Rehearsals - Vladimir Sarov

In 17th century Moscow, Patriarch Nikon reconstructed the Holy City of Jerusalem on Russian soil and ordered a director to stage the most important events from the New Testament, in order to hasten the Second Coming of Christ. However, the actors are chosen from simple, uneducated peasants, and no one is allowed to play the role of the Savior. The years pass without the Messiah appearing, the actors are persecuted, arrested, exiled and, finally, their children take over their roles. Absurdly or perhaps revealingly, the repetitions continue, and people's faith remains unbroken. The novel thus materializes in an astonishing reflection on art, history, religion and national identity.