“Sunday Letters” by V. S. Solovyov and the “Sent letters” by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk: Philosophical and Theological Dialogue

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the development of the theme of temptation in the collections “Sent Letters” by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and “Sunday Letters” by V. S. Solovyov. The purpose of the study is to identify similarities and differences in the philosophical and theological interpretation of this concept among authors belonging to different historical and cultural eras. The texts demonstrate that both thinkers view temptation in two key aspects: as a “material” temptation and as an “immaterial” stumbling block that is dangerous to society. Special attention is paid to the specifics of the author’s approaches: Solovyov analyzes the problem through the prism of the “mind — heart” antinomy, introducing the concept of “half — truth”. St. Tikhon emphasizes the theological antinomy of “word — deed”, emphasizing the responsibility of man for temptation. The paper concludes that, despite the difference in approaches, both authors agree in recognizing the special destructive power of spiritual and intellectual temptations for the soul of each person and society as a whole.