Isaac the Syrian a Nestorian?

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I know that the Eastern Orthodox seem to venerate Isaac the Syrian as a saint, but I heard that he was also a Nestorian? Is this correct? How are the two compatible? Or does it matter? From what I have read of his writings, it is very very good, much the same as many of the desert fathers.
Thanks for the clarification in advance!
 
My understanding is that he was indeed a member in good standing with the Assyrian Church of the East.

It was what he wrote, rather than the theology of his church, for which he is remembered as a saint. He might be a good saint to pray to for those desiring the resumption of Communion.
 
Nine_Two said:
My understanding is that he was indeed a member in good standing with the Assyrian Church of the East.

It was what he wrote, rather than the theology of his church, for which he is remembered as a saint. He might be a good saint to pray to for those desiring the resumption of Communion.
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Interesting then why stalwart theologians like Origen are not considered saints too…hmmm.:confused:
And sorry for my ignorance, but what does “resumption” mean?? :confused:
Thanks for the help!🙂
 
theidler said:
Interesting then why stalwart theologians like Origen are not considered saints too…hmmm.:confused:
And sorry for my ignorance, but what does “resumption” mean?? :confused:
Thanks for the help!🙂
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To resume.

The problem with Origen is that quite a few of his teachings were condemned as heresy, while nothing St. Isaac taught was declared as heresy, even if he accepted the heresies of the Assyrian Church.
 
theidler said:
Interesting then why stalwart theologians like Origen are not considered saints too…hmmm.:confused:
And sorry for my ignorance, but what does “resumption” mean?? :confused:
Thanks for the help!🙂
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Pope Benedict XVI said in General Audience, 2007:, of Origen of Alexandria

I invite you - and so I conclude - to welcome into your hearts the teaching of this great master of faith. He reminds us with deep delight that in the prayerful reading of Scripture and in consistent commitment to life, the Church is ever renewed and rejuvenated. The Word of God, which never ages and is never exhausted, is a privileged means to this end. Indeed, it is the Word of God, through the action of the Holy Spirit, which always guides us to the whole truth (cf. Benedict XVI, Dei Verbum*Address at the International Congress for the 50th Anniversary of *,* L’Osservatore Romano* English edition,21 September 2005, p. 7).

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070425_en.html
 
Nine_Two said:
To resume.

The problem with Origen is that quite a few of his teachings were condemned as heresy, while nothing St. Isaac taught was declared as heresy, even if he accepted the heresies of the Assyrian Church.
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But then wouldn’t this imply that being a member of a heretical church is not an impediment to one’s sainthood? I’m confused.:confused:
 
Vico said:
Pope Benedict XVI said in General Audience, 2007:, of Origen of Alexandria

I invite you - and so I conclude - to welcome into your hearts the teaching of this great master of faith. He reminds us with deep delight that in the prayerful reading of Scripture and in consistent commitment to life, the Church is ever renewed and rejuvenated. The Word of God, which never ages and is never exhausted, is a privileged means to this end. Indeed, it is the Word of God, through the action of the Holy Spirit, which always guides us to the whole truth (cf. Benedict XVI, *Address at the International Congress for the 50th Anniversary of *Dei Verbum,* L’Osservatore Romano* English edition,21 September 2005, p. 7).

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070425_en.html
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👍 I read this beforehand - I was glad, as I am a huge fan of Origen.
 
Isaac is remembered for his spiritual homilies on the inner life, which have a human breadth that transcends the Nestorian Christianity of the Church to which he belonged. They survive in Syriac manuscripts and in Greek and Arabic translations. From Greek they were translated into Russian.

Isaac of Nineveh
From Wikipedia, the free encycloped

Isaac consciously avoided writing on topics that were disputed or discussed in the contemporary theological debates. This gives Isaac a certain ecumenical potential, and is probably the reason that he has come to be venerated and appreciated among many different Christian traditions.

Isaac stands in the tradition of the eastern mystical saints and placed a considerable emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Isaac’s writings offer a rare example of a large corpus of ascetical texts written by an experienced hermit and is thus an important writer when it comes to understanding early Christian asceticism.[1

en.wikipedia.org

Isaac the Syrian - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

peace
 
hazcompat said:
Isaac is remembered for his spiritual homilies on the inner life, which have a human breadth that transcends the Nestorian Christianity of the Church to which he belonged. They survive in Syriac manuscripts and in Greek and Arabic translations. From Greek they were translated into Russian.

Isaac of Nineveh
From Wikipedia, the free encycloped

Isaac consciously avoided writing on topics that were disputed or discussed in the contemporary theological debates. This gives Isaac a certain ecumenical potential, and is probably the reason that he has come to be venerated and appreciated among many different Christian traditions.

Isaac stands in the tradition of the eastern mystical saints and placed a considerable emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Isaac’s writings offer a rare example of a large corpus of ascetical texts written by an experienced hermit and is thus an important writer when it comes to understanding early Christian asceticism.[1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_of_Syria
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peace

That’s fine, and I recognize that. But if he belonged to a heretical movement (Nestorianism), then why is Tertullian not held as a saint as well, though he was a Montanist?
 
Possibly because Tertulian apostasized, whereas St. Isaac didn’t.

It is a fair and interesting question though.
 
theidler said:
That’s fine, and I recognize that. But if he belonged to a heretical movement (Nestorianism), then why is Tertullian not held as a saint as well, though he was a Montanist?
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You can take up his cause. Tertulians writings did not transcend the Montanist movement as St. Isaac the Syrian transcended Nestorius. I read Tertullian and Saint Isaac often.

peace
 
Nine_Two said:
Possibly because Tertulian apostasized, whereas St. Isaac didn’t.

It is a fair and interesting question though.
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I am glad you and others are not taking my questions about Isaac as offensive - they are not intended to be so at all.
I still find it rather odd though that Isaac is a saint despite being a Nestorian.
Origen never apostasized though he postulated views later condemned, and yet he is not a saint.
Tertullian did apostasize, and is not a saint.
Isaac was someone who held to Nestorian views, which were later condemned.

All three have some things in common it seems. So is the reason why, say, the Eastern Orthodox do not hold Catholic saints to be saints is because they are viewed as apostates? Because if Isaac is held as a saint despite being a member of a Nestorian Church, then why are not some Catholic saints still held to be saints nonetheless by the Orthodox? I’m really confused on this one.
Don’t get me wrong - I think that the Eastern Orthodox saints are just as holy and valid as the Catholic ones, it’s just that Isaac seems to be an odd case.
 
As for why there are no post-schism Catholic saints venerated by the Orthodox, I think that has more to do with the fact that there aren’t any who had a positive influence on the Orthodox Church. Very few to begin with who interacted with the Orthodox Church in any way.
 
Nine_Two said:
As for why there are no post-schism Catholic saints venerated by the Orthodox, I think that has more to do with the fact that there aren’t any who had a positive influence on the Orthodox Church. Very few to begin with who interacted with the Orthodox Church in any way.
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That’s an interesting point…:hmmm:
 
Mickey said:
I had been trying to obtain a copy of “The Ascetical Homilies of St Isaac te Syrian” for ten years…but the book was out of print and it was going for $500-$1000.

A couple of months ago it went back into print and I ordered it for $70.
thehtm.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=75&osCsid=616fc05923d418e670325b31490bdf4b

I have only scratched the surface…but it is amazing!!!
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Wow, that has to be quite the treasure in your library…my ultimate item in my own library is a hardcover, three-volume set of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica translated by the Dominicans. It’s sits right on my desk for easy access when needed 🙂
 
No Mar Isaac was not a “nestorian.” There was never anyone who was a nestorian, not even Mar Nestorios. So Isaac was not part of a heretical church, just one that was separated due to historical and political reasons.
 
One of the most important figures in the history of the Eastern Christian Church is St. Isaac of Nineveh, (also known as St. Isaac the Syriac), who came from this area. He became known for his written work greatly admired and read, even more than the work of other holy fathers. He is one of the biggest and deepest teachers of the orthodox spiritual life. Therefore, his written work was spread all over the orthodox world and translated into many languages.
http://www.qorthodox.org/English/library/brochure/brochure1.jpg
 
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