The Philokalia A Classic Text of Orthodox Spirituality

ThePhilokalia(literally "love of the beautiful") is, after the Bible, the most influential source of spiritual tradition within the Orthodox Church. First published in Greek in 1782 by St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain and St. Macarios of Corinth, thePhilokaliaincludes works by thirty-six influential Orthodox authors such as Maximus the Confessor, Peter of Damascus, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Surprisingly, this important collection of theological and spiritual writings has received little scholarly attention. With the growing interest in Orthodox theology, the need for a substantive resource for Philokalic studies has become increasingly evident. The purpose of the present volume is to remedy that lack by providing an ecumenical collection of scholarly essays on thePhilokaliathat will introduce readers to its background, motifs, authors, and relevance for contemporary life and thought.

Brock Bingaman is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Religious Studies Program Director at Wesleyan College. Bradley Nassif is Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University.