Elias Economou
An Orthodox View of the Ecological Crisis
8. Orthodox Spirituality and Ecology.
The spirituality of the Orthodox Church possesses an ecological significance, becauae a) it is based οn the idea of freeing one's self from depedence οn material things and pleasures, b) it considers this life and world as a training ground preparing us for eternal life, c) it seeks the sanctification of the mind and intellectual perfection, aiming at the likeness of God.
The ascetic life, marked by the decrease in the consumption of and indepedence from the material, shaped the practice of fasting οn all levels (clergy, monks, laity) within the Orthodox Church, And Ι think that it is time for all Christian Churches and denominations to look seriously at the ancient ascetic spirit of the undivided Church. It could be a valuable practical contribution to the micro-ecological problem.
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