ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. A BRIEF SURVEY

Ciprian Toroczkai

This paper makes a brief overview of orthodox spirituality in the 20th century. Some of the themes which are specific to this spirituality are presented-the prayer of the heart or submittal to a spiritual father and a few of the most important orthodox,,spiritual masters" and theologians are mentioned. Dumitru Stániloae, Vladimir Losslgr or Kallistos 'Ware are some of the representatives for the latter category, while abbot Siluan of Mount Athos is given as convincing example of the first category. Siluan had disciples who have continued his tradition of spiritual guidance, be they in the west, or in the mairüy orthodox coun-A. tries of Eastern Europe (such as Romania). But his influence has gone \z beyond the borders of orthodoxy. This fact testifies for the ecumenical relevance of orthodox spirituality in the contemporar¡r world. As closure I also mention two hazards one may incur in approaching this type of spirituality: on the one hand relatiüty, and on the other, s¡mcretism.