~ Orthodox Theological Digital Library I.M.D. ~

Kleronomia, vol. 1, issue B, July 1969, 431 pages.

The second issue of Kleronomia, of the Patriarchal Institute for Patristic Studies (Thessaloniki), includes eight studies, book reviews and the Chronicles.

W. Schneemelcher, presents (inGerman) the orthodox and evangelical views on patristic tradition, based on the correspondence between Lutheran theologians from Tubingen and the Patriarch of Constantinople Jeremiah II. According to the orthodox teaching, patristic Tradition is not merely a historical heritage of the past, but it is part of the work of the Holy Spirit which is active in the Church. In the Lutheran Reformation the issue of Tradition is based on the effort to deal with the distorted tradition of the Roman Church of that time.

G. Mantzaridis explores the ethical dimensions of the Trinitarian doctrine. Besides being a doctrinal teaching, it also constitutes the aim and the ontological significance of the life of the faithful. By living in Christ, the faithful are called to reach and feel in their lives the mystery of the loving relationship of the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

V. Pseutogas examines the authenticity of a particular text “on faith” of Meliton. After a literary presentation of the text, he concludes that this text does not belong to Ireneos, but is part of a complete work “on Christian faith” by Meliton.

D. Tsamis deals with the teaching on the golden rule of the Cappadocian Fathers, and of St. Gregory of Nyssa in particular, which has its origins in the Greek philosophy. The Christian understanding of the golden rule is an integral part of the theology of the Church and the entire life of Christianity.

T. Zisis presents a lengthy study on marriage based on the writings of St. John Chrysostom, looking into the purpose of marriage and its relation to celibacy.

E. Chryssos studies (in German) the works of Bishop Fakoundos of Ermiani, one of the most significant African church writers of the 6^th century, who was against the ecclesiastical policy of the emperor Justinian. Through the study of his writings one sees clearly his faith in the authenticity of the ecumenical and other councils and the fact that he recognized other ecclesiastical authorities only if they followed the teachings of these councils.

            V. Tatakis looks into thelife and work of hesychast Nicephore (13^th century), who is seen as the follower of the ascetical “hesychia” of the first Christian centuries and also the predecessor of hesychasm of St. Gregory Palamas (14^th century).

            P. Christou continues the study on hesychasts, looking at the particularity of hesychasts from the area of Ioannina, who link hesychasm to human studies.

            In the end we find reviews of Greek and foreign theological books as well as the chronicle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the theological news of that time in Greece.

Kleronomia, vol. 2, issue A, January 1970, 258 pages.

This issue of Kleronomia includes six studies, twelve book reviews and the Chronicles.

            V. Stogiannos looks into the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector according to the Greek patristic tradition (homiletic and hermeneutical interpretation of the verse). The Fathers used that verse like any other element of the Scripture, without altering its content. If the text is not helpful to their homely, they use other verses, even if that affects the structure of the homely. They also avoid any kind of moralism and they link closely ethical behaviour and the ontological change of human nature.

            J. Karavidopoulos presents (in German) St. Paul’s view on sin, according to the Greek patristic thought, focusing on the following four main points: a) the human state of slavery because of sin, b) the result of decay, of sickness and of death due to sin, c) the estrangement of man from God, and d) the intentional sin of man.

            N. Matsoukas analyses in depth the problem of knowledge of God according to platonic, Aristotelian and neoplatonic philosophy. He also studies the apophatic mystical theology of the Fathers of the Church (Dionysius of Areopagite, Gregory Palamas, etc) and its implications to contemporary society, especially of the West.

            D. Tsamisrefers to the problem of salvation in Christ based on the variety of interpretations of Church Fathers (Ireneos, Origen, Cappadocians, etc) because of the lack of a specific teaching in the New Testament and the absence of a related doctrine.

C. Konstantinidisexplores the positive and negative points of the Vatican II declaration “on God’s Revelation”. According to the writer, the text, besides its problems, is a rich ecumenical document that promotes the theological dialogue between the two Churches.

            S. Papadopoulos offers a review of the four-volume work of A.J.Festugière, on monasticism of the early eastern Christianity. The writer of the above work considers as false arguments many new ideas on monasticism that do not correspond to eastern monasticism.

Finally, there are some book reviews and the Chronicles of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by professor Matsoukas.

Kleronomia, Vol. 2, issue B, July 1970, 469 pages.

This Issue of the Journal Kleronomia includes nine (9) academic studies.

P. Evdokimov examines (in French) the dialectics of liberty and power.

Basil Laurdas studies (in English) the intellectual class, scholars and state functionaries in Byzantine society, who served the state in various ways. In spite of their service to the state they often came into conflict with it and suffered persecutions.

Pan. Nellas researches the meaning of the term “icon”, which holds a particular place in Greek philosophy as well as in biblical and patristic theology. He focuses his attention on the study of Christological anthropology which finds its essence in the liturgical, ascetic and Eucharistic life.

K. Girardet embarks on an investigation (in German) of the terms “philologist” and “philosophize” in patristic texts of the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th centuries. He focuses his attention on Alexandrian School authors, who employ these terms to denote knowledgeable people and readers of the Holy Gospel.

Ath. Theocharis examines the influence of the passage of Par. 8:22 (Paroemiae) in the Christological conflicts of the 4^th century.

J. Straub studies (in German) the condemnation of the Three Chapters by Pope Virgil in his second letter to the Patriarch of Constantinople Eutychius and the second Constitutum. All texts are attached to the end of the article.

J. Schmithals makes (in German) important observations with corrections on the information of A. Ehrhard about the Vlatad Code 54 (content and name).

Then follow numerous book critiques and the Ecumenical Patriarchate Chronicles by Archimandrite Bartholomew Archontonis (the current Ecumenical Patriarch).