Patristic psychology in its relation to spiritual life

The article addresses the relation of the patristic psychology to the spiritual life. An attempt is made to prove, drawing on provisions of patristic psychology, that it itself is a science without which a hermit cannot thoroughly learn the science of hermitage - asceticism. By way of examples it is shown that the sequence of healing of passions depends on the order of spiritual forces specified by the patristic psychology, as well as that the practice of tacit prayer was based on the psycho-physical background of this psychology, and that the practice of fasting in the system of Christian hermitage is based on the knowledge of dependance between psychic and physiological conditions of man. The result achieved by various spiritual practices which do not possess the knowledge of the patristic psychology is shown. Concerning the scientific psychology it is claimed that while it is not directly relevant to the spiritual life, its knowledge can help the spiritual sphere on the condition that it is used by a person who lives a spiritual life.