For the Peace from Above
An Orthodox Resource Book
on War, Peace and Nationalism
Revised Edition
Edited by Fr. Hildo Bos & Jim Forest
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https://jimandnancyforest.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/For-the-Peace-from-Above-rev-2-2011.pdf
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1,000 words in English summary + review please.
For the Peace from Above: An Orthodox Resource Book on War, Peace and Nationalism is a seminal collection that addresses one of the most complex intersections in Eastern Orthodox theology: the tension between the "Prince of Peace" and the historical realities of conflict and national identity.
Edited by the late Jim Forest (a renowned peace activist) and Fr. Hildo Bos, this revised edition serves as both a historical record and a moral compass for the contemporary Church.
Part 1: Detailed Summary
The book is structured as a "resource book" rather than a single narrative, compiling patristic texts, liturgical prayers, official church statements, and modern theological essays. Its primary goal is to retrieve the Orthodox "mind" regarding violence, which has often been obscured by state-aligned nationalism (phyletism).
1. The Liturgical and Patristic Foundation
The title is derived from the "Great Litany" of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy: "For the peace from above... let us pray to the Lord." The book begins by establishing that peace is not merely the absence of war, but a gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Early Church: It highlights that for the first three centuries, Christians were largely pacifist. The book includes writings from early Fathers like Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria, who viewed the "army of the spirit" as incompatible with the "army of Caesar."
The Canons: It addresses the "Basilican" tradition (St. Basil the Great), which, while acknowledging the necessity of defense, suggested that soldiers who kill in war should abstain from Holy Communion for three years as a period of repentance. This underscores a key Orthodox distinctiveness: there is no "Just War" theory in Orthodoxy, only a "necessary evil" or "lesser of two evils" framework.
2. The Challenge of Nationalism (Phyletism)
A significant portion of the book tackles Phyletism—the idea that the Church should be subordinated to the interests of a specific ethnic or national group.
The text references the Council of Constantinople (1872), which officially condemned phyletism as a heresy.
The editors include documents showing how the "symphonia" (the ideal harmony between Church and State) has often been abused to justify expansionist wars or ethnic cleansing, particularly in the context of the Balkans and post-Soviet Eastern Europe.
3. Modern Church Statements
The resource book acts as an archive for modern institutional stances. It includes:
The Basis of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church (2000): A nuanced document that discusses the duty to defend the homeland while maintaining the moral high ground.
Ecumenical Patriarchate Documents: Statements from Patriarch Bartholomew, often called the "Green Patriarch," linking peace with environmental justice and human rights.
4. Models of Peace and Martyrdom
The book profiles modern saints and witnesses who embodied non-violence. Notable examples include:
St. Maria Skobtsova: A nun who died in Ravensbrück for hiding Jews during the Holocaust.
The Holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb: "Passion-bearers" who refused to take up arms against their brother in a power struggle, choosing death over fratricide.
Part 2: Critical Review
The Strengths
1. Eschewing Legalism: Unlike Western Christian traditions that rely on the "Just War" criteria (proportionality, last resort, etc.), this book emphasizes repentance (metanoia). It successfully argues that even a "defensive" war leaves a stain on the soul. This refusal to "sanctify" killing is the book's strongest theological contribution.
2. Practical Pluralism: Forest and Bos do not shy away from the diversity of thought within Orthodoxy. They include voices that are strictly pacifist alongside those who recognize the duty of the soldier. This makes the book a "resource" rather than a "manifesto."
3. Timeliness: In the wake of current conflicts (such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East), the book’s critique of "Holy War" rhetoric is prophetic. It challenges the "sacralization" of the state, reminding the reader that the Kingdom of Heaven has no earthly borders.
The Weaknesses
1. Structural Density: Because it is a compilation of primary sources and essays, the reading experience can feel fragmented. It is not a book one reads cover-to-cover easily; it is better used as a reference for students or clergy preparing sermons and lectures.
2. The Gap Between Doctrine and Practice: The book highlights a painful irony: while the texts and canons are profoundly peaceful, the history of Orthodox nations is often blood-soaked. The editors acknowledge this, but some readers might want more "boots-on-the-ground" analysis of why the Church leadership often fails to check the aggression of the State.
Conclusion: A Call to "Askesis"
For the Peace from Above ultimately argues that peace is a form of askesis (spiritual discipline). It is not something achieved through treaties alone, but through the transformation of the human heart. By collecting these diverse voices, Forest and Bos provide a roadmap for an Orthodox "theology of peace" that is deeply rooted in the past but urgently relevant to the present.
It is an essential volume for anyone trying to understand why the Orthodox Church prays for peace in every service, yet struggles with the weight of national identity in a fallen world.
Would you like me to provide a list of the specific Patristic canons mentioned in the book regarding soldiers and communion?
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