The specificity of emotional and professional burnout of the Christian clergy

Abstract

Relying on the latest psychological research and Orthodox anthropology the article studies the syndrome of emotional and professional burnout and its manifestation among the clergy of the Orthodox Church nowadays. It is a state of exhaustion that leads to paralysis of mental strength, feelings and is accompanied by a loss of joy in relation to life and service to God. The spread of burnout among the clergy contributes to our era, the time of achievements, consumption, new materialism, fun and joy from life that is in direct contradiction to the traditional Christian values. The article suggests the ways to solve this acute problem, which is being studied only in recent years.

Keywords

• Orthodox clergy
• burnout syndrome
• pastoral theology
• despondency
• depression
• theological education
• calling to the priesthood
• Patriarch Kirill