Ascetic Feat of a Christian as a Method of Gnoseology (According to Works of Archim. Sophrony (Sakharov))
The basic notion of the theological system of archim. Sophrony (Sakharov) is the personality of God, the Source of all that exists and especially of human existence, conforming in the personal nature of being to its Creator. The personal ascetic endeavor of a Christian is seen by Fr. Sophrony as a necessary condition for the process of God-knowledge and self-understanding within the development of hypostatic-natural relations with the Triune God. Archim. Sophrony focuses on the absolute hypostatic freedom of God, which does not force anyone, but not compelled itself by any external asceticism. The knowledge of God via perception of uncreated divine energies occurs when a person’s free will is actualized in ascetic activity. According to Fr. Sophrony one of the most important aspects of ascetics is reflected via revelation given to St. Silouan: ‘keep your mind in hell and do not despair’. The paradox of this maxim is that personal awareness of one’s inner hell becomes the necessary condition for the rebirth and transformation of human personality. Proceeding to the foundation of the inverted ‘pyramid of humanity’ in order to unite with the crucified Christ and experiencing the principle of self-humiliation, the ascetic ascends to the level of ‘resemblance to Christ’. Fr. Sophrony describes the patristic ‘culture of the heart’, overshadowed by the cult of ‘pure’ intellect which is widespread in the world today. It is the heart that represents the integrating center of personality, the main tool of God’s knowledge, and assimilates the divine energy as a transforming force. The basis of this culture of the heart is the person of Christ - the center and measure of being. An essential aspect of personal communication with God is the harmonious inner unity of mind and heart, as well as the unity with one’s own kind achieved by mind-heart prayer, which Fr. Sophrony finds to be the peak of all ascetic deeds. The theologian recognizes the humility of our personality, in non-daring stand before God in consciousness that all knowledge is possible only within the framework of the most subtle personal quest of communication, to be a necessary condition for the ascetic endeavor of knowledge of God and of our self.