ORTHODOX INTERPRETATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEAS OF CONTEMPLATION IN BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX, FRANCIS OF ASSISI, AND BONAVENTURE

Hieromonk Vasily (Troitsky)

Penza, Penza Theological Seminary

Email: o.vasilytroitsky@yandex.ru

Issue: № 2 (34), 2026

Pages: 32

Annotation

This article examines the development of the ideas of contemplation as an integral part of the doctrine of noetic practice in the works of such reputable Western Christian theologians as Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi and Bonaventure. The author speaks about two stages of knowledge of God according to Bernard of Clairvaux (bodily and spiritual) and three stages of spiritual perfection according to Bonaventure (purification, enlightenment and unity). The teaching of Francis of Assisi appears to be more anthropo- oriented, which is manifested in vertical (the idea of personal friendship with Christ) and horizontal (considering all life events as a dialogue with God) projections. The author concludes that the main feature of the differentiation between the considered Western teaching and the Orthodox patristic approach should be considered the attitude to the concept of Palamism and the related doctrine of deification.

Keywords

Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Bonaventure, contemplation, noetic practice, Western Christian tradition

For citation

Vasily (Troitsky), hieromonk. Orthodox interpretation of the development of the ideas of contemplation in Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, and Bonaventure // Ipatievsky vestnik. 2026. № . 2. Р. 32–46 (In Russian). https:// doi.org/10.24412/2309– 5164–2026–2–32–46