On Non-Existenz

What is Non-Existenz?

In the philosophical framework of Agaposofia, Non-Existenz refers to a profound existential and ontological failure: the state in which a person, despite existing as a created being, fails to actualize their true, authentic self in alignment with divine purpose and relational love. It is not the absence of existence, as all beings participate in existence by virtue of the divine Logos, but rather an existential void that occurs when an individual neglects their logoi (their unique divine purpose) and thus fails to live authentically and ethically. In other words, Non-Existenz is the failure to become one’s genuine self (prosōpon), which is the ultimate telos (goal) of human existence—becoming one's true self (hypostasis).

Non-Existenz as an Ontological Crisis

Non-Existenz can be understood as an ontological crisis because it disrupts the very nature of being. According to St. Maximus the Confessor, all beings exist through the divine Logos and are granted their existence through their unique logoi—the divine principle that governs their purpose. To live authentically is to align one’s being with this logos, moving toward the fullness of one’s unique identity in communion with God, others, and creation. However, Non-Existenz occurs when this alignment is severed, either through neglect, sin, disobedience, or intentional denial, leading to a breakdown in the ontological structure of the person.

This crisis is ontological because it affects the essence of being itself. A person in Non-Existenz is not simply failing to fulfill their purpose in an ethical sense but is also experiencing a breakdown in the very nature of their existence. The failure to fulfill one’s logoi leads to fragmentation and isolation, severing the person from their natural state of relational being. This disconnection from their divine purpose and the divine energies that sustain existence results in a diminished state of being—one that is incomplete, fragmented, and alienated from its source.

Non-Existenz represents a movement away from authentic beingness, toward a state of non-being or absence, which, according to Maximus, is not annihilation but a distortion of true being. It is a failure to participate fully in the divine energies that constitute life and being. In this sense, Non-Existenz is not merely a metaphysical absence but a failure of existence to be fully actualized.

Understanding Human Non-Existenz

To understand human Non-Existenz, it is crucial to explore how this condition manifests in our ethical, relational, and ontological lives.

1. Existential Failure: On an existential level, Non-Existenz occurs when a person fails to live in alignment with the ethical imperative of loving the Other and seeking the truth of their own self. The neglect of these duties prevents the person from fulfilling their role as a relational being, created in the image of God (eikon theou), whose purpose is to reflect divine love in every interaction.

2. Spiritual Estrangement: Spiritually, Non-Existenz is often characterized by a commitment to sin and a rejection of divine grace. In the Orthodox Christian tradition, sin is understood as an act that disrupts the unity between God and creation. When a person consciously or unconsciously turns away from this divine relationship, they become estranged not only from God but from their own authentic self. Theologians like St. Maximus describe this estrangement as a movement away (existential apostasia) from one’s natural state of perfection, pushing the person further from their true identity and divine fulfillment.

3. Ontological Alienation: Furthermore, Non-Existenz is not limited to ethical failure but includes an ontological alienation, where the individual becomes a fragmented version of themselves, unable to fully integrate their identity with the relational communion they are meant to experience with others. This alienation results in an inauthentic existence, a person who does not live as their true self but instead exists in a diminished, disjointed state. This understanding of Non-Existenz aligns with the Agaposofia framework, which emphasizes that human existence is inherently relational and should be oriented toward love and communion with others and God.

How Might Man Existz?

In contrast to Non-Existenz, to Existz refers to the state of authentic existence, where a person is fully aligned with their divine purpose and is actively moving toward the fulfillment of their hypostasis from their imperfect prosōpon (personhood) in union with God and others. The process of to Existz is one of dynamic fulfillment, wherein the person continuously grows into their true identity by cooperating with divine grace. For a person to Existz, they must engage in ethical love, repentance, and a transformation of the will, aligning themselves with their true logoi and participating in the divine energies of grace that lead them toward their telos of theosis (divine union).

In the context of Agaposofia, Existenz is an active, relational journey—a journey that is not only metaphysical but also deeply ethical. It involves the practice of virtues, such as love for the Other, truthfulness, humility, and self-sacrifice. It is also a movement toward (kínisipros) self-awareness and the development of one’s prosōpon (personhood), where the individual remains distinct and in progressive communion with others and God. This process is synergistic, where the human will cooperates with divine grace in the transformative work of sanctification toward theosis.

Through practices such as prayer, fasting, and participation in the Holy Mysteries, humans can transcend the state of Non-Existenz and move toward full Existenz—a process in which they live authentically as unique individuals, uniting with God and the community of believers in mutual love. In this way, Existenz reflects the culmination of proper human intentionality toward purpose and fulfillment, a state of existence fully actualized in its ontological and relational dimensions.

Conclusion

Non-Existenz is a complex condition that encompasses both an ontological and existential crisis. It represents a failure to live in accordance with one’s divine purpose, leading to an alienation from both God and one’s true self. As an ontological crisis, Non-Existenz disrupts the very essence of being, leading to a disintegration of relational communion and a movement away from the fullness of being. Understanding this concept through the lenses of St. Maximus the Confessor and Agaposofia reveals that human fulfillment and authentic existence come from aligning one’s life with divine principle and love. To Existz is to live authentically while moving toward communion with God and the Other, progressing toward the ultimate goal of theosis, where human beings are perfected in divine union.

References

Maximus the Confessor. (2012). The Ambigua (P. M. Blowers & R. G. H. Sevens, Trans.). St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Yannaras, C. (2006). The Freedom of Morality. Translated by P. H. Christou. Holy Cross Orthodox Press