«ОТКОЛЬ РУСЪ ПОЧАЛАСЯ И ЯКЪ ПАНСТВО РУСКОЕ ЗА ПОЧАТКУ СТАВШИ»: THE SCHEME OF THE HISTORY OF RUS’ IN THE CHRONICLE FROM ANCIENT CHRONICLES BY FEODOSII SOFONOVYCH

Abstract

The article explores the concept of the state continuity of Rus‟ in «Kroynika z litopytsiv starodavnikh» by Feodosii Sofonovych through the prism of early modern historiographical tradition. It analyzes the construction of the historical narrative in which Halych emerges as the successor of Kyiv, embodied in the concept of

«Halych – the second Kyiv». The influence of the Polish historical tradition, particularly Chronicle by Maciej Stryjkowski, on the formation of Sofonovych‟s historical views is examined. The study investigates the structural and substantive features of Kroynika, which emphasize its orientation towards affirming the continuity of Rus‟ political and cultural traditions in the context of 17^th-century Ukrainian historical thought. A lexicographic analysis of the text demonstrates the predominant role of Halych in Sofonovych‟s historiographical model, distinguishing his concept from other contemporary historical narratives. Special attention is given to the relationship between the image of the Romanovych state and the genealogical constructions of the Ostroh princes as bearers of the political heritage of Rus‟. The key features of Sofonovych‟s historiographical position regarding the historical role of medieval Rus‟, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Kingdom of Poland, and Muscovy are identified, allowing it to be considered an element in shaping early modern Ukrainian identity. The article outlines the place of Kroynika in the development of conceptual approaches to understanding the state continuity of Rus‟ in Ukrainian historiographical tradition long before the intellectual debates of the 19^th century.