THE BOOK OF PSALMS IN THE ASCETIC PRACTICES OF THE PHILOKALIC FATHERS
THE BOOK OF PSALMS IN THE ASCETIC PRACTICES OF THE PHILOKALIC FATHERS

Summary/Abstract: Reading, psalmody, and assuming and incarnating the texts of the psalms by monks offered us the possibility to become aware of the role that the psalms have within the spiritual life. The daily reading or psalmody up to the level of achieving a mysterious identity between the hagiographer and the reader (see the example of Abba Philemon) may place the contemporary man, either monk or laic, in the proximity of God, in the field of direct/immediate sight. Even though reaching such a level of experience is reserved for the mystics, those who dedicate their time daily to reading psalms and psalmody enjoy the spiritual fruits of the Psalter. Before all, reciting the words that the Holy Spirit has inspired to the hagiographer offers man the possibility to become a part of the same grace that will accompany and guide him to understand the divine revelations. The reader will become able to know God by adopting the experiences of the holy authors who have come to a level of understanding of the heavenly realities. Then, the psalms offer man the necessary discernment to distinguish between good and evil and to choose the path that leads to salvation. Thus, the reader will dominate his passions and will have a virtuous life. Nonetheless, he will achieve the power to defeat the devil and he will shatter from the beginning his temptations. We consider that this synthetic research can be developed in other studies which can focus on only one of the Philokalic Fathers mentioned above. Saints Barsanuphius and John or Saint John Climacus may well become the subject of more thorough research which may analyse in a much narrow context the way these saints relate to the reading of psalms or to psalmody.

• Details
• Contents