The life of Fyodor Rtischev (lexical analysis)

Abstract

the article examines the lexis of a little-known monument of the seventeenth century, the Life of Fyodor Rtishchev, based on the manuscript of the Synodal Collection of the State Historical Museum No. 716. This text is an example of original hagiography of the second half of the seventeenth century. Following the tradition of correcting divine service books, the author deliberately uses lexemes that were used at an earlier time, that is, he archaizes the text of the Life. Also, the author does not depart from the traditions of hagiographic literature, using characteristic constructions, lexemes and introducing his text into the tradition and through parallels with other hagiographies. In addition, in the Life of Fyodor Rtishchev there is lexis characteristic of the historical period being described, including the author’s innovations. The article analyzes both individual cases of lexeme use and parallel word usage in other texts of the hagiographic tradition, and also makes a comparison of the lexemes životъ – žiznь – žitije.