Holy mountains of the Byzantine East and mystical experience (ninth-fourteenth c.)
June 18, 2026 DOI: 10.30687/979-12-5742-071-0/002 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe essay examines how holy mountains in the Byzantine East (ninth–fourteenth centuries) served as sites for mystical experience. Stephanos Euthymiadis argues that these landscapes were not merely physical locations but were imbued with spiritual significance, facilitating contemplative practices and encounters with the divine. The work analyzes historical and theological sources to show how monastic communities on mountains like Mount Athos cultivated a distinct form of ascetic mysticism, blending topography with religious experience.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Byzantine architecture Christianity Action physics Islam |
| Key finding | Argues that Byzantine holy mountains were integral to the development of Eastern Christian mystical experience through their unique combination of physical isolation and spiritual symbolism. |
Abstract
Salta al contenuto principale Byzantine Studies Collana | Byzantine Studies Miscellanea | Holy Mountain(s) in Byzantium and Beyond Capitolo | Holy mountains of the Byzantine East and mystical experience (ninth-fourteenth c.) Holy mountains of the Byzantine East and mystical experience (ninth-fourteenth c.) + Stephanos Euthymiadis Stephanos Euthymiadis - Open University of Cyprus - email open access | peer reviewed Presentato: 25 Maggio 2026 | Pubblicato Prossimamente | Lingua: en Copyright © 2026 Stephanos Euthymiadis. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).