Vatican City, Sep 16, 2009 / 08:00 am
This morning in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the importance of Symeon the New Theologian’s teachings on progressing in spiritual maturity. Besides book knowledge, the Eastern monk teaches about the necessity of interior purification for making spiritual progress, especially with the help of a “good spiritual father.”
Symeon was born in Asia Minor in 949 to a noble family. As a young man, he moved to Constantinople to embark on a career in the civil service, but during his studies he was shown a work by Mark the Monk called “The Spiritual Law,” the book completely changed his life. In 977 he entered the monastery of Studion in order "to follow the path of union with God" under the guidance of Simeon the Pious. The New Theologian died in 1022.
“It is interesting to note,” Benedict XVI said, “his designation of ‘New Theologian,’ despite the fact that the name is reserved for John the Evangelist and Gregory Nazianzen.”
Symeon teaches us that Christian life is an intimate and personal communion with God, the Pope explained. "If, in fact, we are rightly concerned with tending to our physical, human and intellectual development, it is even more important not to overlook our inner development which consists in knowledge of God and communion with Him, so as to experience His help at all times and in all circumstances," he added.