The Philokalia: Volume 5, Of the Holy Neptic Fathers

The Philokalia: Volume 5, Of the Holy Neptic Fathers

The Philokalia, which means “the love of the good and beautiful” was compiled by St Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain and St Makarios of Corinth and first published in Greek in 1782 as an anthology of classic spiritual texts ranging from the 4th to the 15th century. Its rich assortment of edifying literature provides boundless wisdom and guidance regarding prayer, the soul’s ascent to God through grace by its natural “love for beauty” and its struggle to overcome its own passions and fragmentation.

The fifth and final volume explores the central themes of the 14th century Orthodox theology of Hesychasm, relating to the life of stillness, the practice of the Jesus Prayer and the contemplation and experience of God. It includes an Exact Rule and Method for Hesychasts, Angelikoudes’ Chapters, full of mystical devotions and meditations on God and man as well as the profoundly philosophical work On Union with God and the Contemplative Life. Lastly, it concludes with exhortations for all Christians to pray unceasingly, in accordance with St Paul’s injunction to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and the Lord’s declaration, “Be still and know that I am God”(Psalm 45:11). — Backcover