Grigorij Palama

religious figure

Grigorij Palama (1296-1359) was a prominent Byzantine theologian and monk, best known for his defense of the hesychastic tradition, which emphasized contemplative prayer and the experience of God's divine light. He served as the Archbishop of Thessalonica and his theological work formed the basis for the distinction between God's essence and energies. This distinction was crucial in the development of Eastern Orthodox spirituality, asserting that while God's essence is unknowable, His energies can be experienced by believers through prayer and the sacraments. Palama's teachings became a cornerstone of Orthodox Christian doctrine and he is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.