Hesychasm A Mystical Treasure of the Orthodox Church

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Langston, Douglas

Keywords

Orthodox Church, Mysticism, Russia

Area of Concentration

Religion

Abstract

This essay will look at a branch of mystics from the Eastern Orthodox Church called hesychasts, and the mystical tradition of hesychasm in general. The study is composed of four sections, each analyzing a different aspect of hesychasm. First, we will see hesychasm in its historical context. The hesychasts involved in historical events were nearly all monks, thus the monastic tradition of Orthodoxy deserves our attention. The second aspect of this study shows what constitutes hesychast practice and function. Next, the doctrines of Orthodoxy which support hesychasm will be analyzed. Finally, I will show how hesychasm compares to other mystical traditions in the world, by highlighting the similarities and differences between hesychasts and other mystical groups.

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