Saint Gregory Palamas- The Hesychast Controversy

“St. Gregory Palamas- The Hesychast Controversy and the Debate with Islam Documents relating to Gregory Palamas” by Norman Russell introduces for the first time in English documents relating to Hesychast controversy and details about his life and some of his apologetic talks.

The main text is 447 pages with a glossary in the back and a list of Patristic citations; it also includes well documented sources with a ton of important footnotes for further research throughout the book. This book contains a wealth of information important for Orthodox Christianity, especially dogmatic statements which are always very important, and during my read through I was able to glean over 35 pages worth of notes to add to my commonplace book.

In the beginning of the book, Russell has a great, 35 page, general introduction to the life and writings of St. Gregory. In this volume, the full life of St. Gregory Palamas, by Philotheos Kokkinos is translated for the first time into English. This biography was written within 10 years of the death of St. Gregory by Philotheos, who was the Patriarch of Constantinople. This life is quite lengthy at over 150 pages and includes the time from his youth until the time of his death with approximate years at which the events take place. It also includes details about his family life and also the time he was taken captive by the Turks and held for ransom.

This book also contains the Synodal Tomes (which codifies a decision by a Holy Synod, or council of Orthodox bishops) of 1341, 1347, 1351, and 1368. The tomes for 1347 include the Synodal Tomes, one from the Orthodox synod of that year and another one from the Anti-Palamite synod of the same year. The Synods of 1341, 1347, and 1351 comprise the 9th Ecumenical Council for the Orthodox. During the 1351 council they, scrutinized the works of St. Gregory that had been written and they were approved; this would have included the writing of the Triads. Also the anathemas against Barlaam and Akindynos were entered into the Synodikon of Orthodoxy for the Greek and Slavonic traditions. It also includes over 50 pages or personal letters, which contains theological discussions, and it includes over 25 pages of his apologetic debates with Muslims and a defense of Orthodoxy. In particular, St. Gregory’s letter to Empress Anna Palaiologina, happens to be a very good summary of the hesychast controversy.

During the hesychast controversy, St. Gregory and those in favor of the Orthodox position, refuted a number of individuals with multiple influences. Some were Byzantine Neoplatonists other were influenced by Western Scholasticism, and others were against St. Gregory and the hesychasts for political reasons. Russell mentions in his introduction that Barlaam is now believed to be influenced by Byzantine Neoplatonism rather than Western Scholasticism. During the course of the 9th Ecumenical Council a number of individuals were anathematized for heretical teachings, which this book covers in detail, and these anathemas were also entered into the Synodikon of Orthodoxy. The main Anti-Palamites include: Barlaam, Akindynos, Patriarch John Kalekas, Nikephoros Gregoras, and Prochoros.

There is a hardcover version available and is quite expensive ($135-$175), but a paperback version is available ($59.99). I would recommend this book to those interested in St. Gregory and the hesychast controversy, Orthodox apologists, and those interested in our dogmatic beliefs regarding hesychasm, essence-energy distinction, and our views on grace.

00:00 Intro
00:04 An Overview of the Book
07:54 Price
08:10 Target Audience
09:22 Anti- Palamites
09:36 About Barlaam
11:08 The Bogomils and Proto-Protestants
13:48 Barlaam Continued
14:57 Akindynos
17:04 Nikephoros Gregoras
19:43 Prochoros and Western Scholasticism
22:46 Conclusion