Ethical Reflections on Self-Sacrifice in Russian Monasticism

This paper analyses self-sacrifice as the highest form of love, focusing on Byzantine perception ethical principles that was transferred into Russian cultural space via translations neptic literature, thus continuing ancient philosophical tradition. On basis a historical source (Eusebius Caesarea) author highlights cases in individuals’ lives out charitable love for their neighbours and illuminate new Christian axiological outlook sacrifice. Sacrifice are not understood sense victim system, but rather sacrifice one’s neighbour. Christians approach death positively either through conscious sacrifice/self-sacrifice or spiritual struggle, ascesis. In relation to this, this outlines topic martyrdom and, subsequently, conscience, which essence ascetic life originates. The basic aim is compare Greek understanding by using specific examples. foundational sources texts, authors which, own experience, asked readers struggle sacrificing God. Their ideas were context Dobrotolublye, had profound impact spread hesychastic tradition Russia nineteenth century. Exemplars within representatives monasticism, who sacrificed God brought against passion culture include Paisiy Velichkovsky, Nazariy Kondratyev, Serafim Sarov, Optina elders Mosey, Leonid, Makariy.