Does Orthodox Christianity have (or has it ever had) an esoteric aspect?
>>41867567Any religion with a commandment to proselytize is inherently exoteric.
>>41867567Sophiology is at least somewhat esoteric
>>41867567Hello anon. I’m not well-versed enough in Eastern Orthodoxy to tell you if there is an esoteric aspect to it (and I doubt those who would know would browse here) I do think that this idea of “esotericism” gets conflated with Eastern Orthodoxy’s emphasis on the mystical and transcendental. The beauty of Eastern Orthodoxy, and Christianity in general, is that anyone can live a life with the Lord regardless of their status or knowledge. Eastern Orthodoxy, and what follows, Russian Orthodoxy does have a lot of mystical aspects, however. Take The Great Liturgy (Sunday Church service) where the consecration of the bread and wine by the clergy happens behind the Altar, hidden from view by the churchgoers. There is a physical and spiritual separation from the laity and the clergy. It isn’t esoteric, as much as the Eucharist not being able to be reduced to an object to witnessed. Another aspect are the icons. Icons are not meant to be pretty nor lifelike but are supposed to evoke this feeling of “otherworldliness”. If you look at enough of them you’ll notice that they all have this peaceful but sober expression on their face. It’s not peaceful as a momentary state, but peaceful in an eternal sense. Then consider the signing. Russian Orthodox Church services are mostly sung in chorus. There’s no instruments like in some Protestant and Catholic services. There’s a very incantation-like aspect of how the service is delivered. Look into Znamenny Chants. Notice the tone of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppAT0f2YCyM&list=PLGpwrZyEL83RwxmUELPzrQEKyleYClxNH&index=3
>>41868169You have to also combine everything I mentioned together. The Great Liturgy, the Icons illuminated by a flickering candle, the accapella church singing. The general mood of the whole thing does feel primordial, beyond moralism. You are there being witness thereof. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSzMR-3-EYM&list=RDlSzMR-3-EYM&start_radio=1Lastly there is the monastic tradition. Look into the Great Schema. Monks who basically go beyond the monastic brotherhoods and take up a life of silence and pure divinity. Its not that they “learn” more secrets when they take up the mantle, its more that they have greater silence, prayer and obedience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9SdIWufC4I
Christianity does not have distinct esoteric and exoteric sides. This makes many people, such as Guenon fanboys, perennialists, and so-called Traditionalists very angry because it confuses them.
>>41867567Every religion is inherently and necessarily esoteric you fuckin moron. Why? Because true belief requires a rejection of secular ‘facts’, or wholesale heretical bullshit.
>>41867567Hesychasm?
The esoteric side of religion or church? The Russian church is closely linked to folklore, strange rituals, elders, and hermits. The farther from Moscow, the stranger its forms. Although Moscow itself has its share of oddities. Look for a photo of the Main Cathedral of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and you won't immediately be able to tell where Christianity ends and Warhammer begins. How much of this relates to Christianity is an open question.
>>41867567That's a man!Esoteric Christianity is stuff like that. They were crazy in the time of Moses. They were crazy in the time of Jesus. They still crazy!
