Orthodox joke as a phenomenon of modern Orthodox culture

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reveal the specifics of the Orthodox joke as a phenomenon of modern Orthodox culture. Methodology. In the context of the culturological approach, the method of comparative analysis, induction, deduction, typology, and classification was used. Scientific Novelty. For the first time the phenomenon of the Orthodox joke was investigated in the context of cultural studies; assumptions were made regarding the time and reasons for its appearance; its sources are highlighted, the typology of the Orthodox joke is proposed; supplemented with data on the cultural specificity of this phenomenon. Conclusions. In secular and folk culture, a joke is a form of uncensored folk art, a sphere of dissent. The Orthodox joke, by contrast, is one of the ways of preachingand does not oppose the official church line. A parable in the form of a joke is more understandable and acceptable to the cultural consciousness of a modern person. The following types of Orthodox jokes are distinguished: curious cases from the history of the church, the life of individual parishes, or pastoral practice; «Children's perception of religion»; «In front of Paradise doors»; «Dialogue between a believer and an unbeliever»; self-irony of Orthodox monks and laity. The development of the genre of the Orthodox joke testifies to the processes of adaptation of the Orthodox culture, which exists under the prevailing secular culture.