Pavel Evdokimov, a prominent theologian of the Paris School and one of the most significant Russian émigré thinkers, was a professor of moral theology at the St. Sergius Theological Institute in Paris during the 1950s and 1960s. His theology, though deeply rooted in Orthodox tradition, had a broader inter-Christian influence and developed in an ecumenical context. On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of his passing, the book “An Orthodox Vision of Moral Theology” was published in 2009, edited by his son, Michel Evdokimov. This book contains notes from his lectures and presents a systematic overview of his teachings on moral theology.
In this review, we aim to focus primarily on the aforementioned textbook to present how Professor Evdokimov understood and taught Orthodox moral theology. We will highlight the main characteristics of what could be called the “Orthodox vision” of moral theology, as this contributes to answering the question: how does Orthodoxy understand morality and moral themes?
Evdokimov bases his teachings on the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Fathers, and Russian religious thinkers such as Solovyov and Berdyaev. As an intellectual of broad education, he also integrates insights from contemporary Western philosophy and depth psychology. His Orthodox vision of moral theology does not see Christian life merely as external piety but as a dynamic process of transformation and participation in the Kingdom of God. Sacramental life, for him, represents the path to transforming man into a new creation, which is not merely individual but personal and rooted in communion. A key idea of Evdokimov is that moral theology is not a collection of abstract values but an existential path leading to God through the struggle of faith. His teaching aims to ensure that Orthodox tradition remains a living testimony, open to dialogue with the contemporary world. His thought remains significant for understanding moral theology as a spiritual journey that leads man to his true calling – theosis and participation in the communion of saints.