Abstract: The paper investigates the foundations of the ethical values that shaped the deeply personal theology of St. Maximus the Greek. By providing the original evidence from his writings (as well as from manuscripts) and the precise biographical context, the author reveals significant disagreement between Maxim’s Russian co-speakers and his previous philological, ascetic and monastic experience, concerning the Byzantine system of education, especially the Byzantine consideration of divine wisdom and human knowledge. In particular, this paper analyses Maxim’s understanding of (Greek) grammar. It also discusses the question of ‘the Jesus prayer’ and its possible literal traces in the writings of Maxim the Greek. In conclusion, it seems that Maxim the Greek created a completely unique ethical system of intellectual knowledge that should be connected to the Athonite prayer and liturgical practice.

Authors: Zajc, Neža

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2020.13.2.99-110

Publication order reference: Neža Zajc, Ph.D.; Research Centre of Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, History and Slavic Studies, Institute of Cultural History, Novi trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Konštatínove listy, 2020, vol.: 13, issue: 2, pages: 99-110 (PDF file)

Keywords: ST. MAXIMUS THE GREEK (ПРЕП. МАКСИМ ГРЕК), BYZANTINE ETHICAL SYSTEM, ITALIAN HUMANISM, GRAMMAR, LITURGY, JESUS PRAYER, LITURGICAL CANTICLES, MONASTIC VALUES, ASCETICISM, THE HOLY MOUNT ATHOS, THE HOLY MONASTERY OF VATOPEDI

Language: ENGLISH