Glory to Jesus Christ!

The Philokalia is an ancient text of Eastern Christian spiritual teachings that is still relevant for spiritual seekers in the 21st century. St. Philotheos is very concerned with the wounding and fragmentation of consciousness that has lead to the rise of distorted and addictive emotions and desires (otherwise known as the passions). But Philotheos doesn't leave us wallowing in the mire of the passions; he offers us many healing remedies including the Jesus Prayer, the practice of the remembrance of death, silence, remembrance of Christ's passion, and most importantly, the practice of Watchfulness. Watchfulness is an ancient Christian form of meditation which, according to Philotheos, heals the passions, and leads us to true knowledge of God.

This presentation discusses the spiritual teachings of St. Philotheos that are found in volume 3 of the Sherrard, Palmer & Ware version of the Philokalia. St. Philotheos was an abbot of the St. Catherine's Monastery located at the southern end of the Sinai Peninsula. He is one of several writers who comprise the "Sinaite school of Hesychasm." Hesychasm is a term used to describe the spiritual path of the Eastern Church. Some of the other teachers of the Sinaite School are St. John Climacus, author of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" and Hesychius, who is an author in volume 2 of the Philokalia. The beautiful artwork of Michael O'Brien features prominently in this presentation.

This presentation is part of an ongoing study group that began in the fall of 2020. Our goal was to read all four volumes of the Philokalia. As of October 2021, we are beginning volume 3. If you'd like to join our monthly Zoom meetings, send me an email at: sgmetanoia@gmail.com

God bless, Z'bohom, B'shalom

Sub-deacon Shawn Goldman