Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature

1607-6192 2713-2226

IWL RAS

https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-521-545

Research Article

Articles

The Teaching of St. John the Ladder and the Vygov Life of St. Epiphanius of Solovki in the Context of Old Russian Hagiography

Dorofeeva

Lyudmila G.

old-rus@imli.ru Nikonov

Nikolai A.

old-rus@imli.ru

2026

25 521 545

2026

The article considers the narrative and compositional features of the monastic destiny in the vita of Epiphanius Solovetsky, created by the Vygovsky hagiographer in the second quarter of the 18th century. The article’s authors focus on the sense of the steps 1–4 of the “Ladder” of St. John Sinaites, their ideological content, and the forms of the expression within Epiphanius’s monastic destiny, against the backdrop of the lives of saints in Old Russian hagiography. The saint’s monastic destiny corresponds to the first four steps of the “Ladder,” which is typical of many vitae describing this type of holiness. The Vygovsky hagiographer describes in details the stages of Epiphanius’s struggle with his own will and, in more details emphasizes the “facets” of his obediencе to the mentors and brethren. In Old Russian hagiography virtues are often listed the virtues of saints acquired after completing the first four steps of the “Ladder,” as well as the spiritual fruits of the higher levels. Epiphanius, having undergone the monastic obediences, cultivates within himself the fruits required after the steps 1–4 of the “Ladder”: “stranstvo,” nestiazhatel’stvo, and humility. Moreover, the monk acquires some of the highest virtues: meekness and the beginnings of humility. In describing Epiphanius’s spiritual fruits, the hagiographer emphasized the elimination of the pride and self-will. This emphasis runs throughout the monastic path of Epiphanius Solovetsky.

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