The dissertation is devoted to research on the literary heritage of Irynei (Ivan) Falkovskyi – a writer, preacher, bishop, scientist, the last rector of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. In contemporaries' memory, he appears as “the last encyclopedist” and “the biggest gain of Kiyv-Mohyla Academy”.
Irynei Falkovskyi is an author of numerous scientific treatises in particular “Brief Account of Orthodox Dogmatic and Polemical Theology”, interpretations of the Bible and many sermons. A scientist whose scientific activity encompassed a range of disciplines: from exact sciences such as Mathematics, Physics, Optics, Astronomy to Poetics and Rhetoric. An author of the first geographical and local history description of Hungary, poetical works in few languages, “Daily Reflections” – psychological notes with his reflections about contemporary theological, ethical and aesthetic problems. His "Autobiographical Notes" contain interesting sketches of the life in Hungary, the analysis of culture and co-existence of different ethnical groups in the Austrian Empire.
On the basis of the analysis of Irynei Falkonskyi’s autobiographical notes and studies of 19th-century scientists little-known facts from his biography were established in the dissertation as well as the process of his personality development, taking place in Hungarian educational institutions, was restored.
It is stated that literary career of Irynei Falkovskyi consists of two parts: “studying period” (1775/1776 – 1783) and “Russian period” (1783 – until his death 1823).
One of the manuscript sources of his literary heritage “Opera poetica…” is a common collection of so-called "school exercises", which were obligatory for every student taking the Poetics course. However, the poems reflect the high level of the author's erudition.
The other Irynei Falkovskyi’s poem from the collection “Opera poetica…” with the title “Per angusta ad augusta” (“Through difficulties to Honours”) is dedicated to a very widespread within post-renaissance literature theme of poetic writing.
The collection “Opera poetica…” also includes two fables by Irynei Falkovskyi: Stressing that he follows the example of Aesop’s fables Irynei Falkovskyi follows examples of late Roman characteristics of the genre: his fables are rhymed (as well as fables by ancient Roman fabulist Phaedrus).
The fables by Irynei have “moral” – a conclusion establishing a new ethical doctrine based on Christian virtues. The comparison of Aesop, Phaedrus, Hryhoriy Skovoroda and Irynei Falkonskyi’s ways of constructing a fable’s plot demonstrates the process of a fable’s transformation from a poetic work with indistinct genre features (fabula – a type of a “school exercise”) into an independent genre which is characteristic of classical Ukrainian literature
The work “The speech of Gottfried to Coloman…” consists of two speeches written in accordance with rhetorical rules and expresses a Christian idea “antemurale” (protecting European civilization from non-Christian expansion). Poetic works from the manuscript collection “Opera poetica…” are characterized by classical means of a theme reproduction, what emphasizes that the author has good theoretical knowledge in poetics and rhetoric.
The interest of Irynei Falkovskyi to the history of Hungary was also reflected in his local history work “Brief Description of Hungary” written in Russian.
The style of poetic works by Irynei Falkonskyi reflect distinct characteristics of “school classicism”, and his scientific studies – theological, geography and local history as well as those belonging to exact sciences – can be classified as philosophical trends of the Enlightenment. Irynei Falkonskyi literary heritage obviously fits in the paradigm of the transition period in the development of the Ukrainian literature of the late 18th – early 19th centuries and as a whole demonstrates the dramatic process of a complex search for idealistic worldview under the conditions of statelessness of Ukraine.
The practical value of the dissertation: the research materials can be used for an in-depth study of the ancient Ukrainian literature, for writing the history of Ukrainian creative writing, for compiling school textbooks as well as in the process of elaborating special courses of relevant disciplines at educational establishments. In addition, some of the author’s works will be essential for discovering certain aspects of Ukrainian history and the history of Ukrainian church.
