The ascetic dimensions of the prayer within the theology of Saint Simeon the New Theologian
The ascetic dimensions of the prayer within the theology of Saint Simeon the New Theologian

Author(s): Cristian Petcu
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Biblical studies
Published by: Editura Doxologia
Keywords: prayer; asceticism; humility; tears; communion;
Summary/Abstract: For Saint Simeon the New Theologian, the prayer is a spiritual path by means of which the one who chooses to follow this path destroys the passions of the body. In the thoughts of the holy father, the prayer is not a work that belongs to the human mind or that pertains to reason by which man intuitively follows the path of life received as a gift from God, as it is neither just an expression of the heart that expresses the need to be in dialogue with God, but represents a whole range of manifestations of light by means of which the soul of the believer unites with God in holy communion. The prayer, in the vision of Saint Simeon, is the path that bestows upon man the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit, with the aid of which the feeling of solitude is banished and the certainty of the divine omnipresence is acquired. As such, the prayer remains a model of conscientiousness and uplifting of life, as well as the virtuous way of living, which spiritually nourishes the faith and the love as well as for God as for all fellow human beings. Therefore, for Saint Simeon the New Theologian, the prayer is the best argument for taking the path of Jesus Christ, the One Who enlightens by means of prayer the reason of man, which helps him to delve into the depths of scriptural and church teachings and which becomes the source of all spiritual joys. In this study, we aim to highlight the importance of the ascetic model of Saint Simeon the New Theologian, a model by means of which this Father of the Holy Church put prayer in a whole new light from the perspective of seeing God within light.

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