Synoro, Orthodoxy and Marxism, issue 31, (1964), 88 pages.
This issue of Synoroapproaches the topic of Orthodoxy and Marxism by publishing 4 essays related to it. D. Kourtesis starting with the acceptance of the relation of the faith with the economic activity of people concludes that there were periods in the history of the Church when this extremely important relation was underestimated. The undervaluation of the material hypostasis of the person began to be reversed as Marxism came to remind the Christians that the person has also a material hypostasis. Christianity without accepting enemies seeks the positive elements in every phenomenon. The publications of this issue have to be seen in this perspective.
Prof. (at AUTH at the time) S. Agouridis writes the first study titled “Marxist anthropology from a Christian viewpoint”. In this study he traces the roots of Marxist anthropology that identify the person with history - more than in Hengel- between the opinions ofFeuerbach and Stirner. He observes the Marxist ideas on the prospect of man progressing through history via socio-economic changes and heading from need to freedom while maintaining his particularity towards collective benefit in the context of a Socialist society. This Marxist eschatological anthropology has impressive resemblances but also differences with Christianity which the writer mentions in his text.
In the second study titled “Marxist history and sacramental history”,Jean Daniélou examines the common to Christianity and Marxism view of the world as history and also its aim as the attainment of freedom. The latter is differentiated in Christianity as it comes through theosis, which is achieved with the sacramental life of the Church, while in Marxism is achieved through freedom from economic bondage and capitalistic estrangement.
Thirdly, the significant study ofS. Bulgakoff “Orthodoxy and economic life”, is offered to us. Here the characteristics of the Orthodox economic man are presented through an exploration of the economic characteristics of Christianity and Orthodoxy.
The issue closes with the essay of Keti Chiotelli “The Church and the earthly”, where the petitions, with which the church requests the divine support to cover the human needs, are presented.
In the issue there is also the study of St. Vitti “The stragle with doubt in Father Lagerkvist”, in which the writer examines the self as cause of the writer’s weakness to meet God, and Helen Karita’s narrative “To Trisai”. Additionally a “Taxidiotiko” on Sinai having “desert” as its subtitle by Chr. Yannaras is also published, as well as two short stories of Helen Dambounelli with the titles “The neighbour and the date of death” and five poems by El. Maina from the collection “The Hermit”.
The issue closes with the permanent informative column “Epikera”, with reports on the problem of Cyprus at that period, a book-review on “Astheneis kai odoiporoi” of G. Theotokas and letters of readers.