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The formation of dogmatic consciousness according to Saint Sophronius the Sainttranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

The most complete expression of empirical theology for Saint Sophronius is the Dogma. The dogma is not the fruit of intellectual evolution, but a verbal expression of an "obvious truth", that of the supreme fact, which causes transcendence of formal logic. Nikolaos Koios, Content Coordinator – Quintessential

In the history of the Church, great effort was required for the expression of doctrinal consciousness. Dogmatic consciousness is the "other", "expressed" one could say, side of spiritual life. The experience and the dogmatic consciousness, the two aspects of the spiritual life, although they seem to be separated up to a point as to their "formed manifestation", in essence they are indivisible life. This has as a result every change in the ascetic's doctrinal consciousness to change the spiritual practice and existence accordingly. And conversely, any deviation from the truth in the inner spiritual life, should bring about a change in the dogmatic consciousness.

Based on the historical facts of the Church, Elder Sophronios defines as doctrinal consciousness the spiritual knowledge, which is formed after the passage of many years of practice, necessary for assimilation...

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Стоян Марков

The one about "προφανοῦς ἀλήθειας" and how the long years of asceticism also change the dogmatic consciousness seemed to me the strongest. One really sees how every inner deviation is then reflected in the thought of God. Thanks to Nicolai Koyos for conveying it so clearly.

Десислава Николова

I agree, Stoyane, especially about the "profane alifeias" - that dogma is not a mental exercise, but simply a truth spoken from experience. It's the same in my garden: if you miss watering regularly, then all the work shows in the yellowed leaves. I'm curious, from which text of the elder Sophronius did you remember this the most?

Тодор Кирилов

I agree, Desislav, that's right - dogma is like watering, if you neglect it, then everything is visible. I remember this most from The Elder Siluanus, where the elder Sophronius writes about humility as the only true ground of knowledge. And from which text did you take it most strongly?

Илия Илиев

Yes, Todore, it is exactly humility that Sophronius constantly emphasizes. I, on the other hand, felt it the most in "I Saw God", where it is written that without him, a person easily deceives himself and his dogma becomes a dry formula. When did you first read Old Man Siluan?

Богдана Николова

Yes, Todore, watering is a good image - if you stop, the weeds immediately come out. I, on the other hand, remembered it most strongly from "On Prayer", where the old man Sophronius says that dogma without experience becomes like an empty room. Have you tried reading "I Saw God" after "Old Man Siluan"?

Мариана Тодорова

Yes, Ilya, in "I Saw God" I also felt this most strongly - humility keeps the dogma alive, otherwise it really becomes like a dry crust. I read "Elder Siluan" for the first time about fifteen years ago, after a talk by a father in our church in Veliko Tarnovo. And when did you get hold of it?

Надежда Тодорова

Yes, Mariana, it is precisely humility that keeps dogma from turning into a dry crust, as you say. I, on the other hand, read "Old Man Siluan" after an acquaintance from Varna brought it to me from Athos 8-9 years ago - and since then I keep coming back to it. And "I Saw God" when did you get your hands on it?