The spiritual sermons 1 The 50 spiritual sermons

Ομιλιαι Πνευματικαι The spiritual sermons 1

• The 50 spiritual sermons that belongs to St Macarius (300 -390 a. d) are considered one of the great resources in the history of ‘Christian mysticism’ • It had a huge effect all along the Christian history, whether in the east or the west. 2

St Macarius • • Our resources on St Makari depends on Apophthegmata Partum The lausiac history (palladious) Historia Monachom ( history of monasticism by Rufenous) • He was from Egypt and he established the monastic life at Scetis desert (wadi el Natroun) 3

• This became one of the important centers of monastic life around the fourth century. • He was ordained priest and had the gift of healing and prophecy. • He lived with 2 of his disciples but used to meet the guests, and those who seek to live with him. • Balladious mentioned that he lived a s hermit , dead to the world and totally involved in the life of meditation, and talking with God. 4

• In the paradise of the fathers the Arabic version it mentions that he always taught to "maintain the mention of the holy name, the name of Jesus Christ, for this is the jewel that the wise merchant sold all his hearts wishes and bought it, and took it inside his house to find that it is sweeter than honey in his mouth. So blessed is he who keeps this jewel in his heart, for it will give him a great reward in the glory of Jesus Christ” 5

• This particular teaching was one of the central teaching in St Makari’s sermons which is the “Jesus prayer” or the non stop praying • St Macarius was a strong supporter to st Athanasius, and that led him to be exiled in one of the islands of the Nile. • St Macarius had also been influenced by St Antony 6

• He has been mentioned in other sources; such as Socrates the historian (4 -5 th century) also Suzomine the historian (5 th cent. ) • he was also mentioned in many Arabic, Coptic and Armenian writings. • The effects of his teaching has been extended and found in the life and writing of many other fathers. 7

• For example: • St Mark the ascetic (end of 4 th cent. ) who was a disciple of st john Chrysostom. He used many of his expressions in his writing) • Simon the new theologian (949 -1022) • Gregory of Palmas (1296 -1359) who used to mention St Macarius by name as well as his sermons. 8

• Many of the spiritual movements in the Slavonic countries about the dwelling of the Holy Spirit and Christ in the heart, was affected by his spiritual sermons and were translated to their languages. • John Cassian (360 -435) has taken and translated many of st Macarius teachings. In his books the “Institutes” and “Conferences” he borrows a lot of St Macarius teachings. 9

• As printing appeared around the 15 th century, St Macarius sermons started to be widespread in 1559 was translated and printed in Latin by Picous and that lead to a great spread of it in Europe 10

• The sermons them selves are not of an argumentative style but rather of building and teaching those who hear him from a personal experience of a true saint. • The language reveals to the reader of the spiritual depth of the writer, and his knowledge of the holy scripture, with an opening invitation to clime up into Devine place “if a man did not come, did not ask, did not receive, then reading of the scripture would be of no benefit to him” 11

• The old testament to st Macarius; is the story of the human soul written in a mystical way. • The vision of Ezekiel; “The prophet sees the mystery of the soul, that receives the Lord and became a throne to His Glory”. • Man “is higher than all creatures” 12

• The image of God in man means the very close relation between us and God dwells only in man • The first character of being on God’s image is the free well of man. • Grace does not limit man’s free will 13

• The spiritual way starts with repentance. • Labor and night vigil are essential for the soul • It is very dangerous to feel that you succeeded into entering the peace of the port lest the waves become high and u drown. • As Jesus went down to Hades to save man. He is willing to go to the darkest and deepest places of the heart to clean it 14

• For this reason God came down from heaven and took the shape and body of man so He may change renew and transfer our nature. • He came to give man the Spirit and the life. • Every one receive Him will have a new soul, new eyes, new ears, new spiritual tongue, in one word new nation. 15