“THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HEART” OF HRYHORII SKOVORODA IN THE LIGHT OF PATRISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY

Abstract

The article examines Hryhorii Skovoroda's philosophy of the heart as a foundation for Christian anthropology in the Ukrainian context, offering a new approach to interpreting his thought. The author emphasizes that Skovoroda’s teaching on the "inner person" and the heart as the center of personal spiritual life is closely connected to the tradition of Patristic theology, which is a key aspect both in Christian tradition and in personalist philosophy. Special attention is given to the role of self-knowledge in the process of communion with God and personal transformation. The novelty of the study lies in highlighting the role of Skovoroda’s anthropology in the context of Ukraine’s current crisis and war, where the philosopher’s ideas can serve as a source of resilience and hope. By analyzing Skovoroda’s anthropological structure of the human being, the author argues that his teaching on the heart as the meeting point between God and the human person remains relevant in contemporary theological discours.