The theme of Christian love in the works of Saint Theophan the Recluse

Abstract

Saint Theophan the Recluse of Vyshensky (in the world - Georgy Vasilyevich Govorov), known to the Orthodox world as a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, a publicist and preacher who deeply knew the Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, an excellent translator, a spiritual and moral writer, a theologian, - had a noticeable influence on Russian society in the era of great changes and on modern society, which has by no means overcome the problems of spiritual development. Saint Theophan the Recluse left us a priceless treasure in the form of more than sixty spiritual works, most of which he wrote during his twenty-eight-year seclusion in Vysha and which he bequeathed to the entire Russian people before his death. The most important works of the saint are "Letters on the Christian Life", the translation of "Philokalia", "Interpretation of the Apostolic Epistles", "Outline of Christian Moral Teaching". They reveal Christian love, the signs of love and ways to learn to love. Through his works, he showed his pastoral care for all people. The love with which his soul was filled poured out in a wide stream on everyone. The saint did not like to analyze human affairs and talk about anything vain and perishable. By his example, he calls all people to love, to serve God. Studying the works of Saint Theophan, we must learn the main lesson - this is a lesson in love for God, which everyone must cherish in their soul. Reading his works, a person will understand that love for God is not in words, but in a deep internal process. Love for God arises when he does not envy, does not condemn, does not wish bad things to his neighbor, but sees Christ in his neighbor and wants to serve Him. And in order to acquire such love, one must constantly work on oneself, studying the Holy Scriptures and the works of the Holy Fathers.