Orthodox Doctrine & Spirituality: Thinking with the Fathers
Very Rev. Dr Bogdan Bucur & Dr Georgiana Huian [Universität Bern]
The language in which the Church delineates its Orthodoxy seems full of abstract concepts and distinctions, related to substance, persons, essence, energies, natures… This language is, of course, the bread and butter of studious seminarians and of the more zealous catechumens or members of the Church. But what does all this have to do with the “life in Christ”, the mystery of our transformation towards the glory of God’s Kingdom? Hear how the Fathers of the Church help us see doctrine and spirituality as inextricably linked and mutually illuminating.
Essence and Energy
Start with the icon of transfiguration Oval form of light. He is completely transformed in light (ineffable)
We see this experience in how the three react. They can’t look at this light, and don’t know how to say or react.
It possibly for us to experience with deep faith (e.g. St Seraphim of Sarov)
This light is the energy of God, to transmit holiness from God to humanity. We can participate of it.
The middle of the icon in the middle of the mandorla are darker than the outside. This means there is something that we cannot know/understand about God. His essence. For his essence is unknowable.
Heart
How do we understand St Silouan’s quote, “Keep your mind in hell, and do not despair.”?
2 dimensions
- keep mind in hell: maybe asceticism, seeing who you are and trying not to imagine more than you are.
- a way of humility, from own struggles and weakness.
- Do not despair: ladder to paradise (St John of the Ladder)
- look to Christ, to continue on the ascent, not to look down or aside
- Do not despair
if you are proud, you cannot reach further in prayer keep on with the faith and the trust
The passion of anger
anger How to combat anger?
Structure/topology of the soul (Platonic tradition)
- 3 parts
- intellectual
- choleric (anger, honor, feelings)
- appetitive (physical passions)
Anger is medial part, choleric What causes anger? what are the roots?
Not just certain event but background in us
See the road of anger What does it make me do? Where does it lead.
Methods: Prayer Fasting Seeing our own mistakes
Anger makes us feel superior and feel important, correction in spirit of love and brotherhood (equals)
Participation in the services Orthodox spirituality is participating in the services, in a community no one ascends the ladder by themselves, but ascend together a common pilgrimage
Abundance of grace but can retreat so we search more and more for God
All the participation in the Holy Liturgy. Community founded on the Eucharist
The relation of the filoque in our lives
The Trinity in itself we don’t experience directly. Who are we to enter this mystery of intimacy.
Yet the Trinity is a modal of communion/community.
Mother Maria of Paris: mysticism of human communion
For these relations to have perfect equality, we cannot have two causes for the Holy Spirit. The Father is the only principal/source of divinity.
Absolute love cannot accept the Holy Spirit has two sources. This unbalances the Trinity.
In economy, HS sent from the Father through the Son
Difference between God in himself, and his action in history.
Relation of Salvation to Christ and the Trinity
We don’t need to solve all the tensions. Orthodox theology is a theology of tensions.
The Holy trinity is present in all prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Cannot call on Jesus without the Holy Spirit.
References
Dates
2025-10-11
(2025-W41-6)
2025-W41
2025-10