author: Bogdan Gulyamov
Urgency of the research. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches see social teaching as a continuation of sacred tradition, that is, in fact as an interpretation of moral principles important to society. These principles of social teaching should be based on the biblical worldview. But Scripture and sacred tradition can be interpreted in a variety of ways, sometimes very far from the present. Therefore, it is important to critically analyze modern social church doctrines in terms of their relevance to the present.
Target setting. The Ecumenical Patriarchate seeks to develop a social doctrine based on the recognition of the dignity of the individual as a core value and the construction of a network of communities that would ensure a harmonious life of the individual and decent conditions for such a life. In March 2020, the Ecumenical Patriarchate proposed an updated social doctrine in a special document “For the Life of the World”. Significant theoretical innovations of this document require systematic analysis, as its сontent has of great theoretical and practical importance.
Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Wide theological discussions are just beginning around the document “For the Life of the World”. External observers also only look closely at the reception of this document in the Orthodox Church, highlighting only elements of some liberalism, compared to similar Orthodox social doctrines of other local churches. In this article we use the work of the following scientists: deac. M. Denisenko, O. Filonenko, archim. C. Hovorun, J. Chryssavgis.
The research objective. The aim of the study is an analysis of the main features of the social doctrine of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the theoretical basis of which is the theology of communication, which is especially actively developed by Metropolitan John Zizioulas and supported by Patriarch Bartholomew. This theology suggests that man be seen as a being called to communion.
The statement of basic materials. The theology of communication suggests looking at man as a being called to communion in general and to communion with God in particular, in God he sees the first Community of Communion, each Hypostasis of the Trinity exists exclusively in a relationship of mutual gift of existence. It has been studied that the church for the theology of communication must be a reflection of the Trinity, be the communication of the individual with God and with other people, the hierarchy only serves such communication, but cannot replace it. Human society must be a space for interpersonal communication, a community or a set of communities. It turns out that the social doctrine of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is consistent with the Christian realism of Richard Niebuhr, according to which all forms of government are far from the gospel ideal, but this does not prevent to distinguish relative evil from absolute evil.
Conclusions. The new social doctrine of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, proposed in March 2020, is analyzed. It was found that this doctrine has great humanistic potential, and its emergence is a new stage in the development of Orthodox personalism and communitarianism. It is proved that the modern social teaching of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is significantly influenced by the theology of communication and polemics with religious fundamentalism.
Keywords: social doctrine of the church, personalism, communitarianism, social justice, social solidarity.
References:
- Videokurs navkolo dokumentu ‘Za zhyttia’ (Video course around the document ‘For the life of the world’) Avt. dyiak. M. Denysenko, O. Filonenko, archim. K. Hovorun. Dostupno: <http://www.ethos.org.ua/za-gittja-svitu/>. [15 Gruden 2020].
- Za zhyttia svitu. Na shliakhu do sotsialnoho etosu Pravoslavnoi Tserkvy (For the life of the world. On the way to the social ethos of the Orthodox Church) Dostupno: <https://www.goarch.org/social-ethos?p_p_id=56_INSTANCE_km0Xa4sy69OV&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_56_INSTANCE_km0Xa4sy69OV_languageId=uk_UA>. [15 Gruden 2020].
- Chryssavgis, J 2020. Pravoslavna Tserkva i sotsialne vchennia (The Orthodox Church and social doctrine.). Dostupnо: <http://oou.org.ua/2020/03/27/shho-diznayemosya-za-zhyttya-svitu-sogodni-media-opublikuyut-dokument-pro-kerivni-prynczypy-pravoslavnoyi-czerkvy-u-suchasnomu-sviti/>. [15 Gruden 2020].
- Asceticism, Ethics, and the Renewal of the Earth: Orthodox Christian Contributions to an Ecumenical Ecology By John Chryssavgis and Aaron Hollander Available from: <https://www.atonementfriars.org/asceticism-ethics-and-the-renewal-of-the-earth/>. [20 December 2020].
- Frost, CF 2020. ‘The Orthodox Church and Its Social Ethos: The Aims and Accomplishments of For the Life of the World’, Ecumenical Trends, Vol 49, No 5. Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute. September/October 2020, p. 1-6.