The Concept of Sin in the Early Old Russian Chronicles: Pride

Sin is one of the fundamental concepts in the medieval picture of the world. At the same time, the chronicles are the main narrative source on the history of Old Russia. The thesis is at the intersection of these topics and sources. It is dedicated to the reconstruction of the complex of Old Russian chroniclers’ notions about the sin of pride. Pride is at the top of the sinful hierarchy in the Christian system of values. However, the sense implied by the charge of it were changing over time. The prince, and the bishop, and the singer could be called proud in the Old Russian chronicles. The reasons for accusation of pride are different and not always clear to the modern readers. Chronicle’s proud man is a character who boasted of his own army. But also a proud man is a character who hoped to save his life with wealth. The thesis examines information about pride in the Russian Primary Chronicles and, more broadly, in the early Old Russian chronicles. Also the thesis reveals the meaning of the concept of pride and the principles of the narrative of this sin.