The 400 Chapters of Love, by St. Maximos the Confessor
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), part 1

Introduction to the Life of St. Maximos the Confessor.
Summary:
St. Maximos the Confessor (c. 580-662) was a monk and ascetical writer known especially for his courageous fight against the heresy of Monothelitism. Topics discussed include: 
1. St. Maximos was a monk and ascetic and hesychast who began writing on theology at 42; 
2. St. Maximos was the great synthesizer of the works of the Fathers. For example, he was able to take what could be used of St. Dionysius, and of Origen and Evagrius and reject the rest; 
3. He spent 40 years opposing heresy, opposing Emperors, Patriarchs, Bishops, and even sometimes the Pope, for the sake of the faith. He lost his right hand and tongue for his courageous stand and died shortly thereafter. He was vindicated posthumously by the 6th Ecumenical Council; 
4. His brilliant education and multilingualism; 
5. No criterion of infallibility in Orthodox  Church. The Truth is the person of Jesus Christ; 
6. Frequent misuse of the term "The mind of the Fathers" by modern-day scholars and "Theologians". The true mind of the Fathers was formed in the Services reciting the Psalms, in the Eucharist, in sitting in silence in contemplative prayer and noetic perception, and in saturation in the Scriptures; 
7. Review of the Orthodox understanding of the two natures and two wills, and of the heresies of Monophysitism and Monothelitism.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Washington, DC
February 10, 2021
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