LEISURE IS IN LABOURS OF EARLY CHRISTIAN APOLOGISTS APOLOGISTS

Abstract

The article concerns with the ways in which antic model of leisure’ transformed into theocentric one. The influence of paradigmatic principles of Christianity on perception of leisure in the early Middle Ages is demonstrated through analysis of early Christian apologists. The stress is on the point that Christian ethics regard as inappropriate either entertaining leisure or intellectual ("Letter of Paul to the Colossians"). Antagonism between antic and Christian

cultures is examined using writings of Clement of Alexandria, Minucius Felix, Cyprian of Carthage, Lactantius, etc.

Since proclaiming Christianity state religion of Roman Empire spiritual fight between old and new values acquired certain new forms correspondingly influencing leisure’ axiology. As a result pagan cults and rituals were ousted,

pagan temples and monuments were destroyed, gladiators’ fight, circus performances were declared as inappropriate as well as philosophy, literature, music, public services, because people wasted weeks and months in various entertainments like circus competitions, theater performances, races, sports which produced laziness, slavery and

haughtiness. Luxury was inappropriate for Christians too. Early Christian apologists proved that one was spoiled with unordinary, unnatural enjoyments concentrated at show effects and emotions in turmoil and is disable to understand joy and pleasures of real world which look uninteresting and unattractive.

Antic entertainments led to inebriety, passion for enrichment, honors, insatiability, sexual pleasures, reasoned gossips, angriness, shamelessness, other "opuses of Satan". These impeded real freedom, pleasures and enjoyments,

good conscience, honest life, absence of fear of death, charity, life for God. So the first Christians already called to know one’s duty to reject temptations of a show as well as other sins, while keeping rules of religion and not making a sin because of ignorance and cunning.

Early Christian apologists considered antic culture as one that had lost moral ideals and principles, embodied every failings of paganism, and had opposed to it new, humanist values and ideals. Ideal leisure had to promote achieving of verity, so it would be intellectual, full of spiritual joy to perfect contemplative activity aiming the very essence

of a human to recognize God, to get closer to Him, to intercommunicate with Him.

The article proves that theocentric model of leisure is grounded on unity of two theologian and philosophic methods – exegetic and apologetic which reflect discursive methodology of leisure on new level within the new historic and cultural conditions. This methodology is formed in writings of Minucius Felix, Cyprian of Carthage, Lactantius,

Tacian, Tertullianus, who gave proof of possibility of integrative world perception within the context of Christian doctrine, as well as in writings of John Chrysostom, Saint Augustine, Boetius who tried to harmonize connection of belief and raison and to prove importance of social order and role of Church in it.

In society where religion is the highest form of spiritual life, only ideal, intellectual leisure may help to achieve the Verity, to recognize and glorify God. Such a leisure isn’t an abstract contemplation, but a practical raising of really

pious moral person. So leisure conduct should work for maximum realization of human life’ aim – achieving of eternal beatitudiness. The principle of religious practicalness was proclaimed as the main one of an ideal leisure. Beside considering leisure as a contemplative activity, as a way to get closer to God other motives were widespread which considered a leisure as a laziness, and considering of leisure as a part of free time.