- Your mother, then?
- I never knew her, either.
Of course, I must have had one
like anyone else...
but who she was, or what she was
like, I never knew.
How did you make the acquaintance
of my daughter?
I never met your daughter, sir.
I know nothing of girls.
I swear I've never known one.
Why did she name you, then?
Only God knows why.
The rich people fancy things that
don't make sense even to a scholar.
As the saying goes: When masters
fall out, their men get the clout.
You're not lying,
are you, philosopher?
God strike me dead
if I'm lying.
If she had lived a minute longer,
I would have known everything.
"Let no one say prayers for me,
father...
but send men at once
to Kiev Seminary...
and tell them to bring here
seminarian Khoma Brutus.
And let him pray for three nights
for the salvation of my soul.
He knows."
And what he knows,
that I hadn't time to hear.
Have you been known
for your chaste life?
Could she hear about you
from someone?
Me? Chaste life?
For heaven's sake, sir!
I visited a baker's wife
on Maundy Thursday.
Nonetheless, she named you,
that's all that counts.
As of tonight, you will start
reciting the prayers for her soul.
Yes, but certainly you want to do
the best thing...
Of course, anyone versed in
the Scriptures could do it...
But the best thing would be to have
a deacon, or even a sub-deacon.
They are well-trained
and will do what's necessary.
I haven't got a suitable voice. Also,
I don't have a good appearance.
I'll do as my dear child
had wanted it.
I don't care what it may cost.
You will start your vigil tonight...
and recite the prayers
for three nights...
and I shall reward you handsomely
for it. Otherwise...
How could our dear mistress
abandon us?
Oh, dear child, tell us what made
you leave us?
Come back!
Come back, beloved!
May God the Father have mercy
on her soul.
May God the Son have mercy
on her soul.
May God the Holy Ghost have
mercy on her soul.
Give the philosopher his dinner.
Then bring him back to the church.
Tell them how the witch
cast a spell on the huntsman.
It's a shame, brother philosopher,
that you didn't know Mikitka.
Even his dogs adored him.
He was a fine huntsman.
Only recently he had the misfortune
to fall for the young mistress.
- Either he fell in love with her...
- Or she bewitched him...
No one knows for sure.
But the man was lost.
One day the girl appeared
to me and said, "Mikitka, let me put
you to help me onto the horse."
The poor man was so overjoyed,
he said:
"I'd rather you yourself climbed
onto my back."
And the fool took her onto his
back, and went galloping away!
It's time we take the philosopher
to where the corpse is lying.
We'll leave you now.
- Just pray in earnest.
- The best of luck to you.
Forgive us, but we must lock you
up in. By order of the master.
That's all right. It's no more
than three nights of work.
And then the master will fill
both of my pockets with gold.
There's nothing to fear.
She won't rise up out of her coffin.
Even corpses fear the word of God.
Am I right? Absolutely.
You better stay there.
Don't you know that a Cossack
doesn't fear anything?
There's no way for anyone
to come in.
And from corpses,
I have prayers to protect me.
As soon as I speak the holy words,
no demon can possibly harm me.
They'll never touch me!
What am I scared of?
I just had too much to drink.
Ah, candles... That's good.
Lots of candles...
to chase away...
the gloom from the church...
and light it up.
It's nothing,
only three nights.
The church should be full of light.
Cheerful and bright.
There's nothing to fear.
She won't touch me now,
will she!
Ow! Oh, Satan!
May God forgive me, poor sinner.
Lots of light, now.
Well, let's begin.
Blessed are... O Lord...
Blessed are they that fear
the Almighty.
And they that live according
to Thy Word.
I wish it were not prohibited
to smoke in the House of God.
They that honor Thy