Izmaragd
Encyclopedia
The Izmaragd is a Russian moral compilation work, surviiving in a number of manuscript copies, in codex
form, the earliest written in the 14th century. Depending on the version, it contains from 90 to 250 articles, mostly translated from Greek
and adapted to Russian culture and context.
The themes covered by the work are various: "revering books", Christian virtue
s and sin
s, good and mean wives, education of children and household
management. The Izmaragd was widely in use until the end of 17th century (20th century in some Old Believers
communities), and heavily contributed to the influence of Domostroy
in 15th-16th centuries.
Codex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
form, the earliest written in the 14th century. Depending on the version, it contains from 90 to 250 articles, mostly translated from Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
and adapted to Russian culture and context.
The themes covered by the work are various: "revering books", Christian virtue
Virtue
Virtue is moral excellence. A virtue is a positive trait or quality subjectively deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being....
s and sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
s, good and mean wives, education of children and household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
management. The Izmaragd was widely in use until the end of 17th century (20th century in some Old Believers
Old Believers
In the context of Russian Orthodox church history, the Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon between 1652–66...
communities), and heavily contributed to the influence of Domostroy
Domostroy
Domostroy or Domostroi is a 16th century Russian set of household rules, instructions and advices pertaining to various religious, social, domestic, and family matters of the Russian society. Core Domostroi values tended to reinforce obedience and submission to God, Tsar and Church...
in 15th-16th centuries.