Prochorus Cydones

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Prochorus Cydones, also spelled Prochoros Kydones or Prochorus Cydonius (born c. 1330 in Thessalonica, died c. 1369 on Mount Athos) was an Eastern Orthodox monk, theologian, and linguist. An advocate of Western Aristotelian thought, his translation of Latin Scholastic writings, brought him into conflict with Hesychasm, the leading school of Byzantine mystical theology, and its most vigorous defender, Gregory Palamas.

Born in the Byzantine city of Thessalonica, Prochorus entered the Great Lavra, a monastery on Mount Athos at a young age, and was eventually ordained a hieromonk. He was greatly influenced by Western Scholasticism. He collaborated with his brother Demetrius in translating Thomas Aquinas' monumental Summa Theologiae. Prochorus also made Greek translations of the works of Augustine of Hippo and the 6th-century philosopher Boethius.

Prochorus' own treatise, De essentia et operatione Dei (“On the Essence and Activity of God”), was a condemnation of the mystical theology of Gregory Palamas. The Synod of Constantinople in 1368 condemned both of the brothers Cydones as heretics, and Prochorus was deposed from the priesthood. The chief source for Prochorus' life is a pair of polemical addresses by Demetrius, eulogizing his brother and denouncing Patriarch Philotheus Kokkinos, who had been responsible for their condemnation.

[edit] See also

• Demetrius Cydones
• Hesychasm
• Byzantine scholars in Renaissance
• List of Macedonians (Greek)