Greek Orthodox Christian Anthropology and Person—Centered Approach to Education: Tentative Tracing of Their Parallel Paths and Exploration of Potential Encounter between Them

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Throughout its history the Christian Orthodox Church has not only exercised a theological role, but it has influenced and continues to influence the greatest part of Greek society. Among the most eminent Holy Fathers were Isaac the Syrian, John Damascene, John Sinaitis, Maximus the Confessor, Saint Athanasios, Saint John Chrysostom, Dionysios Aeropagitis, Great Vasilios, Grigorios Nyssis, Grigorios Palamas, and others. They studied and wrote on a wide range of subjects, but mainly they focused on the human being in terms of the social, political, cultural, psychic, spiritual and personal dimensions of life. The notions of person, agape and discrimination that we will attempt to discuss should not be perceived simply as words nor as intellectual constructs. To approach them, we must train as human beings in the 'difficult game' of intellectual, sensitive and psychological selftranscendence. Only then is there a possibility of participating in the real content of these concepts. The view of the Greek Fathers is that the human person meets God