Introduction To the contribution of saint gregory palamas to hesychasm

Dr. Demetrios Tselengidis
Professor of The Thoelogical School
University of Thessaloniki

THE CONTRIBUTION OF SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS TO HESYCHASM
THEOLOGICAL PRESSUPOSITIONS OF THE LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

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INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Epilogue


Saint Gregory Palamas with his written works has boosted theologically the deeper content of the hesychastic life, and with his toilsome and persistent ecclesiastical struggles, contributed decisively to the unanimous and conciliar acceptance of the teaching of Hesychasm.

In his attempt to safeguard the lofty theological character of hesychia, he developed a most profound dogmatic theology around the identity and soteriological function of Divine Grace.

In the process he simultaneously revealed the theological presuppositions necessary for the hesychasts to share and abide in the life of the Holy Spirit. These presuppositions are found in the steadfast and delusion-free parameters of theophany and theoptia (vision of God). The invincible ultra-defender of Hesychasm expressed the mind of the Church infallibly, asserting that the existential living experience of the deifying energy of the Holy Spirit , especially endows with theological meaning the hesychastic way of life. This life culminates in the complete union of man with God and in the charismatic theosis of man, which consists of the higher form of the spiritual life of the faithful.

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