THE EUCHARISTIC DIMENSION OF CHRISTIAN ЕDUCATION ACCORDING TO SOME HOLLY FATHERS AND ОRTHODOX AUTHORS
THE EUCHARISTIC DIMENSION OF CHRISTIAN ЕDUCATION ACCORDING TO SOME HOLLY FATHERS AND ОRTHODOX AUTHORS

Author(s): Cvetelina Sapundzhieva
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Education, Theology and Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Psychology of Religion
Published by: Editura Eikon
Keywords: Holy Eucharist; Christian education; communion; deification; thanksgiving;
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present the dimension of the Eucharistic education in two directions: first, to determine that the Eucharist as the chief factor of Christian Education as viewed by some Orthodox authors; second, to revel the position of some Holy Fathers, concerning the importance of the Holy Eucharist for education. The introduction points out that the pivot of Christian upbringing is man’s incorporation into the living Body of Christ in the sacrament of the Holy communion trough faith, communion, and grace of the Holy Spirit. Christian authors emphasize the fact that the goal of Eucharistic upbringing is achieving on over all alteration of the person which means transformation of the human mind, heart and will. The most important part of this process is the alteration of the heart as viewed by the Holy Fathers quoted in this paper, namely, St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory Palamas and St. John Damascene, St. John of Kronstadt . The inference from their writings synthesizes the chief aspects of Eucharistic education which are: reaching „deification", acquiring the Holy Spirit as well as changing one’s life trough thanksgiving, repentance for wrongdoing and love for God and the fellowmen.

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