Christian chrononyms in heroic epics: vespers and matins

The article refl ects on the Christian component of the heroic epics (bylinas), which has only recently begun to be comprehensively studied. Heroic epics of the Russian North are analyzed for references to vespers and matins. It is considered what formulas, motifs, and plots include these concepts. The fi ndings indicate that, in their basic semantics, vespers and matins mentioned in heroic epics literally refer to morning and evening church services, which does not correspond to the church canon. These two related concepts are presented in the epics in a very contrasting way. Their study contributes to a broader understanding of what realities of the Christian faith resonated with the poetics of heroic epics and were able to gain a foothold in their artistic world. It is suggested that references to vespers were incorporated into the epics at a late stage of their existence through the topos of “moving from one point to another between two church services”.