https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2019.89.1.07
Writing in his works about passions, Mark the Ascetic had behind him
a long-term tradition of ascetic thought. However, an inquisitiveness leads
the Master of asceticism to original statements on this subject. In forgetting
good thoughts, in recklessness and unawareness (ῥᾳθυμία, λήθη, ἄγνοια)
he sees the origin of many passions. The common root of passion is the
human tendency to seek pleasure (ἡδυπαθεία). Mark the Ascetic finds in
the theologal life, which determined by faith, hope and love, and which is
initiated by baptism, the basis of moral innocence of man. In the absence of
this life, he sees the cause of the development of evil. He points to concrete
measures to fight passions. The forgetting should be contrasted with the
memory of good works, the negligence with the sincere readiness to fight,
and the unawareness with the enlightened cognition. The author emphasizes
the role of meditation, especially of God’s favours and Christ’s abasement,
in the fight against faults. As a theologian of the Holy Spirit, he reflects on
His role in asceticism.
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