Authors

Discussion

This paper is intended to review a number of challenges potentially threatening to grow into a serious distortion of the basic principles of Orthodox Christianity, although not of them are of equal importance. Problems to be discussed include: digitally reproduced icons; digitalization of the liturgical texts; distant sacraments (‘e-confession’, distant Liturgy); distant pastoral care; virtual prayer communities; digital pilgrimage, etc. The issues in question became visible already in the late modern period (for example, printed icons in the early 20^th century were challenging for the Orthodox theology of the image). The pandemic has exacerbated the existing problems; at the same time it legitimised discussions about them in the Orthodox milieu. “Stay home” policy implemented by the Church in Spring 2020 resulted in an unexpected assumption that one could be saved without physically contacting either people (including priests), or sacred objects (such as icons or relics). These developments have a potential to undermine some of the classical soteriological concepts of the Church (synergism, grace, etc.). Moreover, the pandemic brought to life a discussion about whether the Holy Gifts are able to transmit pathogenic agents. Some communities even started experimenting with distant Communion. Up to now the Church provided no theological answers for the emerging challenges. Possible consequences of this situation will be discussed in the presentation.