La dynamique de la vie spirituelle chez saint Jean Climaque: un bref regard comparatif avec saint Grégoire de Nysse

Abstract

This article aims to make a comparison between the teaching of St. John Climacus and that of St. Gregory of Nyssa, with a specific focus on the complex of ideas related to perpetual progress. While one must proceed with caution, a number of close and significant parallels can nevertheless be indicated: a dynamic concept of spiritual perfection, the definition of virtue as limitless, the idea of a perpetual growth in love, and the inclusion of the angels in this progress. I suggest that the best way for explaining these analogies is to admit a (direct) influence of Gregory on John. As a consequence, John Climacus must be counted with a group of Eastern authors holding similar views that includes (Pseudo‐)Macarius, Maximus the Confessor, Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory of Sinai, Gregory Palamas and Kallistos Angelikoudes. These authors appear in fact to be witnesses of a tradition of thought that stems back to Gregory of Nyssa.