The Philokalia Volume 4 - Paperback

The fourth volume of The Philokalia—featuring the profound hesychast teachings of St. Gregory Palamas and other late Byzantine masters on divine light, prayer of the heart, and the vision of God.

Volume 4 brings us to the flowering of hesychasm in the 13th and 14th centuries, a period of intense theological controversy and mystical renewal in Byzantine Christianity. This volume is anchored by the extensive writings of St. Gregory Palamas, whose defense of hesychast practice and theology of divine energies represents one of the most important developments in Orthodox thought.

What you'll discover in Volume 4:

• St. Gregory Palamas on hesychasm, divine light, and the Jesus Prayer
• The distinction between God's essence and energies
• St. Gregory of Sinai on stillness and the practice of prayer
• St. Kallistos and St. Ignatios Xanthopoulos on hesychastic method
• Detailed instructions on the prayer of the heart
• The theology and experience of the uncreated light of Tabor
• Practical guidance on bodily posture, breathing, and inner attention in prayer
• The relationship between ascetic discipline and mystical vision

St. Gregory Palamas's writings are particularly significant for their theological depth and practical wisdom. His defense of the hesychasts against their critics established the theological foundation for understanding how humans can truly participate in divine life while God remains transcendent. His teachings on the uncreated energies of God and the vision of divine light remain central to Orthodox spirituality.

This volume also includes detailed practical instructions on hesychastic prayer technique, making it invaluable for those seeking to practice the Jesus Prayer and cultivate inner stillness. The late Byzantine masters show how theology and practice are inseparable in the contemplative life.

Translated by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Bishop Kallistos Ware, this volume maintains the scholarly excellence that has made this English edition the standard for serious students of Orthodox spirituality.

About the collection: The Philokalia was compiled in 1782 by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth. This five-volume English translation, completed in 2020, is the definitive edition for English-speaking readers.

Perfect for: Serious students of hesychasm and the Jesus Prayer, those interested in Gregory Palamas and Palamite theology, practitioners seeking detailed instruction on contemplative prayer technique, scholars of late Byzantine theology, and anyone exploring the Orthodox teaching on divine light and theosis.

This paperback edition includes 448 pages of profound hesychast wisdom—the essential fourth volume of Orthodox Christianity's contemplative treasury.