concept
Mock akathist for the Lintvaryov sisters
mock akathist
Chekhov jokingly proposes to compose and read daily, on his knees, an akathist -- a real Orthodox liturgical genre of standing praise-hymn -- in honor of Elena Lintvaryova and her sisters, comparing them to holy wives and maidens borne to paradise by angels. A deliberate, extravagant mock-devotional flourish for comic effect, not a genuine devotional statement.
Reading notes
- To Ye. M. Lintvareva, 6 September 1889. Moscow. §5 an akathist to holy wives and maidens
An akathist (акафист) is a genre of Orthodox devotional hymn of praise, traditionally addressed to Christ, the Mother of God, or a saint, sung standing (the name derives from Greek for "not sitting"). Chekhov's offer to compose one for Elena Lintvareva and her sisters, to be read daily on his knees, is an extravagant mock-liturgical compliment -- deliberately overblown parody of religious devotion aimed at secular, affectionate praise, characteristic of his habit of needling solemn or pious forms for comic effect. Not to be read as sincere religious sentiment; see also the corresponding allusions.json entry.
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