Fasting and hesychast spirituality

What it is: The tradition values fasting, spiritual vigilance, continuous prayer, and forms of hesychast spirituality.

How the tradition understands it: Christian life includes purification of heart, discipline of body, prayer, and inner attention, always linked to grace and liturgical life.

Basis and context: Matthew 6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Philokalia, and the legacy of Gregory Palamas are important references.

Debates and variations: The language of hesychasm is especially characteristic of the Eastern tradition and does not always find direct parallel in other Christian families.

Supportive

1 Thessalonians 5:17

greek-orthodox-church,bible,prayer,hesychasm

Continuous prayer.

Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Content: Paul exhorts to pray without ceasing.
Use in debate: Frequently linked to the Jesus Prayer and hesychast life.

Gregory Palamas, Triads

greek-orthodox-church,palamas,hesychasm,theosis

Decisive text for classical formulation of hesychasm and theosis.

Reference: Gregory Palamas, Triads.
Content: The work develops hesychast prayer and participation of the human being in divine energies without confusion with the essence of God.
Use in debate: Central source for theosis and hesychast spirituality.

Matthew 6:16-18

greek-orthodox-church,bible,fasting,asceticism

Teaching of Jesus about fasting.

Reference: Matthew 6:16-18.
Content: Jesus speaks of fasting in a key of sincerity and discretion.
Use in debate: Important basis for Christian ascetic discipline.

Philokalia

greek-orthodox-church,philokalia,asceticism,hesychasm

Spiritual collection of great influence in the Orthodox tradition.

Reference: Philokalia.
Content: The collection gathers ascetic and contemplative texts on vigilance, prayer, and purification of the heart.
Use in debate: Central source of Greek Orthodox and hesychast spirituality.