The book examines the formation of ethical and aesthetic ideas of Ancient Rus' at the moment of the collision and the beginning of the interpenetration of the pagan imagery of the Slavic word and the Christian symbol; the development of basic concepts is shown: trouble and dashing, horror and anger, deception and error, revenge and protection, guilt and sin, cunning and flattery, work and business, duty and obligation, courage and bravery, honor and fate, and many others, and The result of the first generalization of the key features of the Russian mentality in “Domostroy” is also described and a typical portrait of ancient Russian ascetics and guardians is given - a hero and a saint. The book is intended for researchers, undergraduate and graduate students of universities and everyone interested in the history of the Russian word and Russian mentality.