Theognosia, „Forma Bisericii” și „Sobornicitatea deschisă” – teme de referință pentru dezvoltarea teologică în Tradiție. Viziunea Sfântului Preot Mărturisitor Dumitru Stăniloae
Theognosia, the “Form of the Church”, and “Open Sobornicity” – Key Themes for Theological Development within Tradition. The Vision of Saint Priest Confessor Dumitru Stăniloae

Author(s): Nicolae Moșoiu
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion
Published by: Editura Doxologia
Keywords: Dumitru Stăniloae; theognosia; Form of the Church; open sobornicity; neo-patristic synthesis; apophatic-cataphatic theology; kenosis; christomorphism; deification (theosis); Orthodox ecumenism; hypostatic union; uncreated light;
Summary/Abstract: Father Dumitru Stăniloae, one of the most creative and influential Orthodox theologians of the twentieth century, offers a profound neo-patristic synthesis that integrates natural and supernatural revelation, Christocentric anthropology, and ecclesiology within the living Tradition. This study highlights three interconnected reference themes in his theology: theognosia, the “Form of the Church”, and “open sobornicity”.Theognosia is understood as the personal, experiential knowledge of God, rooted in divine condescension and the hypostatic union. It overcomes any rigid separation between apophatic and cataphatic approaches through a noetic, mystical elevation that culminates in the vision of uncreated divine light, while preserving the personal and relational character of divine-human communion.The “Form of the Church” emphasises the visible, kenotic extension of the incarnate and risen Christ into humanity through the Holy Spirit. The Church is the dynamic realisation of salvation, where believers are progressively christomorphised, receiving the “form” of Christ (morphe) via the Holy Mysteries – especially Baptism – and the synergistic work of grace and human virtue, transforming the faithful into living members of His Body.Through the expression “open sobornicity”, Father Dumitru Stăniloae proposes an authentically Orthodox ecumenical ethos: while firmly upholding the Orthodox Church as the “full Church”, it yet remains open to the positive elements and apostolic structures found in other Christian traditions, without relativising its own dogmatic integrity. It rejects both confessional isolation and doctrinal relativism, fostering dialogue, friendship, and mutual enrichment in the spirit of the undivided Tradition, with the ultimate goal of visible unity in the one Church of Christ.These three themes together reveal Father Stăniloae’s coherent vision: the knowledge of God leads to transformation in Christ within the Church, which in turn radiates an open, universal sobornicity grounded in the mystery of the Trinity.

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