SIN AND REPENTANCE: TWO VECTORS OF HUMAN PERSON DEVELOPMENT ACCORDING TO ARCHIM. SOPHRONY (SAKHAROV)
The article is devoted to the analysis of the teaching of archim. Sophrony (Sakharov) about sin and repentance as the opposite vectors of the development of human person. An important statement of fr. Sophrony teaching is the affirmation of hypostatic, i. e. the personal character of both the fall and repentance, and of any path of improvement. Emphasizing that the reason for the appearance of evil is not rooted in human nature, but in the free will, fr. Sophrony focuses on the personal split in the live communication of Adam with God and with his own kind. As a consequence of this ontological crack the fratricide steps forward and in subsequent generations it is expressed in individualism, the desire to dominate, leading humanity more and futher to disintegration of a united hypostatic-natural existence. Considering repentance as a possibility of restoration of personal communication with God and his own kind, fr. Sophrony emphasizes the hypostatic nature of this alteration. In the dynamics of personal development the movement to repentance proceeds from external action to personal self-abasement, in which the fullness of kenosis precedes the fullness of perfection. Fr. Sophrony distinguishes two types of repentance: ascetic, or ethical, and ontological, which opens a place in the heart for the Holy Spirit. Considering repentance in its universal dimension, fr. Sophrony underlines the importance of the feat of repentance not only for oneself, but also for others. In the personal kenosis-repentance humanity is called to realize the multi-hypostatic unity in likeness to God-Trinity and unity with Him. This path is endless, just as repentance on earth has no end.