The twentieth century is also characterized by the active development and systematization of philosophical and theological anthropology. In particular, among the Christian thinkers of the twentieth century a special place is occupied by Metropolitan Anthony of Suroz (Bloom), whose anthropological views this dissertation research is devoted to.
The scientific novelty of the research lies in providing the need to analyze the anthropological teachings of Metropolitan Anthony, as raised by the bishop topics, in particular: the purpose of human life, understanding the phenomenon of death, problems of relationships in society that has not lost its importance in the XXI century.
Chapter I – «The place of Metropolitan Anthony of Surozh in the spiritual culture of the twentieth century» – consists of three sections devoted to the analysis of the source base of this study and the main publications covering the life, work, theological and philosophical views of Metropolitan Anthony.
It encompasses that the creative heritage of A. Surozky had not been fully collected and organized yet, as the bishop personally had hardly written any books. All known works of Metropolitan Anthony are transcripts of his conversations, sermons, radio broadcasts on anthropological topics.
However, it was determined that A.Surozky is not a direct follower of someone's philosophical school, but he developed an original anthropological system, which can be described as «theology (or philosophy) of the meeting».
Chapter II – «Ontological status of man in the anthropology of A.Surozky» – consists of four sections and is devoted to the origin and purpose of human, describes in detail its natural properties, considers the dichotomous and trichonomic concept of human nature, including Metropolitan Anthony’s understanding of such concepts as: spirit, soul and body. Particular attention is paid to the important concept of «personality», understood by the bishop in accordance with the Holy Father’s tradition, as the only, harmonizing all the forces, the center of the human being.
Also, the teachings of Metropolitan Anthony on marriage, the relationship between man and woman, the problem of gender segregation are covered. It has been found that the bishop’s so-called «spiritual-androgynous» concept in the question of the articles’ origin, is actualized in the acquisition of anthropological integrity by a man and a woman.
Chapter III – «Amortological concept in the spiritual heritage of Metropolitan Anthony» – covers four sections that allow a thorough analysis of changes in human nature as a result of the human’ fall. Attention is being paid in this section to: the origin of evil, sin, decay and death. This section deals with the spiritual «mechanism» of human degradation, comprehends the theme of suffering.
Chapter IV – «Man in Eternity: The Eschatology of Metropolitan Anthony» – enumerates four sections, and focuses on the views of bishop Anthony on the process of human rebirth through the restoration of unity with God. Emphasis is placed on Christology, in particular the soteriological and ecclesiological aspects. It is determined that the revival is characterized by dynamic categories: deification, transformation. It is proved that the doctrine of hesychasm, which, by the way, the metropolitan embodied in his own spiritual practice, had a great influence on A.Surozky in this context.
Also, light has been shed on the ultimate goal and meaning of human existence as an immortal being. Describes the teachings of Metropolitan Anthony on the relationship between time and eternity.
