Hesychasm

[Leao]

I’m currently exploring icons, Orthodox Church spirituality and subsequently hesychasm for a thesis.

I was going to argue that icons could help build the interior life of contemporary Roman Catholics. I’ve equated the practice of developing one’s interior life with hesychasm. I’m confused after reading Is hesychasm regarded as a heresy in the Catholic Church?

Please help !

Leo

 

[Bob_Baran]

New Advent states that “Quietism is thus generally speaking a sort of false or exaggerated mysticism which under the guise if the loftiest spirituality contains erroneous notions which, if consistently followed would prove fatal to morality. It is fostered by Pantheism and similar theories and it involves peculiar notions concerning the Divine cooperation in human acts. In a narrower sense Quietism designates the mystical element in the teaching of various sects which have sprung up within the Church, only to be cast out as heretical.”

Leao, I believe this should answer your question about whether or not Hesychasm is heresy.

 

[Leao]

So the Catholic Church regards hesychasm, a vital part of the Orthodox Church as a heresy? The Orthodox Church points to a distinct correlation between a growth in hesychasm and the golden age in Russian Iconography in the 15th century, e.g. Rublev’s Trinity that the Catholic Church also holds in very high esteem.

Icons do in deed still us and help us not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life, would this better be described as an exercise in asceticism rather than hesychasm?

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thanks Leo

 

[JGC]

Oh dear. That Encyclopedia again…

It has its uses but has be treated with caution. It’s of its time. A diocesan website rcag.org.uk/Links/index.htm here has it on its link pages and states ‘this is an OLD edition, some articles are still useful’

Having perused a few articles it is written in the old’ fortress’ mentality, and a very Latin mentality at that. The ‘Latin trads’ here have almost accorded it near Biblical status. Eastern Catholic posters in other threads have highlighted inaccuracies and prejudicies. And it was written by laypeople to boot. Don’t use it as a primary source! Generally the CCC should be your first port of call, although granted there will be no specific reference to Hesychasm, that I am aware of.

Anyway, may be of use

monachos.net/patristics/hesychios.shtml
svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html
and wade through landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/prayer.html

 

[JGC]

Moreover, in the East are to be found the riches of those spiritual traditions which are given expression in monastic life especially. From the glorious times of the holy Fathers that monastic spirituality flourished in the East which later flowed over into the Western world, and there provided a source from which Latin monastic life took its rise and has often drawn fresh vigor ever since. Therefore, it is earnestly recommended that Catholics avail themselves more often of the spiritual riches of the Eastern Fathers which lift up the whole man to the contemplation of the divine mysteries."(19)

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_02051995_orientale-lumen_en.html

 

[Leao]

thanks I’ve printed some of them, and I’ll get back to you once I’ve read them if that’s ok.

Leo
leo_earle@hotmail.com

 

[JGC]

JGC:

Oh dear. That Encyclopedia again…

It has its uses but has be treated with caution. It’s of its time. A diocesan website rcag.org.uk/Links/index.htm here has it on its link pages and states ‘this is an OLD edition, some articles are still useful’

Having perused a few articles it is written in the old’ fortress’ mentality, and a very Latin mentality at that. The ‘Latin trads’ here have almost accorded it near Biblical status. Eastern Catholic posters in other threads have highlighted inaccuracies and prejudicies. And it was written by laypeople to boot. Don’t use it as a primary source! Generally the CCC should be your first port of call, although granted there will be no specific reference to Hesychasm, that I am aware of.]

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=350524&postcount=2
Dear Melvyn,

The Catholic Encyclopedia available on the internet is out of print, though it is superior in many areas. As good as it is, it is outdated in some areas. The New Catholic Encyclopedia is in print and is good, but the New Advent one is good to have as a supplement. The new one isn’t cheap. For more information, see: cuapress.cua.edu/NCE/NCEDescription.htm

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
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