Georges Florovsky
Gallaher, BDF
Date: 1 November 2016
Journal
Sourozh: A Journal of Orthodox Life and Thought
Publisher
Diocese of Sourozh
Abstract
If the greatness of a theologian is determined by his influence, Georges Florovsky is
undoubtedly the greatest Eastern Orthodox theologian of the 20th century, as indeed is often
claimed. His theological programme and method of a spiritual return to, and renewal in, the
Byzantine heritage (the Greek Patristic corpus, the monastic ...
If the greatness of a theologian is determined by his influence, Georges Florovsky is
undoubtedly the greatest Eastern Orthodox theologian of the 20th century, as indeed is often
claimed. His theological programme and method of a spiritual return to, and renewal in, the
Byzantine heritage (the Greek Patristic corpus, the monastic and liturgical tradition) – in line
with the well-worn slogan, ‘neo-patristic synthesis’ – has increasingly become the dominant
paradigm for the Orthodox theology and ecumenical activity. As a teacher, his students included
some of the best-known names in modern Orthodox theology: Father John Meyendorff
(1926-92), Father John Romanides (1928-2001) and Metropolitan John (Zizioulas)
of Pergamon (b. 1931). In addition, he mentored others who are also now key figures
in modern Orthodox thought: Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov (1896-1993),
Vladimir Lossky (1903-58), Father Alexander Schmemann (1921-83)
and Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia (b. 1934)
Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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