Simeon of Polotsk

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For the Russian bishop of Tver, see Simeon of Polotsk (bishop)

Simeon of Polotsk (Old Church Slavonic: Сѵміѡн Полацкій; born probably Samuil Yemelyanovich Petrovskiy-Sitnianovich, December 12, 1629, Polotsk - August 25, 1680, Moscow) was a prominent Belarusian and Russian churchman, poet and enlighter, an adherent of Western linguistic influence. He is considered to be the first poet in Russian language. Simeon's magnum opus The Rod of Government was directed against Raskol and Patriarch Nikon.

Simeon graduated in Kiev-Mogilyansk academy and in Vilno Jesuit college. He became a monk in 1656.

[edit] Further reading

• Anthony Hippisley. "The Poetic Style of Simeon Polotsky", Slavic Review, vol. 48, no. 2