DECLARATION AND COPYRIGHT STATEMENT Declaration: No portion of the work referred to in the Thesis has been submitted in support of an application for another degree or qualification of this or any other university or other institute of learning. I confirm that this Thesis is entirely my own work. Copyright: Copyright © Christina Amelia Nellist. 2017. Towards an Animal Theology in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, University of Winchester, PhD Thesis, pages 1-345. ORCID NUMBER: 0000-0002-5956-2089. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. Copies (by any process) either in full, or of extracts, may be made only in accordance with instructions given by the author. Details may be obtained from the RKE Centre, University of Winchester. This page must form part of any such copies made. Further copies (by any process) of copies made in accordance with such instructions may not be made without the permission (in writing) of the author. No profit may be made from selling, copying or licensing the author’s work without further agreement. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank my supervisors Dr. Andreas Andreopoulos and Prof. Robin Baker for their support and guidance. 2 UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER ABSTRACT Towards an Animal Theology in Eastern Orthodox Christianity Christina Amelia Nellist Doctor of Philosophy February 2017 My thesis advances the overarching hypothesis that the Eastern Orthodox Church has sufficient teachings to develop a theology which tackles the difficult subject of animal suffering. However, during the review of theological academic literature I identified a gap between what might be termed Orthodox theory and its practice. In essence the overarching hypothesis is broken down into three component parts: i) That Eastern Orthodox teachings allow for the formulation of an ‘Animal Theology’ of the Eastern Orthodox Church; ii) That there is a gap between Orthodox theory and practice on this theme both at academic and pastoral level; iii) That the abuse and exploitation of animals has negative soteriological consequences for those who indulge in such practices; those who know but are indifferent to animal suffering and those who know and are concerned but fail to act in order to reduce or prevent that suffering. Different methodologies were used for the different areas of research which range from biblical exegesis and neo-patristic synthesis, to the formulation of new empirical research collected via questionnaires to animal protectionists in Cyprus and interviews with Orthodox theologians in Cyprus and the UK. In the final two chapters contemporary Eastern Orthodox voices are brought into play in order to advance theological reflection on the sin and evil inherent in animal suffering and the soteriological implications for those who abuse and exploit the non-human creation. Academic theology can often be abstract in nature and viewed by many as irrelevant to contemporary life. I do not believe this is the case and throughout this thesis I have provided examples of how Orthodox teachings can be applied to contemporary animal suffering issues. In addition I have provided an outline for a seminary project which focuses on a) the spiritual and ontological interconnectedness of God’s Creation; b) the seminarian’s role as Icon of Christ and c) how these two elements should dictate the priest’s 3 treatment and relationship with animals and the environment. I have also provided frameworks for a Master’s Dissertation on the theme and an Eastern Orthodox Animal Protection group. Finally, it is worth noting the impact of this research thus far, which has resulted in the first Master’s Dissertation on the theme by an Eastern Orthodox priest; a public statement by the Holy Synod of Cyprus; the establishment of an Eastern Orthodox Animal Protection group in Cyprus and an academic paper presented at an international conference on Religion and Animal Protection by one of Orthodoxy’s leading theologians, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. Leading Orthodox theologians are aware of this thesis and are supportive of its vision; as a result I believe the previously identified gap between the theory and the practice will reduce in the foreseeable future. Keywords: Eastern Orthodox Christianity; Theology; Ethics; Soteriology; Animals; Suffering; Sin; Patristics; Science; Philosophy. 4 LIST OF CONTENTS Page Number Declaration and Copyright Statement 1 Acknowledgements 2 Abstract 3 - 4 List of Contents 5 - 11 List of Abbreviations 12 List of Illustrations 13 List of Graphs 14 List of Tables 15 Chapter 1 – Introduction; Methodology; Literature Review 16 - 59 Introduction 16 Methodology 20 1) Framing Network Methodology 20 2) Hermeneutics 21 i) Behavioural Guidance. 23 3) Neo-Patristic Synthesis 25 4) Practical Theology - Cyprus Case Study – Overview 28 Literature Review 30 i) The Contemporary Scene – Lack of Engagement 30 ii) Ecotheology & Ethology 34 iii) Dominion 34 iv) Stewardship & Priest of Creation 36 v) Sacredness of Creation 37 vi) Dialogical Reciprocity 38 5 vii) Salvation of Creation 40 viii) Sin 41 ix) Evil 43 x) Justice 45 xi) Technology 46 xii) Technology – Bioethics & Animal Experimentation 47 xiii) Economics 51 xiv) Inclusive theology and an ethics of love 52 xv) Love for animals = Indifference to humans? 57 Chapter 1 Summary 58 Chapter 2 - A Brief Introduction To Animal Suffering 60 - 72 i) Deliberate Cruelty 61 ii) Food Production 62 iii) Entertainment 64 iv) Entertainment as ‘Tradition’ 65 v) ‘Sport’, ‘Recreational’ and ‘Trophy’ Hunting 66 vi) Hunting for fur & Fur farms 67 vii) Traditional Medicine 69 viii) Animal Experiments 70 Chapter 2 Summary 71 Chapter 3 - Ancient Voices 73 - 138 Behavioral Guidance 75 A. Old Testament - Patristic and Biblical Texts 76 A) Patristic Commentary 76 i) God the Father 76 6 ii) God the Creator 77 iii) Knowing God 78 iv) God - The source of all goodness, love, compassion and mercy 82 B) Biblical Texts 85 Old Testament Texts 86 i) Genesis 1 and 2 - A World Free of Suffering 86 ii) Human Authority – Dominion v Domination 87 iii) God’s Providential Care for Non-Human Animal Beings 88 iv) Exodus 88 v) Deuteronomy 89 vi) Compassion and Mercy 91 vii) God’s Love for Humans – Dispensations 96 viii) Noah –Protection and Failure: The Dispensations of Animal Sacrifice and Food 99 Old Testament Summary 109 New Testament Texts 112 i) Christ - The Greatest Dispensation 112 ii) Christ - The End of Animal Sacrifice 112 iii) Christ’s Love for Humans – Extending the Law 113 iv) Christ - Image of God 114 v) A Christ-Like Life 115 vi) Christ’s Love for Non- Human Beings 119 vii) The Sabbath Law – Protection and Success 120 viii) Matthew and Luke 121 7 New Testament Summary 124 C) Saints and Sinners 125 i) The Saints – A Christ-Like Love 125 Summary 131 ii) The Sinners: The Sin of Animal Abuse and its Relevance for Human salvation 132 Summary 137 Chapter 3 Summary 138 Chapter 4 - Cyprus Case Study 139 - 161 Part One - 2011 Research. Cyprus Voice For Animals On-line Survey 140 Part One Summary 142 Part Two - 2012 Research. Animal Protectionist Questionnaire 143 i) Statistics 143 ii) Sample Questions 144 iii) Participant Answers 145 iv) Participant Suggestions 150 Part Two Summary 151 Part Three - 2013 Research. A Priest’s Response 153 Part Three Summary 157 Chapter 4 Summary 159 Chapter 5 - Interviews with Hierarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church 162 - 186 A) Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Ware) i) Tradition 162 ii) Lack of Engagement 162 8 iii) Animal Suffering 163 iv) Animal Souls and Suffering 164 v) Animal Souls – Reason 165 vi) Image of God 167 vii) Intensive Farming Methods - Sin and Evil Profit 167 viii) Neutering and Poisoning Animals 170 ix) Education 172 B) Bishop Isaias of Tamasou and Orinis 173 i) Lack of Engagement 173 ii) Theory and Practice 174 iii) Animal Suffering – Soteriology 176 iv) Human and Animal Relationships - Image of God 177 v) Neutering 178 vi) Animal Souls – Rationality 179 vii) Killing Animals 180 viii) Hunting for Pleasure 180 ix) Animal Experimentation 183 x) Education 184 Chapter 5 Summary 184 Chapter 6 - Modern Voices: Towards a Theology for Animals. 187 -210 i) Image of God 187 ii) An Inconvenient Truth - Sin and Metanoia 188 9 a) Sin 189 b) Sacrifice and Metanoia 192 iii) Rationality v Self Interest 193 iv) Extending Community 195 v) Extending Justice and Rights 199 vi) Ontological Unity 201 vii) A Role for the Church 204 viii) Education 205 Chapter 6 Summary 209 Thesis Summary 210 Impact 215 Future Research 216 Bibliography 217 - 279 Appendix A – Cyprus Case Study 280-299 1) 2011 Research by C.V.A. Graph 4 Demographic analysis. 281 2) 2012 Research Animal Protectionist Questionnaire. Fig. 26 Participation Statistics. 283 3) 2012 Animal Protectionist Questionnaire: Questions and Replies. 285 4) Documentary Evidence: ‘Mother’s Letter’; ‘Reader’s Letter: Editor’s Choice’; ‘Holy Insult’. 294 5) 2012 Animal Protectionist Questionnaire: Suggestions. 298 6) 2013 Research: A Priest’s Response. 299 10 Appendix B – Full Interviews with Two Eastern Orthodox Theologians 303 - 331 Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia 303 -321 Bishop Isaias of Tamasou and Orinis 322 - 331 Appendix C - Research Impact and Practical Applications 332 - 345 a) Background 333 b) Holy Synod of Cyprus letter to C.V.A. on the treatment of animals. 334 c) C.V.A. public statement. 335 d) Public message by Bishop Isaias on the establishment of the Department for the Protection of the Natural Environment and the Animal Kingdom. 336 e) Academic Debate. 338 f) Outline of Masters Dissertation. 339 g) Outline of Seminary Project. 341 h) Outline of Orthodox Church Animal Protection Group. 343 11 ABBREVIATIONS ANCL= Roberts, A. and Donaldson, J. (Eds) (1885) Ante-Nicene Christian Library. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark ANF = Cleveland Coxe, A.