THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF WAR IN “THE LIFE OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY”

The article considers “The Life of Alexander Nevsky” as a source for reconstructing the understanding of the phenomenon of war in Russian Orthodoxy. It highlights some key aspects of the author’s view on war and killing in war. The personality of Alexander and his ministry justify the possibility of defending the Orthodox faith with arms in hand. “The Life of Alexander Nevsky” justifies defensive war (war for liberty), seen as God’s work, a special mission where God himself takes sides with the combatants and assists on the battlefield. The attitude towards killing during the war, specifically its classification as not a sin but a deed worthy of praise, is based on canon law (Rule 13 of St. Basil the Great). Meanwhile, one of the significant aspects of perceiving war within Christian morality is understanding the need for compassion.