Gregory Palamas

Gregory Palamas was a 14th-century Byzantine monk and theologian known for his defense of Orthodox Christian mysticism. He distinguished between God's essence (the divine nature, which is unknowable) and His energies (the ways God manifests in the world, such as grace and light), arguing that humans can experience these divine energies through prayer and contemplation. His teachings influenced the development of Orthodox theology and spirituality, particularly concerning the experience of God and the nature of salvation. Palamas' work highlights the possibility of a personal relationship with the divine, emphasizing a mystical approach to faith within Eastern Orthodoxy.