The neophyte is ... the meaning of the word and the syndrome of neophyte

When a person turns to a religion, he is called a new convert, or in Greek - a neophyte. This period has its own characteristics, which we briefly touch on in this article.

The meaning of the term in history and today

The Greek word "neophyte" is a term that translates as "newly planted". They denote today all converts in any teaching. But historically this term had a narrower meaning. So, back in pre-Christian times the neophyte was a new member of a secret society or cult. For example, this word was used to refer to people who had passed through the mysteries of the Eleusinian mysteries closed to the uninitiated. When the influence of Christianity increased in the Roman Empire, the meaning of the word changed somewhat. Namely, they were called Christians who had just been baptized and still go in ritual white clothes (usually the first week after the adoption of the sacrament of initiation). Over time, this tradition has come to naught, and the term has acquired a wider meaning, which continues to this day. In addition, in the West, in some monastic congregations, neophytes are called newly-ordained monks.

Syndrome of the neophyte

In the Orthodox church environment, neophyteism is a kind of illness of beginners. It is characterized, first of all, by excessive zeal in matters of religion and impulsiveness. The neophyte is, as a rule, a radical who, having acquired a new meaning of life, is ready to sacrifice almost everything for everyone, including the happiness and well-being of close people. There are cases when these impulses of suddenly awakened religiosity destroyed families and caused significant harm, including to children. The neophyte is, more often than not, a person who is not conscious of his responsibility and who places too much on the will of God. He lacks experience, flexibility of mind and wisdom, and therefore in his more measured brothers and sisters he sees almost apostates. Such people differ in their maximalism, which on the one hand makes them almost angels, and on the other - extremists. So, they can provide free assistance to the needy and sacrifice huge sums, but at the same time with uncontrollable hatred to fall upon all whom they consider enemies of religion.