Today the calendar includes those with the name Grigoris, Grigorios, Golis, Gregory, Philip, Philippa, Philip, Philip.
Saint Gregory the Palamas – Archbishop of Thessaloniki, the Miracle Worker
Saint Gregory Palamas was a devoted theologian and an excellent orator and philosopher. We do not know the time and place of his birth. (However, S. Efstratiadis, in his canon, mentions that St. Gregory was born in 1296 AD in Constantinople, to Constantine the Great and the most pious Kalloni). We do know, however, that during the first half of the 14th century AD. he was at the imperial court of Constantinople, whence he retired to Mount Athos for a quieter life, and devoted himself to moral perfection and various studies.
According to the naomh.grin 1335 AD with the two evidential discourses “On the release of the Holy Spirit”, he came into conflict with Barlaam the Calabrian, who taught that man cannot know God, and more than that he cannot agree with him. According to Barlaam, God is “closed to himself” and cannot agree with people. Therefore, the “hesychasts”, the monks that is, those who said that a person can, if he has a pure heart and focuses on “heart prayer” (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” ), unite with God and be enlightened and see the Uncreated light, regardless of their formation, they were not Orthodox but “messalianists” and “navel-minded”.
After these placements of Barlaam, Palamas settled in Thessaloniki from where he began the fight “for the Saints who are silent”, ie of those who practiced hesychasm, even writing his discourses of the same name. The main issue of this struggle was the intoxicating or non-intoxicating nature of the divine essence. Gregory, armed with a strong appreciation and criticism of the contents of the holy Scriptures, distinguished between a drunken divine essence and a drunken divine energy. And he supported this according to the spirit of the Fathers, and the Church confirmed its interpretation through four Synods. In the last one, which took place in Constantinople in 1351 AD, Palamas himself was present. But Gregory wrote many and various theological works, about 60 years.
Later, Patriarch Isidoros first elected him bishop of Thessaloniki. However, due to the issues at the time, he left temporarily for Lemnos. But then he took his duties. He died in 1360 AD. and he was immediately honored as a Saint. Patriarch Philotheos, who wrote in 1376 AD. laudatory speech for Grigorio Palamas, together with a sequence and set his ecclesiastical memory on the Second Sunday of M. forty.
His honest body, after the exhumation, was incorruptible, that is, it did not rot, but smelled fragrant and miraculous. However, for the Laighs, the Pope, the commemoration of the Saint, and indeed a full body, was a threat to their side. That is why they criticized him many times, saying that he remained “unsullied” for his sins, the world did not take him for hatred to dissolve him “into what he was composed”! In the 19th century AD the Saint’s temple was destroyed by fire and his honest tabernacle burned with only the bones intact!
The Catholics were so sorry that the Doge allowed the publication when our church services were printed in Venice – during the time of the Turkish rule – if there was no relevant reference to the Saint. So during the last few years that the Venetian publications circulated, his celebration was almost forgotten. Around the middle and end of the 20th century, the memory of his glorious struggles returned and he found his proper place in the field of Orthodox churches.
Saint Philip the Apostle
Saint Philip was one of the Lord’s twelve disciples. He came from Bethsaida in Galilee, from where Andrew and Peter came. The Lord himself called him his disciple, and then Philip brought Nathanael to the Lord. Here are some passages from the New Testament, where the reader can learn more about Philip, about his life next to Christ: Matt. i’ -3, Mark. 3 -18, Luke. v’-14, John. a’ 44-49, John. l’ 20-23, Prax. a’ 13. It is worth mentioning, however, a conversation (Gospel of John, nd) that Philip had with the Lord, as he gives the Lord an opportunity to reveal himself that he is one with God the Father.
So Philip said: “Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us” (Lord, reveal to us, show us the Father, and that is enough for us).
And the Lord answered him among others: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? the words that I say to you, I do not speak from you; but the Father who is in me does the works” (Don’t you believe, Philip, that I have an inseparable connection with the Father, so that I am and feel there. the Father and the Father to be and dwell in me? but my Father who dwells in me, does the supernatural works).
Tradition says that Philip preached the Gospel to the Parthians and died a martyr’s death in Hierapolis, Syria.
The September of the Apostles had for many years been decorated on the holy temple built in Hierapolis in honor of the saint. And his sacred chariot was honored by various empires, such as Theodosius, Heraclius and others with their royal seals. After the Laighs captured the city in 1204 AD. the relic of September was transferred to Cyprus and for many years it was kept in the village of Arsos (Arsinoi of Paphos) in the holy temple built there in honor of the Apostle. Later some of the blessed relics were distributed to different places. The case with the sacred carapace before 1788 AD. for greater security it was transferred to the Holy Monastery of Stavros in Omodos and is kept there to this day.
What are the key differences between the teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas and Barlaam of Calabria?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Elena Manolessou, Expert on Early Christian Theology
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Manolessou. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Your expertise in early Christian theology provides invaluable insights, especially regarding significant figures like Saint Gregory Palamas and Saint Philip the Apostle, whose names are celebrated today. Could you start by telling us about the historical context of Saint Gregory Palamas?
Dr. Elena Manolessou: Thank you for having me! Saint Gregory Palamas was born around 1296 AD in Constantinople, during a tumultuous period in Byzantine history. The early 14th century was marked by spiritual conflicts within the Orthodox Church, largely against the backdrop of the rise of Barlaam of Calabria, who opposed the hesychastic traditions that emphasized personal communion with God through prayer and silence.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating. The conflict between Palamas and Barlaam seems to be a pivotal moment in Orthodox theology. Can you elaborate on what hesychasm is and why it was significant to Palamas’s teachings?
Dr. Elena Manolessou: Hesychasm is a mystical tradition that advocates for inner stillness and contemplation, allowing practitioners to experience divine enlightenment. Palamas argued that through a pure heart and the practice of the “Jesus Prayer” — “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” — believers could unite with God and witness His Uncreated Light. This contrasted sharply with Barlaam’s view, which insisted that God was unknowable and detached from humanity. Palamas’s defense of hesychasm not only secured its place within the Orthodox tradition but also reaffirmed personal spirituality as a pathway to divine connection.
Time.news Editor: It’s incredible how deeply these theological debates shaped church doctrine. After the struggle with Barlaam, Palamas became the Archbishop of Thessaloniki. What’s notable about his role in this capacity?
Dr. Elena Manolessou: As Archbishop, Palamas continued to champion the hesychastic teachings and was instrumental in articulating the Orthodox stance on the essence and energies of God. He maintained that God’s divine essence is inaccessible, but His divine energies are approachable. This distinction was vital in reinforcing the Orthodox belief in the possibility of experiencing God’s presence in the world. Even after his death in 1360, Palamas was revered as a saint, focusing on the broader implications of mystical experience within the church.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of reverence, Saint Gregory Palamas’s incorruptible body and the subsequent miracles attributed to him are compelling. What does this signify within the context of Orthodox belief?
Dr. Elena Manolessou: The concept of incorruptibility is hugely significant in Orthodox Christianity. It serves as a testament to the saint’s holiness and the transformative power of divine grace. For believers, an incorrupt body signifies that the saint remains connected to the divine and can intercede on behalf of the faithful, reinforcing the idea of communion with the heavenly church. Despite attempts to diminish Palamas’s significance, such as criticisms from the Catholic Church, his glorification was essential in asserting the legitimacy of Orthodox beliefs during a time of ideological conflict.
Time.news Editor: Transitioning to Saint Philip the Apostle—he served as one of the first disciples of Jesus Christ. What can you tell us about his contributions to the early church?
Dr. Elena Manolessou: Saint Philip was indeed one of the twelve apostles, and he played a crucial role in the early spread of Christianity. As we see in the Gospel of John, he brought Nathanael to Jesus, showcasing his ability to evangelize and foster discipleship. His journeys in the early church exemplified the relational aspect of faith, emphasizing the importance of community in spreading Christ’s teachings. Philip also engaged with both Jews and Gentiles, which highlighted the church’s mission to reach all corners of society, a theme that resonates throughout the New Testament.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Manolessou. As we commemorate figures like Saint Gregory and Saint Philip today, what lessons can modern believers draw from their lives and teachings?
Dr. Elena Manolessou: One key takeaway is the importance of seeking a personal relationship with the divine amidst a complexity of theological questions. Both saints exemplified a deep devotion and understanding of spirituality that transcended mere dogma. For today’s believers, engaging in authentic dialogue about faith, encouraging inner contemplation, and respecting diverse expressions of spirituality can promote a richer understanding of one’s faith in a modern context.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for this enlightening discussion, Dr. Manolessou. Your insights into the lives of these saints remind us of the enduring impact of early Christian thought and practice.
Dr. Elena Manolessou: It was my pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to share.