A. Kizlova Practical Measures Round the Saints Relics in the Caves of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for Communication With Believers (Late 18th — the first decades of 20th Ct.)

В статті з’ясовується, яку роль відігравали «хранителі» святинь у комунікації з богомольцями при мощах святих у позабогослужбовий час.

Ключові слова: Київ; Києво-Печерська лавра; кінець XVIII — перші десятиліття ХХ ст.; мощі святих; хранителі святинь; богомольці; комунікація.

The article deals with the role of the sacred objects «keepers» in communication with believers at the earthly remains of saints in the Kyiv-Pechersk large monastery out of participating in divine services at the end of 18th — the first decades of 20th ct. For Orthodox Christians the sainted place became the centre of social system, where prayers and «keepers» of sacred object co-operated. Separately of participating in divine services the «keepers» of relics in Lavra spared attention to communication with believers foremost at the level of caves guide. Not only ordinary monks but also deputy and even metropolitan could execute this duty depending on a situation. Guides were to carry out such duties: safely conduct people from a cave and, probably, to watch after an order round sacred objects. Special monk to the cross of st. Mark Pechernyk, could be selected to help the guide not only for an additional honouring of saint but also in an order to accelerate and more rationally send the stream of prayers. In fact even the placeof implementation of duty was carried for a comfort and for prevention of crush. Duty of celibate priest near shrine can be considered directed on saints and their relics honouring, but not on socializing with strangers. But changing of clothes on the earthly remains enabled the prayers to get «sacred things».

Keywords: Kyiv, Kyiv-Pechersk lavra, Late 18th — the first decades of 20thct, relics of saints, keepers of sacred objects, believers, communication.

40_2_Kizlova

This entry was posted in Archive, History Pages №40 and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.