Spiritualitatea Sfântului Siluan Athonitul
The spirituality of Saint Silouan Athonite

Summary/Abstract: Taking a look at the Orthodox spirituality of the twentieth century, we can easily notice one of the greatest spiritual pillars that have lived in Holy Mount Athos, Saint Silouan Athonite. In 1896 he became a monk on Mount Athos from where he also left this life in 1938. At first glance, his life seems a trivial one, no different from that of an almost illiterate Russian peasant. Reading these things, we wonder what was so remarkable in this man's life. I believe that the greatest events and accomplishments take place in the heart of man, and that is why Saint Silouan can be called one of the most representative icons of Orthodox spirituality, because since the beginning of his monastic life, he was worthy of God's sight. In a moment of deep despair, the Savior appeared to the young man, giving him the following guidance: “Keep your mind in hell and despair not.” The present study analyses therefore the mainaspects of Saint Silouan Athonite spirituality and influence on which this had on the thought of his disciple Father Sofronie Sakharov. Practically the whole experience of Saint Silouan will be characterized by this dictum divine. The fulfillment of this divine commandment brings the human being into a kenotic state in which by grace, overcomes even the most subtle attacks of pride. Keeping the mind in hell prepares man for the sight of God, which is equivalent to the birth of man as hypostasis or to theacquisition of resemblance. In the state of hypostatic living in the human being as a person, prayer is made for all Adam and for all creation. This prayer is similar to that raised by the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. The spirituality of the peasant Semion Ivanovich Antonov will be known to the whole world through his disciple, Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov. In fact, the entire theology of Father Sofronie will have its starting point in the person of Saint Silouan Athonite.

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