THEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AND SPIRITUAL LEGACY OF ST. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN
/TEOLOGICKÉ DEDIČSTVO A DUCHOVNÝ ODKAZ SVÄTÉHO SYMEÓNA NOVÉHO TEOLÓGA/

Miroslav ŽUPINA

associate professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 080 01 Presov, Slovakia, miroslav.zupina@unipo.sk, 00421517724729

Artur ALEKSIEJUK

assistant professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw, Broniewskiego 48, 01-771 Warsaw, Poland, a.aleksiejuk@chat.edu.pl, 0048603037770

Abstract

This study analyzes the theological heritage of St. Symeon the New Theologian and also presents the spiritual legacy of this important ecclesiastical mystic. The writings of contemporary historical and theological science are preserved thanks to the efforts of his disciple Niketas Stethatos. However, the study does not only focus on enumerating and characterising the Symeon's works but examines in detail the well-known editions and translations into traditional languages, such as Latin and Greek, while also looking at the Russian ecclesiastical environment. The next part of the article aims to map the scientific and professional literature that deals with Symeon's works and his theological teaching, where we name and characterize fundamental scientific monographs and articles in scientific journals and collections, including those published in our church environment. The last question examined is the spiritual legacy of St. Symeon the New Theologian. We provide evidence that since the 13th century, the name of Symeon has been associated primarily with his mystical theology, which stood at the rebirth of the hesychast movement. Overall, Symeon's testimony and mystical experience of God's light appealed to many who became the successors of this empirical theology within the Orthodox spiritual tradition.

Keywords

Saint Symeon the New Theologian, theological heritage, edition, translation, spiritual legacy, mystical theology, spiritual tradition

SUMMARY

The study reaches several outcomes, which we will attempt to summarize. Firstly, the theological message of St. Symeon the New Theologian is immensely rich in both quantity and quality. His works stand out in their deep spiritual, ascetic and mystical thoughts. An exceptional feature of his work, in comparison to the previous Church Fathers, is his own autobiographical approach to mystical themes and a unique openness with which he speaks about his spiritual experiences of perceiving of God's light. Secondly, in contemporary theology, there are several important works, scientific and professional studies on the life and work of St. Symeon the New Theologian, which bring closer his life, teachings, experience and spiritual influence and contributions of this great Church mystic. And thirdly, the theological heritage of St. Symeon the New Theologian was not only read, translated, and disseminated, but there was another aspect to his works - his living testimony and mystical experience of God's light appealed to many, who became followers of this empirical theology within the Orthodox spiritual tradition. This unique experience, which God bestowed upon St. Symeon, was later experienced by other important saints. Today we can say quite clearly that Symeon's works and his teachings, especially his mystical theology, are among the gems not only of the Byzantine era, but of the whole Christian and spiritual tradition.

(Language: slovak)

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