The Relationship of Love

 The Relationship of Love to Our Inner Faculties: An Orthodox and Agaposophic Perspective

Fr Symeon Agiomicheltites 

Abstract

This article examines the integral relationship between love and the faculties of the human person—soma (body), Logos (reason/divine principle), nous (spiritual intellect), dianoia (discursive reasoning), thymos (spiritedness/will), and epithymia (desire/appetite). Drawing upon Orthodox Christian anthropology and Agaposofia, it explores how love engages and harmonizes these faculties, enabling the person to ascend toward theosis (union with God) while maintaining their unique personhood. The analysis demonstrates how each faculty contributes to the holistic experience of love, grounded in theological and philosophical frameworks.

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Introduction

In Orthodox Christian theology, the human person is a composite being, comprised of body and soul, endowed with various faculties that enable communion with God and others. These faculties—soma, Logos, nous, dianoia, thymos, and epithymia—are not isolated but function synergistically in a unified personhood. Central to this unity is the experience of love, which acts as the integrative force aligning the person toward their divine purpose. In the Agaposophic framework, love serves as both the dynamic of personal transformation and the bridge to theosis, the fulfillment of human existence in union with God and others.

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Soma (Body)

The soma, or body, is the physical medium through which love is expressed and enacted. In Orthodox theology, the Incarnation of Christ sanctifies the body, demonstrating its capacity to participate in divine love (Ware, 2000). Through acts of care, service, and touch, the body becomes a visible manifestation of love. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this when he calls the body a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19, New King James Version). Within the Agaposophic framework, the soma is understood as an integral part of the person’s holistic existence, offering a tangible means of expressing self-giving love.

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Logos (Reason/Divine Principle)

Logos refers both to reason and the divine principle inherent in creation, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, the eternal Logos (John 1:1). Love, in relation to Logos, is ordered toward truth and divine wisdom, providing a rational foundation for ethical and relational actions. Maximus the Confessor (580–662) describes Logos as the guiding principle that enables human participation in divine life through synergy with God’s grace (Blowers & Wilken, 2003). Thus, love aligns with Logos by transcending mere sentimentality, grounding itself in the truth that sets the person free (John 8:32).

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Nous (Spiritual Intellect)

The nous is the highest faculty of the soul, enabling direct communion with God. Orthodox theology views the nous as the "eye of the soul," capable of perceiving divine realities through spiritual contemplation (Lossky, 1976). Love at the level of the nous is intuitive, noetic, and unitive, enabling the person to encounter God as the source and summit of love. When purified through ascetic practices and grace, the nous apprehends the divine presence in others, fostering relationships marked by mutuality and self-giving.

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Dianoia (Discursive Reasoning)

Dianoia, or discursive reasoning, involves analytical and reflective thought. It complements the nous by providing a framework for understanding and discerning love in practical contexts. According to Yannaras (1984), dianoia supports love by clarifying intentions and fostering empathy, ensuring that actions of love are aligned with divine principles. While subordinate to the nous, dianoia is indispensable for resolving conflicts and navigating ethical dilemmas in relationships.

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Thymos (Spiritedness/Will)

Thymos is the seat of courage, zeal, and righteous indignation, functioning as the will's energetic aspect. In the context of love, thymos empowers the protective and sacrificial dimensions of love, reflecting Christ’s own zeal for humanity's salvation (John 2:17). When purified, thymos channels its energy toward virtuous action, enabling the lover to defend the dignity of the beloved and act with selfless resolve. Agaposofia emphasizes that thymos, when harmonized with grace, becomes an instrument of divine love, driving transformative acts of justice and mercy.

Epithymia (Desire/Appetite)

Epithymia, or desire, is often associated with the y⁹ appetites of the soul and body. In its unrefined state, epithymia can become disordered and self-centered. However, when sanctified, it transforms into divine eros, a longing for union with God and the Other. According to Elder Porphyrios (2005), epithymia purified by grace becomes a holy desire that transcends selfish craving, aligning the person with the ultimate good, the beautiful, and the true. In Agaposophic thought, epithymia represents the potential for eros to lead the person from fragmented longing to self-transcending love.

The Synergy of Faculties in Love

Love harmonizes these faculties, integrating them into a unified personhood that reflects the divine image. The soma enacts love physically; the Logos and dianoia provide rational and ethical grounding; the nous elevates love to spiritual communion; thymos energizes and protects love; and epithymia channels desire toward divine fulfillment. Together, these faculties enable the person to participate in the life of God, realizing their ultimate purpose in theosis.

Agaposophic Perspective: Love as Ontological Integration

In Agaposofia, love is the central force uniting the faculties of the human person, propelling them toward their hypostatic fulfillment. This integration mirrors the Trinitarian model of distinct persons united in one essence, demonstrating that multiplicity in unity is essential to divine and human life. Love, as the dynamic of personal transformation, reveals the human journey as a progression from fragmentation to unity in God (Agaposofia Institute, 2024).

Conclusion

The relationship of love to soma, logos, nous, dianoia, thymos, and epithymia reflects the holistic nature of human existence as understood in Orthodox theology and Agaposofia. Each faculty uniquely contributes to the experience and expression of love, guiding the person toward their ultimate goal of theosis. By harmonizing these faculties, love reveals the divine image within the human person and fosters communion with God and others.

References

Blowers, P. M., & Wilken, R. L. (2003). On the cosmic mystery of Jesus Christ: Selected writings from St. Maximus the Confessor. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.

Lossky, V. (1976). The mystical theology of the Eastern Church. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.

Porphyrios, E. (2005). Wounded by love: The life and wisdom of Elder Porphyrios. Denise Harvey.

Ware, K. (2000). The Orthodox way. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.

Yannaras, C. (1984). The freedom of morality. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.