What does the word 'person' mean?

[M. Markewich]

In relation to the Trinity, what does the word "Person" mean? I have a friend who is uncomfortable in saying one God can have three Persons, if we define Person as "something that can think for itself", and is now boardering on modalism. Although I see no problem logically for why God can't be three Persons (it just has to be accepted on His word), I was wondering if maybe this definition that we were using is wrong in the first place. I just want to make sure I'm as accurate as possible for the next time we talk.

[Father David Moser]

This is not a simple topic. When you get into the philosophical vs theological definitions of person and try to equate or differntiate the two, the discussion becomes very complex very fast. There is a good book on this topic that will help understand it from an Orthodox perspective, "The Person in the Orthodox Tradition" by Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos. Be prepared to read slowly and think deeply.

Fr David Moser

[Patrick Lee]

This is not a simple topic. When you get into the philosophical vs theological definitions of person and try to equate or differntiate the two, the discussion becomes very complex very fast. There is a good book on this topic that will help understand it from an Orthodox perspective, "The Person in the Orthodox Tradition" by Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos. Be prepared to read slowly and think deeply.

Fr David Moser
Father, bless.


Does he write anything that doesn't require one to read slowly and think deeply? I just finished entering the Orthodox Church, and am starting Illness and Cure of the Soul. I had to take a break and read Way of the Pilgrim just to have something simpler :).

[Father David Moser]

Illness and Cure of the Soul is about as "light" as Metr. Hierotheos gets, most of his writing is much denser. Although he would probably cringe at the comparison, I tend to liken his writing to that of St Isaac the Syrian - extremely dense, packed with deep intricate spiritual concepts that require much "chewing" much thinking, much processing and a lot of time. Not for everyone, especially not for "beginners". This is meat not milk.

Fr David Moser