Events of the Nativity of Christ in the teaching of the Most Holy Theotokos of the Late Byzantine Church Fathers of the XIV–XV centuries
Keywords:
Orthodoxy, the Mother of God, Theotokos, Nativity of Christ, St. Gregory Palamas, St. Nicholas Cabasilas, St. Gregory of Sinai, St. Callistus I of Constantinople, St. Theoleptus of Philadelphia, St. Philotheos Kokkinos, St. Isidore I Buchiras, St. Mark of Ephesus, St. Symeon of Thessalonica, St. Gennadios Scholarios, Ever-Virginity, synergy, IncarnationAbstract
The article analyzes the works of the late Byzantine holy fathers of the Church of the 14th and 15th centuries, who have collectively interpreted the events of the Nativity of Christ in the context of their teaching about the Most Holy Theotokos. The trend in the development of this teaching is being noted, in comparison with the more ancient patristic works. Some its key points are highlighted, including the holiness of the Mother of God as the ultimate one achievable by a created being, the synergy of Her personal and Divine will, the common with others help given to her to achieve it, and the deification achieved by Her through hesychasm. The spiritual interpretations of the events surrounding Christmas by the holy fathers and their assessment of the role of the Nativity of Christ for the destinies of the world are considered. In conclusion, it is evidenced some influence of certain aspects of Latin theology in the positions of some holy fathers.
