Tears in the Hesychastic Tradition
Tears in the Hesychastic Tradition

Summary/Abstract: Since the beginning of the Christian monastic life, a specific “theology of tears” has been developed. In the hesychastic tradition, in particular, tears were considered an essential element in the process of the radical turning towards God. They were combined with repentance, compunction, incessant prayer, thinking about coming death and remembrance of the Last Judgment. In this article, analysis of various texts on tears is based on selected works from the Philokalia. The typology of tears was the point of departure for the synthetic presentation of the meaning of tears of joy and consolation, the role of tears in the purification of sins, and their relation to repentance and compunction. In the hesychastic tradition, tears are perceived as God’s gift. Tears are very helpful in the purification of the soul and in the change of intellect. They are also treated as support on the path of salvation. The Philokalia indicates a direct reference of tears to the experience of God’s light.

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