Митрополит Исидор Киевский (1385/1390–1463)

ODB — The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium / ed. A. P. Kazdan, A.-M. Talbot etc. Washington, 1991. 3 vol.

OCP — Orientalia Christiana Periodica. Roma, 1935—.

OSBM — Ordo Sancti Basilii Magni.

PG — Patrologiae cursus completus. Ser. Graeca / ed. J.-P. Migne. Paris, 1857–1866. 161 t.

PLP — Prosopographisches Lexikon der Palaiologenzeit / ed. E. Trapp. Wien, 1976–1994. Fasz. 1–12.

REB — Revue des études Byzantines. P., 1943—.

ап., апп. — апостол, апостолы

архиеп. — архиепископ

архим. — архимандрит

вмч. — великомученик

диак. — диакон

дис. — диссертация

д-р — доктор

еп. — епископ

иером. — иеромонах

изд. — издание

ил. — иллюстрация

имп. — император

канд. — кандидат

л. — лист

митр. — митрополит

напр. — например

о. — отец

опубл. — опубликовано

патр. — патриарх

прав. — праведный

прот. — протоиерей

проф. — профессор

прп. — преподобный

равноап. — равноапостольный

ркп. — рукопись

св., свв. — святой, святые

свт. — святитель

ср. — сравни

ст. — статья

т. наз. — так называемый

цит. — цитируется, цитирование

Summary

The course of life, activity and literary heritage of Isidore, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus' (1380/1390–1463), for a long time were "blind spots" in the history of Late Byzantium, Medieval Russia and the Latin West. The researches that appeared have been fragmented which only highlights the need of integrated approach in study of the biography and activity of this ambiguous person of the Russian and world history. The studies undertaken allow not only to comprehensively reconstruct the life of Kiev Metropolitan Isidore and briefly review his literary heritage, but also to show some patterns and interrelations between certain events of the hierarch's biography.

Isidore of Kiev was perhaps one of the most prominent figure and, in some way, a major player in the history of late Byzantine society during the last years of its existence, and his personality was far from being ordinary. According to the sources, the author singles out 3 periods of Isidore's life and activity, which determine the structure of this work: 1) "Byzantine" period (before Isidore was nominated to the Kiev pulpit); 2) "Russian" period (including Isidore's participation in the Council of Ferrara-Florence); 3) "Italian" period (including his trips to Byzantium). The question of Isidore's descent, discussed among the scientists, has been resolved in the work on the basis of evidences from the Byzantine and Latin sources. It was discovered that Isidore was born and spent the first years of his life in the Peloponnese, possibly in the port town of Monemvasia. Since the Peloponnese, as a consequence of the Fourth Crusade, had stayed under the Latin influence for a long time, it actualized a certain "latinophilism" among the local intellectuals of late Byzantine times. Therefore, it was here that Isidore could develop his tolerant attitude toward the Western Church and everything of Latin origin.

Isidore moved up the career ladder rather quickly, primarily due to the classical education he had received. Researchers speak of various educational centers of late Byzantine time, among which the leading were Mystras and Constantinople. The unique handwriting of Isidore was formed probably in Mystras, the capital of the Byzantine Peloponnese (Morea) and the largest center for Greek manuscripts rewriting; Constantinople provided to Isidore a chance to be taught by such outstanding teachers as Manuel and John Chrysoloras or John Chortas-men, although it is impossible to say for sure who taught Isidore. One way or another, at the end of his staying at Constantinople Isidore proved himself as an encomiast due to his education and entered the immediate circle of Emperor Manuel II of Palaeologus, functioning as the chief scribe — a copyist of Emperor's writings, and also, as some scholars note, being a co-worker of this "philosopher on the throne". Then Isidore retired and spent more than two decades at the Peloponnese, where he took the monastic vows in the Contostephanos monastery in honor of the Holy Archangel Michael and All the Bodiless Powers of Heaven (near Monemvasia); he served Cyril, the Metropolitan of Monemvasia. Bearing his obedience, Isidore manifested himself as a hymnographer, panegyrist and scientist; on the Metropolitan's instructions Isidore was engaged in the compilation of historical-canonical texts designed to settle canonical questions of the dioceses belonged to the metropolia. Apparently, at the same time Isidore met George Gemistus Plethon, an outstanding philosopher, who influenced his worldview in a significant way.