As I shared in the last issue of this article, medieval theologians collected and reflected on the definitions of prayer they found in the early Church Fathers before they formulated their own. Most frequently those had no claim to being … Continue reading
Category Archives: The Spirituality Of the Christian East
Nothing equals prayer, wrote John Chrysostom. It makes possible what is impossible, easy what is difficult. It is not possible for the person who prays to fall into sin. Theophane the Recluse explained why the fathers wrote so many treatises … Continue reading
The Christians of the first centuries were aware that Christ had outstanding imitators and that it was especially because of them that the Church had become a light to the nations. It should come as no real surprise, then, that … Continue reading
The concept of imitation of Christ, which was put forth in the last issue of this article, seems therefore sufficiently clear. ‘The Christian’, wrote John Climacus, ‘is one who imitates Christ in thought, word and deed, as far as is … Continue reading
The theme of the imitation of Christ occupies an important place in the history of spirituality, even though in their reaction to medieval piety, the Reformers in the West replaced the concept of imitation, which they viewed as an arrogant … Continue reading
The heresy of Docetism led early Christian writers to reaffirm the reality of Christ’s existence on earth. Docetism promoted the idea that Jesus only appeared to be human but really wasn’t. His human form was an illusion. It was rejected, … Continue reading
In the Eastern Church, spirituality is lived dogma. That is why even in the midst of discussions that divide opponents we experience a spontaneous transition to personal attitudes closer to what we may call a devotion common to all Christians. … Continue reading
Christ is the new and true Adam of mankind, the head of the body of the Church. The Pauline affirmation of the Body of Christ is found frequently in patristic texts. Cabasilas summarized the tradition when he wrote that “We … Continue reading
The New Testament does not often use the term ‘mediator’. One also looks for it in vain in the Apostolic Fathers and the Apologists. Jesus Christ does not stand between God and his people, nor is he God’s representative, as … Continue reading
In the weeks immediately prior to the feast of Christmas I began sharing in this article the Names of Christ that evoked the greatest response from the Fathers of the Church. In the last issue I shared the name: Savior. … Continue reading