Shevchenko O.K., Podlesnaia M.A. Heroism and holiness in the aspect of Orthodox theology. Issues of Theology, 2024, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 642–658. https: ...

Òåêñò ñòàòüè íà ñàéòå æóðíàëà URL: https://theologyjournal.spbu.ru/article/view/20502 (äàòà îáðàùåíèÿ 06.01.2025)

Abstract

In the article, the authors formulate three universal postulates of the connection be-tween the heroic and the sacred, characteristic of any European culture from Anti-quity to the present day: “A hero is always a sufferer”; “A hero is always a tragic fig-ure”; “A hero is a figure separated or separated from society, policy, family, history, common sense”. In Christianity (as in Hellas, Ancient Rome or Islam), these three postulates acquire their semantic texture. Heroism is comprehended as nothing more than determination and readiness for personal suffering for the sake of an all-good goal overshadowed by God’s will. A voluntary decision, or rather a compulsion of oneself to daily cooperation with God’s will with the awareness of the tragic result of one’s personal earthly existence. Heroism is rather a willingness and a state of compelling oneself to do. But holiness comprehends suffering, gives it deep content and consolation, which is higher than the worldly sadness of separation from soci-ety or the usual way of life. Postulates, hypotheses and intermediate conclusions are tested on the empirical material of the All-Russian survey conducted in 2023 (eight federal districts of the Russian Federation, 1350 respondents). Particular attention is paid to the answers of two categories of respondents: practicing (551) and non-practicing (638) believers.In the article, the authors formulate three universal postulates of the connection be-tween the heroic and the sacred, characteristic of any European culture from Anti-quity to the present day: “A hero is always a sufferer”; “A hero is always a tragic fig-ure”; “A hero is a figure separated or separated from society, policy, family, history, common sense”. In Christianity (as in Hellas, Ancient Rome or Islam), these three postulates acquire their semantic texture. Heroism is comprehended as nothing more than determination and readiness for personal suffering for the sake of an all-good goal overshadowed by God’s will. A voluntary decision, or rather a compulsion of oneself to daily cooperation with God’s will with the awareness of the tragic result of one’s personal earthly existence. Heroism is rather a willingness and a state of compelling oneself to do. But holiness comprehends suffering, gives it deep content and consolation, which is higher than the worldly sadness of separation from soci-ety or the usual way of life. Postulates, hypotheses and intermediate conclusions are tested on the empirical material of the All-Russian survey conducted in 2023 (eight federal districts of the Russian Federation, 1350 respondents). Particular attention is paid to the answers of two categories of respondents: practicing (551) and non-practicing (638) believers.