Sacred and Profane Things in Clement’s of Alexandria Eyes

Abstract

In the article, the thesis of Clement of Alexandria on the division of Christians into ordinary believers and "gnostics" is linked to his conviction in the verbal inexpressibility of the highest truth and the impossibility for most people to comprehend it. Under the “contemplative-mystical” (τὸ ἐποπτικόν) kind of discourse that helps to teach a person divine thing, Clement means a non-verbal way of transmitting information. The contrast between the specifics in describing the pagan mysteries and abstract allusions to what is happening during the Christian worship emphasizes the fact that, although the earthly is depicted and the heavenly is indescribable, it can nevertheless be comprehended in some way. Key words: early Christianity, Alexandrian school, Clement of Alexandria, sacrament, soteriology.