John Gfoeller
11-03-2009, 11:34 AM
What is the original context for this quote attributed to St. Gregory of Sinai?
"Become what you already are,
Find Him Who is already yours,
Listen to Him Who never ceases speaking to you,
Own Him Who already owns you."
This was attributed to St. Gregory of Sinai by Fr. Anthony Coniaris in Fr. Coniaris' discussion of baptism in his book "Introducing the Orthodox Church" (ISBN 0-937032-25-5, page 131), which was published in 1982 and (apparently) reprinted many times since then.
Regrettably, however, Fr. Coniaris did not provide a citation.
Hence, in order to find the original context of this quote, I have skimmed the materials by St. Gregory of Sinai that are in the Philokalia (volume 4 of the English translation, ISBN 0-57119-382-X, pages 212-286, published in 1995). However, I have not found this quote in those materials. Perhaps I overlooked it; there is a large amount of material there. Or, perhaps it appears somewhere else.
Nevertheless, I found a passage that has remarkable similarities to the quote given above. The passage is by Kallistos Ware in his essay, "The Power of the Name: The Jesus Prayer in Orthodox Spirituality (ISBN 07283 0113 X, page 3). It was originally published in 1974, but it was then revised in 1986, and the edition which I have was printed in 2005. As you can see, it is possible that the following passage was published 8 years previous to the publication of the quote given above. Also, the passage by Kallistos Ware follows a discussion about St. Gregory of Sinai's comments (cited to the Philokalia and verified) about prayer being the manifestation of Baptism. Moreover, the quote given above seems to be a redaction of the following passage.
" 'In my beginning is my end.' The purpose of our prayer can be summarized in the phrase, 'Become what you are.' Become, consciously and actively, what you already are potentially and secretly, by virtue of your creation according to the divine image and your recreation at Baptism. Become what you are: more exactly, return into yourself; discover him who is yours already, listen to him who never ceases to speak within you; possess him who even now possesses you. Such is God's message to anyone who wants to pray: 'You should not seek me unless you had already found me.' "
So, again: What is the original context for this quote attributed to St. Gregory of Sinai (at the top of this post)? It is a memorable quote, worthy of reflection; and I do not intend to dishonor anyone, but rather to honor whoever gave it first.
Thank you for any responses.
-- John
"Become what you already are,
Find Him Who is already yours,
Listen to Him Who never ceases speaking to you,
Own Him Who already owns you."
This was attributed to St. Gregory of Sinai by Fr. Anthony Coniaris in Fr. Coniaris' discussion of baptism in his book "Introducing the Orthodox Church" (ISBN 0-937032-25-5, page 131), which was published in 1982 and (apparently) reprinted many times since then.
Regrettably, however, Fr. Coniaris did not provide a citation.
Hence, in order to find the original context of this quote, I have skimmed the materials by St. Gregory of Sinai that are in the Philokalia (volume 4 of the English translation, ISBN 0-57119-382-X, pages 212-286, published in 1995). However, I have not found this quote in those materials. Perhaps I overlooked it; there is a large amount of material there. Or, perhaps it appears somewhere else.
Nevertheless, I found a passage that has remarkable similarities to the quote given above. The passage is by Kallistos Ware in his essay, "The Power of the Name: The Jesus Prayer in Orthodox Spirituality (ISBN 07283 0113 X, page 3). It was originally published in 1974, but it was then revised in 1986, and the edition which I have was printed in 2005. As you can see, it is possible that the following passage was published 8 years previous to the publication of the quote given above. Also, the passage by Kallistos Ware follows a discussion about St. Gregory of Sinai's comments (cited to the Philokalia and verified) about prayer being the manifestation of Baptism. Moreover, the quote given above seems to be a redaction of the following passage.
" 'In my beginning is my end.' The purpose of our prayer can be summarized in the phrase, 'Become what you are.' Become, consciously and actively, what you already are potentially and secretly, by virtue of your creation according to the divine image and your recreation at Baptism. Become what you are: more exactly, return into yourself; discover him who is yours already, listen to him who never ceases to speak within you; possess him who even now possesses you. Such is God's message to anyone who wants to pray: 'You should not seek me unless you had already found me.' "
So, again: What is the original context for this quote attributed to St. Gregory of Sinai (at the top of this post)? It is a memorable quote, worthy of reflection; and I do not intend to dishonor anyone, but rather to honor whoever gave it first.
Thank you for any responses.
-- John