Page 386 - Orthodoxy Zizioulas

O r t h o d o x y
The Duty and Possibilities of Orthodoxy
in the Face of the Modern World
Let us begin with an observation of particular importance
for those called to represent Orthodoxy in the modern
world, especially as clergy and theologians. Orthodoxy is
not a relic of the past, a museum piece destined merely to
evoke admiration as an achievement of another era. It must
articulate a salvific discourse for modern man, taking seri-
ously the dead ends he now encounters. These dead ends,
briefly noted earlier, form both the challenge and the frame-
work within which Orthodoxy is called to invigorate the tra-
dition it has received from the Fathers. The question, there-
fore, is how Orthodoxy can serve today as a saving force
within the impasses of our culture.
Orthodoxy today bears an increased responsibility toward
both God and history. The conditions have matured for its
voice to be heard on a global scale—provided it can discern
the signs of the times and interpret its tradition deeply and
faithfully. Among these signs is the gradual collapse of the
optimism with which the modern world began. The Enlight-
enment’s confidence in reason has been shaken, especially
through the catastrophic experience of the two world wars.
The prophetic doubts of Fyodor Dostoevsky have been con-
firmed: human freedom proves stronger than human reason
and is capable of overturning all rational constructions. Evil
cannot be contained by logic or ethics, but only by the free
consent of man.
In the wake of these crises, nihilism emerged, seeking to
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