Vol. 53, Nos. 1–2 (312–313) January–April, 2017

St. Maximos the Confessor

This double issue of The Orthodox Word features two contributions from patristic scholar Archimandrite Maximos (Constas). “Guide of Orthodoxy: Reflections on the Life of St. Maximos the Confessor” is the keynote address given by Fr. Maximos at the 2016 conference of the Sts. Sebastian and Mardarije Institute, held that year in San Diego. In this article Fr. Maximos discusses the life of St. Maximos, particularly his suffering for the truth of the Orthodox Faith.

“Responses to the Questions of Thalassios” comprises eleven excerpts from Fr. Maximos’ soon-to-be-published translation of this work by St. Maximos the Confessor, the first-ever complete English translation. The entire work consists of answers to questions on 65 difficult passages from the Old and New Testaments. The excerpts presented in this issue, with an introduction by the translator, convey the theological brilliance of the saint.

Also in this issue is another Life from the second volume of The Northern Thebaid. St. Dimitry of Priluki was a contemporary and friend of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and was instrumental in the formation of coenobitic monastic life in the Vologda region of Russia.