Were There Ideas of ‘Passive Salvation’ in Povest’ vremennykh let? On Development of ‘Theory of God’s Executions’ in Historiosophy of Rus’

The articles in Povest’ vremennykh let (Tale of Bygone Years or Russian Primary Chronicle) of 1093 and 1096 contain homilies which got controversial accounts in historiography as including ideas of apokatastasis. This study attempts to analyze the origin and essence of these complicated passages of the chronicle’s text. The article of 1093 contained the homily about ‘God’s mercies’ that counterbalanced ‘executions’. The scriber connected two Old Testament ideas of collective and individual retribution, which dated back to different times. However, he was nowhere near the ideas of apokatastasis as understood by Clement of Alexandria. The basis of the homily is a call to people not to lose hope for God even in the worst situations. There are also ideas about the ‘chosenness’ of Rus’, which emerged in the literature of Ancient Rus’ in the 11th century. The article of 1096 included explanation of the collective sacred mission of ‘pagan armies’ in history. While containing the idea that pagans receive benefits only in this world, the article is far removed from apocatastasis as well. Later, in the 13th century, Serapion of Vladimir combined ideas of ‘executions’ and ‘mercies’.