Fathers of the Church and Theologians of the XXth and XXIst Centuries: Models for Knowledge Through the Experience of Prayer

Fathers of the Church and Theologians of the XXth and XXIst Centuries: Models for Knowledge Through the Experience of Prayer

13 May 2023

The new context in which the Orthodox Church around the world is following the measures to prevent the spread of the virus leads us to reflections and attitudes that we would not have taken into account in other situations of relative normalcy. Of course, these reflections and attitudes do not only consider the liturgical and sacramental aspects, but they also include our position on catechesis and preaching. But the purpose of this study is not to propose additional or alternative ways of preaching in times of pandemic, but to provide inner support to anyone who has a duty to deal with those of Godʹs word. As such, I believe it is necessary to see how the Fathers and theologians of the twentieth century relate to experience, to the preaching of the word, to the reception of this word through experience. Why did I choose to refer exclusively to them, especially since they do not constitute the entire patristic pleroma of the Church? Firstly because the space of this study would not allow for a broader development and a diachronic presentation, and secondly because the Fathers and theologians of the twentieth century develop their theological thinking in very special circumstances and not very different from certain realities that we also live.