The Triads (Classics of Western Spirituality Series)

Gregory Palamas, a monk who later became an archbishop and theologian, lived during the fourteenth century, when Orthodox Byzantium was facing its own theological disputes. His most important work is a defense of the hesychasts, a community of monks who practiced inner stillness and prayer. These monks were the originators of the Jesus Prayer, a short repeated invocation of Christ's name that became central to their devotion. In the book, Palamas argues for the legitimacy of their way of life and their teaching against critics. The result is a key text for understanding Eastern Orthodox spirituality.