GB 1-3/2021

Recent research speaks of a 40% decrease in empathy in the last 20 years, especially among young people. Some experts believe that this decline is related to the penetration of digital technology and the Internet in the world and life of contemporary man. The conclusion of the specialists is that, using the benefits of digital technology, we must cultivate our real, living relationships in the concrete world in which we live, and by no means those developed in the shadow of the screens and in the shelter of anonymity.

The Holy Confession represents, for the Orthodox priest, the most important means of conducting the individual pastoral care, because only during this Holy Sacrament does the clergyman have the opportunity to know all the shortcomings and falls of his spiritual children. Thus, he can administer the most spiritual remedies, suitable for directing them towards salvation. The confessor must be a “master like a healer”, that is, to be a good psychologist, to have an impeccable and improved moral life, to know the evil forms of manifestation of sins, in all their symptoms, to recommend the more useful advice and guidance and to apply canons and moral rules according to the manner and gravity of the deeds committed, the degree of repentance of the penitents and their ability to fulfil these canonical norms and religious precepts. They must also take into account the individuality and complexity of their lives: age, behavior, profession, level of culture, intensity of religious beliefs and feelings etc.

This study offers a brief presentation of one of the best-known disputes from the French Wars of Religion period, involving the noble family of de Guise from Lorraine province and the Admiral of France, Gaspard II de Coligny-Châtillon (1519-1572). This quarrel was moderated by the French King Charles IX (1560-1574), being concluded with the assassination of the Admiral by some of the duke Henri de Guise’s (1550-1588) men on the night of the St. Bartholomew Massacre in Paris (August 24th, 1572).

On the one hand, this paper aims to familiarize the reader with the life of Saint Simeon Stylites, and on the other hand, it is an invitation to read his homilies. The research started by Antonio Rocchi and Joseph Cozza-Luzi, was continued in the 20th century by H. Delehaye and Paul van den Ven, and in the 21st century by Callot Olivier, Pierre-Louis Gatier, Jean-Pierre Sodini, Dina Boero and Charles Kuper. At the same time, the argumentation is meant to highlight the long research of those who dealt in general with the stylites and especially with St. Simeon of the Wonderful Mountain and to bring to the reader’s attention the discoveries made by them, but also the hypotheses they support about the life and work of this great pillar-hermit. Despite the important research already done, still remain many aspects that await to be elucidated. Thus the life and work of a great personality and saint of the 6th century was made more accessible to everyone. Eventhough there have been different stances on this subject, it is generally accepted that St. Simeon was born in 521 and lived 71 years, of which 65 years on the pillar. From him we inherited a work consisting of three (four) hymns, thirty homilies and (at least) one letter from the correspondence he has had with various people.