The Book of Job in the Legacy of S. S. Averintsev and Archpriest Alexander Men

The article presents a comparative study of the interpretations of the Book of Job by two prominent Russian thinkers of the 20th century — Sergey S. Averintsev and Archpriest Alexander Men. Central focus is placed on Averintsev’s innovative poetic translation (1973), where deliberate archaization, original rendering of theonyms, and attention to historical context synthesize the achievements of humanities with Orthodox culture. In his personalistic reading, Averintsev emphasizes Job’s existential dialogue with God, critiquing simplified moralistic interpretations. In turn, Fr. Alexander Men develops a teleological interpretation, viewing the Book of Job as a stage in divine pedagogy preparing for the New Testament revelation. His methodology organically combines historical- critical analysis with the principles of Orthodox hermeneutics. The analysis reveals both differences (academic vs. ecclesiastical contexts) and key similarities: a focus on personalism, attention to existential experience, and the overcoming of scholastic templates. The research broadens the understanding of the specifics of Russian biblical studies during the Soviet period, demonstrating concrete forms of dialogue between scientific criticism and religious tradition.