Between Relativism and Absolute

In this article, I analyze one of the aspects of intertextuality in the prose writings of Viktor Petrov-Domontovych. This writer interprets the notions of betrayal and apostasy in different contexts and playing with different historical backgrounds. In his short story “Apostol” (Apostle), this writer presents the topic of faith and trust in a unique way, adding to evangelical plot the issue of knowledge, the reflections on religion and faith in the age of rationalism and skepticism. Suffering from ambiguity and doubts, the protagonists take full responsibility for their own choices. They reject the choice made for all people. Domontovych demonstrates the tragic aftermaths in the situation when a person takes the responsibilities of God and the responsibilities to improve the world. The reflections on the possibility and role of religion in the situation of defeat and despair were also important. Judas opposes other apostles, especially Thomas, as a person who belongs to the old age, who does not understand good news which renews the world. In the 1940s, Viktor Petrov-Domontovych is especially concentrated on the problem of social and cultural epochs, their cycles and the collapse progressive (including Marxist) model of development, on the division between “new” and “our” time.