Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature

1607-6192 2713-2226

IWL RAS

https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-349-359

Research Article

Articles

The Homily by Vladimir Monomakh and the Obituary Praise for Prince in the Laurentievskaia Chronicle

Trofimova

Nina V.

old-rus@imli.ru

2026

25 349 359

2026

Vladimir Monomakh is one of the Old Russian princes, whose deeds are consistently reflected in the chronicles, a hero who was already extolled by his contemporaries during his lifetime, whose fame is enshrined in the obituary articles of the Laurentievskaya and Ipatievskaya chronicles, and at the same time the author of the famous Homily addressed to his children. The chronicle’s obituary praise and the work of Vladimir reflect the princely ideal formed in Russia in the 11th century. A comparison of the features of this ideal image in two texts leads to the conclusion that they are common. The features of a Christian ruler: sincere faith, lack of pride, humility and trust in the Lord, fear of God, reverence for saints, mercy and justice towards his people and generosity towards defeated enemies, respect for the clerics and care for the church construction, military power and military successes are reflected in two works by similar means, right down to the coincidence of many verbal phrases. Both the praise and the Homily, use biblical quotations which are not typical to the texts of this period in the Laurentievskaya Chronicle. The chronicler cites some facts not mentioned in previous stories about the prince, but reflected in his own work. The similar features of the two texts suggest a possible acquaintance of the chronicler with the work of Vladimir Monomakh, especially since scientists have suggested that the manuscript of the Homily was kept by the prince’s closest descendants and, therefore, could become accessible to a chronicler close to this princely family.

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