John Cassian and the Creation of Early Monastic Subjectivity
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GLIMPSES INTO the KNOWLEDGE, ROLE, and USE of CHURCH FATHERS in RUS' and RUSSIAN MONASTICISM, LATE 11T H to EARLY 16 T H CENTURIES
ROUND UP THE USUALS AND A FEW OTHERS: GLIMPSES INTO THE KNOWLEDGE, ROLE, AND USE OF CHURCH FATHERS IN RUS' AND RUSSIAN MONASTICISM, LATE 11t h TO EARLY 16 t h CENTURIES David M. Goldfrank This essay originated at the time that ASEC was in its early stages and in response to a requestthat I write something aboutthe church Fathers in medieval Rus'. I already knew finding the patrology concerning just the original Greek and Syriac texts is nothing short of a researcher’s black hole. Given all the complexities in volved in the manuscript traditions associated with such superstar names as Basil of Caesarea, Ephrem the Syrian, John Chrysostom, and Macarius of wherever (no kidding), to name a few1 and all of The author would like to thank the staffs of the Hilandar Research Library at The Ohio State University and, of course, the monks of Hilandar Monastery for encouraging the microfilming of the Hilandar Slavic manuscripts by Ohio State. I thank the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection; and Georgetown University’s Woodstock Theological Library as well as its Lauinger Library Reference Room for their kind help. Georgetown University’s Office of the Provost and Center for Eurasian, East European and Russian Studies provided summer research support. Thanks also to Jennifer Spock and Donald Ostrowski for their wise suggestions. 1 An excellent example of this is Plested, Macarian Legacy. For the spe cific problem of Pseudo-Macarius/Pseudo-Pseudo-Macarius as it relates to this essay, see NSAW, 78-79. Tapestry of Russian Christianity: Studies in History and Culture. -
To Clarify Mission of Laity
Seeschanges in catechism to clarify missionof laity By WALTERr . ABBOTT,S.J, Well knott'u tor lris actiye interest in the la1, apostolate I'novcmol)t, the 6[-.ye;rt'-old prtlatc attt'actetl attcntion last vcar rvhcu hc callctl a tnect- inS ol tlte lrlot'ttttcc laity hrs peoplc rvelc Caltlinal (lia- (lttttttcil's filst conlo Let'cato. Alchbislrop of -,scssiottttrli'or to tltc itt o|tlcl', as lte put Ilologrla i ,\r'chlrisllop [)ttt'icltr lrclici, Sct'rctar.1'(icnt'r.al ol thc it, to hi.rve,,lull knorvlcrigc" ul rii,'eopre's(r*si'cs Iillillli.,i,,il'i"li',..;').i,;..8:,lil\l tuf N1'cri. Kenr-a; Ilussian-lloln 'litular I)1'zantinc Rite Bishop An- tlt'ci Katkoff ol Nauplia; Auxil- ialv Bislrop,lcan Ilupp of I'alis; llisltr.rp Flrnilio (luano o[ Lilolno. autl trvo othet' Italiatr prclates- Attxiliarl Bishop 14nlico Ilarto- lctti of I-uecl an<l Auxiliarl' Rish- Desclibing titt: pt'ttct'ss ol colll' up .\ntonio ..\rrgioni oI I]rsa. Intttricntion llctrvctrtt lrtopltl atttl , rr.rorrHr.ie enuAnv Itisltop as a cotttittttitrg tltto. Ilc s. re6t- "thc _1"l_11-" __ _ saitl pcople hitt'e a t'igltt ltt spenk to their bislrop. for ltrr is , " the ir' [atltct'. TTATOR AC TIIE IlE tr.lEI\i 7" ARCHBISHOP ["hlit sartl ltc folcsau, tlta{ thctc n'ould havc (o Lo chlttgcs irr tht: catccltisnt itl order to set [()fth the llasit tltc' ologl' o{ llrc (llrurch logalrlitlg tlttl New spirit of charity lolc ol tlrc laitt in lattgtragc tltat u'o'rlrl rrtcct lltc t:xpectaliotts o[ llt(' pcol)lc. -
Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries
Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries Atlas of Whether used as a scholarly introduction into Eastern Christian monasticism or researcher’s directory or a travel guide, Alexei Krindatch brings together a fascinating collection of articles, facts, and statistics to comprehensively describe Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the United States. The careful examina- Atlas of American Orthodox tion of the key features of Orthodox monasteries provides solid academic frame for this book. With enticing verbal and photographic renderings, twenty-three Orthodox monastic communities scattered throughout the United States are brought to life for the reader. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to sample, explore or just better understand Orthodox Christian monastic life. Christian Monasteries Scott Thumma, Ph.D. Director Hartford Institute for Religion Research A truly delightful insight into Orthodox monasticism in the United States. The chapters on the history and tradition of Orthodox monasticism are carefully written to provide the reader with a solid theological understanding. They are then followed by a very human and personal description of the individual US Orthodox monasteries. A good resource for scholars, but also an excellent ‘tour guide’ for those seeking a more personal and intimate experience of monasticism. Thomas Gaunt, S.J., Ph.D. Executive Director Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) This is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to a small but important sector of American religious life. Whether you want to know about the history and theology of Orthodox monasticism or you just want to know what to expect if you visit, the stories, maps, and directories here are invaluable. -
The Hermeneutics of John Cassian in Conference 14
Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies Vol. 59 (2018) Nos. 1–4, pp. 263–275 The Monastic Life as Exegesis: The Hermeneutics of John Cassian in Conference 14 Thomas Deutsch Today, faith in the revelation of scripture is not a prerequi- site for becoming a successful scripture scholar. Although many contemporary scholars consider unbelief a prerequisite for analyzing and interpreting scriptures unbiasedly,1 the monk John Cassian (d. circa 435 C.E.) would see such lack of faith as detrimental to the entire process of understanding the scrip- tures. This divergence of opinion results in part because these contemporary scholars and Cassian view the end of scriptural interpretation differently. While a contemporary agnostic scholar strives in his or her exegetical work primarily for eru- dition, originality, and positive peer reception, Cassian wants to unlock the meaning of scriptures for the sake of living a life of unceasing prayer and encounter with God. 1 D.Z. Phillips describes the hermeneutical situation today in terms of a false dichotomy between a hermeneutics of recollection, which presupposes belief on the part of the interpreter in the religious texts being analyzed, and a her- meneutics of suspicion, which sees the unbelief of the interpreter as his or her greatest tool for accessing the meaning of the religious text, since the re- ligious worldview of the text hides or warps the truth of the text. As a middle position between these two extremes, Phillips offers the hermeneutic of con- templation, which allows the interpreter to accept the religious worldview of sacred texts for the purpose of interpretation without actually believing in the worldview presupposed by the text. -
Repentance As Divine Communion in St. Symeon the New Theologian´S Hymns of Divine Love
International Journal of Orthodox Theology 11:1 (2020) 7 urn:nbn:de:0276-2020-1025 John Anthony McGuckin Repentance as Divine Communion in St. Symeon the New Theologian´s Hymns of Divine Love Abstract Much English language scholarship on St. Symeon the New Theologian has, perhaps understandably, been intri- gued by and focused on the saint's narrative of his luminous visions of the Lord. But this has often served to Archpriest John Anthony distract readers from the primary McGuckin is the Nielsen thrust of the most rhapsodic and ec- Professor of Byzantine static of all his writings, the Hymns Theology Emeritus at Uni- of Divine Love. This paper argues that on Theological Seminary, New York, Professor of this major teaching is the doctrine of Early Christian Thought in radical repentance that the saint the Theological Faculty of espouses: and he does it in such a way Oxford University, Rector as to redirect the flow of earli- of St. Gregory's Orthodox Mission in St. Anne's on er Christian teaching on the develop- Sea in England, and a ping stages of the spiritual life in a Fellow of the British Royal profoundly innovative manner. Historical Society. 8 John Anthony McGuckin Rather than seeing re-pentance as a 'beginner's stage' in spiri- tuality, to be succeeded by 'unitive' and 'contemplative' stages (as in many manuals of spiritual theology which suppose they thus reproduce Pseudo-Dionysios) Symeon appears to pro- ject radical and heartfelt repentance as the royal road to the deepest level of communion with Christ. For him, repentance is one of the highest spiritual states, not the lowest. -
BULLETIN IS Jan
ST. ELIJAH ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH 15000 N. May, Oklahoma City, OK 73134 Church Office: 755-7804 Church Website: www.stelijahokc.com Church Email: [email protected] JANUARY 17, 2021 Issue 33 Number 3 Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great & TwelFth Sunday oF Luke; Saints of the Day: Anthony the New, the ascetic of Berrea in Macedonia; New-Martyr George of Ionnina DIRECTORY WELCOME V. Rev. Fr. John Salem Parish Priest 410-9399 We welcome all our visitors. It is an honor to have you worshipping with us. You may find the worship of the Rev. Fr. Elias Khouri Ancient Church very different. We welcome your questions. Assistant Priest 640-3016 Please join us for our Reception held in the Church Hall V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Nasr immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Emeritus We understand Holy Communion to be an act of our unity in Rev. Dn. Ezra Ham faith. While we work toward the unity of all Christians, it Administrator 602-9914 regrettably does not now exist. Therefore, only baptized Rev. Fr. Ambrose Perry Orthodox Christians (who have properly prepared) are Attached permitted to participate in Holy Communion. However, everyone is welcome to partake of the blessed bread that is Anthony Ruggerio 847-721-5192 distributed at the end of the service. We look forward to Youth Director meeting you during the Reception that follows the service. Mom’s Day Out & Pre-K NEW ORTHROS & LITURGY BOOK Sara Cortez – Director 639-2679 • Orthros: p. 4 Email: [email protected] Facebook: “St Elijah Mom’s Day Out” • The Divine Liturgy p. -
Bulgakov Handbook
October 21 G.† Our Ven. Father Hilarion the Great He was born in Palestine, near Gaza City, studied the sciences and was baptized in Alexandria. When he was 15 years old, Hilarion heard about Ven. Anthony the Great and admiring "Anthony's spiritually divine, virtuous way of life" went to him. Having returned home with a blessing from Ven. Anthony, Hilarion found that his parents died and, "despising all worldly pleasures", distributed all his remaining inherited estate to the poor and in a certain deserted place was devoted entirely to prayer and abstinence. St. Hilarion struggled a lot with unclean thoughts, who confused his mind and inflamed his body; but he exhausted his body with work and drove away these thoughts by prayer and meditation on God. The holy hermit suffered much from demons and more than once while standing in prayer heard the crying of children, sobbing of women, roaring of lions and other wild animals, awful noises and confusion presented by the demons. But he did not fear the "demonic traps" and through fervent prayer conquered the "gloomy enemy powers". Once, robbers set upon the holy ascetic, but he by the power of his word convinced them to leave their vice and to lead a good life. Soon all of Palestine heard about the holy hermit's life and many began to come to him for healing of body and soul, but others wished to save their soul under his direction. With his blessing many monasteries were built in Palestine, and going from one monastery to another, he established a strict ascetic paradigm of life in them, having become the same kind of trainer for those seeking salvation in Palestine as Ven. -
Mediterranean Festival—2018
1 The Messenger October 2018 Vol. 31 Issue 10 Mediterranean Festival—2018 2 Orthodox Trivia Quiz 1. Who is the 1st Christian martyr? 7. As Orthodox Christians, we believe “God is the a. Peter b. Stephen Trinity: three ________, one God.” c. David d. Mary Magdalene a. Spirits b. Persons c. Gods d. Angels 2. When did Christianity become legal in the Roman Empire? 8. Which prophet is commonly ascribed as the a. 33 AD b. 70 AD author of the Book of Psalms from the Old Testament? c. 313 AD d. 1054 AD a. David b. Solomon c. Moses d. Abraham 3. Who is referred to as the “new Adam” in some liturgical texts within the Orthodox Church? a. John the Baptist 9. Which city is NOT considered to be one of the b. Jesus Christ first five patriarchates (important centers) of c. Emperor Constantine the Great Christianity? d. Prophet Moses a. Rome b. Bethlehem c. Jerusalem d. Alexandria 4. Who is the first called of the 12 Apostles of Christ? 10. What Great Feast in the Life of the Church is a. Peter c. Matthew celebrated on November 21st (New Calendar)? c. Andrew d. Judas a. Transfiguration of our Lord b. Entrance of our Lord into the Temple 5. What was Peter’s occupation before becoming c. Nativity of the Theotokos a “follower of Christ?” d. Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple a. tent-maker b. carpenter c. farmer d. fisherman 6. Why do Orthodox Christians gather on Sundays to worship during Liturgy and celebrate the Eucharist OR what do we commemorate every Sunday throughout the year? a. -
Shenoute Paper Draft
Mimetic Devotion and Dress in Some Monastic Portraits from the Monastery of Apa Apollo at Bawit* Thelma K. Thomas For the monastery of Apa Apollo at Bawit in Middle Egypt there is good archaeological documentation, a wealth of primary written sources mainly in the form of inscriptions, and a long history of scholarship illuminating both the site and the paintings at the center of this study.1 The archaeological site (figure 1) is extensive, and densely built. The many paintings, usually dated to the sixth and seventh centuries, survive in varying states of preservation from a range of functional contexts, however in this discussion I focus on * I am grateful to Hany Takla for inviting me to present a version of this article at the Twelfth St. Shenouda-UCLA Conference of Coptic Studies in July 2010. I owe thanks as well to Jenn Ball, Betsy Bolman, Jennifer Buoncuore, Mariachiara Giorda, Tom Mathews, and Maged Mikhail. Many of the issues considered here will be addressed more extensively in a book-length study, Dressing Souls, Making Monks: Monastic Habits of the Desert Fathers. 1 The main archaeological publications include: Jean Clédat, Le monastère et la nécropole de Baouit, Institut français d’archéologie orientale du Caire, Memoires, vol. 12 (Cairo: Institut français d’archéologie orientale du Caire, 1904); Jean Clédat, Le monastère et la nécropole de Baouit, Institut français d’archéologie orientale du Caire, Memoires, vol. 39 (Cairo: Institut français d’archéologie orientale, 1916); Jean Maspéro, “Fouilles executées à Baouit, Notes mises en ordre et éditées par Etienne Drioton,” Institut français d’archéologie orientale du Caire, Memoires, vol. -
Asceticism: a Missing Dimension in Climate Change Responses Ann R
Asceticism: a Missing Dimension in Climate Change Responses Ann R. Woods For the Pacific Coast Theological Society, Fall 2016 Meeting [A]ll of us are deeply frustrated with the stubborn resistance and reluctant advancement of earth-friendly politics and practices. Permit us to propose that the reason for this hesitation and hindrance may lie in the fact that we are unwilling to accept personal responsibility and demonstrate personal sacrifice. In the Orthodox Christian tradition we refer to this “missing dimension” as ascesis, which could be translated as abstinence and moderation, or – better still – simplicity and frugality…. This may be a fundamental religious and spiritual value. Yet it is also a fundamental ethical and existential principle. -- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I 1 In the face of an ever-worsening climate change crisis, one significant concern is the need for lifestyle changes that reduce human impact on the natural world.2 Environmentalists have been advocating for these changes to become more substantial in several ways – for more people to embrace change, for the changes to be more significant, and for change to happen more rapidly. However, distractions, temptations, competing values, discouragement, and denial combine to minimize change just when maximization is needed. As Pope Francis says in Laudato Si’, “Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. -
Taught by God: Teaching and Spiritual Formation by Karen-Marie Yust and E
For published version: See Interpreation 61 (3): 350. Taught by God: Teaching and Spiritual Formation by Karen-Marie Yust and E. Byron Anderson, Chalice Press, St. Louis, 2006. Pp. 186. $21.99. ISBN 0827236492. Religious educators need a vibrant spiritual life. This seems obvious but it is easy to overlook. When we think about education, we immediately think about our own schooling where we were required to regurgitate information. We do not think about deeper dimensions of formation and what this demands of the teacher. But “can we teach Christians to pray,” authors Karen-Marie Yust and E. Byron Anderson stress again and again, “if we ourselves do not know a life of prayer?” (p. 19). Taught by God is designed to address this oversight. It retrieves a rich variety of paths to Christian wisdom. In fact, a more accurate subtitle is “Spiritual Resources for Religious Educators.” Organized around a four-part exploration of teacher identity, teaching context, models, and evaluation, the book essentially reviews a series of classical texts (Luther, Kierkegaard, Julian of Norwich, John Cassian, Jane de Chantal, Francis de Sales, Anthony, John Bunyan, John Climacus, Thomas à Kempis, Benedict, Catherine of Siena, Diadochos, Ignatius, Henri Nouwen, and Simon Weil) as well as contemporary educational theorists, such as Parker Palmer and Mary Belenky. The summaries of primary texts and secondary source commentary on them makes for dry reading, a problem “easily rectified,” Yust and Anderson say, “through further reading” of the classics (p. 5). Reading this book alongside sample works would enhance its value. Unfortunately the advice of many of these figures stands at real odds with the lives of the book’s likely readers. -
Spiritual Struggle
Spiritual struggle ALBERTO GIANQUINTO, Jacob and the Angel Words of Spirituality by ENZO BIANCHI If we want to fight evil effectively, we have to fight within ourselves and defeat the evil that is in us The spiritual struggle is an essential aspect of Christian spiritual life. The Bible asks believers to prepare themselves to encounter opposition. Just as we are called to “have dominion” within creation, we are also called to dominate ourselves and the sin that threatens us: “Sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master” (Genesis 4:7). This struggle is an interior one, not directed against those around us but against the temptations, thoughts, suggestions, and inner processes that lead us to consume evil. Paul, using images related to war and athletics (running and boxing), speaks of Christian life as a fight, a sort of inner tension that allows us to remain faithful to Christ, and that involves an unmasking of the processes by which sin gains control over our hearts so that we can fight it at its source. Our heart, in fact, is the site of the battle. In Biblical anthropology, the heart is the organ that best represents life in its totality: as the center of the ethical and inner life, the intelligence and the will, the heart contains all of the elements that constitute what we call the ‘person’ and is similar to how we define ‘conscience.’ The Christian spiritual struggle, however, is in no way limited to a psychological process of discernment and adjustment.