My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
SAINT SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Symeon the New Theologian
SINCE thou hadst received within thy pure soul God’s
enlightenment, O righteous Father, thou was shown to the
world as a blazing light which drive away its thick darkness
and moved all men to seek the grace of the Spirit which they
had lost. O all-holy Father Symeon, intercede with Him to
grant great mercy unto us who honor thee.
Kontakion Hymn of Saint Symeon the New Theologian
SHINING with the Three-Sun Light, thou wast a true theologian of
the Holy Trinity, the Lord divinely-transcendent; from on high,
thou was made rich with wisdom of discourse and didst pour foth
the divine streams of godly wisdom; whereof having drunk, we cry
out: Rejoice, thrice-blessed Symeon, taught from above.
SAINT SYMEON became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder (Geronda) Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became Egoumenos (Abbot). After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the Orthodox Church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the Church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12th, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept on October 12th. [The Great Horologion]
One of the principal teachings was that humans could and should experience THEORIA (literally "contemplation" or direct experience of God). Saint Symeon was born into Byzantine nobility and given a traditional education. At the age fourteen he met Symeon the Studite, a renowned monk of the Monastery of Stoudios in Constantinople, who convinced him to give his own life ot prayer and asceticism under the elder Symeon’s guidance. By the time he was thirty, Symeon the New Theologian became the Egoumenos (Abbot) of the Monstery of Saint Mamas, a position he held for twenty-five years. He attracted many monks and clergy with his reputation for SANCTITY, though his teaching brought him into conflict with Church authorities, who would eventually send him into exile. His most well known disciple was Nicetas Stethatos who wrote the life of Saint Symeon.
Saint Symeon the New Theologian is recognized as the first Byzantine MYSTIC to freely share his own mystical experience. Some of his writings are included in the Philokalia, a collection of texts by early Christian mystics ON CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER AND HESYCHAST TEACHINGS. Saint Symeon wrote and spoke frequently about the importance of experiencing directly the grace of God, often talking about his own experiences of God as Divine Light. Another common subject in his writings was the need of putting ONESELF UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A SPIRITUAL FATHER. The authority for many of his teachings derived from the traditions of the Desert Fathers, early Christian monks and ascetics, Symeon’s writings include Hymns of Divine Agape (Love), Ethical Discourses, and The Catechetical Discourses. [Antiochian Patriarchate]
Saint Symeon the New Theologian’s writings focus on the TRANSFORMATION of the human person through direct, conscious experience of the Uncreated Light and GRACE of the Holy Spirit in this life
Ethical Discourses: Preached to his monks during Orthros (Matins) at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, these talks cover REPENTANCE, DETACHMENT, SORROW FOR SIN, ASCETICAL STRUGGLE, AND DIRECT MYSTICAL UNION WITH THE HOLY TRINITY.
Hymns of Divine Agape (Love): A collection of deeply personal, poetic prayers and rapturous accounts of his own encounters with the Divine Light, reflecting his view that THEOLOGY IS NOT JUST ACADEMIC PHILOSOPHY BUT LIVED VISION.
The Epistles (Letters): Four letters containing practical moral guidance, pastoral care, and defenses of his spiritual authority, edited and translated in scholarly editions like Oxford University Press.
Cord Theological Themes
Direct Experience of God: Saint Symeon fiercely championed the belief that Christians ARE CALLED TO CONSCIOUSLY FEEL AND EXPERIENCE THE GRACE AND LIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THIS LIFE, REJECTING PURELY INTELLECTUAL OR "SCHOLASTIC" APPROACH TO GOD.
Repentance and Tears: Sincere contrition, daily spiritual struggle, and humility are viewed as the necessary path to cleansing the heart so it can receive Divine Light.
The Golden Chain of Saints: He taught that genuine spiritual authority is passed down through a living, experiential chain of spirit- bearing elders rather than purely through administrative office.
____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in Christ’s Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
