Eastern Theology/Philosophy

[rben20]

I’m curious about eastern theologians/philosophers. In the west we have St. Thomas Aquinas being one of the biggest influences…St. Augustine as well. Who are the ones most known in Eastern Christianity?

Also if you could provide reading material to learn more

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

I’m curious about eastern theologians/philosophers. In the west we have St. Thomas Aquinas being one of the biggest influences…St. Augustine as well. Who are the ones most known in Eastern Christianity?

Also if you could provide reading material to learn more

The three main theologians in the Byzantine East are known as the “Three Holy Hierarchs”. They are St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Gregory of Nyssa. These three are also considered “Doctors of the Church” by the Roman Church.

Apart from them there are also many who are considered “Church Fathers” in the Byzantine East. These would include the Fathers of the Philokalia (a multi-volume collection of spiritual writings) such as St. Maximos the Confessor, St. Symeon the New Theologian, St. Gregory of Sinai, St. Gregory Palamas, St. Gregory Nazianzus, St. Isaac the Syrian, Evagrios, Sts. Kallistus and Ignatius Xanthopulos, etc.

There are also the many Russian Fathers such as St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Seraphim of Sarov, Bishop Ignatius Brianchinanov, and the like.

Bear in mind that these apply primarily to the Churches of the Byzantine tradition. The other Eastern and Oriental Churches have their own lists. To my knowledge, however, there is a great deal of overlap.

 

[Vico]

I’m curious about eastern theologians/philosophers. In the west we have St. Thomas Aquinas being one of the biggest influences…St. Augustine as well. Who are the ones most known in Eastern Christianity?

Also if you could provide reading material to learn more

The three Theologians are:
Saint John the Apostle
Saint Gregory of Nanzianzus (~330-390 A.D.)
Saint Simeon the New Theologian (949-1022 A.D.) - he also describes his spiritual experiences

There are also commentaries on the scriptures:
St. Cyril of Alexandria
St. Gregory of Nyssa
St. John Chrysostom

And defense of the faith:
St. Justin the Philosopher - defense against the Pagans.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons - defense against the Gnostics.
St. Athanasius of Alexandria - defense against the Arians.
St. Maximus the Confessor - defense against the Monothelites.

Spirituality:
St. John Climacus

St. John Chrysostom:
chrysostom.org/writings.html

Personally I like St. John of Damascus:
balamand.edu.lb/theology/WritingsSJD.htm

Baptisimal Instructions of St. John Chrysostom:
questia.com/library/book/baptismal-instructions-by-saint-john-chrysostom-paul-w-harkins.jsp