Neophyte: young or recently planted plant

The meaning of the word neophyte

The concept comes from the ancient Greek νεόφυτος, which means “newly planted.” In the most general sense, a neophyte is a new member, a newly converted adherent of a religion or religious movement.

In history, this term was defined as:

new adherents of secret meetings - for example, the ancient Greek Eleusinian mysteries - the cults of the Olympian fertility goddesses Demeter and her daughter Persephone;
baptized Christians who, during the period from Easter to Antipascha (meaning “opposite”, namely the first Sunday after the celebration of Easter) wore white robes;
newly tonsured monks in various monastic orders.

Also the Greek word neophyte means:

a beginner in absolutely any activity;
a plant that has just established itself in a location.

Become a neophyte

A big lie grows out of a small one, and a small one very often out of a misunderstanding.
Sometimes all that is required to establish the truth is to return words to their original meaning. We live in an age of substitution of concepts. This phrase has set teeth on edge, but has not lost its relevance. And he will not lose as long as a soldier holding a weapon in a foreign country is called a peacemaker. Or while prodigal cohabitation is called civil marriage. Shouldn't lose...

In all this, what is more outrageous is not the fact of the substitution itself, but the impudence and confidence with which they change the meaning of familiar words to the exact opposite. And the less surprising this impudence is, for example, in advertising on TV, the more it hurts the ear when seemingly completely immutable concepts - church ones - are turned inside out. Few people can be surprised by the negative connotation when using absolutely specific church terms “catavasia” or “almshouse.” The most wonderful color - blue - has been compromised. Who now remembers that this is the color of the Mother of God, that churches dedicated to Her, according to custom, are the color of the clear sky?

Orthodoxy implies tradition. The Church has no extra words. Moreover, there are no extra letters either. The first splits and violent disputes were caused by just one small iota. The fate of the Church and the fate of European culture depended on one letter...

Tradition is loyalty to heritage. When the inheritance is squandered, all that remains is a trough of pig feed. A considerable share of the Christian heritage comes from words. There are many of them, words that have been handed over to us for safekeeping. Actually, this whole conversation is about one of them. Beautiful and light, like the breath of a child - the word “neophyte”.

Negative information has the ability to spread quickly and pretend to be true. This is a consequence of a long-ago catastrophe that occurred in the Garden of Eden, when death entered the world. Weeds grow faster than roses and primroses.

The concept of “neophyte” today has a negative connotation. Many vices were gradually but firmly associated with him. Pride, a penchant for teaching, unreason, hatred of one's neighbor, jealousy beyond reason - this is not a complete list. They write devastating articles about neophytes. Neophytes are diagnosed. Clinically described as “neophyte syndrome”, “neophyte disease”. The symptoms and time frame during which this disease occurs are clearly indicated. In communication between those who have been going to mass for five or even ten years, there is no more serious insult than the accusation of neophyte. But it was not always so…

The words that the emergence of a new Christian is akin to the birth of a child were once not just words. They prepared and prepared for this event, sometimes for more than one year. By prayer, fasting and word. More precisely - in words.

The public conversations that were held with those preparing for Baptism formed a significant part of the patristic heritage. And these were not simple gatherings over a cup of tea. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, for example, conducted three-hour catechetical classes on weekdays. His course included about twenty such classes. Everything was serious: future neophytes were passing a real exam.

Christians, together with the catechumens, sought to participate in the preparation for Baptism. Thus was born Lent. Not because there was a desire to limit anyone in anything. But because I wanted to experience the joy of the Resurrection and victory over death again and again. For Christians, baptism is the resurrection from the dead. The word "neophyte" was closely related to another word - Easter.

On Easter night you can remember this if you look closely and listen. Our night procession once began as a procession of newly baptized neophytes. With burning candles in their hands, in white robes, they went to the Church of Hagia Sophia for the liturgy.

One of the meanings of the word “neophyte” is “child”. Children are noisy creatures. They also made noise when they were led to Christ. For reasons of discipline, the students hissed at them and stopped them. Probably not without some slaps on the head. But the Savior’s words put everything in its place.

A neophyte is one who has made a choice and has not yet forgotten about it. If he has identified Christ as the center of his life, then he deserves respect for this. He has his own problems and difficulties, but he is part of the team. An indifferent and bored in his faith “demobilization” should not stand next to the neophyte, making caustic jokes. Otherwise, the next words that will be replaced and spoiled will be the words “brother” and “sister”.

Once upon a time, I was given talent in advance. Brand new, sparkling. I rejoiced at him like a child. The rays of the generous sun warmed me, playing in the folds of my white clothes. Did I increase it? Or did he bury it long ago on the sly, whispering the spell “crex-pex-fex”?

The distance between a Christian and what he dares to do is immeasurable. What belongs to eternity is not measured in kilometers and years. Therefore, we are all just at the very beginning of the journey.

Name Neophyte

In addition to all the listed meanings, Neophyte is a Greek male name. He was received by many bishops, patriarchs, archimandrites, monks of the Hellenic (Greek), Bulgarian, Russian, Alexandrian Orthodox churches, in particular:

Hieromonk Neophytos, who died in 1727, the main work of his anti-schism activity is “Pomeranian Answers”;
Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church Neophytos of Karista (1790-1851), who was a participant in the Hellenic liberation movement;
hermit Neophytos of Cyprus (1134-1214) - founder of the monastery of the same name on the island of Cyprus;
Neophyte of Urbnis, who died in 587, was the name adopted by the former commander Omar (Persia), who was later recognized as a great martyr;
Archimandrite Neophytos (Osipov) (1875-1937), canonized in 2009.

What is a neophyte? This is also an integral part of some toponyms - the names of the Bulgarian villages Neofit-Rilski (Varna region) and Neofit-Bozvelievo (Kardzhali region).

What is neophyte syndrome

In the theory of religion, the neophyte syndrome or neophyte syndrome is called excessive zeal and impulsiveness, which is observed specifically among newly converted followers. This is, to some extent, a mental disorder of radicals who, having found a different meaning in life, are ready to sacrifice everything they have for the sake of it - property, family, well-being, previously loved activities, interests and even their own lives.

Such a neophyte is a person who believes that it was he who discovered the meaning of religious teaching, that it was he who was obliged to shed the light of knowledge on the more measured and calm followers of a faith or cult. However, unlike peaceful believers, he lacks experience, knowledge, flexibility of mind, which help to fully comprehend the teaching and dogma.

The danger posed by neophyte syndrome

Many citizens who are gripped by this syndrome often find themselves without housing, family, or means of subsistence, having become carried away by the teachings of one or another sect. There are a huge number of cases where unscrupulous leaders of near-religious movements made entire fortunes from the donations of such neophytes. But this is not the worst danger yet.

Research shows that it was Muslim neophytes who took part in many high-profile terrorist attacks in recent years. Converts are highly valued by extremist groups - they do not stand out among the local population, but at the same time they are aggressive, decisive, and capable of any sacrifice.

Risk groups have been identified - people who are likely to be recruited by extremists, turning them into neophyte terrorists:

asocial individuals prone to protest against society - often they are already adherents of radical groups;
citizens with serious financial difficulties - as a rule, they blame the authorities and the public for their troubles;
people on whom recruiters have managed to collect serious incriminating evidence with which they are blackmailed for their own purposes;
fanatics of religion - having psychologically processed these individuals, extremists can direct their train of thought in the right direction - to suffer for their faith.

The concept of “neophyte” is explained both in a series of fundamentally close and very distant meanings. The neophyte syndrome has one main meaning - a destructive effect on both the individual and his actions.

A neophyte is... The meaning of the concept and neophyte syndrome

Published: October 11, 2018

In history, this term was used to define: new adherents of secret meetings - for example, the ancient Greek Eleusinian mysteries - the cults of the Olympian fertility goddesses Demeter and her daughter Persephone; baptized Christians who, during the period from Easter to Antipascha (meaning “opposite”, namely the first Sunday after the celebration of Easter) wore white robes; newly tonsured monks in various monastic orders.

Also, the Greek word neophyte means: a beginner in absolutely any activity; a plant that has just established itself in a location.

What is neophyte syndrome? Neophyte or neophyte syndrome in the theory of religion refers to excessive zeal and impulsiveness, which is observed specifically among newly converted followers. This is, to some extent, a mental disorder of radicals who, having found a different meaning in life, are ready to sacrifice everything they have for the sake of it - property, family, well-being, previously loved activities, interests and even their own lives.

This neophyte is, first of all, a maximalist who goes to extremes. Today, such people donate huge sums to the poor and needy, are examples of philanthropy, and tomorrow, with the power of their hatred and aggression, they “burn” everyone who disagrees with their views in some way. The danger that the neophyte syndrome poses is that many citizens who are engulfed by this syndrome often find themselves without housing, family, or means of livelihood, carried away by the teachings of one or another sect.

There are a huge number of cases where unscrupulous leaders of near-religious movements made entire fortunes from the donations of such neophytes. But this is not the worst danger yet.

Not a medicine. Research shows that it was Muslim neophytes who took part in many high-profile terrorist attacks in recent years.

Converts are highly valued by extremist groups - they do not stand out among the local population, but at the same time they are aggressive, decisive, and capable of any sacrifice.

Risk groups have been identified - people who are likely to be recruited by extremists, making them neophyte terrorists: asocial individuals inclined to protest against society - often they are already adherents of radical groups; citizens with serious financial difficulties - as a rule, they blame the authorities and the public for their troubles; people on whom recruiters have managed to collect serious incriminating evidence with which they are blackmailed for their own purposes; fanatics of religion - having psychologically processed these individuals, extremists can direct their train of thought in the right direction - to suffer for their faith.