Violence and interrogation: Exorcism in Russian hagiography
https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-5294-2019-2-4-50-71
Abstract
The paper dwells on two motifs related to exorcism in medieval Russian hagiographies: violence towards the demon and questioning of the spirit. These motifs are connected to the three plot schemes often found in Christian literature: violence can be perpetrated against either a demon visiting a person in a vision or being contacted in real life (beating up a demon in “their own” guise), or a spirit having entered someone’s body. This last situation has analogues in the rites practiced in various Christian communities: beating of a possessed person, be it real or symbolic, is a widespread exorcistic practice correlating with stories of demons beaten up by saints. Questioning of the spirit who is talking via the possessed person is also a well-known move implemented in various banishing rituals and justified in a variety of texts. In this work both practices are analyzed on the basis of martyriums translated into Russian (those of Marina/Margaret of Antioch, Juliana of Nicomedia, Nikita the Demon Banisher, Hypatius of Gangra, etc.) and original hagiographies. Coexistence of various models of exorcism (“physical” and spiritual) is demonstrated as exemplified by two autobiographic hagiographies dating from the second half of the 17th century – those of Protopope Avvakum and Friar Epiphanius.
About the Author
D. I. Antonov
Russian State University for the Humanities; Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dr. of Sci. (History), associate professor
bld. 6, Miusskaya Sq., Moscow, 125993; bldg. 1, bld. 82, Vernadskogo Av., Moscow, 119571
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Review
For citations:
Antonov D.I. Violence and interrogation: Exorcism in Russian hagiography. Folklore: Structure, Typology, Semiotics. 2019;2(4):50-71. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-5294-2019-2-4-50-71
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