Anthropological aspects of Archimandrite Evtikhian (Lestev)’s active theology (1830s)

The article aims to reconstruct the concept of man developed in Russian spiritual-academic philosophy of the first half of the 19th century, using the newly discovered manuscript “Active Theology” (1830s) by one of its representatives, Archimandrite Evtikhian (Lestev), as an example. The study analyzes the main content of the treatise to reveal the archimandrite’s anthropological views. The fundamental importance of the theme of salvation, which serves as the central unifying link of the entire text, is emphasized. Characteristic features of the author’s view of man are highlighted: a being whose nature is in an inconstant state, historically evolving from perfect to corrupted, and possessing, under certain conditions, the potential for restoration to its original being. In the analyzed manuscript, man is considered within a religious paradigm through the prism of his relationship with God and other people, while also taking into account the interconnectedness of his inner spiritual life with its external manifestations in deeds and actions. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the first anthropological analysis undertaken of Archimandrite Evtikhian (Lestev)’s first half of the 19th-century manuscript “Active Theology”. This analysis allowed for the reconstruction of the author’s concept of the historically changing external and internal nature of man, moving from primordial perfection to a state of significant corruption, yet potentially capable of restoration. As a result of the study, the author’s perspective on his contemporaries was revealed: he viewed them as beings essentially deeply corrupted, yet possessing the potential for restoration through drawing closer to their Creator, placing complete trust in Him, and utilizing the established means for this purpose. The fundamental role of human salvation within the context of one’s relationship with God and other people was identified. The interconnectedness of inner life with external manifestations, which can manifest as either unity or contradiction, was characterized.