Our view of the church goes beyond simple walls and rituals – at its foundation lies an eternal struggle taking place within every believer.

Dual Realities: The Interplay of Light and Darkness Within the Church

Our view of the church goes beyond simple walls and rituals – at its foundation lies an eternal struggle taking place within every believer. We live in an era when the bright and dark sides of humans intertwine, creating a unique blend of noble intentions and weaknesses, which can allow even sacred places to fall under the influence of unclean forces. It is the imperfection of the human heart, susceptible to worldly temptations and inner demons, that can become fertile ground for the infiltration of darkness into the sacred community.

This idea originates from the ancient tradition of contemplating the two opposing energies within us – one oriented toward the light and the other toward darkness. Historical reflections by spiritual masters emphasize that even a strong, pure spirit cannot completely eradicate darkness when it is rooted in a heart prone to doubt and sin. Thus, every church, as a collection of hearts, mirrors the eternal struggle between the aspiration for the higher and the pull of worldly temptation.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the inner struggle is not only the personal drama of each believer but also a collective experience of the church community. Recognizing the duality within us helps us understand that light and darkness inevitably accompany us on our spiritual journey, and it is in this ongoing search for balance that the true beauty of faith is revealed.

What religious representations can explain the accumulation of unclean forces in the church?

The religious explanation for the accumulation of unclean forces in the church is linked to the idea of the inner duality of man and the constant battle between light and darkness in the believer’s soul. From this perspective, each church—as a collective body—consists of individuals who harbor both light and dark sides. It is precisely the imperfect purification of human hearts, susceptible to worldly influences and inner evil, that can foster the emergence and rooting of unclean influences within the church space.

For example, Venerable Macarius the Great remarks:
"Venerable Macarius the Great writes that evil operates within us, just as wheat and tares grow together in the same field. In one heart, two kinds of life are active: the life of light and the life of darkness. 'The pure and holy spirit, remaining in a soul still under the influence of the deceiver, does not adopt anything from that; for light in darkness shines, and darkness has not grasped it' (p. 139, 141). The Holy Church 'adopts nothing' from the darkness within the church, yet this darkness constantly seeks to 'embrace' it—just as in the life of a small church, that is, an individual human soul." (source: link txt)

This passage emphasizes that evil infiltrating people's souls is not limited to the external world but can also permeate the church itself. A heart afflicted by sin becomes a fertile ground where unclean forces can develop, thereby "infecting" the temple with worldly impurity. Thus, the accumulation of unclean forces can be seen as a reflection of the broader spiritual struggle and the imperfection of the human hearts that make up the church.

Supporting citation(s):
"Venerable Macarius the Great writes that evil operates within us, just as wheat and tares grow together in the same field. In one heart, two kinds of life are active: the life of light and the life of darkness. 'The pure and holy spirit, remaining in a soul still under the influence of the deceiver, does not adopt anything from that; for light in darkness shines, and darkness has not grasped it' (p. 139, 141). The Holy Church 'adopts nothing' from the darkness within the church, yet this darkness constantly seeks to 'embrace' it—just as in the life of a small church, that is, an individual human soul." (source: link txt)