Hesychasm Second_Bulgarian_Empire

a depiction of emperor ivan alexander, patron of hesychasm

hesychasm (from greek stillness, rest, quiet, silence ) eremitic tradition of prayer in eastern orthodox church flourished in balkans during 14th century. mystical movement, hesychasm preached technique of mental prayer that, when repeated proper breathing, might enable 1 see divine light. emperor ivan alexander (r. 1331–71) impressed practice of hesychasm; became patron of hesychastic monks. in 1335, gave refuge gregory of sinai , provided funds construction of monastery near paroria in strandzha mountains in south-east of country; attracted clerics bulgaria, byzantium, , serbia. hesychasm established dominant ideology of bulgarian orthodox church work of disciple of gregory of sinai. gregory s disciple theodosius of tarnovo translated writing bulgarian , reached peak during tenure of last medieval bulgarian patriarch euthymius of tarnovo (1375–94). theodosius founded kilifarevo monastery near tarnovo, became new hesychastic , literary centre of country. hesychastic intellectuals maintained regular connections each other regardless of nationalities, affected cultural , religious exchange in balkans.