Human Fear and the Fear of God According to the Teaching of St. Niketas Stethatos in the Context of the Previous Tradition

Abstract

The article reveals the teachings of the author of the XI century. Venerable Niketas Stethatos about human fear and the fear of God. Although the author writes about fear (φόβος), in many respects continuing and repeating the previous ancient and patristic tradition, he turns out to be quite original in describing two types of virtuous fear — as fear of punishment and fear of love — with special emphasis on the expression «pure fear» of God, which St. Niketas also calls «fear of the Holy Spirit» and «fear according the love». According to St. Niketas, who possesses such the highest fear, is at an absolute spiritual height and is afraid of only one thing — to lose God. The article presents a number of parallels with the preceding tradition, which make it possible to present the thought of St. Niketas.