Hesychast

American  

[hes-i-kast] / ˈhɛs ɪˌkæst /

noun

1. one of a sect of mystics that originated in the 14th century among the monks on Mt. Athos, Greece.

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Hesychast British  

/ ˈhɛsɪˌkæst /

noun

1. Greek Orthodox Church a member of a school of mysticism developed by the monks of Mount Athos in the 14th century

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Other Word Forms

• Hesychastic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hesychast

1825–35; < Medieval Latin hesychasta < Greek hēsychastḗs a recluse, equivalent to hēsycház ( ein ) to be quiet, be still (verbal derivative of hḗsychos quiet, still) + -tēs agent suffix

Example Sentences

The contemporary historians Cantacuzenus and Nicephorus Gregoras deal very copiously with this subject, taking the Hesychast and Barlaamite sides respectively.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

Gregoras subsequently took an important part in the Hesychast controversy, in which he violently opposed Gregorius Palamas, the chief supporter of the sect.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various

In the Hesychast controversy he took the side of the monks of Athos, but refused to agree to the theory of the uncreated light.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

Hesychast, hes′i-kast, n. one of a mystic and contemplative sect of the Greek Church in the 14th century, whose members may be described as the Quietists of the East.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various