Gregory Palamas, his Feast Day, ...& Hesychasm (the uncreated light)

[brb3]

Does the Eastern Church still make much of this ? Or has this monkish meditation technique been discredited and relegated to 14-15th century days ?

 

[TEPO]

Does the Eastern Church still make much of this ? Or has this monkish meditation technique been discredited and relegated to 14-15th century days ?

Oh my God! I thought I was the only person who could see that light… It happens when I close my eyes during meditation or reflection towards God, but only when I’m in a most ‘pure’ state of Grace.

If I have sinned or have distanced myself -there is no white light.

 

[Cavaradossi]

Does the Eastern Church still make much of this ? Or has this monkish meditation technique been discredited and relegated to 14-15th century days ?

Hesychasm is not a ‘monkish mediation technique,’ but it is a meditative method of prayer. Achieving a perfect state of prayer through physical and noetic coordination is the ultimate aim of Hesychasm, not mediation in itself.

 

[brb3]

Do u Easterners read his TRIADS ?

Just picked up a copy …fixing to open and get the fullness of Eastern Theosis / Illumination Rx.

 

[Celticnovice]

Does the Eastern Church still make much of this ? Or has this monkish meditation technique been discredited and relegated to 14-15th century days ?

St. Gregory didn’t invent Hesychasm, it came from the Desert Fathers whom influenced both the Eastern and Western Monastic movements. I think of the writings of John Cassian, who left Egypt for France and founded monasteries.

One can find *analogous techniques in Roman Catholicism:

St. Ignatius third method of prayer

sacred-texts.com/chr/seil/seil38.htm

And breath prayers found in the “Cloud of Unknowing” although this text doesn’t hold canonical status in the Latin church, it is widely read…

 

[Zekariya]

St. Gregory didn’t invent Hesychasm, it came from the Desert Fathers whom influenced both the Eastern and Western Monastic movements. I think of the writings of John Cassian, who left Egypt for France and founded monasteries.

I love St John Cassian and his writings. It is a shame that his feast day is February 29. It has to be transferred February 28 on non-leap years.

 

[Celticnovice]

I love St John Cassian and his writings. It is a shame that his feast day is February 29. It has to be transferred February 28 on non-leap years.

Ditto Brother! I have found it even somewhat ironic that St. John Cassian being one of the earliest writers on noetic prayer and hesychasm may have been of Latin origins. Considering the criticisms the west would later bring against hesychasm.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Does the Eastern Church still make much of this ? Or has this monkish meditation technique been discredited and relegated to 14-15th century days ?

It has not been discredited but rather is a critical component of the Byzantine Christian tradition. If I recall, John Paul II personally saw great value in hesychasm.

Furthermore, the Byzantine Catholic Churches, like their Orthodox counterparts, formally/liturgically commemorate Saint Gregory Palamas on the second Sunday of Lent.

Side note: In an odd coincidence, the Roman Calendar used throughout the Latin Church - which does not formally commemorate hesychasm on the second Sunday of Lent like the Byzantines do - nonetheless always uses an account of the Transfiguration as the Gospel reading on the second Sunday of Lent.

Interesting coincidence…

Oh my God! I thought I was the only person who could see that light… It happens when I close my eyes during meditation or reflection towards God, but only when I’m in a most ‘pure’ state of Grace.

If I have sinned or have distanced myself -there is no white light.

I have no idea what it’s like to see the Uncreated Light, none whatsoever, but if you truly can, you are supremely blessed indeed.

 

[brb3]

It has not been discredited but rather is a critical component of the Byzantine Christian tradition. If I recall, John Paul II personally saw great value in hesychasm.

Furthermore, the Byzantine Catholic Churches, like their Orthodox counterparts, formally/liturgically commemorate Saint Gregory Palamas on the second Sunday of Lent.

Side note: In an odd coincidence, the Roman Calendar used throughout the Latin Church - which does not formally commemorate hesychasm on the second Sunday of Lent like the Byzantines do - nonetheless always uses an account of the Transfiguration as the Gospel reading on the second Sunday of Lent.

Interesting coincidence…

I have no idea what it’s like to see the Uncreated Light, none whatsoever, but if you truly can, you are supremely blessed indeed.

Fone Bone…

Just finished Palamas’ TRIADS. Its amazing, …he fully discusses the Uncreated Light, and shows its support/ origin in the writings old many of early Church Saints…dating to Apostle Paul.
It’s a short read, get copy and be fully informed on the Theosis teaching of Eastern & Western Churches. Yes, both JP2 & Benedict accept Palamas as correct on this Uncreated Light / Theosis idea.

 

[Sophronius]

Don’t know about you guys, but we sang his troparion, we honored his memory, and we asked for his intercession during our liturgy. The only thing we did not have was his Icon on our tetrapod. God-Willing, we will have one for next year.

 

[Celticnovice]

Don’t know about you guys, but we sang his troparion, we honored his memory, and we asked for his intercession during our liturgy. The only thing we did not have was his Icon on our tetrapod. God-Willing, we will have one for next year.

We did as well except we have his Icon