Bibliophiliacs rejoice! More Philokalia!

(ROC-Sourozh) - On September 7, 2019, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh took part in a theological conference dedicated to the completion of the publication of the fifth volume of Philokalia in English, held at St. Anthony College of the University of Oxford.

Presentations at the conference were made by the honorary lecturer of the University of Oxford - Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia, professor of the Harvard University James C. Skedros and professor of Durham University Christopher C.H. Cook.

Philokalia [Greek Θιλοκαλία], which has received the widest distribution in the Orthodox world, is an anthology of patristic writings (from the 4th to the 15th centuries), mainly dedicated to the prayer-contemplative experience of monastic life. Most of the writings included in the Philokalia in Greek, were in circulation on the Mount Athos already in the heyday of Hesychasm in the XIVth century. In its final form, Philokalia was prepared for publication by St. Macarius Notara, former Metropolitan of Corinth, and St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain. The book includes carefully edited and systematized rich materials collected by them in the Holy Mountain’ manuscripts repositories. To the present time, Philokalia remains a fundamental "encyclopedia" of spiritual life.