Ethics and Asceticism (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Ethics and Asceticism 

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos

Orthodox ethics differs from philosophical ethics, as well as from Western Christian ethics, just as Orthodoxy itself differs from philosophy and from other Christian confessions. It differs from philosophy because philosophical ethics is a consequence of various philosophical ideas, and it differs from the Christian ethics of the various confessions because, depending on each confession, a particular ethic follows. For example, Western Christian ethics speaks of the duties of the Christian toward God, toward one’s neighbor, toward the State, society, the Fatherland, and so on.

In Orthodoxy, however, when we speak of ethics, we mean the rebirth of the human person; and of course, when a person is spiritually reborn, he then behaves rightly toward God, other people, and society. This means that Orthodox ethics is identified with asceticism. And asceticism is the effort of a person to keep the commandments of Christ in his personal life.

On Nuclear Restraint and Responsibility (Fr. George Florovsky)

 

Georges Florovsky: Letter to Davis McCaughey

Florovsky, Georges ; Obolevitch, Teresa

Studies in East European Thought, 2025-02, Vol.77 (1), p.225-229

 

Abstract

The letter from Georges Florovsky to Davis McCaughey is a reflection after reading the Report The Era of Atomic Power: Report of a Commission (1946). Florovsky gives his own arguments against the development of research concerning nuclear weapons and their use. These include: treating an attempt at a technical transformation of the world as a human claim to put oneself in God’s place, i.e., to be a God-man. Another group of indictments against the use of the atomic bomb concerned ethical issues and human responsibility for the war. Florovsky’s letter is his contribution to the discussion on the threat posed by the atomic bomb.

__________________________

Self-Love: The Passion of our Time (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

The whole debate about homosexuals and their "marriage" that is taking place nowadays has primarily highlighted, among other things, the passion of self-love. Of course, this does not only apply to homosexuals, but also to heterosexuals, when they place as the center of their lives the irrational and excessive love for their body, and limit themselves only to instincts, misrecognizing the whole human being. This in the patristic tradition of the Church is called self-love.

The word "self-love" (filautia - φιλαυτία) in modern language is interpreted as "the excessive love for oneself," "egomania," in contrast to the love for others (filallilia - φιλαλληλία). However, in the patristic tradition, self-love is not considered as love for ourselves, but as excessive love for our body with the satisfaction of all its demands and pleasures.

Interview With Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos on the Same-Sex Marriage Bill in Greece

Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou calls those who voted for the same-sex "marriage" bill to assume their responsibilities towards the Orthodox people and God. Speaking exclusively to ope.gr and the journalist Demetris Stroumbakos, His Eminence referred to this unprecedented law for Greece. At the same time, he does not hide his sadness for the way in which the final outcome of the vote was interpreted by the International Mass Media.

Below are excerpts of what His Eminence said in the telephone interview:

Metropolitan Hierotheos, with his deeply theological words and his always substantiated opinion, said the following referring to the passing of the bill:

Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos Speaks to Press on the Announcement of the Church of Greece on Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

When the Archbishop said "no", everyone applauded him, said Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou, a member of the Hierarchy's press committee, speaking to ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation). The decision was unanimous, there was no objection and no reaction, instead we saw the unity of the Church, he pointed out among other things.

He added that "a text will be drawn up which will be read in the churches, in the sacred temples, on February 4th. It is called 'To the People' and it is customary for the Church to do this for serious matters. She writes a text to inform the people. Subsequently or at the same time, a text with a legal framework and legal content will be drawn up, which will be sent to all members of Parliament."

When asked if the love of the Church also concerns people who have a different sexual preference and live with their partner, he answered: