Saint Isaac the Syrian

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. II (XVI) / 2023 Saint Isaac the Syrian on ‘the sweetness of the Scriptures’ and the prayer of the heart Hieromonk Agapie Corbu

Drawing on St Paul’s image of the veil over the heart (2 Corinthians 3:14–18), this article analyses, on the basis of the writings of St Isaac the Syrian, the ascetic process of the spiritual reading of Scripture: from simple, quantitative reading in hesychia, through meditation and savouring the sweetness of the divine words, to the prayer of the heart and the vision of the divine light.

Studia Theologica No. I (X) / 2020 Gratitude: the natural state of a person filled with the Holy Spirit His Eminence Varsanufie

Gratitude towards God is examined as a fundamental spiritual state, springing from an awareness of God’s gifts and culminating in the Holy Eucharist, understood as a complete union with Christ. Drawing on the teachings of Saints Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory Palamas, John Chrysostom, Dumitru Stăniloae and the Gospel passage on the healing of the ten lepers, the article demonstrates that authentic gratitude signifies a constant communion with God, whilst its absence leads to alienation and dehumanisation.

Colloquium No. II (IX) / 2019 On the health of the soul. A helpful word from Abba Julian the Prodromite George Crăsnean

The article sets out the teachings of the monk Iulian Lazăr of the Prodromou Skete (Mount Athos), as conveyed to some visitors in February 2014, and contains exhortations on deification, unceasing prayer, the healing of the soul through confession and a spiritual father, patience in the face of injustice, love for one’s neighbour and zeal for holiness.

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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