Ortodox Rite and Russians’ Life-Circle as Seen by a Muslim Scholar

Abstract

The article is a study of the "Description of Russia" by Sheikh Muhammad 'Ayyad al-Tantawi Egyptian-born professor of Arabic at the St. Petersburg University at 1839-1858 (or 1861). Completed in 1850, his work describes in detail the Russian rituals, customs, and other practices, their way and style of life. Despite its scientific and cultural value, it has not yet been fully translated into Russian. In this article the author focuses on a fragment concerning the religious practices of Russians. Translated excerpts from "Description of Russia" are equipped with a commentary in which the author notes the peculiarities of Egyptian scholar’s perception of Russian realities.