The Cult of Icons in the Russian Orthodox Culture in 16th Century: Zinoviy Otenskiy and his Contemporaries

Icon is one of the substantial elements of Christian theology. In the whole course of Christian history icon was the subject of intense theological dispute, which eventually shape the complete icon doctrine. Formed under the influence of iconoclastic controversy, after the East-West Schism icon doctrine gains unique traits within the framework of two separated traditions. It again undergoes significant external influence during Reformation, changing both Orthodox and Catholic traditions. Reformation influence induced many contemporaries to again formulate and protect the original doctrine. Ziniviy Otenskiy is certainly one of them. He creates a major work, supposed to denounce the popular heresy of Feodosiy Kosoy, spread in Lithuanian and Muscovy territories. While stating many of the fundamental Orthodox regulations, Ziniviy mentions icon doctrine as well. Present paper considers existing historiography as mostly one-sided in its evaluation of Ziniviy’s work, considering as the source about Feodosiy’s heresy in the first place, overlooking various significant topics, raised by Ziniviy, who represents one of the most conservative and apologetic positions which were presented in his time. Considering all previously mentioned, present paper claims the aim of defining thoroughly Zinoviy’s comprehension of the icon doctrine. The conclusion made in the paper allows claiming, that the icon doctrine of in Muscovy Russia in XVI century shows fundamental succession and continuity with Byzantine traditions, it appears to be much more complex and sophisticated in comparison to that of Catholic tradition, it is connected with fundamental theological features of Orthodoxy and certainly requires special investigation approaches.