place of Christian values, even the most seemingly good, humane, humane ones, nothing really good and bright comes out as a result. All attempts to replace Christian values, Christian norms, Christian views with some other, supposedly aimed at the good individual people and of all mankind, which have been undertaken more than once in history and are being undertaken in our time, do not lead to anything good. If the Christian hierarchy of values is not laid at the foundation, if these values are distorted, then everything done on such a foundation most often turns into evil for a person and the surrounding world, although, as it seemed, those who tried to build on such a support pursued good goals.
In the book of B.N. Tarasova "Where history is moving" we are talking about famous domestic writers, philosophers and political figures of the XIX century (emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I, Westernizers, Slavophiles, soil workers, F.I. Tyutchev, A.S. Pushkin, P.Ya. Chaadaev, K.N. Leontiev, L.N. Tolstoy) and about their contemporaries. Exploring their heritage in various aspects: cultural, literary, philosophical, social, the author analyzes the problems they faced and ways to solve them in the complex context of Russian and world history.
At first glance, it might seem that 19th century quite well studied and largely known to most people. Patriotic and world history of this century, as well as the classics of Russian literature in our country are studied at the school desk. This period of history is widely represented in research, popular science and fiction. But it should be noted that the ideas about it in our society, as a rule, are superficial, insufficient and, importantly, contain a significant number of clichés.
The special value of the works of B.N. Tarasov lies in the fact that he consistently, strictly scientific basis breaks many patterns. One of the most clear examples- attitude towards Emperor Nicholas I, assessment of his personality and the period of his reign. From school course history, most students learn that it was an era of reaction, stagnation in all areas of life, and the emperor himself is perceived by them as a strangler of all freedom, an "offender" of the best poets, writers and in general thinking people- as "Nikolai Palkin". Opposing this cliche, Boris Nikolaevich Tarasov convincingly shows that the figure of the emperor was not so unequivocally gloomy, and the years of his reign cannot be characterized only as a time of complete darkness in all spheres of life. The researcher gives many examples from the life and work of the emperor, which convince the reader that Nicholas I had a lot of positive qualities, important and necessary for the government, and his deeds for the good of the country are numerous and undeservedly forgotten.
I consider it very valuable that B.N. Tarasov does not go to the other extreme, while maintaining a critical assessment historical figures. It happens that authors who write about someone undeservedly forgotten or who received an undeserved “dark halo” in history get too carried away with apologetics and create in their writings an unrealistically positive, to some extent “inanimate” image. In the studies of B.N. Tarasova saved historical truth, the heroes remain real people having both advantages and disadvantages. The author does not idealize the actions of the heroes of his books, does not present them in a "favorable" light, does not pick up justifications for any of their actions. He recognizes as true far from all the thoughts and actions of those about whom he writes.
Thanks to the works of B.N. Tarasov, the reader is presented with a much more real, versatile XIX century with all its contradictions, with many interesting and important people who lived at that time. The author does not just list the facts and writes about emperors, writers, philosophers, he gives the reader the opportunity to comprehend the historical and cultural patterns and the significance of Christian values, norms, traditions in history.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the laureates of this year's Patriarchal Literary Prize in their own way reflect the diversity modern literature rooted in the Orthodox worldview. Years of atheistic censorship in national culture did not weaken creative potential writers who broadcast Orthodox moral principles and beliefs. And today we need more such writers. I do not know what the contemporary period of Russian literature will be called. But its distinguishing feature, in my opinion, is the interest of many talented authors in the spiritual laws of being and their manifestation in the realities of our time.
