Interpretation of the New Testament in the exegetical works of St Theophan the Recluse and St Justin of Chelia

Abstract

St Justin of Celia (1894–1979) wrote commentaries on the Gospels of Matthew and John, as well as on some of the epistles of the Apostle Paul. Only two articles on methodological aspects of exegesis of the New Testament in the writings of the Monk Justin have been published (Yanshin O., Tatalovich V.), which indicates that the object of the study has not been sufficiently studied. Many of his writings have not yet been properly analyzed by the scientific and theological community (the focus of scholarship has been on his dogmatic writings rather than his exegetical writings). Most of them remain untranslated into Russian. Since Justin studied at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy at the beginning of the XX century and was familiar with Russian-­language literature, it is of interest to compare his method of exegesis with Russian interpreters of the New Testament, such as St. Theophan the Recluse (1815–1894). The way of life and ascetic orientation of the writings of both spiritual writers allows us not only to identify the features of the exegetical method of St Justin but also to point out the main themes that he tries to convey to his readers through his commentaries on the Holy Scripture.