The relationship between spiritual freedom and political freedom in the thought of Paulose Mar Gregorios.

Paulose Mar Gregorios (1922 – 1996) was an important theologian of the second half of the twentieth century from the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church. Gregorios played an important role in ecumenical movements, including a tenure as the President of the WCC. His theological works merged Eastern Orthodox fathers (particularly Gregory of Nyssa) with Indian thought and addressed the political situations in India and the world. Freedom was an important theme in several of his writings. As we consider the relationship between Eastern Orthodox thought and contemporary political and social change, Gregorios’ vision of the relationship between spiritual freedom and political freedom helps us. One pressing question for Eastern Orthodox today is the relationship between ascetical (inner) freedom to social and political freedom. In this paper I will analyze key aspects of Gregorios’ theology of freedom and suggest ways in which it can contribute to present Eastern Orthodox concerns.