The image of Deacon Pobedovo in the story of A.P. Chekhov «The Duel»

A.P. Chekhov's childhood and adolescence were associated with carrying out "church-parish obedience" in the choir of the writer's father. What he saw and heard during this time was long remembered by A.P. Chekhov. This was reflected in his work. Numerous quotes from the Holy Scriptures and biblical reminiscences are abundantly present in the prose of the Russian classic. In his stories there are many images of clergy - from bishops to deacons. The young deacon Pobedov, a character in Chekhov's "Duel", appears as a man with common sense. Funny and sometimes naive, he turns out to be able to convey Christ's teaching about love for one's neighbor to his older acquaintances - Laevsky and von Koren - and plays a decisive role during their duel. With a cry of "He will kill him!" The deacon makes von Koren miss, saving the duelists' lives and giving hope for a change in their souls. Against the background of a duel, a confrontation between the two main characters, deacon Pobedov acts as the "third", who gives the right direction to life and helps to avoid mistakes. The image of the deacon, who descended from the church pulpit onto the Caucasian landscape, complements the author's narrative and invites the reader to draw independent conclusions.