Siberia as an object of scientific, philosophical and artistic comprehension in the works of Nil (Nikolay Isakovich, 1779-1874), archbishop of Irkutsk, and Iakov (Ieronim Domsky, 1823-1889), bishop of Yakutsk
The article raises the question about the necessity of studying the creative heritage of the Orthodox clergy as an important part of the regional Siberian literature of the pre-revolutionary period. The problem is considered in the aspect of research of the role of spiritual writers in the development of the topic of Siberia, which is key for regional self-awareness. The study is based on the materials of the works of the Irkutsk archbishop Nil (Nikolay Isakovich) and the Yakutsk bishop Iakov (Ieronim Domsky). Both published texts and archival documents are considered. In particular, the article mentions documents from the archives of Nil of Yaroslavl, not yet introduced into scientific circulation. A series of articles on the history of Eastern Siberia, published in 1860-1861 in Yaro-slavckie eparkhial 'nye vedomosti without authorship indication, are attributed to Nil for the first time. These little-known materials make up a fundamental research work that puts the name of the author in one row with the greatest Siberian historians of that time. The cycle Sibir' i Perm' [Siberia and Perm] published in Permskie eparkhial'nye vedomosti for 18801882 as part of the creative heritage of Iakov is allocated. This cycle has not yet been an object of a separate study. Special attention is paid to the analysis of memoirs heritage: Putevye zapiski [Travel notes] (1869) by Nil and Puteshestvie po Lene [Trip along the Lena] (1887-1888) by Iakov. These works reflect the subjective experience of the authors in the development of the Siberian space and the tradition of missionary travel literature. These works bring the image of Siberia to the level of historiosophical generalization. Both bishops are critical of the current state of Siberia. They see a condition for its future development in the scientific study of the region and the Christianization of the local population. Rich with poetic descriptions and meditative moments, their travel notes can be considered from an artistic point of view. In particular, Iakov's book has the genre strategy of preaching as the basis of its ideological and aesthetic integrity. The study used methods of source study and comparative historical analysis. The research of works by Nil and by Iakov is carried out in the framework of the project of I.I. Molchanov-Sibirsky Irkutsk Regional Universal Scientific Library on the creation of a bio-bibliographic dictionary "Orthodox Spiritual Writers of Eastern Siberia of the 18th - early 20th centuries". The purpose of the dictionary is to develop the necessary historical and bibliographical basis for further studies of spiritual writers, including on the given topic. A conclusion is made about the writers' directions of the development of the Siberian theme: Nil focuses on the influence of Buddhism and Christianity on the historical development of the region and on the problems of sacralization of the Siberian space; Iakov concentrates on the problems of national morality considered in relation to the natural and historical features of Siberia.