Orthodox Spirituality: Fundaments and Contemporary Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the field of Orthodox spirituality has increasingly captured the attention of scholars interested in the experiential and theological depths of Eastern Christianity. Elements of doctrine, theological concepts, ascetic and spiritual practices, and renowned figures from both the past and present have become the focus of scholarly exploration. The growing interest reflects an effort to offer a rich and nuanced understanding of the human being, the person’s capacity for spiritual transformation, and the possibility of attaining intimate communion with God. Moreover, the rising attention in the field is not only due to the unique theological vision it proposes—namely, human life in communion with God—but also due to its capacity to engage constructively with various contemporary issues. Today, secularism, rapid technological shifts, and anthropological crises challenge traditional religious frameworks and human beings’ self-image. In this context, Orthodox Spirituality provides a coherent, embodied, and theologically grounded response to pressing questions regarding the meaning of human life and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, the convergence of spiritual practice with theological reflection within Orthodoxy open new paths for interdisciplinary dialogue.

In this way, the Special Issue we propose aims to explore both the foundational aspects and the contemporary expressions of Orthodox spirituality. Therefore, we invite contributors to examine the theological sources of Orthodox spirituality. This includes Scripture, the Church and Desert Fathers, and the liturgical tradition. We also encourage reflection on their relevance for today’s theological, social, and cultural contexts. Particular attention will be paid to how Orthodox spirituality interacts with and enriches other theological domains, such as missiology, bioethics, and pastoral psychotherapy. In these fields, spiritual experience sustains the proclamation of the Gospel in a pluralistic and complex world. It also offers anthropological insights into addressing ethical dilemmas related to life, health, and death. Furthermore, it draws from patristic and monastic traditions to promote an integrative vision of healing and personal transformation. This Special Issue seeks to bridge historical depth with contemporary application, encouraging both theological rigor and interdisciplinary openness.

We hope that this Special Issue will stimulate new research and critical reflection on Orthodox spirituality, fostering a deeper understanding of its foundational principles and contemporary applications. By bridging historical depth with modern challenge, this collection aims to explore theological discourse, enrich interdisciplinary dialogue, and contribute to ongoing conversations about spirituality, ethics, and human transformation in today’s complex world.

We welcome interested contributors to submit original research articles, review articles, and case studies on topics including (but not limited to) the following:

• Patristic foundations of Orthodox spirituality;
• The relationship between sacramental life and spiritual growth;
• Contemporary expressions of hesychasm and the Jesus Prayer;
• The influence of Orthodoxy in the mission of the Church today;
• Spiritual anthropology and the concept of theosis in dialogue with contemporary bioethical debates;
• Orthodox approaches to spiritual healing and their resonances in psychotherapeutic practice;
• The role of spiritual fatherhood and discernment in modern pastoral contexts;
• The ecological, social, and ethical dimensions of Orthodox spiritual life;
• Past and present spiritual figures and their impact on promoting a Christian way of life;
• The legacy of spiritual schools in the Orthodox tradition and their relevance today.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send this to the Guest Editors (gabriel.noje@ubbcluj.ro; stefan.iloaie@ubb.ro), or to the Assistant Editor of Religions (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Ştefan Iloaie
Dr. Gabriel Noje
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Orthodox spirituality
• theosis
• desert fathers
• church fathers
• Philokalia
• spiritual healing
• Christian asceticism
• spiritual discernment
• spiritual schools
• contemporary Orthodox
• spiritual figures