©Andrzej Philips
The Russian word "богатырь" (bogatyr)
is best translated into English as "warrior hero" or "heroic
warrior." This word refers to a legendary hero in ancient Russian oral epic
tales (bylinas) who is known for superhuman strength and bravery.
Ilya
Muromets, also known as Ilya Morovlin, Muravlenin, Murovets, Muromlyan, and
Ilya the Dragon Slayer, is one of the principal heroes of the ancient Russian
and Russian epic poems, known as byliny. He is a legendary bogatyr (warrior
hero), the son of a peasant, hailing from Northeastern Rus, who came to serve
in Kyiv under Prince Vladimir and led the defense of Ancient Rus.
The son of a
peasant, Ilya was born in the village of Karacharovo, near Murom[1]. Ilya Muromets was born paralyzed and could not walk
until he was 33 years old. He could only lie on a Russian stove,
until he was miraculously healed by two pilgrims. After his miraculous recovery, he performed numerous heroic deeds,
including defeating the Nightingale the Robber, fighting idols and Tatars. In
the end, Ilya is said to have turned to stone.
A USSR postage stamp issued in 1988 features an
illustration by Raisa Smirnova[2]
titled "Ilya Muromets." The stamp's se-tenant label describes
bylinas: "Bylina - epic songs composed by the Russian people, reflecting
the reality of Rus' in the 11th-16th centuries. The heroes of the epics are
warriors, possessing high moral qualities and selfless devotion to the
homeland."
The first
written mention of Ilya Muromets dates back to the 16th century, where he
appears in the works of F.S. Kmita-Chernobylsky as Ilya Muravlenin and in the
accounts of Erich Lassota as the giant Ilya Morovlin in the St. Sophia
Cathedral of Kyiv. In various bylinas he is also referred to as Morovets,
Murovets, Muravlenin, and Morovlyanin.
Ilya Muromets' image has been widely
represented in literature, music, painting, and cinema. Many researchers
identify him with Saint Elijah Pechersky the Cobbler, whose relics rest in the
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
Ilya Muromets is commemorated on December 19
(January 1) and also on September 25 (October 8). On these days, Saint Elijah
of Murom (Pechersky), revered by Russians, is often conflated with the
legendary hero Ilya Muromets. In many provinces of the Russian Empire, it was
believed that Ilya Muromets rode across the sky "on six horses,"
which explained the thunder. In various regions, where his horse was believed
to have struck springs with its hoof, chapels were erected in the name of Saint
Elijah. His association with thunder and springs also linked the legendary
bogatyr to the prophet Elijah, and thus he was also remembered on Elijah's Day.
The prophet Elijah, also spelled as
"Elias" in some traditions, is a significant figure in several
religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is
primarily known for his role as a prophet in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
and is revered as one of the greatest prophets in these religious traditions. In
the Hebrew Bible, Elijah appears in the First and Second Books of Kings. He is
depicted as a fearless and zealous prophet who lived during the reign of King
Ahab and Queen Jezebel in the northern kingdom of Israel. Elijah's ministry was
marked by his condemnation of idolatry, particularly the worship of the
Canaanite god Baal, which was promoted by Ahab and Jezebel.
A Serbian stamp, issued in 2023, presenting Holy Prophet Elijah, who popularly known as Ilija the Thunderer, is commemorated on August 2.
Elijah is famous for several miraculous deeds,
including the raising of the dead, bringing fire down from heaven, and
challenging the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel, where he proved
the supremacy of the God of Israel by calling fire down to consume his
offering. After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled into the
wilderness, where he encountered God in a still, small voice.
According to the biblical account, Elijah did
not die but was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by a chariot of
fire and horses of fire. This event is known as the "ascension of
Elijah" and is one of the most memorable episodes in his story.
Elijah is revered for his unwavering
faithfulness to God, his boldness in confronting injustice and idolatry, and
his role as a harbinger of the Messiah in Jewish tradition. In Christianity,
Elijah is often seen as a precursor to John the Baptist, and his appearance
alongside Moses at the Transfiguration of Jesus affirms his continued
importance in Christian theology.
In Islam, Elijah is known as "Ilyas"
and is considered a prophet and messenger of God. He is mentioned in the Quran,
where he is revered for his righteousness and devotion to God.
[1] Murom is a
historical city in Vladimir Oblast, Russia, which sprawls along the west bank
of the Oka River.
[2] Illustrator Raisa Alexeevna
Smirnova was born on August 1, 1935, in the village of Morshan-Lyadovka,
Inzhevinsky District, Voronezh Region. She became a member of the Union of
Artists of the RSFSR in 1971. From 1952 to 1957, she studied at the Palekh Art
School, where her teachers included A.V. Borunov, D.N. Butorin, and I.P.
Vakurov. Between 1963 and 1989, she worked at the Palekh Artistic Production
Workshops. Raisa Smirnova passed away on July 31, 1996, and was buried in
Palekh [https://palekh.narod.ru/win/smirn_ra.htm].
