Symeon the New Theologian
Byzantine monk and spiritual writer who stresses repentance, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and lived knowledge of God within the life of the Church.
Historical context
He served as abbot of Saint Mamas in Constantinople. His name is also spelled Simeon; 'New Theologian' is a received title, not a claim that his teaching began a new faith.
Key points
- Read his emphasis on experience together with repentance, sacramental life, and obedience.
- His Discourses and Hymns use different literary forms and should not be flattened into a single doctrine statement.
Scripture
- Romans 8:9-17 — The Spirit's indwelling and adoption offer a biblical point of comparison.
- 1 John 1:5 — The confession that God is light is quoted and developed in Symeon's Catechesis 28.
Primary sources
Symeon bears witness in his catechesis:
Symeon describes knowledge of God through the biblical imagery of divine light.
We bear witness that "God is light," and those to whom it has been granted to see Him have all beheld Him as light.
Passage context and translation
Symeon speaks of experienced divine illumination in a discourse that immediately joins light, grace, repentance, and moral disclosure.
Before the excerpt
It shines on us without evening, without change, without alteration, without form. It speaks, works, lives, gives life and changes into light those whom it illuminates.
After the excerpt
Those who have received Him as light, do so because the light of His glory goes before Him, and it is impossible for Him to appear without light.