Marian Laments in East Slavic Lands?

[Daniel Rancour-Laferriere]

Dear Slavists,

I am writing to inquire about the existence of (non-liturgical) Marian laments over the dead or dying Jesus in East Slavic literatures and folklore.  What I have in mind is something which would be analogous to what Mary does at the foot of the cross in Passion plays in the medieval West, such as the vernacular German Marienklagen or the Latin planctus.  In the "Planctus ante nescia," for example, Mary is astonished that her sweet child, about whom so much was promised at the annunciation, is now hanging before her eyes on a cross.  In her intense grief she wishes to die with her son, and she lashes out at the alleged perpetrators of this crime - the Jews.  In the middle English mysteries, such as the N-Town Crucifixion, the story is the same, and no amount of theologically correct explaining - that her son is redeeming sinful humankind with his crucifixion - can console the lamenting Mary.  Only his resurrection can console her, but this is rare (e.g., the post-resurrection!
  Christ's appearance to Mary in pseudo-Bonaventure's Meditationes vitae Christi).

Any bibliographic suggestions, websites, etc. would be much appreciated.

With regards to the list,


Daniel Rancour-Laferriere


http://Rancour-Laferriere.com

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