thumb|Manuscript from the 16th century collection, [[Russian State Library]]
The Prayer of Daniil Zatochnik, also translated as The Supplication of Daniel the Exile or Praying of Daniel the Immured (; ), is an Old East Slavic text created by the Pereyaslavl-born writer Daniil Zatochnik during the 13th century (estimated time 1213–1236).
Text
The work is written in the form of an epistle to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Pereyaslavl and Suzdal. The author appears to be in great need and begs the prince for help, depicting him as a defender of all his subjects. The text combines quotations from the Bible and Old Russian Chronicles with a highly rhythmic language, aphorisms, elements of humour and satire aimed against boyars and clergy; according to Dmitry Likhachov, "Daniel’s deliberate coarseness and buffoonery are in the tradition of the skomorokh (a wandering minstrel-cum-clown)". while others name them among the "pioneers of Russian samizdat".
References
Links
- Original text and translation at the Pushkin House electronic library (in Russian)
- The Prayer of Daniil Zatochnik analysis by Dmitry Likhachov (in Russian)