The life of Nikon of Radonezh: historical and literary commentary

The article examines the hagiographic text dedicated to Abbot Nikon, a disciple of Sergius of Radonezh (the Wonderworker), from the point of view of the traditional hagiographic canon, the type of saint depicted and the patterns of development of Russian literature of the XVI century. As a result of the study of the life of the monk, the personality of the author is characterized, the parameter "time of writing" is revealed, the cultural and historical conditions of creation are described; the peculiarities of composition and content are revealed, compliance with the canon and deviations from it are established.