Alex Haig
29-11-2009, 05:45 PM
Dear friends
What is the relationship, according to the Fathers, between the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Trinity? The Father and the Son have the relationship of begetter/begotten whilst the Father and the Spirit that of proceeding: but what of the Son and the Spirit?
St Gregory of Nyssa says that the Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son* but otherwise the Fathers seem quite quiet on the subject. Is this because Persons in the Trinity relate to each other through the monarchy of the Father? That is, the Son relates to the Spirit though the Father and vice-versa? I would be grateful for any patristic references with any responses.
With these questions, I am not seeking a discussion on the filioque (on which there are many), but rather one based on the witness of the Fathers.
With love in Christ
Alex
* for example, see Ware, T., 1997. The Orthodox Church. 2nd Ed. London: Penguin. p. 211.
What is the relationship, according to the Fathers, between the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Trinity? The Father and the Son have the relationship of begetter/begotten whilst the Father and the Spirit that of proceeding: but what of the Son and the Spirit?
St Gregory of Nyssa says that the Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son* but otherwise the Fathers seem quite quiet on the subject. Is this because Persons in the Trinity relate to each other through the monarchy of the Father? That is, the Son relates to the Spirit though the Father and vice-versa? I would be grateful for any patristic references with any responses.
With these questions, I am not seeking a discussion on the filioque (on which there are many), but rather one based on the witness of the Fathers.
With love in Christ
Alex
* for example, see Ware, T., 1997. The Orthodox Church. 2nd Ed. London: Penguin. p. 211.