Spiritual Life & Practices

Penthos (Gift of Tears)

Compunction, mourning for sin, and joyful sorrow: a central practice of Orthodox spiritual life. Not depression but grace-filled repentance that leads to spiritual consolation. The 'gift of tears' (charisma ton dakryon) is considered a sign of spiritual progress. 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Matthew 5:4).

Sources

St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 7 ('On Mourning') archive.org, to borrow
St. Isaac the Syrian, Ascetical Homilies archive.org, Wensinck 1923
St. Symeon the New Theologian, Catechetical Discourses archive.org, to borrow

Connections

Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian
Great Lent
Repentance (Metanoia)
St. Arsenios the Great
St. Isaac the Syrian
St. John Climacus (of the Ladder)
St. Sophrony of Essex
St. Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)
The Eight Passions (Logismoi)

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