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Humanitarian sciences in Siberia

2018 year, number

KORMCHAJA KNIGA IN THE SYSTEM OF BOOK AUTHORITIES OF THE OLD BELIEVERS

N.S. Guryanova
Institute of History SB RAS, 8, Nikolaeva Str., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
Keywords: 17th century, Russian Orthodox Church, reform, schism, Solovetsky monastery, monk Gerontij, handwritten collection, Kormchaja kniga

Abstract

The article presents the results of the analysis of the handwritten collection in order to represent how the printed edition of Kormchaja kniga, carried out in 1653 by Patriarch Nikon, was included in the system of book authorities of the Old Believers. Attention is drawn to the fact that the first generation of opponents of the church reform, proving the illegality of the changes introduced into the rite and the liturgical practice of the Russian Orthodox Church, relied, first of all, on authoritative manuscripts and early printed books. Kormchaja kniga as a collection of church canons, Slavic and Russian laws, of course, was used by the first generation of defenders of the Old Belief. References to this book attached significance to any given argument. The collection compiled by the monk Gerontij from Solovetsky monastery (Russian State Library, Egorov, No. 706) provided an opportunity to understand how the author proved the authority of the printed edition of Kormchaja kniga. Of course, Gerontij, first of all, drew attention to the hand-written version from the library of Solovetsky Monastery. He used this manuscript in all cases, when he found the fragment he needed. Analysis of the text of the first part of the collection made it possible to trace how the author gradually convinced the readers, that Kormchaja kniga is the authoritative source. Quoting from the manuscript, Gerontij noticed on the field that in printed version the reader will find a similar text. Gerontij proved the authority of the publication due to the fact that some needed fragments were absent in manuscript. Quotations from the print edition, when it was possible, were accompanied by the parallel texts from an ancient manuscript. It is concluded that Gerontij introduced the printed edition into the circle of authoritatives. It was necessary for him to strengthen his position. The reference to Kormchaja kniga was realized in the 17th century as an unconditional authority, because this text was authoritative both in canonical and historical aspects.