Ascetic views of Basil the Great and their role in the formation and development of religious consciousness and social thought in Russia in the second half of XIV - early XV centuries

The formation and development of religious consciousness and social thought in Russia at the second half of XIV - early XV centuries was conditioned by the main facts of history and spiritual life of Russia. All the spiritual forces of Russia at the second half of XIV - early XV centuries were directed to solve practical problems of creating the united state. The development of religious-social thought in Russia was greatly influenced by the entry into the culture of Russia of numerous translations of the classics of patristic literature from Byzantium. An appeal to the creations of Byzantine thinkers had internal reasons, where the main problems were the issues of morality and strengthening of spirituality. One of the main themes of the ancient Russian scribes at the second half of XIV - early XV centuries was asceticism. The aim of the article is to analyze the moral and ascetic views of the Byzantine theologian, philosopher and church leader of the 4th century Basil the Great and reflection of his views in the ancient Russian authors’ works. Investigation of the works of St. Basil the Great allows to reveal the specific sources that determined the growth of personal principles, moral and ascetic orientation of religious and social thought in Russia. Active asceticism became one of the main sources of additional spiritual strength needed to solve the practical problems in creating a united state.