Author: CHAI Xudong, Lecturer, School of Russian Studies, Heilongjiang University.
Abstract:
At the beginning of the twentiethcentury, a theological polemic on the name of God broke out on Mount Athos, in which Florensky supported the side which held to the Onomatodoxy (“name-glorifying”) view, arguing that the name of God could actually refer to God Godself. Based on the ancient patristic division of the ousia-energieia of God, Florensky discussed the idea that the name of God is a synergy between God and humanity, and interprets this synergy as a symbol of God, and therefore a symbol through which humanity can know God. Florensky’s idea of Onomatodoxy was not only confined to the theological realm, but also reveals the more general significance of names as a bridge between the knower and the known. He attributed the long-standing debate on Onomatodoxy to deeper conflict in the presuppositions behind the philosophical and theological differences of the two sides in the polemic. The problem of Onomatodoxy reflects different ideas on universals and magic, church and its tradition, in specific theological perspectives.
Keywords:
P. Florensky, Orthodox, Onomatodoxy, synergy, symbol
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