The gospel word in the sermons of Theophan Prokopovich

The article offers an analysis of the use of the Gospel text in the sermons of Theophan Prokopovich. It became evident that Theophan Prokopovich made much less references to the New Testament in his published works than to the Old Testament, which may result from his greater adherence to the Law than to Grace. The Gospel word by Prokopovich becomes a source of abundant and multidimensional allusions, often distantly related to its original meaning. In his sermons, Prokopovich seemed a skilled orator and cunning politician rather than a theologian. Prokopovich used the Gospel word to glorify the authorities and to justify their deeds manifesting, thus, a true talent of philologist skilful in the art of eloquence.