The Sight of God in the Theology of Saint Symeon the New Theologian [10]
Here, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
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Saint Symeon, regarding the holiness as awareness personal reality, uses dia,stasij and cwrismo.j, for to show the distance and the interior separation between the Saints and the sinful world[1].
But this separation at Saint Symeon is not dictated by subjectivism or religious intolerance, but is a consequence of the presence of grace in our being, that puts out passions from us and the transients and moves us to eternal life.
It must be remarked the fact, that Symeon speaks of receiving the Holy Ghost as an acknowledged[2] earnest (avrrabw.n)[3]. Those who preserve the earnest are the inheritors of the Kingdom.
For the uncreated divine grace[4], Symeon uses a wide range of titles, among which: avrrabw.n (earnest), pu/r (fire)[5], fw/j (light)[6], sfragi,j (seal/ signet)[7], to. ka,lloj[8]/ w`raio,thj[9](beauty), lamphdo,na[10] / lampro,thj[11] (brightness), u[dwr (water)[12], h`donh/j kai. glukasmou/ tou/ qei,ou (pleasure and divine sweetness)[13], margari,th| poluti,mw| (most precious pearl)[14]; suna,pewj tw|/ ko,kkw| (grain of mustard)[15], zumi,thj (yeast)[16], i`ma,tioj[17] / e;nduma[18] / peribo,lioj[19] (garment/ vestment), trofh, (food)[20], po,si/j (drink)[21], du,namij[22]/ kra,toj[23] (power/ strength), avsth.r aveilamph.j (ever bright star)[24], ovsmh.n avqanasi,aj (scent of immortality)[25], flo.x (flame)[26], megalwsu,nh (greatness)[27], trufh, (delight)[28], cara, (happiness)[29], qhsauro.j (treasure)[30], phgh, (spring)[31], spinqh,r (spark)[32], evne,rgeia (work)[33], e;paqlon (premium)[34], e;leoj (oil)[35], ste,foj (crown)[36], stagw,n (drop)[37], lampa,j (torch/ rushlight/ lamp)[38], eivrh,nh (peace)[39], zwh, (life)[40], skhnh, (tent)[41], qei/oj oi=koj (divine house)[42], avna,stasij (resurrection)[43], avna,pausij (rest)[44], loutro,n (bathing)[45], potamo,j (river)[46], r`ei/qron (flow)[47], a;rtoj (bread)[48], oi=noj (wine)[49], pandaisi,a (banquet/ feast)[50], plou/toj (richness)[51], poth,rion (chalice)[52] etc.
An ecstatic symeonian title is and to, o[ra/ma (sight/ vision)[53]. He called the spiritual changes from his life and his visions as qauma,sta (wonders)[54].
In Hymns, IV, 45, Symeon explicitly says that seeing means „qau/ma qauma,twn” (wonder of wonders)[55].
There are places where he uses fano,j together with fw/j without meaning something redundant, but rather an expression even more painful of the longing for God[56].
[1] Idem, Chapters, III, 42, p. 92 / Idem, p. 407. To see and SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 397-398, p. 40 (the light separated him from those seen). To see the problem of cwrismo.j and in SC 196, Hymns, 52, 148, p. 210.
[2] Ibidem / Ibidem.
[3] Idem, Chapters, III, 47, p. 94 / Idem, p. 408. To see and Idem, III, 48, 49, 50, p. 94; III, 53, 54, 55, p. 96; SC 156, Hymns, I, 73, p. 162; SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 817, p. 68; XVII, 854, p. 70; XXVIII, 219, p. 312.
[4] About the divine grace as uncreated (a;ktistoj) to see SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 245, p. 30; XVII, 359, p. 38.
[5] SC 51, Chapters, III, 59**, p. 97-98; SC 156, Hymns, I, 34, p. 158 (spiritual fire); VI, 1, p. 204; XI, 78, p. 238; XIII, 13, p. 256; SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 325, p. 36; XVII, 832, p. 70 (sweet fire: pu/r gluka,zon); XXII, 36, p. 172; XXII, 157, p. 182; XXII, 171, p. 184; XXII, 175, p. 184; XXIV, 20, p. 228; XXIV, 25, p. 228; XXV, 33, p. 256; XXVIII, 157, p. 306; XXX, 1, p. 340 (the divine fire); XXX, 11, p. 340 (Ibidem); XXX, 52, p. 344 (Ibidem); XXX, 81, p. 346 (Ibidem); XXX, 145, p. 350; XXX, 427, p. 368; XXXIII, 127, p. 422; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 35, p. 104.
[6] SC 156, Hymns, I, 72, p. 162; I, 160, p. 170; I, 226, p. 174; II, 6, p. 174; II, 104, p. 184; III, 4, p. 188; IV, 22, p. 202; VII, 5, p. 208; VII, 16, p. 210; VIII, 84, p. 220; IX, 5, p. 224; IX, 32, p. 226; XI, 58, p. 236; XII, 8, p. 242; XII, 47, p. 246; XIII, 1, p. 256; XIII, 60, p. 260; XIV, 61, p. 270; XV, 105, p. 284; SC 174, Hymns, XVI, 31, p. 12; XVII, 35, p. 16; XVII, 67, p. 18; XVII, 237, p. 30; XVIII, 8, p. 74; XVIII, 13***, p. 74; XVIII, 109, p. 84; XVIII, 120**, p. 84; XIX, 14, p. 94; XX, 27, p. 112; XX, 205, p. 126; XXI, 1, p. 130; XXI, 2, p. 130; XXI, 7, p. 132; XXI, 9, p. 132; XXI, 104, p. 138; XXI, 162, p. 142; XXI, 297, p. 152; XXII, 11, p. 170; XXII, 19, p. 172; XXII, 159, p. 182; XXII, 174, p. 184; XXII, 177, p. 184; XXII, 202, p. 186; XXIII, 94, p. 194; XXIII, 112, p. 196; XXIII, 113, 116, 117, 118, 133, p. 196; XXIII, 222, p. 202; XXIII, 228, p. 204; XXIII, 464, p. 218; XXIV, 16**, p. 228; XXIV, 17, 18, 19, p. 228; XXIV, 265, p. 246; XXV, 33, p. 256; XXV, 44, 47**, 50, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, p. 258; XXV, 90, p. 262; XXV, 149, p. 266; XXVI, 19, p. 270; XXVI, 96, 100, p. 276; XXVII, 42, 43**, p. 282; XXVII, 80, 86, p. 284; XXVII, 129, 136, p. 288; XXVIII, 161, p. 306; XXVIII, 168, p. 308; XXVIII, 190, 206, p. 310; XXVIII, 217, p. 312; XXIX, 203, 204, p. 328; XXIX, 205 (God’s light: fw/j Qeou/), 211, p. 328; XXX, 243, p. 356; XXX, 304, p. 360; XXX, 313, 314, p. 362; XXX, 428, p. 368; XXXI, 49, p. 388; XXXIII, 26, 31 (light of life), p. 414; XXXIII, 38 (divine light), 40 (unapproachable light), p. 416; XXXIII, 64, p. 418; XXXIII, 127, p. 422; XXXIII, 131 (divine light), 138-139 (Ibidem), 139, 140, p. 422; XXXIII, 141, p. 424; XXXIV, 70, p. 432; XXXIV, 112, p. 436; XXXV, 4, p. 440; XXXV, 53, p. 444; XXXIX, 2, p. 476; XXXIX, 44, 54, 57 (divine light), 62, 63, p. 480; XL, 1, p. 484; XL, 14, 17 (simple light), p. 486. SC 196, Hymns, XLII, 88, 103, p. 44; XLII, 134, p. 48; XLII, 187, (great light), 192, p. 52; XLIV, 21, p. 72; XLIV, 114, p. 78; XLIV, 243, p. 88; XLIV, 373, 374, p. 96; XLV, 5, p. 102; XLV, 32, p. 104; XLV, 97, 106, p. 110; XLVII, 46, p. 124; XLVIII, 20, p. 132; XLVIII, 139, 152, p. 142; XLIX, 18, 24, 27, p. 148; XLIX, 68, 87, p. 152; L, 41, p. 160; L, 238, p. 174; L, 239, p. 178; LI, 1, 8, 9**, p. 184; LI, 15, 17, p. 186; LII, 5, 6, p. 198; LIII, 10, p. 212; LV, 6, p. 252; LV, 116, p. 262; LV, 192, p. 268; LV, 200, p. 270.
[7] Idem, Hymns, I, 73, p. 162; SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 819, p. 68; SC 196, Hymns, XLII, 88, 103, p. 44; XLII, 134, p. 48; XLII, 187, p. 52 (great light).
[8] Idem, Hymns, II, 18, p. 178; XV, 14, p. 278; XV, 79, p. 282; XV, 153, p. 288; SC 174, Hymns, XXI, 170, p. 142 (divine beauty); XXIII, 501, p. 220; XXIV, 7, p. 226; XXIV, 29, p. 228; XXIV, 246, p. 244; XXV, 2, p. 254; XXV, 71, p. 260; XXVII, 118, p. 288; XXX, 196, p. 354; XXX, 375, p. 366; XXXI, 3, p. 384; XXXIX, 1, p. 476; SC 196, Hymns, XLII, 76, p. 42; XLVII, 49, p. 124; XLVIII, 152, p. 142; XLIX, 29, p. 148; LII, 10, p. 198.
[9] SC 174, Hymns, XXIV, 250, p. 244.
[10] SC 156, Hymns, II, 18, p. 178; SC 174, Hymns, XX, 11, p. 110; XXX, 571, p. 378; XXX, 586-587, p. 380 (divine shinings); XXXI, 49, p. 388; SC 196, Hymns, XLIII, 16, p. 56.
[11] SC 174, Hymns, XXIV, 270, p. 246.
[12] Idem, Hymns, VI, 2, p. 204; SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 523; p. 50; XVII, 831, p. 70; XXIV, 20, p. 228; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 35, p. 104; XLVIII, 22, p. 132; L, 39, p. 158.
[13] SC 174, Hymns, XVI, 30, p. 12; XXI, 163, p. 142 (divine sweetness); XXIV, 15, p. 228; XXV, 86, 260 (divine sweetness); XXVIII, 143, p. 306 (divine sweetness); XXVIII, 218, p. 312; SC 196, Hymns, L, 146, p. 166.
[14] Idem, Hymns, XVII, 539, p. 50; XVII, 540, p. 50; XVII, 573, p. 52; XVII, 620, p. 56; XVII, 650, p. 58; XVII, 701, p. 60; XVII, 825, p. 68; XX, 206, p. 126; XXX, 409, p. 374; XXX, 539, p. 376; SC 196, Hymns, XLII, 86, p. 44.
[15] Idem, Hymns, XVII, 760, p. 64; XVII, 766, p. 66; XVII, 773-774, p. 66; XVII, 791, p. 66; XVII, 828, p. 70; XXVIII, 93, p. 300; XXVIII, 107, p. 302; XXX, 500, p. 374; XXX, 540, p. 376.
[16] Idem, Hymns, XVII, 829, p. 70.
[17] Idem, Hymns, XVII, 833, p. 70.
[18] SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 33, p. 104.
[19] Ibidem.
[20] SC 174, Hymns, XVII, 834, p. 70; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 32, p. 104; L, 149, p. 168.
[21] Ibidem; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 32, p. 104.
[22] Idem, Hymns, XVIII, 15, p. 76; XIX, 10, p. 94; XXIX, 164, p. 326.
[23] Idem, Hymns, XXV, 41, p. 258.
[24] Idem, Hymns, XVIII, 18, p. 76; XXII, 5, p. 170; XXII, 150, p. 182; XXII, 169, p. 184; SC 196, Hymns, XLII, 85, p. 44; XLV, 38, p. 104 (ever bright star).
[25] Idem, Hymns, XVIII, 158, p. 88.
[26] Idem, Hymns, XVIII, 88, 82 (great flame: flo.x mega,lh); XXII, 8, p. 170; XXII, 33, p. 172; XXII, 157, p. 182; XXV, 34, p. 256.
[27] Idem, Hymns, XIX, 10, p. 94.
[28] Idem, Hymns, XIX, 152, p. 106; XL, 93, p. 492; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 37, p. 104.
[29] Ibidem; XXV, 86, p. 260; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 32, p. 104; LIII, 11, 13, p. 212.
[30] Idem, Hymns, XX, 207, p. 126; XXI, 181, p. 144.
[31] Idem, Hymns, XX,208, p. 126; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 35, p. 104 (spring of life: phgh. zwh/j).
[32] Idem, Hymns, XXIII, 273, p. 206; XXX, 501, p. 374 (divine spark); XXX, 537, p. 376 (spark of the divine Nature).
[33] Idem, Hymns, XXVIII, 157, p. 306 (foreign work: evnergei,aj xe,nhj).
[34] Idem, Hymns, XXVIII, 220, p. 312 (pl. ta. e;paqla).
[35] Idem, Hymns, XXX, 36, p. 342; XXX, 41, p. 344.
[36] Idem, Hymns, XXX, 328, p. 362; SC 196, Hymns, L, 138, p. 166 (divine crown); LIII, 16, p. 214.
[37] Idem, Hymns, XXX, 409, p. 374.
[38] Idem, Hymns, XLII, 87, p. 44; SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 39, p. 104; L, 31, p. 158.
[39] SC 196, Hymns, XLV, 32, p. 104.
[40] Idem, Hymns, XLV, 33, p. 104; LI, 2, p. 184; LIII, 12, p. 212 (eternal life).
[41] Ibidem.
[42] Ibidem.
[43] Idem, Hymns, XLV, 34, p. 104; LI, 2, p. 184.
[44] Ibidem.
[45] Ibidem.
[46] Idem, Hymns, XLV, 35, p. 104; L, 147, p. 166.
[47] Ibidem; L, 148, p. 168.
[48] Idem, Hymns, XLV, 36, p. 104.
[49] Ibidem.
[50] Idem, Hymns, XLV, 37, p. 104.
[51] Idem, Hymns, XLVIII, 109, p. 138; LI, 145, p. 196.
[52] Idem, Hymns, L, 147, p. 166.
[53] SC 51, Chapters, III, 64, p. 99.
[54] SC 156, Hymns, I, 47, 160. About the sight as qau/ma, as wonder, to see and SC 174, Hymns, XXX, 524, p. 376; SC 196, Hymns, L, 4, p. 156.
[55] Idem, Hymns, IV, 45, p. 194.
[56] Idem, Hymns, VII, 16, p. 210.