A Hesychasm before Hesychasm

The thinkers from Basil the Great to Symeon the New Theologian were important largely for their role in forming the Hesychastic movement in the Eastern church. This conclusion is reached in part by viewing the period from an Orthodox rather than a broadly Christian perspective. There were eight pred...

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Published inJournal of early Christian history Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 88 - 96
Main Authors Sabo, Theodore, Lioy, Dan, Fick, Rikus
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Routledge 01.01.2014
Subjects
Apophatic method
asceticism
Cappadocians
Eastern Orthodox Church
heart mysticism
Hesychasm
Jesus Prayer
mysticism
penthos
Taboric Light
theōsis
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Summary:The thinkers from Basil the Great to Symeon the New Theologian were important largely for their role in forming the Hesychastic movement in the Eastern church. This conclusion is reached in part by viewing the period from an Orthodox rather than a broadly Christian perspective. There were eight predominant characteristics common to both the Hesychasts and the Proto-Hesychasts: monasticism, dark and light mysticism, an emphasis on the heart, theōsis, the humanity of Christ, penthos, and unceasing prayer. The author finds himself in agreement with Alexander Schmemann for whom Hesychasm was not a novel departure but the completion of a basic tendency of the Orthodox Church. The Hesychasts did not teach a new doctrine but continued and perfected the tradition that immediately preceded them.
ISSN:2222-582X
2471-4054
DOI:10.1080/2222582X.2014.11877295