ОСМИСЛЕННЯ СВОБОДИ У ПРАВОСЛАВНОМУ БОГОСЛОВ'Ї ЙОГО ВСЕСВЯТОСТІ ПАТРІАРХА ВАРФОЛОМІЯІ

Abstract

The article is devoted to the content of the understanding of freedom in the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's І theology. The path of personal comprehension and comprehension of freedom, which became one of the core foundations of the development of philosophical thought of the "Western world". It is difficult to find in the list of prominent thinkers of the history of Western philosophy from the beginning of our era someone who would not devote his efforts to understand freedom in accordance with a certain perspective of its problematization. The main directions of development of this topic in the history of philosophical and theological theories are outlined. The general context of Christian doctrine, which is the source of the problems of freedom in the "Western world" is revealed. The alternative angles of its understanding in Eastern philosophies where freedom appears, first of all, as a desirable goal, the achievement of which requires efforts, as opposed to the interpretation of freedom based on Abrahamic religions of God-given attributive property of human, which is a condition of both sin and salvation, are pointed out. The specificity of the modern interpretation of freedom in the conditions of secularism domination is determined, and the actuality of the Patriarch's position, which corresponds to the urgent challenges faced by humanity today, is clarified. The motive of "escape from freedom" in the cultures of the West is revealed, and the reasons for its emergence are clarified. Contrary to popular prejudice, according to which theology is always a factor of "conservation" and "dogmatization" of thought, Orthodox theology reflects modernity and illustrates both the depth of the historical duration of the Christian paradigm and the modern peaks of its development. Not only Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew І revealed the spiritual tradition of Orthodoxy, but also outlined possible ways to overcome the most pressing problems that require humanity to take responsibility for compliance with social justice and the protection of the natural environment. It is argued that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's І position is an example of how religion from the source of conflict can become a guarantee of interfaith reconciliation and intercultural understanding. The development of Orthodox theology, as evidenced by Patriarch's works, is able to open new horizons of human unity around the meta-values of love and faith. Man's freedom is a manifestation of the fact that it was created in the image and likeness of God, it is possible thanks to the absolute and unconditional Freedom of the Creator, the comprehension of which exceeds man's ability to judge. True freedom of the individual is a guarantee of recognition of the "other's" freedom, and a necessary condition for a responsible position of an individual, capable of constructive and effective steps towards solving the urgent problems of mankind.