March 27, 2021, Children's Sermon: The Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

Fr. John Jillions talks about the life of St. Gregory Palamas, which is commemorated on the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent. Gregory Palamas was born in Constantinople about 1296. He became a monk of the great community at Mount Athos, near Thessalonika. Here he was one of the formost supporters of a theory of contemplation called Hesychasm (meaning "silence"). The Hesychasts claimed that, by suitable spirtual disciplines, those engaged in contemplative prayer could come to see the "uncreated light" of God. Their opponents objected that this doctrine was inconsistent with the unity and the transcendence of God. At first, Hesychasm was condemned as heretical and Gregory was excommunicated. However, in 1347, thanks chiefly to the unwavering support of the monks of Athos, Gregory was brought back from exile, cleared of heretical charges, and made bishop of Thessalonika. After much controversy, his position was declared orthodox by the church of Constantinople in 1351. St. Gregory also was once captured and imprisoned by Turks, and during his imprisonment, he engaged in conversations about the religion of Islam with his captures.