Аннотация: MMMDCLXIV. Reading of the Book. A story. - May 27, 2025.
Reading of the Book. A story.
Before lunch, the Metropolitan bishop visited one of the capital's monasteries. He examined the frescoes of the master, icon painter, whose fame spread more and more throughout all the Rus'. The composition "The Last Judgment", a traditionally formidable scene, turned - by the will of the master - into a bright celebration of the triumph of justice.
"Everything is according to the will of The Almighty!" the Metropolitan bishop thought.
In his chambers, the Metropolitan held a meeting with church people who had returned after their studies in Europe.
"They know the teachings of the Church, they know different languages! There are people who are capable to teach and to mentor Rus'."
They prayed, together, in front of the icon with the faces of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
On his way to the temple, for the service, the Metropolitan saw a group oprichniks galloping up to the house of a city resident.
[oprichniki - members of the oprichnian host (corps) - executed mass repression of the boyars (Russian aristocrats) (as well as another persons), including public executions and confiscation of their land and property; they prosecuted people "for treason" outside legal limitations - without interference from the boyar council or from the church]
A terrible noise. Screams. Blows. People running around the house in panic...
"Stop it! Return back to your owner! Protect Rus', widows and orphans!.."
There was silence for a moment. Oprichniks silently, casting glances at the Metropolitan, mounted their horses and galloped away.
A sermon in the church.
The Metropolitan pushed aside the church book and directed his gaze at the man surrounded by oprichniks:
"Thou shalt not kill ! - Don't kill!
Thou shalt not commit adultery ! - Do not commit adultery!
Thou shalt not desire anything of thy neighbour! - Do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor!..."
"Repent!..." "Repent!!!..."
The oprichniks stood frozen, occasionally casting fiery glances at the Metropolitan.
Late at night, by candlelight, the Metropolitan opened the Bible and began to read: 'But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' - " That servant, going out, found one of his companions who owed him a hundred denarii, and, seizing him, was strangling him, saying: give me what you owe."
The reading was interrupted: suddenly there was a terrible noise. Screams. Blows. Sounds of people running in panic.
The door opened. The oprichniks were standing on the threshold. They looked at the Metropolitan with sparkling eyes.
May 27, 2025 06:28
Translation from Russian into English: May 27, 2025 15:30
Владимир Владимирович Залесский ' Чтение Книги. Рассказ. '.
{3693. Чтение Книги. Рассказ. - 27 мая 2025 г.
MMMDCLXIV. Reading of the Book. A story. - May 27, 2025.
Vladimir Zalessky Internet-bibliotheca. Интернет-библиотека Владимира Залесского}