Two collections of letters of Kyiv Metropolitan Arseniy Mohylasky, 1762-1766: persons, events, symbols and gestures

Abstract

Part 2: Correspondence with secular figures

The purpose of the study is showing the difference in the metropolitan’s personality towards persons of varying degrees of closeness and importance to him, with special attention to facts of emotional connection (through special phrases, terms, intimate details of the content, gifts) on the basis of the correspondence of Arsenii Mohylianskyi from 1762—1766, revealing the manifested and unmanifested symbols and gestures in the epistles of His Eminence Arsenii and his addressees. Methodology is based on modern developments in epistolary studies, history of everyday life, intellectual history’ and historical anthropology. Novelty. The study introduces a corpus of letters, only few of which have been previously published and included in specialised works. Through the prism of the correspondence reveals the traits of character, interests, intellectual intentions, sacred and material priorities of Arsenii Mohylianskyi. For the first time, the symbolism of the sacred and secular things and artefacts associated with him is considered. Conclusions to part 2. In his correspondence with secular figures, Arsenii Mohylianskyi defended the canonical right to manage the church structures of the Kyiv diocese only by the metropolitan, gently denying the attempts of some secular leaders to dictate their demands (Kyrylo Rozumovskyi). The relations of His Eminence Arseniy with the Cossacks (kosher Petro Kalnyshevskyi) and the Cossack elite (military judge Pavlo Holovatyi) were the closest among all secular figures. This was expressed in special gifts from both sides, the selection of icons and relics as a metropolitan blessing and prayer practices. At the same time, the line “spiritual head — believers” operated both on the etiquette and personal levels. The forms and gestures of the sacred world of Arsenii Mohylanskyi were especially manifested in his veneration and promotion of the shrines of St. Sophia Cathedral. In all cases of the metropolitan's correspondence with secular figures, he acted exclusively as a bishop, whose human manifestations were "hidden" behind the symbolism of words, gifts, and gestures