Christian metanovel by E. R. Dombrovskaya “The way is free... Chekhov. Spiritual wanderings of Timofey the deacon”

The article contains analysis of E. R. Dombrovskaya’s creation, which the writer classifies as metanovel. The main part of the plot, tied to the story of the character’s personality development as well as his ascetic experience and the comprehension of Chekhov’s phenomena, is unveiled as the “bringing up novel” and the character’s “spiritual wanderings”. “Moving” the reader from the spiritual depths to the sphere of creativity, philosophy and literary criticism, the writer accurately follows the criteria of spiritual experience. Such methodology helps to see Chekhov as a true Christian writer. Author`s thoughts on spiritual wholesomeness of the process of creative exploration of classicist’s artistic heritage, on the gradual increase of his level of understanding is emphasized by the key image of evangelical seed. Eploration of the Chekhov’s creations is completed by combining literary and personal / family realities. Family novel, rich with content, is connected with problematic aspect (the struggle between family as a little chirch and the world) and the aspect of intonation (tenderness) of the book. Including numerous genre types and modelling the situation of the spiritual - artistic process, Domrovskaya’s book is internally wholesome, which is reached by the author’s position and strictly measured evangelical tradition. It is a rare for the modern literature Christian metanovel.