Section 05: Humility and Love
The heart of St. Paisios’s spiritual teaching: humility as the foundation of the entire spiritual life, active love of neighbor as its fruit, and philotimo — spiritual nobility and sensitivity to God’s love — as perhaps the Elder’s most distinctive theological concept. These three themes permeate all of his counsels and form the core of his spiritual vision.
Contents
| File | Topic |
|---|---|
| Humility | Humility as the foundation of the spiritual life, self-knowledge, the danger of pride, how God gives grace to the humble, practical cultivation of humility |
| Love of Neighbor | Active love, sacrifice, compassion, the “good disturbance,” love and correction, love for enemies, the connection between love of God and love of neighbor |
| Philotimo | Spiritual nobility, sensitivity to God’s love, gratitude, generosity — St. Paisios’s most characteristic and distinctive concept |
Overview
If the spiritual struggle (Section 03) describes the battle, this section describes the goal — the positive spiritual qualities that the Christian is called to cultivate. For St. Paisios, humility was the indispensable foundation, love was the supreme commandment, and philotimo was the animating spirit that gives the spiritual life its beauty and spontaneity.
Cross-References
- Passions and Virtues — the virtues that correspond to the passions
- Prayer Life — prayer and humility
- Orthodoxy Guide: Soteriology — grace and synergy
- Orthodoxy Guide: Theosis — humility and love as marks of theosis
- Fr. Seraphim Rose: God’s Revelation to the Human Heart
Part of the St. Paisios of Mount Athos Reference Guide.