Father George Maloney in his introduction to this volume focuses directly on the special importance of St. Symeon and on how similar the religious situation of his era is to our own. St. Symeon the New Theologian, the great spiritual master of Eastern Christianity was an abbot, spiritual director of renown, theologian and important church reformer. These Discourses which form the central work of his life, were preached by St. Symeon to his monks during their morning Matins ritual. They treat such basic spiritual themes as repentance, renuniciation, the works of charity, impassibility, rememberance of death, sorrow for sins, the practice of God's commandments, mystical union with the indwelling Trinity, faith and contemplation.
