Triads in Defense of the Holy Hesychasts
St. Gregory Palamas
Summary
The foundational text of Palamite theology, defending the hesychast practice of the Jesus Prayer and articulating the crucial distinction between God's essence and His uncreated energies.
Who Should Read This
Those studying Orthodox mystical theology, readers interested in the essence-energies distinction, monastics and advanced practitioners of the Jesus Prayer.
Key Excerpts
"The light of Tabor was not a created symbol but the uncreated glory of God, accessible to the saints in this life through the purification of the heart."
— Triad I
"God is called Light not with reference to His essence, but to His energy."
— Triad III
Editorial Commentary
The Triads are the theological backbone of late Byzantine Orthodox spirituality. Palamas argues against the philosopher Barlaam that the monks of Mount Athos truly experience God's uncreated light — not mere symbols or created effects. The essence-energies distinction he develops is now a cornerstone of Orthodox theology. Demanding but essential for understanding Orthodox mystical theology.