The Paterik of the Kievan Caves Monastery

Harvard Library of Early Ukrainian Literature in English Translation #1

by Unknown ., Muriel Heppell (Translation)

The Kievan Caves Monastery was for centuries the most important Ukrainian monastic establishment. It was the outstanding center of literary production, and its monks served throughout the territory of Rus' as bishops and monastic superiors. The most detailed source for the monastery early history is its Paterik, a thirteenth-century compilation containing stories reaching back to the monastery's foundation in the mid-eleventh century. Muriel Heppell now makes available the first complete English translation of the Paterik. With an introduction, map, and several appendices, Heppell discusses the work's Byzantine background and also sets it in its historical context.



The Harvard Library of Early Ukrainian Literature is one portion of the Harvard Project in Commemoration of the Millennium of Christianity in Rus'-Ukraine sponsored by the Ukrainian Research Institute of Harvard University. The Library encompasses literary activity in Rus'-Ukraine from its beginning in the mid-eleventh century through the end of the eighteenth century. Included are ecclesiastical and secular works written in a variety of languages, such as Church Slavonic, Old Rus', Ruthenian (Middle Ukrainian), Polish, and Latin. This linguistic diversity reflects the cultural pluralism of Ukrainian intellectual life in the medieval and early-modern periods. The Library consists of three parts: Texts, which publishes original works, in facsimile whenever appropriate; English Translations; and Ukrainian Translations. Each volume begins with an introductory essay by a specialist. The two translation series also include maps, appendices, and indices. A cumulative index to the entire Library is planned.

316 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 1989

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Unknown" when the author or editor (as applicable) is not known and cannot be discovered. If at all possible, list at least one actual author or editor for a book instead of using "Unknown".

Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to Anonymous.

Reviews

[Oleksandr Fediienko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Збірка історії про печерських ченців. Містить найрізноманітніші жанри і авторами в самому Патерику вказуються різні особи, які в різний час доповнювали цей твір.

[Dmytro Zozulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Монументальна православна агітка. Маст рід.

[gold dust woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun stories about monks

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains the history and hagiography of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery). After a large section on the founding of the monastery and its founders, St. Anthony and St. Feodosiy, most of it is monk stories with different struggles and lessons. While some of them are amusing to read, they all contain deep meaning that will require a reread because of how much there is in each story. Essential reading for students of Rus’ and Eastern Christianity.

As a side note, I read the version from Harvard’s HURI which is really useful for its context and footnotes containing notes on translation and historical/political information.

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Основная часть Киево-Печерского патерика написана Нестором, Симоном и Поликарпом. Эти славные мужи Древней Руси правильно решили, что негоже забывать умершую братию. Если не оставить записи об их жизни, значит потом никто не вспомнит про первых монахов, в том числе о тех, кто взялся для потомков отразить на страницах жизнь членов киевской пещерской общины. После патерик будет многократно дополняться, вплоть до 1870 года.

(c) Trounin

[Dmytro Khomiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Історичність, звичайно, сумнівна, однак добре показує тяглість традиції.

[Hvoiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Слава Йсусу Хресту! Тепер завдяки наставленням преподобного Теодосія, я знаю що за католиками треба мити посуд і опісля молитися над ним.

[Lulu]

Early thirteenth-century compilation containing stories mostly stemming from c. 1050-1150. a typical medieval collection of stories from the life of monks, featuring devils, angels, ghosts, and miraculous resurrections.