Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature 1607-6192 2713-2226 IWL RAS https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-453-472 Research Article Articles The Image of Paradise in Old Russian Literature Lepakhin Valery V. old-rus@imli.ru 2026 25 453 472 Copyright © 2026, IWL RAS 2026 The article is devoted to the conceptions of paradise held by Old Russian literary figures. It analyzes works of Old Russian literature, from the speech of the philosopher before prince Vladimir in the Primary Chronicle to the works of Karion Istomin. Particular attention is paid to the interpretation of notions such as “pristine paradise,” “perfect paradise,” and “thought (Παράδεισος νοητός — intellectually comprehensible) paradise” and their comparison with descriptions of the Kingdom of God and the Heavenly Kingdom. The article gives special consideration to the representations of paradise by the Greek philosopher, archbishop Vasily of Novgorod, archpriest Avvakum, Karion Istomin, and other Old Russian authors. The study also partially touches upon issues related to the purely theological approach to interpreting paradise. 1. Demin, S. O khudozhestvennosti drevnerusskoi literatury: Ocherki drevnerusskogo mirovideniia ot “Povesti vremennykh let” do sochinenii Avvakuma [On the Artistry of Old Russian Literature: Essays on the Old Russian Worldview from “The Primary Chronicle” to the Works of Avvakum]. Moscow, Iazyki russkoi kul’tury Publ., 1998. 848 p. (In Russian) 2. Demkova, S. “Poslanie Vasiliia Novgorodskogo Feodoru Tverskomu o rae. Kommentarii” [“Epistle of Vasily of Novgorod to Theodore of Tver about Paradise. Comments”]. Pamiatniki literatury Drevnei Rusi. XIV — seredina XV veka [Literary Monuments of Old Rus’. 14th — mid-15th Centuries], vol. 4. Moscow, Hudozhestvennaia literature Publ., 1981, pp. 42–49. (In Russian) 3. Istrati Ioann Valentin, priest. Mater Bozhiia est’ rai [Mother of God is Paradise]. Available at: https://pravoslavie.ru/56228.html (Accessed 05 May 2025). (In Russian) 4. Kim Nikolai, Rai i chelovek. Nasledie prepodobnogo Nikity Stifata [Paradise and Man. Legacy of Saint Nikita Stithat]. St. Petersburg, Aleteia Publ., 2003, pp. 7–86. (In Russian) 5. Kirillin, M. Poslanie Vasiliia Kaliki o Rae [Epistle of Vasily Kalika about Paradise]. Available at: https://saratov-eparhia.ru/articles/cerkov/poslanie-vasiliia-kaliki-o-rae (Accessed 17 May 2011). (In Russian) 6. Prutskov, I. Poslanie arkhiepiskopa novgorodskogo Vasiliia ko vladytse tferskomu Feodoru o rae [Epistle of Archbishop Vasily of Novgorod to Bishop Theodore of Tver about Paradise]. Available at: https://history.wikireading.ru/170739 (Accessed 05 May 2025). (In Russian)