Green Churches: Ecology as a Religious Practice in the 21st Century Introduction: From Theology of Creation to Environmental Activism The phenomenon of green churches (or ecological communities) represents one of the most significant and rapidly growing movements in the contemporary religious landscape. It is not a new denomination but a trans-denominational approach that integrates ecological responsibility into the very fabric of religious life: theology, liturgy, property management, education, and social action. The movement reflects a profound shift: from perceiving nature as a backdrop for human drama of salvation to understanding it as a self-worth part of God's creation entrusted to human care. Theological Foundations: A New (and Ancient) Paradigm The key text catalyzing the process for the Catholic world was Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato si' " (2015) with the subtitle "Care for Our Common Home." The Pope proposed the concept of integral ecology, linking the environmental crisis with social injustice, economy, culture, and spirituality. He criticized the "technocratic paradigm" and anthropocentrism, calling for an "ecological conversion." In Protestantism, similar ideas were developed within eco-theology and the theology of creation (Jürgen Moltmann, Sally McFague). The emphasis is on: Biblical Foundations: Rethinking the biblical concept of "dominion" (Gen. 1:28) not as tyranny but as responsible stewardship and service (Gen. 2:15 — "to till and keep"). Christological Approach: Christ as Logos, through whom "all things came into being" (John 1:3), sanctifying all matter. The kenotic (self-effacing) model of Christ is proposed as a model for human relationship with nature — not domination, but humble service and self-limitation. Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit as the "Lord of Life," present and active in all creation (panentheism — God in creation, but not identical to it). In Orthodox Christianity, the concept of "symphony" of all creation and the ascetic ... Read more