Summary of the "Life of the Protopope Avvakum" and the fate of its author

One of the most interesting monuments in Old Russian literature is the famous "The Life of the Protopope Avvakum." The summary of it is an autobiographical story about the fate and deeds of the Elder, about his faithful service to God. Written in a completely new genre for this time, the work demonstrates a unique style and original language.

Summary of the Life of Protopope Avvakum

A work that has come down to us from the depths of centuries consists of three familiar parts. In the first of them (introduction) the author sets forth the church dogmas of true faith, which they professes sacredly. In the main part, the saint narrates about his life: about birth and childhood, about persecution and exile, about his reflections and observations. In conclusion, Habakkuk gives some novels about the healing of the demoniacs, and also turns to the elder Epiphany - his fellow believer, companion and spiritual father. The summary of "The Life of the Archpriest Avvakum" tells us that it was Epiphanius who prompted him to write this work so that the word of God and the learned truths would not go into oblivion. In turn, the archpriest advises him to write a similar work about himself so that people know about his difficult life.

"The Life of the Protopope Avvakum": Analysis and Characteristics

The first autobiographical work of ancient Russian literature not only tells about the long-suffering life of the holy elder. It was a brilliant work that not only includes "boring" facts from life, but also contains a certain message of a rebel who did not tolerate the vices of his flock or other priests. For harsh criticism of the patriarch, and even of the tsar-father, for rejecting the church reform (Habakkuk was and remained an Old Believer), he was not only sent into exile, his spiritual dignity was abolished, but was also executed by a terrible death. After the torture, he was burned in a log with his associates in Pustozersk.

This is the summary of the Life of the Protopope Avvakum. The manner of his writing is filled with poetics and emotions. The elder understands that canons are destroyed, but he does not want to put up with this, he continues to spread the light of God's truth. Even in exile the disgraced archpriest preaches and writes letters, struggles with "lawlessness" and teaches truthful faith. The great teacher of the church Habakkuk did not even agree to the queen's requests to give up her convictions.

The summary of "The Life of the Protopope Avvakum" contains also the element of the miracle as proof of the truthfulness of the ideas that the elder preaches. In the name of Jesus Christ, the saint drove out demons and healed the infirm. Authorship digressions testify to the experience of the writer, who cares about the integrity and unity of the whole narrative. Later such techniques will become mandatory in fiction.

The meaning of "Life"

The appearance of an autobiographical work marked a new stage in the development of literature in Russia. After all, the followers of Habakkuk, and simply other authors who did not share his views, approached the world: there is a departure from the canons, a literary fiction, the language becomes more alive, "peasant". Old Russian literature ceased to be strictly ecclesiastical, it more corresponded to a new society - a more educated, inclined to independent thinking about life, religion, the state structure and its ideals.