The Macarian writings are among the most important and influential works of the early Christian ascetic and mystical tradition. This book offers an introduction to the work of Macarius-Symeon (commonly referred to as Pseudo-Macarius), outlining the lineaments of his teaching and the historical context of his works. The book goes on to examine and re-evaluate the complex question of his relationship with the Messalian tendency and to explore the nature of his theological and spiritual legacy in the later Christian tradition.

Marcus Plested is Principal, Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (Cambridge Theological Federation) and Research Associate in the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge.

Abbreviations

xii

Introduction

1

(6)

Part I: The Background

7

(66)

1 The Macarian Writings and their Historical Context

9

(21)

1.1 The Manuscript Tradition

9

(3)

1.2 The Authorship, Date, and Immediate Milieu of the Macarian Writings

12

(4)

1.3 The Messalian Connection

16

(11)

1.4 Additional Note: The Vita H5patii

27

(3)

2 The Lineaments of the Macarian Vision

30

(16)

2.1 Sources

30

(1)

2.2 The Mutual Indwelling of Man and God

31

(1)

2.3 Cosmology and Anthropology

32

(3)

2.4 The Fall

35

(1)

2.5 The Coexistence of Sin and Grace: Unseen Warfare

36

(2)

2.6 Prayer and the Sacraments: The Visible and Invisible Church

38

(4)

2.7 The Trinitarian Dynamic of Salvation

42

(4)

3 Macarius and the Cappadocians

46

(13)

4 Macarius and Evagrius

59

(14)

Part II: The Legacy

73

(182)

5 Mark the Monk

75

(58)

5.1 Introduction

75

(2)

5.2 The Fall and its Consequences

77

(4)

5.3 Baptism

81

(9)

5.4 The Post-Baptismal Struggle

90

(22)

5.5 The Revelation of Baptismal Grace

112

(3)

5.6 Exegesis

115

(4)

5.7 Aspects of the Ascetic Life

119

(5)

5.8 Op. v: To Nicholas

124

(3)

5.9 Christology

127

(4)

5.10 Conclusion

131

(2)

6 Diadochus of Photice

133

(43)

6.1 Introduction

133

(1)

6.2 The Language of Sense (Αισthetaησιs))

134

(6)

6.3 The Language of Experience (Πepsilonιρα)

140

(4)

6.4 Discernment, Dreams, and Visions

144

(6)

6.5 Grace

150

(7)

6.6 The Ascetic Struggle

157

(11)

6.7 Prayer and the Language of Mystical Experience

168

(5)

6.8 Conclusion

173

(3)

7 The Asceticon of Abba Isaiah

176

(37)

7.1 Introduction

176

(4)

7.2 Macarian Literature Contained within the Isaian Manuscript Tradition

180

(3)

7.3 Logos G25: Τomicronupsilon αupsilonτomicronupsilon πρomicrons τomicron&upsilon αββαupsilon Πepsilonτρomicronupsilon τomicronupsilon epsilonαupsilon&tauomicronupsilon μαthetaητηupsilon

183

(7)

7.4 The Passions and Apatheia

190

(4)

7.5 The Imitation of Christ

194

(1)

7.6 Prayer

195

(2)

7.7 Baptism and the Eucharist

197

(1)

7.8 The Heart

198

(1)

7.9 Monastic Life

199

(3)

7.10 The Inner Liturgy

202

(1)

7.11 Exegesis

203

(1)

7.12 Other Aspects

204

(5)

7.13 Conclusion

209

(4)

8 Maximus the Confessor

213

(42)

8.1 Introduction

213

(3)

8.2 The Transfiguration

216

(7)

8.3 The Incarnations of the Logos

223

(4)

8.4 The Depiction of the Imago Dei

227

(3)

8.5 Baptism

230

(2)

8.6 Free Will

232

(2)

8.7 The Language of Sense and Experience (Πepsilonιρα and αισthetaησιs)

234

(4)

8.8 Πληρomicronφomicronρια

238

(1)

8.9 The Heart

239

(3)

8.10 Love and Ecstasy (Αγαπη epsilonρωs, and epsilonkappaστασιs)

242

(6)

8.11 The Passions and Apatheia

248

(3)

8.12 The Soul as Church

251

(2)

8.13 Conclusion

253

(2)

Conclusion

255

(4)

Bibliography

259

(21)

Index

280

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The Macarian Legacy The Place of Macarius-Symeon in the Eastern Christian Tradition

9780199267798

0199267790

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