As I shared in the last issue of this article, one of primary foundations of Eastern Spirituality is Hesychasm. When we speak of Hesychasm, however, we must be careful to assign to each element its right proportions, and first to Hesychasm itself. Hesychasm in the Eastern Church may be compared with the great Spanish school of mystics in the Western Church of the   sixteenth century. In both cases we find a remarkable endeavor to simplify and systematize the spiritual ways, to make them more practical and accessible. For example, Gregory Palamas, Nicetas Stethatos and Symeon the New Theologian neither surpass or supersede saints Basil, John Chrysostom, Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa – the Fathers and most authorized interpreters, not only of Eastern Christian thought but of Eastern piety as well. And beyond the contemplative mystics, beyond the Fathers themselves, the simple and pure Gospel remains central.

There is decidedly a scriptural element to Eastern Spirituality. The Word of God present in the holy and divinely inspired Scriptures remains the foundation of the whole of Eastern spirituality. In Eastern Churches the Book of the Gospels always lies on the middle of the Holy Table (altar) and while no mark of worship is paid to the reserved Eucharistic elements (This is where the Eastern and Western Churches differ greatly. We do not worship the Holy Communion reserved for the sick but, rather, see   the power of the Eucharist in the eating of it during our worship – the Eucharist is not meant to be an object of worship but rather the spiritual food that helps and sustains our spirit) each priest approaching the Holy Table kisses the Gospel first (The Gospel book is kissed several times during the Liturgy and is even considered to be a sacrament by the Eastern Church). The Holy Scripture is the very substance of the dogmas and liturgies of the Eastern Church and, through them, impregnates the piety of Eastern Christians. We believe that the Scripture is God’s revelation on how to truly be a human person.