Assignment #17
Russian Schism and the Life of Archpriest Avvakum
Based on the assigned readings (pp. 260-264) answer the following questions:
1. What was the relationship between Archpriest Avvakum and fools for Christ Theodore and Afanasy?
2. How does Avvakum describe Theodore`s asceticism?
3. What episodes from the "mini lives" of Theodore and Afanasy are distinctly holy foolish?
4. Are these fools for Christ described as recognized (and recognizable) holy man? Are they described as figures of power?
5. What is Theodore`s dilemma? How does he address it? What is Avvakum`s answer to this dilemma?
6. What are the differences between Afanasy and Theodore?
7. How do Theodore and Afanasy die? Are these deaths in any way similar to the deaths of hagiographical holy fools?
8. Discuss Archpriest Avvakum`s behaviour at the Church Council of 1667. How do his opponents treat him? What text(s) does he quote? Who does he identify himself with? Can you identify his behaviour as holy foolish?
