FOREWORD BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The first issue of Praxis in 2024 comes at a critical time for the existence of Russian science and Russian culture in general. Attempts to “abolish” or isolate this culture, to devalue its significance for world d

Abstract

FOREWORD BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The first issue of Praxis in 2024 comes at a critical time for the existence of Russian science and Russian culture in general. Attempts to “abolish” or isolate this culture, to devalue its significance for world development are not only foolish in themselves, but testify to an obvious misunderstanding of the norms and laws by which culture develops. The origin, development, vertical and horizontal links of any cultural phenomenon are as complex as the phenomenon itself is unique. It is not that it is impossible to erase someone's names from the world culture - it is much more important that these names are not hidden behind a mere tribute, but that work is carried out to actualize them and keep them “in the asset” of contemporaries.

This applies, of course, to legal culture. The genesis of canon law from the Roman legal culture makes it impossible to “abolish” it or simply ignore it. Through this law our culture is united with those Christian values that still remain in modern society, the law that built the Christian civilization of Europe can be the basis for its preservation today. Legal nihilism and legalism are two extremes that need to be overcome on this path, unfortunately, both of them are found in the church environment and in our society as a whole. It is time to abandon the minimalist definition of the role of law as “preventing hell on earth” (V. Solovyov) and try to build a new understanding of law, which will help to preserve and revitalize the irreplaceable Christian culture.

Archpriest Alexander Zadornov,

Head of the Department of Church-Practical Disciplines at the Moscow Theological Academy.

Moscow Theological Academy