Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2000 The Issue of Antitrinitarianism in the Fifteenth-Century Novgorod- Moscow Movement: Analysis and Evaluation Oleg Zhigankov Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the History of Christianity Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, and the Slavic Languages and Societies Commons Recommended Citation Zhigankov, Oleg, "The Issue of Antitrinitarianism in the Fifteenth-Century Novgorod-Moscow Movement: Analysis and Evaluation" (2000). Dissertations. 172. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/172 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE ISSUE OF ANTITRINITARIANISM IN THE FIFTEENTH- CENTURY NOVGOROD-MOSCOW MOVEMENT: ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Oleg Zhigankov December 2000 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9992446 __UMI ___ __ ® UMI Microform 9992446 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyrightowner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE ISSUE OF ANTITRINITARIANISM IN THE FIFTEENTH- CENTURY NOVGOROD-MOSCOW MOVEMENT ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION A Dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Oleg Zhigankov APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: ^ _______ Faculty Adviser, Dirpbtor, Ph.D./Th.D Miroslav KiS Randall W. Younker Professor of Ethics i 's ■__________ J. H. Denis Fortin • Dean, SDA Associate Professor of Theology John K. McVay \V L cry>\ Associate Profi of Church History Associate Professor of History j s — Q oQ LC . 0 * 0 0 0 Paul Meyendorff Date approved Professor of Liturgicalliturgical THeology ' St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT THE ISSUE OF ANTITRINITARIANISM IN THE FIFTEENTH- CENTURY NOVGOROD-MOSCOW MOVEMENT: ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION by Oleg Zhigankov Adviser: Miroslav M. KiS Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE ISSUE OF ANTITRINITARIANISM IN THE FIFTEENTH- CENTURY NOVGOROD-MOSCOW MOVEMENT: ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION Name of researcher: Oleg Zhigankov Name and degree of faculty adviser: Miroslav M. Ki§, Ph.D. Date completed: December 2000 This study attempts to examine the trinitarian beliefs o f the fifteenth-century Novgorod-Moscow movement, analyzing both their own writings and the polemical writings of those who considered their teaching antitrinitarian. The main objective of the present research is to contribute to the restoration of the authentic theological identity o f this movement. Chapter 1 defines the problem, which has already been raised by some nineteenth-century scholars who have pointed out that the allegedly antitrinitarian character of the Subbotniks’ movement must be open for further discussion. It also shows that no systematic research on Subbotniks’ theology has ever been produced. permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The second chapter of this historical-theological study surveys the historical background of the Novgorod-Moscow movement and briefly analyzes the religious, political, and cultural context of fifteenth-century Russia. It demonstrates that the struggle surrounding this movement was motivated not only theologically, but also politically and culturally. Chapter 3 analyzes the polemical documents, giving priority to the primary sources contemporary to the Novgorod-Moscow movement, such as Archbishop Gennadii’s letters and Iosif of Volotsk’s Instructor. In general, the documents presented in this chapter differ in their charges o f antitrinitarianism against the Subbotniks. Chapter 4 analyzes the Subbotniks’ sources, which include all the passages directly or indirectly dealing with their trinitarian views. The writings of the Subbotniks in general represent the trends common for European reform movements of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The study of the Subbotniks’ literature shows that the antitrinitarian character o f this movement cannot be confirmed by the writings o f the Subbotniks themselves. Chapter 5 presents a systematic-analytical and historical evaluation of the question of the trinitarian status of the Novgorod-Moscow movement. The present research found no traces of antitrinitarianism in the Subbotniks’ movement. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To my dear wife Elena and my children Akim and Sasha iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..................................................................................................... ix Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ..........................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ..............................................................................................6 Purpose and Justification of the Research................................................................... 6 Viability of the Research ..............................................................................................8 Scope/Delimitations.......................................................................................................9 Methodology..................................................................................................................9 Primary Sources............................................................................................................10 Works Opposing the Novgorod-Moscow Movement ................................ 10 Letters of Archbishop Gennadii (Gonosov) and Related Sources ....................................................................10 Writings of Iosif of Volotsk ............................................................. 12 Penitence by the Heretic D enis.........................................................13 Sentence of the 1490 Council ...........................................................13 Voskresensk Chronicle of 1492 ...................................................... 13 Letter of Monk S a w a ........................................................................ 14 Works from within the Novgorod-Moscow Movement ..............................14 Books Found Among the Subbotniks ..............................................14 Books Written by the Subbotniks .................................................... 15 Writings of Fedor Kuritsin...................................................