Second Sunday in the Great Fast (Byz. Mar 16,2014) + Today on the Byzantine calendar was originally a commemoration of St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna and martyr (c.f. the listing given in these notes for Feb. 23). Eventually, however, this was replaced with a commemoration of our holy father Gregory Palamas. + Early years He was probably born at Constantinople of a noble Anatolian family. From his youth, he was attracted to the monastic ideal, and successfully persuaded his brothers and sisters, along with his widowed mother, to take up the monastic life. Around 1318 he and his two brothers went to Mount Athos, where they learned firsthand the traditional hesychastic way of contemplative prayer. + With the encroachment of the Turks, he was forced to flee to Thessalonica, being ordained a priest there in 1326. Afterward, he took up the eremetic life at a mountain near Beroea, and eventually returned to Athos in 1331. Six years later, he became involved in a controversy with Barlaam, a Greek monk from Calabria, Italy. + Hesychastic Controversy He was initially asked by his fellow monks on Mount Athos to defend them from the charges of Barlaam. Barlaam believed that philosophers had better knowledge of God than did the prophets, and he valued education and learning more than contemplative prayer. He stated the unknowability of God in an extreme form, having been influenced by a reductionist interpretation of the writings of St. Dionysius the Areopagite. As such, he believed the monks on Mount Athos were wasting their time in contemplative prayer when they should instead be studying to gain intellectual knowledge. + When St. Gregory criticized Barlaams rationalism, Barlaam replied with a vicious attack on the hesychastic life of the Athonite monks. Gregorys rebuttal was the Triads in defense of the Holy Hesychasts (c. 1338), a brilliant work whose teaching was affirmed by his fellow Hagiorites, who met together in a council during 1340-1341, issuing a statement known as the Hagioritic Tome, which supported Gregorys theology. + A synod held in Constantinople in 1341 also supported St. Gregorys views, condemning Barlaam. Later, in 1344, the opponents of hesychasm secured a condemnation for heresy and excommunication for Gregory, the saints theology was reaffirmed at two further synods held in Constantinople in 1347 and 1351. Collectively, these three synods in Constantinople are held by many Orthodox Christians and several prominent theologians to constitute the Ninth Ecumenical Council. Between the latter two synods, Gregory composed the One Hundred and Fifty Chapters, a concise exposition of his theology. + Final years In 1347, he was consecrated Archbishop of Thessalonica, but the political climate made it impossible for him to take up his see until 1350. During a voyage to the Imperial capital, he was captured by the Turks and held in captivity for over a year. He died in 1359 and was subsequently glorified by the Orthodox Church in 1368. KONTAKION of the Second Sunday: Now the season for virtues has arrived and the Judge is at the door. Without looking gloomy, let us fast, offering tears, vigils, and alms, and let us exclaim: Our sins exceed the grains of sand by the sea. But forgive us all, O Creator of All, that we may receive the incorruptible crown. KONTAION of our holy father Gregory Palamas: Holy and divine instrument of wisdom, joyful trumpet of theology, with one accord we sing your praises, O Gregory inspired by God. But since you stand now in mind and spirit before the Original Mind, guide our minds to Him, O father, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O preacher of grace! Epistle: Hebrews 1:10 - 2:3 For if the word announced through angels proved firm... how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Gospel: Mark 2: 1-12 The healing of the paralytic
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 18:37:37 +0000
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