The One and the Three: Nature, Person and Triadic Monarchy in the Greek and Irish Patristic Tradition

The One and the Three explores parallels between Byzantine and early Irish monastic traditions, finding in both a markedly trinitarian theology founded on God's contemplation and ascetic experience. Chrysostom Koutloumousianos refutes modern theological theses that affect ecclesiology, and contrasts current schools of theological thought with patristic theology and anthropology, in order to approach the meaning and reality of unity and otherness within the Triadic Monad and the cosmos. He explores such topics as the connection between nature and person, the esoteric dimension of the Self, the relation and dialectic of impersonal institutions and personal charisma, and perennial monastic virtues as ways to unity in diversity.

Table of Contents:
Preface by Prof. Andrew Louth Introduction PART I - APPROACHING THE TRINITARIAN MONAD Chapter One: THE QUEST FOR A PERSONALISTIC ONTOLOGY 1. Transcending the tragedy 2. The monarchy of the Father 3. Drawing implications for the Many Chapter Two: MONARCHY AND TRINITY IN THE GREEK AND IRISH FATHERS 1. The 'middle point' 2. The unfathomable mode of existence 3. The semantic value of 'monarchy' in trinitarian theology 3.1 Aition and the source of unity 3.2. Subordination 3.3. Godhead, the Father's prerogative? 3.4. Perichoresis and essential unity Chapter Three: PERSON AND GRACE 1. Nature as against Person 2. Deification and Personhood PART II - SUBJECTIVITY AND CATHOLICITY: THE MONASTIC PARADIGM Chapter One: THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY 1. Way Home 2. The Trinitarian aspect 3. The Body Image 4. The monastic model 5. Different notes - the One and the Many 6. Reaching the unity of the monad 6.1 From obedience to discretion 6.2 Spiritual paternity 6.3 Introversion and Nepsis 6.4 Love and Sympathy 6.5 Unpossessiveness 6.6 Liturgy versus Asceticism? 6.7 Triadic and Monadic in Virtue 7. The Locus of Unity - A person? Chapter Two: INSTITUTION AND CHARISMA 1. Identification and distinction 2. Essential realities and institutionalism 3. Charisma in monasticism 4. Holiness and sacramental efficacy 5. The vicarious Christi and the people 6. Meanings of order 7. Image and mimesis 8. Amazing Grace 9. Hierarchy and divine energy 10. Ideals and accidents Conclusive remarks LAST PROLOGUE

About the Author :
Chrysostom Koutloumousianos is a Senior Elder at the Koutloumous Monastery, Mount Athos, and holds a BA in English Literature and a BA, MA and PhD in Theology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has been a visiting fellow at the Hellenic Institute at Royal Holloway, London. He is also the author of several books and articles on early monasticism. Chrysostom Koutloumousianos is a Senior Elder at the Koutloumous Monastery, Mount Athos, and holds a BA in English Literature and a BA, MA and PhD in Theology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has been a visiting fellow at the Hellenic Institute at Royal Holloway, London. He is also the author of several books and articles on early monasticism.

Review :
"Fr Chrysostomos offers here a rich and penetrating analysis of the ways in which the mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation intersect with ecclesial life, in its various dimensions, as reflected in writers of both the Byzantine and Celtic traditions. Calling into question the claim that 'person transcends nature', and the authoritarian approach to ecclesiology this has fostered, the author opens up a much more expansive and balanced understanding of the 'monarchy' within the Trinity, and, correspondingly, the relation between person, nature, and communion, with all the implications this has for ecclesial structure and functioning and the spiritual life. This is a work of great learning and profound reflection, which will merit deep study and careful attention." --John Behr, Dean and Professor of Patristics, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York "In this rich and incisive monograph, Fr. Chrysostom revisits the issues of trinitarian personhood and ecclesiology rendered justly famous by John Zizioulas and his Western followers in recent decades. Subjecting Zizioulas's position to a courteous but multi-faceted critique, Koutloumousianos not only returns us to the authentic voice of the patristic sources concerned, but draws new attention to consonances with the ascetic trinitarian theology of the early Irish monastic tradition. Twentieth-century Orthodox discourses of 'East' and 'West' will be inexorably challenged by this important and timely contribution." -- Sarah Coakley, Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge "In this sensitive and erudite study of the mystery of the Trinity, disagreements concerning which have been the occasion of divisions which have gravely wounded the unity of Christendom, Father Chrysostom finds a remarkable kinship between the theology of the Greeks and that of the early Irish. His richly nuanced exposition is particularly impressive in the depth of its treatment of the Irish sources, which are, for the most part, little known. This book sheds light from the East upon the West, and vice versa; it has much to offer to all who are concerned with the inwardness of Christianity." --John Carey, Professor of Early and Medieval Irish, University College Cork