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Greek Name Days

14th century

Saint Gregory Palamas

Archbishop of Thessaloniki (1296–1359) and theologian of hesychasm.

14 November

Biography

Gregory Palamas was born around 1296 in Constantinople. His father was a courtier of Emperor Andronikos II, who raised him after his father's early death, hoping to see him enter government service. But at 21, Gregory chose monastic life on Mount Athos instead.

In 1335 he clashed with Barlaam of Calabria, who denied that a person could know and be united with God. Palamas defended hesychasm, distinguishing the uncreated divine energy from the divine essence, a teaching upheld by a council in Constantinople in 1351.

He became archbishop of Thessaloniki and left about sixty theological works. He died in 1359.

Sources and further reading