Classical Authors in the Homiletics of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Abstract

The Ukrainian Baroque style of the 17th century can unite ascetic appeals with hedonism, refinement with bullying, abstract symbolism with naturalism, dynamics, passion, histrionics, enchantment and illusionism (Ukrajins’ka literatura XVII st., Kyiv 1987, pp. 8-9). The writers and preachers of this century use allegories, metaphors and similes, as well as ancient and Christian images in their works. The significance and the functions of homily as a social genre are greater than those of an ecclesiastical institute. According to its content, form and social functions, homily expresses a special aesthetic mission and becomes distinctly a baroque one (V.I. Krekoten’, Opovidannja Antonija Radyvyl’vs’koho, Kyiv 1983, p. 7). During this century, prominent Ukrainian Church and cultural personalities connected with the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy joined the space of western educational communication. They understood the sense and key ideas of ancient texts and Augustus’ Latin era remained a symbol of versatility and high standards. The most prominent Ukrainian preachers of the second half of the 17th century were the students of Kyiv-Mohyla College Ioannikii Haliatovs’kyi and Antonii Radyvylovs’kyi.