The concept of «charm» as an image of sin in orthodox preaching

The article examines the concept of «charm» as an image of sin in Orthodox preaching. Special attention is devoted to its semantic duality in contemporary Russian language and church sociolect. The foundation of the research consists of biblical texts, works of prominent theologians, and modern sermons. A comparative analysis of the definitions of the word «charm» in secular literature and religious tradition is conducted, exploring the stages of semantic divergence in the perception of this lexeme. The word «charm» in old church slavonic was a designation for flattery and deception; however, starting from the 18th century, under the influence of the French language, the lexeme «charm» acquires a positive connotation of «charm» and attractiveness in secular usage, which over time has displaced its original meaning. At the same time, despite the fact that in modern Russian the word «charm» has positive connotations, in religious circles it still retains a historically established negative coloring, associating with a state of self-deception and spiritual delusion. The conduct of the research is necessitated by the need to systematize ideas about the spiritual aspects of human life and the current rise in interest in traditional culture and religion. The obtained data contribute to a deep understanding of the mechanisms of language's influence on the formation of spiritual experience and moral guidelines of the individual. The research has practical value for teachers, philology students, specialists in the field of religion, and a broad audience interested in studying Russian spiritual culture and traditions.