Studia Litterarum

2500-4247

IWL RAS

https://doi.org/10.22455/2500-4247-2026-11-1-134-153

Research Article

Articles

The Eulogy to Boris and Gleb: Dating, Poetics and Rhetoric of the Text

Ranchin

Andrey M.

red@studlit.ru

March 25, 2026

2026

December 01, 2025

The article examines the Eulogy to Boris and Gleb, beginning “Kyimi pokhavnymi ventsi uvyazem’ Borisa i Gleba.” The text appears in manuscripts no earlier than the 16th century, including in copies of the Great Menaion Readings. This work has been virtually unstudied. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written in the 16th century specifically for the Great Menaion Readings. It is shown that there is insufficient evidence for this dating, and that linguistic evidence suggests a reasonable probability that it is quite ancient. Apparently, it was written as part of a cycle of works dedicated to Boris and Gleb. The text is presented in various manuscripts, both as a chapter within a single work and as a stand-alone work. In addition to its small size, the Eulogy differ from other Old Russian encomiums in that they lack accounts of the saints’ exploits and prayerful petitions. Drawing on hymnographic poetics, the monument skillfully expresses themes of the brothers’ spiritual choice and love for God. The author masterfully employs extended metaphors with the semantics of light and blossoming. Antitheses, repeated refrains with variations, and phonetic echoes are employed. It is demonstrated that the Eulogy deserves further careful study.

The Eulogy to Boris and Gleb problem of dating poetics composition rhetorical devices

2026

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