Praxis and theoria.

Source: Vlachos 1999:35.

“We accept the experience of the saints and we struggle to make a personal experiment in our life, to apply and confirm that experience. And if we use the appropriate method and the appropriate path, and of course if God sends His grace, then we too can be led to the vision of God, and to acquire a personal knowledge of God. In the teaching of St Maximus the Confessor experiment is called ‘praxis’ and the vision of God is called ‘theoria’. And this saint claims that ‘praxis’ and ‘theoria’ coexist. Therefore he writes epigrammatically: ‘Praxis is theoria made manifest in terms of action, and theoria is divinely initiated praxis’. This orthodox theology is not at all connected with metaphysics, but with medicine and the natural sciences. We must disconnect orthodox theology from western theology, which has influenced us in an unfortunate way. Western theology, which has identified itself with metaphysics has brought innumerable evils upon the western world.”

Theology.

Source: Hierotheos Vlachos 1994:31.

St Gregory Nazianzen writes that it is not for everyone to theologise, to speak about God, because the subject is not so cheap and low. This work is not for all men, but “for those who have been examined and are passed masters in the vision of God and who have previously been purified in soul and body, or at the very least are being purified”. Only those who have passed from praxis to theoria, from purification to illumination, can speak about God. And when is this? “It is when we are free from all external defilement or disturbance, and when that which rules within us is not confused with vexations or erring images.” Therefore the saint advises: “For it is necessary to be truly at ease to know God”.

Theology.

Source: Hierotheos Vlachos 1994:31.

Neilos the Ascetic links theology with prayer, principally with noetic prayer. We know very well from the teaching of the Holy Fathers that anyone who has acquired the grace of prayer of the heart has entered the first stages of the vision of God, for this type of prayer is a form of theoria. Therefore all who pray with the nous have communion with God, and this communion is man’s spiritual knowledge of God. So St Neilos says: “If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian”.