Papers by Dr Angelos Mavropoulos
Religions, 2025
This article explores the ethical dimensions of cosmetic surgery, offering a comparative analysis... more This article explores the ethical dimensions of cosmetic surgery, offering a comparative analysis of perspectives from both the Orthodox and the Catholic moral theologies. Both traditions uphold the sanctity of the human body as a creation of God, emphasizing the importance of maintaining its integrity and dignity. However, their approaches to the ethical implications of cosmetic surgery might reveal distinct theological nuances that reflect their unique doctrinal and cultural contexts. By examining the theological foundations, doctrinal teachings, and contemporary ethical debates within both traditions, this study seeks to illuminate how Orthodox and Catholic ethics address the complexities of bodily modification. The analysis highlights the ways in which each tradition navigates concerns related to vanity, identity, and the pursuit of physical perfection, offering insights into their shared values as well as their distinct perspectives. This interdenominational study aims to contribute to ecumenical and intercultural dialogue, fostering greater understanding and respect between the two original Christian traditions. By engaging with the ethical considerations surrounding cosmetic surgery, this article provides a platform for deeper reflection on the role of the body in Christian spirituality and the ongoing relevance of these issues in a diverse and interconnected world.
The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society, 2024
In contemporary literature and practice, the first principle of bioethics, autonomy, which is def... more In contemporary literature and practice, the first principle of bioethics, autonomy, which is defined as the right of individuals to self-determination and self-government, is often idolized and regarded as a moral absolute that must, under no circumstances, be violated. For Christianity, personal free will and individual autonomy stem from our creation in the image and likeness of God; thus, should be highly respected. On the other hand, modern phrases such as "my body, my choice" and "keep your laws off my body," which are mostly aimed at supporting practices traditionally incompatible with Christian teaching, such as abortion, euthanasia, and gender reassignment, are on the rise in contemporary societies, especially in the West. This article deals with the modern "absolutization" of the principle of autonomy from the standpoint of Christian morality and attempts to comparatively examine the stance of Eastern Orthodox and Catholic ethics on the matter. So, where exactly do the two traditional Christian Churches stand between the respect and the absolutization of autonomy? This question is considered in this paper.
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2023
The issue of the exact shape and form of the resurrected human body has been highly controversial... more The issue of the exact shape and form of the resurrected human body has been highly controversial and has concerned Christian theology throughout the ages. However, although deliberate body modification practices, such as tattooing, have been playing an important role for civilizations since ancient years, their place in heavenly life has hardly been discussed. In addition, decorative tattooing has a very interesting and also ethically controversial background through time, as one could say that it is both an act of embellishment and an act of mutilation, moving between two contrasted parallels, beauty and deformity. Examining, therefore, the specific questions of whether the risen flesh of the blessed will be perfectly beautiful and freed of any earthly deformities as well as whether it will resemble the resurrected 'wounded' body of Christ or not, this paper deals with the issue of the preservation of decorative tattoos in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Studies in Christian Ethics, 2024
While natural law theory plays an important role for Catholic moral theology, it is true that Ort... more While natural law theory plays an important role for Catholic moral theology, it is true that Orthodox ethics has not endeavoured to develop its own theory of natural law. This article demonstrates the existence of the concept of natural law in Eastern Orthodox theology and argues that the main reason for this neglect is Eastern Christianity's traditional focus on faith rather than reason. In addition, the author, based on biblical and patristic grounds, highlights the necessity for a balance between the two to be found and provides a way in which Orthodox moral theology could develop a natural law theory, should it ever feel the need to do so, by first redefining its relationship with the science of philosophy, after so many years of disregard.
Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia, 2023
Pleasing to the eye" (Gen 3:6)-this is how Genesis describes the forbidden fruit when Adam and Ev... more Pleasing to the eye" (Gen 3:6)-this is how Genesis describes the forbidden fruit when Adam and Eve were trying to apologise for eating it, as, since the time of the first people, beauty, or that which is "pleasing to the eye", has been admired. Christian Fathers, since the time of the early Church, came up against the problem of beauty, as, although the human body was unquestionably beautiful, the question of the right attitude towards it was of particular concern to them. One of these Fathers was the most prolific Eastern Christian thinker and writer, St. John Chrysostom. As Chrysostom, drawing mainly from the Bible, saw, beauty, especially that of the human body, should be appreciated and even glorified. However, paradoxically one could say, physical beautification is morally disapproved. How is it possible, then, that the beauty of the body is desired, while its beautification should be condemned? That is the problem this work deals with. Streszczenie. "Miły dla oka" (Rdz 3,6)-tak Księga Rodzaju opisuje zakazany owoc, gdy Adam i Ewa próbowali przeprosić za jego zjedzenie, ponieważ od czasów pierwszych ludzi piękno, czyli to, co jest "miłe dla oka", było podziwiane. Już od czasów pierwotnego Kościoła, Ojcowie Kościoła stykali się z problemem piękna, gdyż chociaż ciało ludzkie było uznawane za bezsprzecznie piękne, to kwestia właściwego stosunku do niego wydawała się dla nich szczególnie ważna. Jednym z tych Ojców był najbardziej płodny myśliciel i pisarz wschodniochrześcijański, św. Jan Chryzostom. Chryzostom, czerpiąc głównie z Biblii, zauważył, że piękno ciała ludzkiego, należy doceniać, a nawet wychwalać. Jednak paradoksalnie można by powiedzieć, że fizyczne upiększanie było moralnie potępiane. Jak to więc możliwe, że pożąda się piękna ciała, a potępia się jego upiększanie? Właśnie temu problemowi poświęcony jest niniejszy tekst.
Theology and Science, 2023
Although there is no consensus on how placebos actually work, their association with the concept ... more Although there is no consensus on how placebos actually work, their association with the concept of faith is considered to play a key role. In modern medicine, the traditional use of placebos raises bioethical concerns, despite the fact that it has shown extremely positive results over time. Orthodox Christian moral theology has not yet divulged its views on the matter, although several of its Church Fathers and secular theologians have evaluated the concepts of falsehood, autonomy, and, of course, faith. Thus, by examining these notions, could we conclude the morality of the practice, from the point of view of Christian Orthodox bioethics? This is the question this paper will answer to.
International Journal of Orthodox Theology, 2019
'Laboratory animals' are non-human living beings, which are used by science for experimental or o... more 'Laboratory animals' are non-human living beings, which are used by science for experimental or observational purposes. Several important contemporary scientific achievements, particularly in the field of bio-medicine, have been accomplished thanks to animal experimentation; thence, more and more animals have nowadays been used in scientific research. Nevertheless, the issue of laboratory animals raises ethical concerns and has been the cause of many disagreements and controversy. These disagreements have been intensified since World War II and more so following the expressed theories of ethicist Peter Singer (1975), who has 110 Angelos Mavropoulos been the main representative of the animal rights movement. After 1990, the emergence of genetic engineering has intensified the dispute even further. What is, however, the viewpoint of Christian Orthodox Ethics towards animal experimentation? Are acts such as captivity, inflicting pain or even putting down living creatures, for the sake of scientific progress, morally justified according to the ethics of the Orthodox theological tradi-tion?
Book Reviews by Dr Angelos Mavropoulos
The Expositiry Times, 2023
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Papers by Dr Angelos Mavropoulos
Book Reviews by Dr Angelos Mavropoulos