Specificity of Palamite theology, its origins and later reception

Abstract

A conversation with Dmitry Biryukov, Doctor of Philosophy, a researcher of the work of the late Byzantine theologian Gregory Palamas (1296–1359), is devoted to a discussion of the peculiarities of the doctrine of this authoritative church teacher, as well as the reception of his legacy in the 19th–20th centuries after centuries of oblivion. In the course of the conversation, the basic metaphysical scheme of Palamite theology is indicated — the distinction between essence and energies in God; on the one hand, the continuity of this scheme in relation to the theology of the Cappadocian Fathers is traced, and, on the other hand, its novelty is revealed; the origins and parallels of this distinction are discussed, in particular its connection with Christology, as well as the influence of Evagrianism on Palamas; the types of divine energies in the Palamite doctrine are indicated and the question of the difference in theological languages in which the idea of deification (theosis) as a union of man with God is expressed. Particular attention is paid to the concept of “energy” and its various connotations, including those associated with its modern natural science understanding. The philosophical dimension of the theology of Palamas, including in connection with the intellectual culture of his time, is discussed, as well as the relationship of hesychasm as a monastic practice and Palamism as a theological and philosophical doctrine. The concluding part of the conversation, dedicated to the reception of Palamism after centuries of oblivion, traces the history of the study, interpretation and actualization of the teachings of Gregory Palamas over the past two centuries — from Slavophiles to Soviet and contemporary researchers. Particular attention is paid to the so-called neo-Palamism in its various versions — both religious-philosophical and theological.