The Spiritual World Of Isaac The Syrian (cistercian Studies)
by Hilarion Alfeyev /
2000 / English / EPUB
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From the Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Bishop of Diokleia—
From the Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Bishop of Diokleia—
Isaac the Syrian, also called Isaac of Nineveh, lived and wrote
during "the golden age of Syriac Christian literature" in the
seventh century. Cut off by language and politics from the
Churches of the Roman Empire and branded "Nestorian," the Church
of the East produced in isolation a rich theological literature
which is only now becoming known to outsiders. Yet over the
centuries and in all parts of Christendom, Isaac's works have
been read and recommended as unquestionably orthodox.
Isaac the Syrian, also called Isaac of Nineveh, lived and wrote
during "the golden age of Syriac Christian literature" in the
seventh century. Cut off by language and politics from the
Churches of the Roman Empire and branded "Nestorian," the Church
of the East produced in isolation a rich theological literature
which is only now becoming known to outsiders. Yet over the
centuries and in all parts of Christendom, Isaac's works have
been read and recommended as unquestionably orthodox.
Now, at last, to my great delight, we have at our disposal a
single book in English, offering us a balanced and comprehensive
overview of Isaac's life, background and teaching. Wisely, Fr.
Hilarion Alfeyev has allowed Isaac to speak for himself. The book
is full of well-chosen quotations, in which Isaac's true voice
can be heard.
Now, at last, to my great delight, we have at our disposal a
single book in English, offering us a balanced and comprehensive
overview of Isaac's life, background and teaching. Wisely, Fr.
Hilarion Alfeyev has allowed Isaac to speak for himself. The book
is full of well-chosen quotations, in which Isaac's true voice
can be heard.
Saint Isaac of Syria was an ascetic, a mountain solitary, but his
writings are universal in scope. They are addressed not just to
the desert but to the city, not just to monastics but to all the
baptized. With sharp vividness he speaks about themes relevant to
every Christian: about repentance and humility, about prayer in
its many forms, both outer and inner, about solitude and
community, about silence, wonder, and ecstasy. Along with the
emphasis that he places upon "luminous love"—to use his own
phrase—two things above all mark his spiritual theology: his
sense of God as living mystery; and his warm devotion to the
Saviour Christ.
Saint Isaac of Syria was an ascetic, a mountain solitary, but his
writings are universal in scope. They are addressed not just to
the desert but to the city, not just to monastics but to all the
baptized. With sharp vividness he speaks about themes relevant to
every Christian: about repentance and humility, about prayer in
its many forms, both outer and inner, about solitude and
community, about silence, wonder, and ecstasy. Along with the
emphasis that he places upon "luminous love"—to use his own
phrase—two things above all mark his spiritual theology: his
sense of God as living mystery; and his warm devotion to the
Saviour Christ.