Problem of culture genesis in the view of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)

In the present article, based upon the views of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), the process of the emergence of culture and the relation of its genesis with its impact on a human is considered. The argument is given that in order to reveal the depths of culture genesis, it is necessary to comprehend the inherent connection of religion and culture. It is shown that the personal spiritual experience of St. Ignatius helps him see the problem from both sides - aesthetic and religious, to combine the secular interpretation of the biblical text about the cultivation of paradise with Christian exegesis. This allows us to consider the traditional concept of culture in a symbolic aspect. According to St. Ignatius, the innate religiosity in humans had not been destroyed by the original sin, but had rather been corrupted, which led to the emergence of various religious cults that gave rise to idolatry, deifying sin in all its manifestations. Accordingly, the appearance of the world of culture is the result and fruit of the fall, and culture has been an embellishment of the fall. The conclusion is made that culture by itself, if it is not illumined by inspiration from above and does not bear an imprint of the Holy Spirit, in its essence carries both good and evil, and only the legacy of Church enables spiritual vision that allows one to discern the divine from the demonic.