Ipatiy Potiy, a literary representative of two epochs and cultures

The article deals with the parallels that are conducted between the polemic prose of the early XVII century, and previous period of Polish literature development on the basis of literary works of Ipatiy Potiy. The attention is paid to understudied Ipatiy Potiy's works, particularly his polemic letters and apologiae. The article studies the influence of historical circumstances on forming the writer's skills and creativeness; it determines the main motives of his works. The material is completely researched, opponents' replies are taken into account. The results show the phenomenon of subculture on the border of ethnos and confessions.