Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2025-13-166

Volynskyi Blahovisnyk. № 13. 2025. P. 17-27

Summary

This article analyzes the importance of the ethical use of progress in science, technology, and the economy to preserve the environment. In particular, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine emphasizes the need for a shift in humanity’s worldview to foster cultural transformations that will ensure the development of technology for healing rather than destruction. The issue of the sinfulness of ecologically-destructive actions is outlined, along with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s call for prayer and repentance for the harm caused to God’s creation. The Orthodox perspective on the world as a gift of God’s love, nature as a reflection of God’s wisdom and beauty that teaches the faithful to see greatness in simplicity, is also highlighted. The importance of harmony between humans and nature, showing mercy to all living things, and adhering to ecological ethics is emphasized. The article underscores that the true problem of the ecological crisis is spiritual and calls for the formation of an ecological worldview among Christians to restore human nature and the environment through God’s wisdom and love. An analysis of reflections on nature and the environment expressed in the works of the Church Fathers affirms the inseparability of preserving nature and love for all living things from the spiritual life of Christians. This reflects God’s order and harmony in the world. Christians have a duty to treat the environment responsibly, showing mercy, respect, and compassion for God’s creation and passing it on to future generations in an unspoiled form. Such an approach fosters the establishment of harmony between humans and nature, which is an important aspect of spiritual development and the fulfillment of God’s mission. Further study of ecological theology is essential for understanding responses to contemporary challenges. Recognizing the significance and practicality of the words of the Church Fathers for modern ecological theology can help form an ecological consciousness that replaces consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity, and wastefulness with asceticism. This transformation represents a way of love and a gradual move away from selfishness towards the needs of others: both nature and humanity.

Key words: nature, environment, ecology, ecological theology, Church Fathers.

References:

1. 1. Bibliia (2004). Knyhy Sviashchennoho Pysannia Staroho ta Novoho Zavitu. V ukrainskomu perekladi z paralelnymy mistsiamy ta dodatkamy. K.: Vydannia Kyivskoi Patriarkhii Ukrainskoi Pravoslavnoi Tserkvy Kyivskoho PatriarkhatuThe Bible. (Books of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in Ukrainian translation with parallel passages and appendices. Kyiv) [in Ukrainian].
   2. Bartholomew, Patriarch. Keynote address at the Santa Barbara symposium, CA, 8 November 1997. In: Chryssavgis J, editor. On Earth as in Heaven: Ecological Vision and Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. New York: Fordham University Press, 2012 [in English].
   3. Chryssavgis J. Introduction. In: Chryssavgis J, editor. On Earth as in Heaven: Ecological Vision and Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. New York: Fordham University Press, 2012 [in English].
   4. Vasylii Velykyi, svt. (2010). Tvorinnia: T. 1, kn. 1. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
   5. Vselenskyi Patriarkh Varfolomii. (2011). Vich-na-vich iz Tainoiu. Pravoslavne khrystyianstvo u suchasnomu sviti. Per. z anhl. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
   6. Mykolai Khatzinikolau, mytr. (2017). Afon – naivyshcha tochka na Zemli. Kyiv [in Ukrainian].
   7. Petro Baloh, sviashch. Pro ekolohiiu i Tserkvu. URL: https://risu.ua/pro-ekologiyu-i-cerkvu_n108318 [in Ukrainian].
   8. Porfyrii Kavsokalyvit, prep. (2024). Khrystos – tse vse! Per. z hrets. Khania [in Ukrainian].
   9. Poslannia do Dnia molytvy za dovkillia Blazhenniishoho Mytropolyta Kyivskoho i vsiiei Ukrainy Epifaniia. Pravoslavna Tserkva Ukrainy. URL: https://www.pomisna.info/uk/epistle-post/poslannya-do-dnya-molytvy-za-dovkillya-blazhennijshogo-mytropolyta-kyyivskogo-i-vsiyeyi-ukrayiny-epifaniya/ [in Ukrainian]
   10. Serhii Berezhnoi, sviashch. (2023). Ekobohoslovia yak skladova chastyna khrystyianskoho svitohliadu ta vidpovid na ekolohichnu kryzu sohodennia / Tserkva i Suspilstvo. Desiat tez do kalendarnoi reformy. Instytut Tserkvy i Suspilstva Kyivskoi Pravoslavnoi Bohoslovskoi Akademii [in Ukrainian].