From Peasant to Patriarch: Account of the Birth, Upbringing, and Life of His Holiness Nikon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

by Ioann Shusherin, Kevin Kain, Katia Levintova

Overview

Nikon (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 life during a period of unprecedented political, religious, and social change in Russia. From Peasant to Patriarch is the first English language translation of the Account. Dr. Kevin Kain and Dr. Katia Levintova offer extensive commentary, parallel texts, and a glossary of Russian terms that contribute to the depth of this text. From Peasant to Patriarch opens new doors to the study of Russian history, religion, and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739115800
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	10/03/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	6.01(w) x 9.01(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Kevin Kain is professor of Russian and European history at Texas A&M University, Texarkana. Katia Levintova is assistant professor of comparative politics and Russian and East European politics at Texas A&M University, Texarkana.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Account of the Birth, Upbringing, and Life of His Holiness Nikon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

What People are Saying About This

Chester Dunning

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

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

A 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

From the Publisher

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.

September-December 2008 Canadian Slavonic Papers

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.

Winter 2009 Slavic and East European Journal

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.

October 2009 Seer

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

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

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

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

A significant new text edition that sheds valuable light on the complexities of seventeenth-century Russian Church history.

Georg Michels