FEODR PETROV’S SPECIAL CONTENT CHRONOGRAPH

The article deals with a unique historical writings named The Special Content Chronograph and composedby a priest, Feodor Petrov in Yaroslavl at the end of the 17th century – beginning of the 18th century. The Chronographhas never been really studied before and is not widely known. It consists of an introduction and a prayer writtenprobably by Petrov himself, and extensive compilations from Old Testament texts corresponding to the Ostrog Bible,borrowings from the Russian Chronograph, Dmitry Rostovsky Sinopsys, and a number of updates. The latter mainlyconcern local news of Yaroslavl city life: only this text informs of participation of foreign craftsmen in the building ofthe Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir. The writing also contains different extracts – from The Book of Degrees of theRoyal Genealogy, the Menologion, Zosima’s Voyage to Jerusalem, Ecclesiastical Calendar, etc. The work is illustratedwith engravings, headpieces cut from books, ornaments, etc. A part of the manuscript had been created in the lastquarter of 17th century. Petrov have been working mainly in the beginning of 18th century, and the work was completedin 1720. At the same time, the contemporary events having been taking place during the reign of Peter I, are notmentioned in the manuscript. The Chronograph is an evidence of the creative interest of a provincial priest to the Russian history and literature. The fact that the original manuscript had survived the time is of a great value, this allows to conduct a thorough analysis including historical and textual examination, of unique record from the times of Peter I.

Special Content Chronograph, Feodor Petrov, Russian Chronicles, Peter I, the Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir, Yaroslavl Literary Heritage