From External Rituals to Inner Transformation: Purity as a Core Principle in Christian Education
From External Rituals to Inner Transformation: Purity as a Core Principle in Christian Education

Author(s): Gavril Trifa
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Education, Theology and Religion, Sociology of Education, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Editura Eikon
Keywords: Orthodox spirituality; purity; moral formation; theological anthropology; Christian education; value-based pedagogy;
Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the theological and educational dimensions of the concept of purity within Orthodox spirituality, tracing its evolution from external, ritualistic practices in the Old Testament to the interior moral and spiritual transformation emphasized in the New Testament through Christ’s sacrifice and Baptism. Drawing on scriptural exegesis, patristic sources, and Philokalic literature, the study shows that purity is not merely a matter of external observance but a formative principle that shapes the human person – body and soul – toward moral integrity, spiritual discernment, and communion with God. The analysis highlights the pedagogical relevance of purity as a central axis in Christian education, offering a framework for value-based formation in schools, families, and communities. By reclaiming purity as both a spiritual and educational principle, Orthodox spirituality provides a holistic model for inner formation, ethical development, and personal transformation. Implications are discussed for religious curricula, teacher formation, and the cultivation of ethical and spiritual discernment in contemporary society.

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