Hierotheos (Vlachos)
Encyclopedia
Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) (Ιερόθεος Βλάχος; born Γεώργιος Βλάχος; Georgios Vlachos) is a Greek theologian.
He was born in Ioannina
, Greece
in 1945. He graduated from the Theological School of the University of Thessaloniki and was ordained deacon
in 1971 and priest
in 1972. He served in the Archdiocese of Athens as a preacher and Director of the Youth Section from 1987 to 1995. He taught Greek and lectured on Orthodox Ethics at the St. John of Damascus Theological School of the Patriarchate of Antioch in northern Lebanon
for several semesters. He was elected bishop of Nafpaktos and Hagios Vlasios in 1995.
His studies are based on patristic theology and extend it to issues of contemporary interest. His readings of the hesychast Fathers of the Philokalia
and his long association with present-day hesychasts at the Holy Mountain
and elsewhere have led him to the conclusion that Orthodox theology is a science of the healing of man. This is a topic explored in his innovative book on "Orthodox Psychotherapy
" (1986). Other topics analyzed in his works include the teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas, orthodox monasticism, and pastoral care. His most recent book deals with issues of genetics and bioethics, viewed from an Orthodox Christian perspective.
Works translated into English include: "A night in the desert of the Holy Mountain", "Orthodox Psychotherapy
", "The illness and cure of the soul in the Orthodox Tradition", "Orthodox Spirituality", "A visual catechism of the Orthodox Church", "Life after Death", "Saint Gregory Palamas as a Hagiorite", "The Feasts of the Lord", "The human body: Ascesis and Exercise", "The Person in the Orthodox Tradition". The latter book was awarded the first prize for the "top theological work written in Greece in 1991-96" by the Academy of Athens
.
In spring 2010 he published in his diocesan leaflet reasoned arguments against changing the wording of the Liturgy.
A review in 'Orthodoxos Typos' endorsed the view that Latin Catholics had been slow to express support for the Greek Independence Movement.
He was born in Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 1945. He graduated from the Theological School of the University of Thessaloniki and was ordained deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1971 and priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in 1972. He served in the Archdiocese of Athens as a preacher and Director of the Youth Section from 1987 to 1995. He taught Greek and lectured on Orthodox Ethics at the St. John of Damascus Theological School of the Patriarchate of Antioch in northern Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
for several semesters. He was elected bishop of Nafpaktos and Hagios Vlasios in 1995.
Work
A prolific writer, Hierotheos has published more than 60 books in Greek. Several of them have been translated into other languages, including English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Hungarian and Chinese.His studies are based on patristic theology and extend it to issues of contemporary interest. His readings of the hesychast Fathers of the Philokalia
Philokalia
The Philokalia is a collection of texts written between the 4th and 15th centuries by spiritual masters of the Eastern Orthodox hesychast tradition. They were originally written for the guidance and instruction of monks in "the practise of the contemplative life". The collection was compiled in...
and his long association with present-day hesychasts at the Holy Mountain
Holy Mountain
Holy Mountain may refer to:*the mytheme or archetype of the world mountain*specific peaks identified as sacred mountain*in Abrahamic tradition** Mount Sinai, by the Bedouin, is the name of a mountain near Saint Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt...
and elsewhere have led him to the conclusion that Orthodox theology is a science of the healing of man. This is a topic explored in his innovative book on "Orthodox Psychotherapy
Orthodox Christian Psychotherapy
Orthodox Christian psychotherapy is a term that refers to the cure of the whole human being, body and soul. With its methods man can cope successfully with his thoughts and thus solve his problems...
" (1986). Other topics analyzed in his works include the teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas, orthodox monasticism, and pastoral care. His most recent book deals with issues of genetics and bioethics, viewed from an Orthodox Christian perspective.
Works translated into English include: "A night in the desert of the Holy Mountain", "Orthodox Psychotherapy
Orthodox Christian Psychotherapy
Orthodox Christian psychotherapy is a term that refers to the cure of the whole human being, body and soul. With its methods man can cope successfully with his thoughts and thus solve his problems...
", "The illness and cure of the soul in the Orthodox Tradition", "Orthodox Spirituality", "A visual catechism of the Orthodox Church", "Life after Death", "Saint Gregory Palamas as a Hagiorite", "The Feasts of the Lord", "The human body: Ascesis and Exercise", "The Person in the Orthodox Tradition". The latter book was awarded the first prize for the "top theological work written in Greece in 1991-96" by the Academy of Athens
Academy of Athens (modern)
The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education...
.
In spring 2010 he published in his diocesan leaflet reasoned arguments against changing the wording of the Liturgy.
A review in 'Orthodoxos Typos' endorsed the view that Latin Catholics had been slow to express support for the Greek Independence Movement.
See also
- John Romanides
- Vladimir LosskyVladimir LosskyVladimir Nikolayevich Lossky was an influential Eastern Orthodox theologian in exile from Russia. He emphasized theosis as the main principle of Orthodox Christianity....
- George MetallinosGeorge MetallinosProtopresbyter Fr. George Metallinos is a Greek theologian, priest, historian, author and professor ....
- Nikolaos LoudovikosNikolaos LoudovikosProtopresbyter Fr. Nikolaos Loudovikos is a Greek theologian, priest, psychologist, author and professor.Fr. Nikolaos Loudovikos was born in Volos, Greece in 1959...
- theoriaTheoriaFor other uses of the term "contemplation", see Contemplation Theoria is Greek for contemplation. It corresponds to the Latin word contemplatio, "looking at", "gazing at", "being aware of".- Introduction :...
- theosisTheosisIn Christian theology, divinization, deification, making divine or theosis is the transforming effect of divine grace. This concept of salvation is historical and fundamental for Christian understanding that is prominent in the Eastern Orthodox Church and also in the Catholic Church, and is a...