Description
Book SynopsisNikon (1605-1681), patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, is best known for imposing the religious reforms that ultimately led to the schism of the Russian Orthodox Church. Yet only the Account of Birth, Life, and Upbringing of His Holiness Nikon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1680s), comes close to immortalizing the vicissitudes of Nikon''s entire life. Written by Ioann Shusherin''s (d. 1693), the patriarch''s protégé and confidant, the Account presents Nikon as he appeared to his contemporary supporters. The biography chronicles Nikon''s steady rise through the ecclesiastical ranks, dramatic downfall, and extraordinary rehabilitation. While discussing Nikonian religious reforms, the Account focuses on Nikon''s relationship with the Romanov royal family and his monastery building program, especially the early history of the New Jerusalem Monastery and its main sanctuary, the Church of the Resurrection. This unique narrative features rare eyewitness accounts of momentous and daily l
Trade ReviewA significant new text edition that sheds valuable light on the complexities of seventeenth-century Russian Church history. -- Georg Michels, University of California-Riverside
It is always worthwhile to produce a scholarly edition of an important document or treatise. . . . Kain and Levintova, are to be commended for their judicious effort. * The Russian Review *
Although Shusherin's text, composed between 1681 and 1686, is well known and has virtually never been out of print since the initial publication in 1784, the volume under review offers the first ever-and masterly done-translation into English. Kevin Kain and Katia Levintova provide, by way of copious annotations, a fascinating polyphony of contrasting opinions, stories of politcal intrigue and occasional outrageous gossip that surrounded Nikon's career. * Seer, October 2009 *
Kain and Levintova have provided a very clear and readable translation.... The translation and scholarly apparatus of From Peasant to Patriarch are exemplary. The volume offers a clear and elegant rendering of a previously neglected text. Additionally, its 'Introduction' and back matter accomplish to very important goals: on the one hand, they convince the general reader of the utility of attending to Nikon's life; on the other, they steer the expert towards additional resources for deeper study. * Slavic and East European Journal, Winter 2009 *
Overall, the book covers a lot of ground and provides the reader wtih an introduction to the various issues and topics affecting women in Eastern Europe....will be a welcome addition to the growing literature on gender and post-socialism. The book is suitable for both advanced undergraduate courses and graduate seminars in disciplines such as political science, gender and women's studies, sociology, history and East European studies. * Canadian Slavonic Papers, September-December 2008 *
Kevin M. Kain and Katia Levintova have produced a fine translation of a unique and important eyewitness account of the rise and fall of Patriarch Nikon (1605-1681). Their expertly edited translation of this fascinating biography belongs on the recommended reading list of undergraduate and graduate classes in Russian history. -- Chester Dunning, Texas A&M University
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Account of the Birth, Upbringing, and Life of His Holiness Nikon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
