In the Christian tradition, self-flagellation is regarded as one of the methods of asceticism and penance, where intense physical punishment is seen as a path to spiritual purification. There are several directions and forms of self-torture, each with its own specificity and historical context.
Working on oneself allows a person to awaken and develop their inner freedom and creative potential, which in turn becomes a source of spiritual growth and the attainment of inner harmony. It is not reduced to a mechanical change, but represents a profound self-revelation, where it is precisely through the intentional development of the mind, heart, and will that true spiritual awakening occurs. In this process, a person discovers within themselves a source of creative power that manifests as the external expression of an inner, free, and creative process transforming the personality from within.
The transition from a primitive state to spiritual maturity and a deified nature, which has become like Christ’s, represents a complex and ongoing process of inner transformation. Initially, a person is born with the image of God, but this image is divided by sin, and only through constant spiritual effort over the course of life can the likeness of God be restored. This is likened to the pains of birth: the external, primitive "self" gradually dies, yielding place to an inner, spiritual essence that is renewed day by day.
Raising the younger generations in an atmosphere of spiritual values plays a decisive role in strengthening family bonds and shaping a healthy social climate. When parents become the first mentors by demonstrating their ability to distinguish between right and wrong through their own example, they lay a solid moral foundation not only for their children’s future but also for the entire family. Such an environment, where faith and moral principles permeate everyday life, creates a sense of unity and support, turning the family into a model of cohesion and mutual assistance.
The role of the Holy Scripture is that it becomes for the believer an inexhaustible source of divine wisdom and spiritual inspiration, guiding one in the pursuit of perfection through prayer and repentance. Reading the Holy Word is seen as a living dialogue with Christ himself, through which new truths are revealed that foster the purification of the soul and continuous spiritual growth. In this process, prayer helps to establish a close connection with God, and repentance serves as a means of rejecting the former, “decayed” state, enabling the emergence of a new self, renewed by the grace of God.