Monasticism as social and cultural phenomenon

Irina Valerievna Aster, PhD in philosophy, assosiate professor, The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia (Moika Embankment, dom 48, korpus 20a, St. Petersburg, Russia, 191186)
iaster@inbox.ru

Aster I. V. Monasticism as social and cultural phenomenon, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2012, vol. 1, pp.50–60

DOI: 10.24411/2308-0698-2012-00010

Language: Russian

The article observes the purpose of monastic service and various aspects of singleness (chastity, continence, celibacy). Y. Lotman in his papers clarifies the differences between the perspectives of «Ego-Id» (with «Id» implying the outer world) and «Ego-Ego». The author notes taken as an ideal model monastic service is efficient for deeper world perception and creative activities on account of less need of interpersonal relationships and social stereotypes susceptibility.

The article focuses on monastic functions performed for centuries: worldview, ecology, integration, ethics, communication, information and education, economics, social work, art and aesthetics, spiritual healing. The author maintains monasticism is of cultural character, since all the above functions are commonly attributed to human culture as such.

In the matter of education, the author points to a highly successful model «mentor-disciple». Personal example was of primary importance in such kind of relationships; the modern educational system adopts it to a degree, wherefore it is necessary to avoid didactic approach and «bring along a likeness» instead, that is personal dignity of everyone. Social work of the Russian Orthodox Church should be determined by the proper intentions; some of its forms are mentioned in the article.

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Key words: monk, monasticism, Y. Lotman, Eastern Orthodoxy, Russian Orthodox Church, Catholicism, Buddhism

Permanent link: http://rcs-almanac.ru/aster-i-v-2012-en/

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Andreas Osiander: an ideologue of Russian-German rapprochement efforts

Walther Friesen Doctor in philology, Educational and Research Center ETHNOS e. V. (Bermesdickerstr. 9, 44357 Dortmund)

ethnos@web.de

Friesen W. Andreas Osiander: an Ideologue of Russian-German rapprochement efforts, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2017, vol. 6, pp. 284–295.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2017-00014

Language: English

The religious doctrine of Andreas Osiander was similar to the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church. That was in line with the stance of the most prominent representatives of the West European clerical elite who advocated for the strategic union with the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It turned out to be the natural ally of the German (Holy Roman) Empire in their joint struggle against the Turkish expansion. After the public execution in Königsberg of distinguished public figures, some followers of Andreas Osiander could have found refuge in the Tsardom of Russia during the confusions of the Livonian war and thereafter. It is plausible that some congregants of the first Lutheran parish in Moscow might have been influenced by the ideas of Andreas Osiander. The social and spiritual integration of the Germans who were at the military and civil services of the Russian state was facilitated due to the affinity of the religious beliefs of the Andreas Osiander’s devotees and those preached by the Russian Orthodox Church.
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Key words: Lutheran Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Turkish Wars in Europe, Duchy of Prussia, Philipp Melanchthon, Matthias Flacius Illyricus, John Calvin, Johann Faber, Albertus Pighius, Vasili III, Ivan IV, Johann Funck, Matthias Horst, Hans Schell, Johann Steinbach

URL: http://rcs-almanac.ru/friesen-2017-en/

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Pope John XXIII in the mirror of Soviet press: to question of Pontifics personality perception in USSR

Sergey L’vovich Firsoff PhD in history, professor, Institute of Philosophy, Saint-Petersburg State University (Mendeleevskaya linia, dom 5, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 199034), sfirsofff@mail.ru

Firsoff S. L. Pope John XXIII in the mirror of Soviet press: to question of pontifics pesonality perception in USSR, Religiya. Tserkov’. Obshchestvo. Issledovaniya i publikatsii po teologii i religii [Religion. Church. Society: Research and publications in the field of theology and religious studies], Saint-Petersburg, 2015, vol. 4, pp. 42–68.

doi: 10.24411/2308-0698-2015-00004

Language: Russian

The article explores, how activities of Roman Pope John XXIII were reflected in the Soviet press. The author finds out, that there were two main approaches. While Vatican was understood as one of the centers of the international bourgeois and anticommunist reaction, the Pope was seen as an initiator of the disarming policy and pacifism. In the beginning of 1960s an outflow in the Russian press from anticlerical clichés was evident, and positive characteristic and even sympathy to the Pope were quite symptomatic. The author assumes, that the attitude of the Soviet press to the statements and activities of John XXIII mostly depended on the policy of the Soviet management and, especially, Nikita Khrushchev, who tried to use the authority of the Pope and, in particular, his antiwar rhetoric, to develop his own pacifistic propaganda in the background of foreign policy crisis of 1950–60s. Besides, the article explains reasons of the presence of the Russian Orthodox Church representatives as observers at the Second Vatican Council and clarifies its estimation of the Popes personality and politics.
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Keywords: Khrushchev, the Russian Orthodox Church, pacifism, anticlericalism, disarmament

URL: http://rcs-almanac.ru/firsoff-s-l-2015-en/

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