St. Gregory Palamas

 

Born at Constantinople in 1296, St. Gregory Palamas was a monk of Mount Athos in Greece and later the Archbishop of Thessaloniki known as a preeminent theologian of Hesychasm. The teachings embodied in his writings defending Hesychasm against the attack of Barlaam are sometimes referred to as Palamism, his followers as Palamites. 

Some of his writings are collected in the Philokalia. The second Sunday of the Great Lent is called the Sunday of Gregory Palamas.

St. Gregory taught us that unceasing mental prayer is the duty of ALL Christians and the prayer known as the "Jesus Prayer" is often used for this purpose in the Orthodox Tradition.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

In fact, here is a craft in honor of  St. Gregory Palamas. Make a paper prayer rope! Simply cut out the words of the JESUS PRAYER and glue each word onto a paper "bead." Glue them in a circle shape. If you want, print out an icon photo of St. Gregory Palamas and glue it in the middle! You can add a cross at the bottom too (shown below).

http://www.creativehandscreativeminds.com

O light of Orthodoxy, teacher of the Church, its confirmation,

O ideal of monks and invincible champion of theologians,

O wonder-working Gregory, glory of Thessaloniki and preacher of grace,

always intercede before the Lord that our souls may be saved.