THE ROLE AND BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ORTHODOX PEDAGOGY FOR CHURCH VOLUNTEER SERVICE
This article describes general starting points and principles of Orthodox pedagogy that are objective in their content. They make up requirements which all those involved in educational and social sectors of the church, both professionals and volunteers, should follow in their practical activities. Church service implies spreading one’s views and acting on behalf of the religious institution. Unlike secular activities, the service of Orthodox volunteers is based on foundations of Christian anthropology. Among the key principles of Orthodox pedagogy one can speciﬁ cally emphasise Christocentricity, ecclesiocentricity, pedocentricity. The main aspiration of the Orthodox volunteer is making oneself free from sin, which is manifested in the attitude of the volunteer to work, life according to the Commandments. Training of volunteers for church service is not only transmission of knowledge and experience of the instructor, but collaborative ministry. The volunteers’ service is one of the most important components in today’s church life. In church service, everybody has his or her role, the main point is to identify one’s vocation. Volunteers’ service is soteriological, its central objective is salvation of the person, not only of the one on whom the eﬀ orts of the volunteer are directed, but of oneself as well. For his or her personal development, the volunteer must orientate his or her aspiration towards spreading of the values of the Orthodox faith and acquire joy in serving the person. Directions of the Orthodox-oriented volunteer work include spiritual development as the need to open up God-granted talents of service to save one’s soul; social and moral improvement as a desire to enhance and relieve people’s life; professional achievements as a quest for the creative potential and acquisition of experience for applying vocational skills, knowledge, and practices.