BYZANTINE HESYCHASM IN THE LIFE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
BYZANTINE HESYCHASM IN THE LIFE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

Summary/Abstract: In spite of the historical vicissitudes through which the Orthodox Churchpassed, monasticism represented for the Church a pillar of stability andfidelity to the Gospel teachings and Christian living. Practicing the prayer ofthe heart, of contemplation in complete silence, of a severe ascension give thepossibility to the hesychast monks to see the uncreated light that the HolyApostles saw on Mount Tabor, at the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The onewho strongly supported the hesychast doctrine was Saint Gregory Palamas.The present study attempts to make a short presentation of how the prayer ofthe heart (the hesychast prayer) has evolved over the centuries, but also acomparative analysis of the rationalist way of thinking, inspired by Catholicschooling, with the hesychast tradition, specific to the Orthodox Church. Also,the study presents some historical landmarks regarding the practice of thehesychast life in the Romanian lands.

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