Righteous Job | Martyria

Studia Theologica No. II (XX) / 2025 Patience: an exercise in spiritual maturity His Eminence Varsanufie

Patience is examined as a theological and spiritual virtue in contrast to the impatience and irascibility characteristic of contemporary society, which is marked by a fast pace and instant gratification. Taking as its starting point God’s long-suffering revealed in Holy Scripture, through the Holy Fathers such as Maximus the Confessor, Isaac the Syrian and Dumitru Stăniloae, and in the liturgical life of the Church, patience emerges as a means of participating in the divine life and a path to deification.

Studia Theologica No. I (VIII) / 2019 God’s goodness and human suffering in the teachings of a great Shepherd of souls: Saint John Chrysostom Archimandrite Dr Policarp Chițulescu

This article analyses the theology of suffering in St John Chrysostom, presenting it as God’s loving pedagogy towards sinners and the righteous alike. Through references to the Homilies on the Statues, the correspondence with the deaconess Olympias, and the biblical examples of Job and Paul, it is shown that afflictions serve a punitive, purifying and stimulating purpose, forming part of the divine economy, which is full of wisdom and love.

Spiritalitas No. I (VIII) / 2019 On Temptations Protos. Arsenie Muscalu

This article analyses the theological distinction between temptation and trial in man’s spiritual life, drawing on scriptural texts and the teachings of Saints John Climacus, Isaac the Syrian, the Apostles James and Paul, and Silouan the Athonite. The reader comes to understand that temptation arises from sinful inclinations or the work of the devil, whilst trial is ordained by God for the sake of strengthening, humility and spiritual growth.

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