THE CULTURE OF ORTHODOX MONASTICISM: THE SEARCH FOR IDENTITY

Abstract

Th e article analyzes the problem of identity in the context of the presence in the culture of the Orthodox monasticism two it’s guiding types. In the works of a number of researchers of the orthodox monasticism, and in the words of monks themselves the attention is focused on the paradoxical duality of the monastic ideal incarnation as to be «not of this world», and to be «in this world» at the same time. Th is antinomy led to the formation in fact two main types of monasticism — the so-called sociallyoriented one and the contemplative one. Th eir specifi city is refl ected not only in the way of monastic life and relationships with society, but also in features such as the characteristics of the culture's perception of time, space, indigenous personality type, etc. Taking into account this fact, it is proposed to designate the formed types of monasticism, their identities and pictures of the world to introduce the concept “monastery culture” as a culture of socially oriented type of monasticism, and “monastic culture” as the culture of its contemplative type. Refs 15.

Keywords:

the orthodox monasticism, identity, «monastery culture», «monastic culture»