The conception of neopatristic synthesis on a new stage

Abstract

The structure of the conception of neopatristic synthesis by Georges Florovsky is thoroughly revised in the prism of contemporary theological and philosophical development. As a result, the conception is given a new configuration, the core of which is ancient Orthodox idea of Living Tradition conceived as the condition of necessary participation in the experience of hesychast practice. On the other side, the idea of Christian Hellenism, which was a part of the core of the former configuration, is shifted to the periphery of the conception. Still unrealized philosophical potential of the conception is displayed, which includes its hermeneutical aspects, implicit links to Husserlian phenomenology and so on. Then the new configuration is projected onto the situation of Russian philosophy. I show that the conception contained considerable resources, conceptual, epistemological and methodological, which could stimulate the emergence of a new philosophical formation different from modernist thought of Silver Age. These resources remained undemanded, however.