A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MYSTICISM OF ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY (1880- 1906) AND THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH by CATHERINA MARIA CARRATU submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF THEOLOGY WITH SPECIALISATION IN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF C E T KOURIE NOVEMBER 2003 1 Dedicated to my family in gratitude for their unwavering support and encouragement 2 Summary In this investigation key elements of the mysticism of Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880- 1906) are compared and contrasted with the mysticism of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and as a result, the true nature of the relationship between their respective mysticism is elucidated. Key doctrines which exhibit a remarkable consonance are: the trinitarian foundation of their mysticism, the indwelling of the Trinity in the human soul, asceticism, desert spirituality, sacrificial love, liturgical spirituality, scriptural spirituality, deification and the doxological nature of their mysticism. Elements of divergence exist within the following: election and predestination, apophatic versus cataphatic mysticism, the Roman Catholic dogma of the immaculate conception of the virgin Mary, and the mode of God’s presence in the human soul. Elizabeth’s relevance for today is also considered, namely, her ecclesial mission which she now continues in heaven: to intercede for people seeking union with God and to draw people to interior recollection. 3 KEY WORDS Christian mysticism Roman Catholic mysticism Eastern Orthodox mysticism Elizabeth of the Trinity Theosis Scriptural mysticism Liturgical mysticism Desert spirituality Indwelling trinity 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION 1.1 NATURE AND AIM OF THE INVESTIGATION.........................................................................8 1.2 DEMARCATION OF THE STUDY.............................................................................................11 1.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................13 1.4 SURVEY OF LITERATURE ......................................................................................................14 1.4.1 Literary sources with respect to Elizabeth ....................................................................14 1.4.2 Literary sources with respect to Eastern Orthodoxy.....................................................17 CHAPTER TWO - MAJOR INFLUENCES ON THE MYSTICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY 2.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................19 2.2 INTRODUCING ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY........................................................................21 2.3 CATHERINE OF SIENA (1347-1380)........................................................................................22 2.3.1 Introducing Catherine of Siena.....................................................................................22 2.3.2 Central themes in Catherine’s mystical writings ...........................................................23 A. The will of God.......................................................................................................23 B. The interior cell ......................................................................................................24 C. Prayer and the interior cell.....................................................................................25 D. The heart of mystical union....................................................................................26 E. Contemplation leads to apostolic service...............................................................27 2.3.3 Catherine’s influence on Elizabeth ...............................................................................28 2.3.4 Summary......................................................................................................................28 2.4 JAN VAN RUYSBROECK (1294-1381).....................................................................................29 2.4.1 Introducing Jan van Ruysbroeck ..................................................................................29 2.4.2 The nature of Jan van Ruysbroeck’s mysticism ...........................................................30 2.4.3 Retracing humanity’s divine origin................................................................................32 2.4.4 Jan van Ruysbroeck’s influence on Elizabeth ..............................................................36 2.4.5 Summary......................................................................................................................37 2.5 THE MYSTICISM OF PAUL THE APOSTLE ............................................................................37 2.5.1 Introducing Pauline mysticism......................................................................................37 2.5.2 Christ-mysticism or God-mysticism? ............................................................................38 2.5.3 Pauline election and predestination..............................................................................40 A. Election..................................................................................................................40 B. Predestination........................................................................................................41 2.5.4 Paul’s influence on Elizabeth........................................................................................43 2.5.5 Summary......................................................................................................................44 2.6 THE CARMELITE MYSTICAL TRADITION...............................................................................44 2.6.1 Introducing the carmelite tradition ................................................................................44 2.6.2 Desert spirituality: the roots of carmelite mysticism.....................................................46 2.6.3 John of the Cross: the old self and the new self..........................................................49 A. The old self ............................................................................................................50 B. The new self ..........................................................................................................53 5 2.6.4 John of the Cross and Jungian psychology..................................................................54 2.6.5 John’s influence on Elizabeth.......................................................................................56 2.6.6 Summary......................................................................................................................57 2.7 CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................................................57 CHAPTER THREE - EASTERN ORTHODOX MYSTICISM 3.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................59 3.2 EAST AND WEST: DIFFERENT POINTS OF DEPARTURE...................................................60 3.3 EASTERN ORTHODOX MYSTICAL THEOLOGY ....................................................................63 3.3.1 Key elements in eastern orthodox mysticism ...............................................................64 A. Scripture and the Church Fathers.......................................................................65 B. A trinitarian mysticism.........................................................................................66 C. Pneumatological christology...............................................................................67 D. An existential mysticism .....................................................................................68 E. A holistic mysticism ............................................................................................70 F. Sacramental and communal mysticism ..............................................................71 G. Divine grace and human freedom: a synergy .....................................................73 H. Election and predestination ................................................................................74 I. The communion of saints and the celestial hierarchy .........................................75 J. The spiritual value of icons .................................................................................77 3.3.2 The mystical journey towards theosis...........................................................................79 A. The human person as image of God ..................................................................80 B. The fallen human condition.................................................................................82 C. The structure of the soul.....................................................................................84 D. Healing of the nous.............................................................................................87 E. Therapeutic methods..........................................................................................88 i) Hesychasm..................................................................................................89 ii) Asceticism and mysticism...........................................................................91 iii) Ecstasy and enstasy ...................................................................................93