Învățătura patristică despre participarea creștinului la război
Patristic Doctrine regarding the Christian’s involvement in Warfare

Author(s): Miltiade Vanțos
Contributor(s): Ion-Marian Croitoru (Translator)
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Ideas Forum International Academic and Scientific Association
Keywords: War; patristic teaching; killing; penance; forgiveness; healing; St. Athanasius the Great; St. Basil the Great; Christian ethics
Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the ethical acceptability of Christian participation in war from an Orthodox perspective, based primarily on two patristic references: one from St. Athanasius the Great and another from St. Basil the Great. St. Athanasius' passage suggests that while murder is generally prohibited, it may be lawful and praiseworthy in the context of war. Some interpretations see this as accepting Christian participation in war as a morally acceptable and virtuous act. Others argue that this passage reflects the view of the state rather than that of the Church. St. Basil's passage, on the other hand, is more systematic and takes the form of a canon. It distinguishes killing in war from other forms of murder and suggests a three-year abstinence from the Eucharist as a mild penance. Interpretations of this canon vary, with some seeing it as justifying some wars as moral goods and others seeing it as a lesser evil. The article concludes by discussing the similarities between the two patristic passages, such as the distinction between killing in war and other forms of murder, the milder approach to war-related killing, and the emphasis on forgiveness as a means of spiritual healing. It suggests that the Orthodox ethical perspective tends to see Christian participation in war as a necessary or lesser evil rather than a morally good act and emphasises the need for repentance and forgiveness because of the inability to fully follow the teachings of the Gospel in the context of war.

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