On inner and outer restoration: correct communion as a therapy for isolation and violence. There is hope and work to do, says St. Theophan the recluse.

Abstract

Theophan the Recluse is among the rather-contemporary church Fathers and saints that has tackled the issue of isolation and violence as a natural byproduct of willingly losing the correct two-level communion: internally with God, and externally with the Church and the world. Inner Communion: St Theophan dissects the human being into three distinct functions (elements): body, soul and spirit, with each their own characteristics and energies. However, they become in communion only if the spirit unites the other two with the energy of God. Only then Man becomes a united whole once again. Man was not in harmony (or communion) after the original sin. With Christ, he was invited to be in inner communion again (through communion with Him). One achieves this through the Holy Mysteries. Outer Communion: when inner communion is achieved (or during the process), outer communion (communion with the Church members and humanity in general) happens. Positive Divine energy overflows the holy man in order to sanctify the creation. The cycle thus becomes complete and man is restored into the correct image that he should have and is capable of having once more. This paper explains this process.