The Fifty Spiritual Homilies ; And, The Great LetterEnglish-speaking Christians owe Paulist Press an enormous debt of gratitude for their continuing efforts to help us gain a deeper appreciation of our spiritual heritage. Spiritual Life Pseudo-Macarius: The Fifty Spiritual Homilies and The Great Letter translated and edited with an introduction by George A. Maloney, S.J., preface by Kallistos Ware If the love of God dwells within you, it is necessary that such love bring forth other fruit, such as fraternal love, meekness, sincerity, perseverance in prayer, and zeal and all virtues. But since the treasure is precious, so also great are the labors, necessary to obtain it. From the Great Letter George A. Maloney, S.J., provides a great service by bringing to the public the first modern English translation of the spiritual homilies and Great Letter of Pseudo- Macarius, a Syrian monk of the fourth century whose identity is still the subject of scholarly investigation. The Fifty Homilies, in the form of a practical, monastic pedagogy, reveal the typical traits of Eastern Christian asceticism, with particular emphasis on the spiritual combat, the action of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of interior prayer. The Great Letter discusses the purging of the passions to bring the Christian into a state of tranquility and integration, and addresses the monastic community with instructions regarding organization, humility, and prayer. + |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
NOTES TO INTRODUCTION | 27 |
GENERAL ABBREVIATIONS | 33 |
HOMILIES ONEFIFTY | 35 |
INTRODUCTION TO THE GREAT LETTER | 249 |
THE GREAT LETTER | 253 |
NOTES TO THE FIFTY HOMILIES | 272 |
NOTES TO THE GREAT LETTER | 286 |
| 289 | |
| 294 | |
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Common terms and phrases
according Adam afflictions Amen angels Apostle asceticism become believe body Bridegroom captive Christians clothed comes commandments creatures darkness death deemed worthy desert fathers desire divine grace dwelling earth earthly Eastern Christian enemies enter eternal eyes faith Father fire flesh fruit gifts give glory God's Godhead Gregory of Nyssa Gregory Palamas healing heart Heaven heavenly hesychastic HOMILY human soul humility indwelling ineffable inner interior interiorly Jesus Christ Jesus Prayer king kingdom labor light live Lord Macarian Macarius Macarius of Egypt Macarius's Mesopotamia Messalian mind Moses Mount Athos mysteries mystical nature passions peace perfect person Philokalia pleasure possess pray prayer prophets Pseudo-Macarius pure purity receive rest riches saints Satan Scripture seek serpent sins someone soul strive struggle suffer Taboric light Take the example teaching things thoughts tion treasure true truly truth virtues whole wishes word writings