I. Introduction
Article summary proposed by the Contacts review with LLM assistance
This article constitutes the introduction to a study in Orthodox moral and social theology concerning the anthropological and christological foundations of Christian service in the world. Adopting a systematic and patristic approach, the author develops the idea that the human vocation to service derives from creation in the image of God and finds its fulfillment in theosis. The article articulates several levels of this vocation: doxological, eucharistic, ascetic, and prophetic. Drawing on Basil of Caesarea, Irenaeus of Lyon, Athanasius of Alexandria, Maximus the Confessor, and John Chrysostom, it establishes that the Christian social ethos is rooted in the teaching of Christ, in the experience of the apostolic Church, and in the natural law inscribed in every human being. The principal contribution lies in the demonstration that Orthodox spiritual life is inseparably personal and social, and that commitment to justice constitutes a theological requirement, not a pastoral option.
This article has not been translated yet — it is available in its French version here.
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