Towards Understanding of the Practice of Proclamation: The Core Element of Russian Baptist Worship, Timofey Cheprasov, 2015

o Theosis; the Holy Liturgy, the Mysteries, divine Worship, the Gospel sermon, the fasting; all of these lead to this one 712 thing. The Church alone is the place of Theosis.’~“ Although theosis begins with God, being His gift and something that people cannot achieve by themselves, regardless of their efforts, people have to do their best trying to achieve certain features of character. These are humility, asceticism or rejection of personal desires, and prayer or ability to pray, which is both something to be achieved but also the means by which all these qualities can be obtained.’? The ideas of theosis, the emphasis on the importance of personal perfection as well as gradual perfection of society could be found not only in the teaching ° Emil Bartos, Deification in Eastern Orthodox Theology: an Evaluation and Critique of the Theology of Dumitru Staniloae (Milton Keynes, Paternoster Press, 1999), p 253. 1° Vitaly Borovoy, "What Is Salvation? An Orthodox Statement," International Review of Mission, No. 61 (1972) p 41. *! Lars Thunberg, Man and the Cosmos: The Vision of Saint Maximus the Confessor (Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1985), p 51. ” Archimandrite George, Theosis, p 36. "3 Ibid., pp 45-53. 34 of the Orthodox church, but they became an often repeated theme in wider literary and socio-political works of the first half of the 19" century in Russia.“ Obviously, due to the limitations and a different focus of current research, this is only a brief overview, which mentions some key elements of an important concept for the Orthodox Church. Its meaning for preaching is difficult to overestimate. First of all, preaching (together with other church practices) leads to theosis. Yet, this process happens neither through a logical argumentation, nor by appealing to reason or addressing important moral questions and problems that the listeners have to deal with. Such an approach is seen as ‘Western influences’ on Orthodox theology and considered deeply misleading and mistaken. Consider the words of Archimandrite George: Unfortunately, the spirit of moralism... basing the Christian life on moral improvement, had adversely influenced the piety and spirituality of Christians to a significant degree even here in our land. We often cease to pursue Theosis because of Western influences on our theology... It is often responsible for atheism and for many people’s indifference towards the spiritual life, especially among the young.” The following is understood to be a solution — instead of ‘moralising,’ preaching should lead people to theosis through imparting God’s grace, which people can only experience as they give up their individualistic pursuits and selfish ways.’° Thus, it is first of all the attitude with which people come to participate in a Divine Liturgy and, subsequently, listening to a sermon that enables them to grasp that glimpse of God’s Kingdom or be turn