Interpretation of the Orthodox Ascetic Ideal in Sources

Authors

  • Gulnora Khudoyberganova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57033/mijournals-2026-1-0027

Keywords:

Christian asceticism, Orthodox theology, Philokalia; spiritual struggle, holiness, passions, theosis, early Christianity, divine grace

Abstract

This study examines the historical formation and theological foundations of asceticism in Christianity, with particular emphasis on its development within the Orthodox tradition. Asceticism is analyzed as a religious and spiritual practice deeply rooted in biblical texts, patristic thought, and early Christian experience. The research explores the role of the Old and New Testament scriptures, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and the writings of early Church Fathers in shaping Christian ascetic ideals.

Special attention is given to the evolution of ascetic practices from the first centuries of Christianity to their systematic formulation in Eastern Christianity. The study highlights key ascetic concepts such as fasting, celibacy, renunciation of property, repentance, struggle against passions, and the pursuit of holiness. The three-stage ascetic model of purification, enlightenment, and deification (theosis), central to Orthodox theology, is analyzed as a comprehensive spiritual framework.

The Philokalia is examined as a foundational source that systematizes Orthodox ascetic thought and practice, reflecting centuries of spiritual experience. The research concludes that Christian asceticism is not merely a form of world renunciation but a dynamic process involving human free will and divine grace, aimed at restoring the divine image within the human person and achieving spiritual perfection.

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References

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Dergalev, S. M. (2017). Vvedeniye v pravoslavnuyu asketiku. Saint Petersburg, Russia: Kontrast.

Korpachev, P. A. (2016). Asceticism in first-century Christianity. Vestnik of Chelyabinsk State University, 30, 30–35.

Korpachev, P. A. (2017). Ascetic tradition in Christianity before the emergence of monasticism. Scientific and Technical Bulletin of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 129, 125–132.

Mukhamedov, N., & Turambetov, N. (2023). Methodologies employed by Al-Biruni in the analysis of religious systems. Asian Journal of Multidimensional Research, 12(12), 105–110. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Khudoyberganova, G. (2023). Xristianlik va islomda asketik qarashlar tarixi va evolyutsiyasi qiyosiy tahlili (Doctoral dissertation abstract). Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Zarin, S. M. (1996). Asketizm po pravoslavno-khristianskomu ucheniyu: Etiko-bogoslovskoye issledovaniye (Reprint ed.; original work published 1907). Saint Petersburg; Moscow, Russia.

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Published

2026-01-09

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Gulnora Khudoyberganova (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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All articles published in The Journal of Interdisciplinary Human Studies are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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How to Cite

Interpretation of the Orthodox Ascetic Ideal in Sources. (2026). The Journal of Interdisciplinary Human Studies, 2(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.57033/mijournals-2026-1-0027