Article

Name: “The Earrings Fell out of Her Hands...”: The Miracle of the Earrings of the Widow Maria in “The Legend on the Apparition and Miracles of the Abalak Icon of the Theotokos”

Authors: Tatiana I. Kovaleva

Institute of Philology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

In the section Literary Life of the Plot

Abstract:

The article deals with the manuscript copies of the Legend of the Abalak icon of the Theotokos. The analysis shows the absence of the miracle dedicated to its main heroine, widow Maria, at the early stage of the work’s existence (the first quarter of the 17th century). It is conventionally called in the article the miracle of the earrings. This story can be found only in later copies of the 18th century. Opening the list of miracles from the icon, it seems illogical, since it is not directly connected with the main events of the Legend (the founding of the church and the creation of the Abalak Icon of the Theotokos). This miracle and its role are examined by comparing the only early copy and the invariant copy of the 18th century. The miracle of the earrings in the later copy echoes in meaning the previous apparitions of the icon of the Theotokos. In general, the apparitions and the miracle are a complete plot connected to the main heroine. It is connected with the idea of the transition of the Siberian land from paganism to the Christian faith. This idea is only outlined in the early copy of the Legend, and the heroine’s function is limited to her story about the apparitions. Concluding the heroine’s story, it refers the reader to a broad biblical context related to earrings, silver, other jewelry and metals. Moreover, like a gospel parable, it explains the idea of striving for spiritual values.

Keywords: Russian literature of Siberia, Tobolsk Archpriests’ House, legends on icons, the Abalak Icon of the Theotokos, manuscript tradition, plot formation

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