Trifles from Episcopal Life

First published as a note in the newspaper “Novoye Vremya” (New Time), 1879, no. 1325, November 5, without a signature; later it was not reprinted.

The publication of Leskov’s book “Small Things of the Clergy Life” (Мелочи архиерейской жизни) caused a large number of critical responses — positive in the democratic press, and sharply negative in various reactionary outlets.

Particularly vicious were the responses to Leskov’s works, as was to be expected, from the church press. In essence, the reviews from official representatives of the church had the character of a denunciation, and later they played their part in the banning of “Small Things…” in volume VI of Leskov’s Works (1889). The church people’s responses to “Small Things of the Clergy Life” compelled the author to speak out and publish in print.