AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL VIEW OF DESPAIR (ACEDIA) AS A NEGATIVE RESULT OF THE SOCIAL CRISIS
/ANTROPOLOGICKÝ POHĽAD NA VÁŠEŇ ZÚFALSTVA (AKÉDIE) AKO NEGATÍVNY VÝSLEDOK SPOLOČENSKEJ KRÍZY/

Lubos SAVCAK

doctorand, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Presov, Slovakia, lubos.savcak@smail.unipo.sk, 00421907588575

Abstract

This scientific and patristic study provides the characteristic of the kind of passion called acedia. The article talks about its origins, what features it has, how it manifests, and what means to use to get rid of it. In its essence, acedia is the result of self-love that leads to the complete exhaustion of mental powers, which is reflected oppositely, either in inaction or over activity, while neglecting priorities. It's an escape from reality searching for distraction and fun. However, the cure is patience, prayer, perseverance in the spiritual way of life and drawing of God's grace. This phenomenon is dangerous because the person suffering acedia loses the pursuit of eternal life.

Keywords

Crisis, passion, acedia, boredom, perseverance, patience, prayer, regularity, escape, depression

SUMMARY

The current social crisis is forcing us to think about many things. Thanks to it, many of us have discovered in ourselves sinful passions or shortcomings that we have not yet known, because the flow (course) and attractions of this world have prevented us from doing so. The aim of this work is to explore the issue of one of the eight main passions, a passion called acedia. It has brought us to the unprecedented depths of the human soul, and we have found that this passion is especially dangerous from the spiritual point of view because it has perfect camouflage and is present in all other passions. Acedia is literally a disease of the soul that causes great suffering to a person. We found its beginning in the wrong direction of the forces of the human soul, which led us to a phenomenon called self-love, which hides a morbid and destructive introversion (withdrawnness). It can manifest itself in thousands of ways on the outside, and if it is not diagnosed in time, it will cause death in a person's ability to love. It draws its energy in irrational selfish desires that are not fulfilled. Consequently, the soul cannot withstand this state and escapes the reality in search of various forms of distraction or entertainment. Such a soul is not satisfied with the present and longs for the future. Therefore, the manifestations of acedia are contrasting. On the one hand, complete exhaustion of mental strength and, on the other hand, excessive activity. Untreated acеdia leads to various forms of depression ultimately leading to suicide. As we have said, in essence, it is an escape, and therefore, the general remedy is patience. Another cure is tears, but not tears of self-pity, but tears in confessing one’s hardened heart before God and in anticipation of God's grace. Last but not least, the way to overcome these states is to force oneself to live a spiritual life, not to weaken in prayer, to participate in the mysteries, to read the spiritual literature and the Scriptures, and to see God's will in everything. All this needs to be linked to work, which is why the holy fathers said that demons of acedia do not approach those who do not sit idle.

(Language: slovak)

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