SOTER: Journal of Religious Science / SOTER: religijos mokslo žurnalas

Features of the Great Commandment of Love (Jn 13:34) in the Writings of the Apostolic Fathers

Violeta Slepikaitė — 2025-03-18

The article analyzes the concept of the Great Commandment of Love (John 13:34) and the features of the Apostolic Fathersʼ writings as the indicators of authentic faith revealed in the form of teachings on the Christian life that were based both on the Gospel and the Great Commandment of Love. When, in the II century, no more witnesses saw and knew Jesus, the question of how to lead an authentic Christian life arose. And the same question arises today. Help in answering this question can be found in the writings of the guardians of authentic Christian teaching, i.e., the Apostolic Fathers. Their works presented the concept of the Great Commandment of Love, which evolved from the features recovered and named. Therefore, the article aims to introduce the concept of the Great Commandment of Love (John 13:34) based on the theological works of the Apostolic Fathers, raising the question of whether the Great Commandment of Love is directly connected with the Greek word Agápé. This indirect connection and concept are sought through the following aspects: the love of God the Creator; martyrdom, as identification with the sacrifice of Christ – Agápé (greek); Godʼs will and obedience – the way to be in love; repentance, conversion, and Godʼs mercy; love of neighbor; love of enemies; helping the poor; love at the end of time.

The Importance of Fertility Awareness for Womenʼs Health Among Girls in Their Final Year of School

Birutė Obelenienė — 2025-03-18

The article deals with the importance of fertility awareness for women’s health. It is commonly believed that fertility awareness knowledge is applied to family planning, but fertility awareness helps women and girls become informed participants in their health care. Research shows that women and girls who monitor their ovulation cycles can detect health problems early. This article presents research showing that adolescents who learn about their own body’s physiological processes, learn to recognise their fertility in sexuality education programmes, have a greater appreciation of their own and their age group’s sexuality and the ability to express emotions. The authors also present a study “Awareness of fertility in Kaunas city general education school leavers”, in which interviewed female graduates of five secondary schools in Kaunas. The study revealed that more than half of the participants had poor knowledge of fertility awareness and less than half had only fair knowledge. Girls do not know that a woman’s fertility depends on neurohormonal regulation. Girls have incorrect knowledge of the mechanism of action of hormonal contraception. A higher proportion of girls do not know that human life begins at conception. Respondents do not have sufficient knowledge of the factors that impair a woman’s fertility. The results of the survey on girls’ knowledge suggest that there is insufficient attention paid in schools to the knowledge of female fertility and its preservation. Girls are guided by knowledge found on the Internet. It can therefore be assumed that this provides a good possibility for manipulation by anti-life campaigns and severely restricts women’s free and informed choices.

Towards a better understanding of issues and pastoral insights on the Catholic disaffiliation

Aušra Karaliūtė-Cane — 2025-03-18

The main issue raised in this article is the significant decline in the number of practising Catholics in the Western world, including United Kingdom. For example, statistical data indicates that only 13% of cradle Catholics in Britain say they attend Mass weekly. Of those raised Catholic, 37% say they have “no religion”. Several extensive quantitative and qualitative research projects were initiated in the UK in the last few decades, and by supporting many of these projects with young adults and adults, the Catholic Church in England attempted to understand the extent of the issues and how they can be addressed. Respondents indicated multiple reasons for their disaffiliation, such as personal issues, changes in individual circumstances and world views, and painful lived experiences in the Church. Several respondents revealed that they consider themselves Catholics and actively involved in the Church life. However, they do not attend Church on Sundays regularly nor pray. The article presents some insights of the well-known Catholic theologians on the issues of disaffiliation in the context of the Vatican II implementation and missed opportunities by the Church to communicate moral teaching. It suggests to follow Pope Francis’ encouragement to experiment in our pastoral endeavours and Mallon’s “unconditional love” approach.

Pastoral Care for Seafarers and its Challenges in the Context of the Church’s Pastoral Mission

Remigijus Oželis — 2025-03-18

Pastoral care, defined as the Church’s participation and actions aimed at proclaiming the Word of God and offering saving grace, especially to those facing various difficulties and complex spiritual situations, also encompasses seafarers. The seafaring profession is described as one of the most challenging, involving prolonged separation from family, emotional stress, physical dangers, and social isolation. While often romanticized, the reality is that seafarers face significant psychological and social issues such as loneliness, depression, and addictions. The environment aboard ships is ill-suited to their spiritual and emotional needs, and the demanding working conditions negatively affect their mental health. This article examines the significance and specificities of pastoral care for seafarers, highlighting its importance in enhancing their quality of life. The role of pastoral care is crucial in helping seafarers overcome challenges. Pastoral caregivers act as intermediaries between the worlds of sea and land, providing both practical and spiritual support. They assist seafarers in maintaining connections with their families, organize religious rituals, and offer emotional support. Additionally, seafarers’ pastoral care includes various functions such as healing, spiritual guidance, reconciliation, and support. These services are particularly significant due to the isolation seafarers experience and their limited opportunities to participate in community life. The article also discusses the challenges faced by pastoral caregivers for seafarers, including limited time in ports, cultural differences, and practical difficulties. It emphasizes that pastoral care should be implemented in contexts tailored to the needs of seafarers and aligned with the Church’s mission. In Lithuania, seafarers’ pastoral care is still in its early stages; however, the development of successful initiatives indicates that its importance continues to grow. By presenting the concept and significance of seafarers’ pastoral care and addressing the challenges faced in this field, the article aims to shed light on the realities and particularities of pastoral work with seafarers.