Georgiana Huian

This article offers an in-depth study of the notion of the heart in the Orthodox ascetic tradition. Georgiana Huian examines the paradoxical dimension inherent in any attempt to define that which, by nature, eludes rational categories. Her analysis articulates the teachings of the Desert Fathers with the reflections of contemporary theologians in order to delineate the contours of the spiritual experience of the divine. The author highlights the function of the heart as a privileged locus of encounter between humanity and God, situated at the very root of the person. This research contributes to ascetic theology by offering a rigorous synthesis of patristic and modern sources on self-knowledge as a path toward the discovery of the divine presence, while emphasizing the synergetic dimension of this spiritual endeavor.

This article examines the anthropological theology of Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022), one of the most important mystics of the Byzantine tradition, focusing on the transformation of the human being in union with Christ. The study analyzes Symeon's writings in order to draw out a coherent vision of the becoming of humanity in its relationship with God. The central idea is that union with Christ does not constitute a mere contemplative state, but a process of ontological transformation that reconfigures human identity in its totality. On the theological level, the article highlights Symeon's original contribution to the doctrine of deification, by articulating the christological and anthropological dimensions of theosis. It thus offers a valuable perspective on the Byzantine conception of the human person and of its ultimate vocation to divine union.

This article constitutes the conclusion of a colloquium devoted to Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022), a major figure in Byzantine spirituality. Written in the form of a reflective synthesis, it recapitulates the contributions of the various papers while identifying questions that remain open. The author distinguishes three axes: the historical personality of Symeon placed within his political, monastic and intellectual contexts; the doctrinal issues raised, particularly in Trinitarian theology, anthropology and mysticism; and finally, future research directions concerning philology, intertextuality, iconography and the reception of his work. The principal contribution lies in the systematic mapping of a still incomplete field of study, highlighting in particular the little-known Western reception of Symeon, his ecumenical potential and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to do justice to the complexity of this theological thought.

This article focuses on the theology of Diadochus of Photice, a fifth-century bishop and theologian, whose spiritual thought is examined through the lens of the concept of "energy" (energeia). The study analyzes the way in which Diadochus employs this notion to account for the divine influences exerted on the human soul, particularly those of a luminous, pacifying, and spiritually fruitful nature. The approach is that of a theological and historical study based on an examination of this author's texts. The central idea is that divine light constitutes a mode of God's action upon humanity, calling the latter to active cooperation. The contribution of the article lies in the light it sheds on the patristic roots of the theology of divine energies, anticipating doctrinal developments that would reach their full flowering in the later hesychast tradition.