Pe aripile speranței: o analiză comparativă a riturilor funerare ortodoxe, catolice și neopagane
On Hope’s Wing: A Comparative Analysis of Orthodox, Catholic and Neopagan Death Rites

Summary/Abstract: This study examines Orthodox, Catholic, and Neopagan death rites through the lens of Christos Yannaras’ distinction between authentic spiritual event and empty religiosity. It argues that traditional Christian funeral rituals are inherently structured as ministries of hope, designed to transmit eschatological meaning and pastoral consolation. However, contemporary liturgical malpractice—particularly within Western Catholicism—has weakened their spiritual impact, contributing to growing dissatisfaction among believers. In contrast, Neopagan communities, though lacking systematic ritual structures, attract adherents through strong emphasis on personal spirituality and individualized pastoral care. The paper demonstrates that the current religious shift is not caused by outdated ritual forms, but by a loss of understanding and spiritual depth within them. Ultimately, the study highlights the urgent pastoral need to restore ritual as lived spiritual event in order to rekindle hope in the face of death.

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