++
2011-03-09 16:14:16 UTC
I am sure that everyone here has read at least one of the books of
Constantine Cavarnos in English. What a beloved author. May his
memory be eternal. I am sorry not to have known on the day of his
passing. His soul is surely with the righteous
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2011/03/constantine-cavarnos-
schemamonk-and.html
Constantine Cavarnos, Schemamonk and Professor, Has Reposed
(1918-2011)
(The following encomium was written by Archpriest Joseph Frawley in
honor of
the late professor and schemamonk Constantine Cavarnos.)
The noted author and lecturer Schemamonk Constantine (Cavarnos) fell
asleep
in the Lord on the morning of March 3, 2011 at St Anthony's Monastery
in
Arizona, and was buried there the same day.
Dr Cavarnos was born in Boston in 1918, and graduated from Harvard
University, where he also received a Doctorate in Philosophy. He
taught at
several colleges in America, and contributed articles and reviews to
various
publications through the years. In 1956, he founded the Institute of
Byzantine
and Modern Greek Studies in order to promote interest in Orthodox
spirituality,
philosophy, and modern Greek culture.
He lectured in schools, seminaries, and parishes in this country and
abroad,
where his clear, lucid presentations were always well received.
Dr Cavarnos wrote nearly one hundred books including volumes on
philosophy,
theology, and the very popular series of Modern Orthodox Saints. His
first
book A DIALOGUE BETWEEN BERGSON, ARISTOTLE, AND PHILOLOGOS was
published in 1949. His latest, THE PHILOKALIA, VOL. 2, was released
just this
year.
Although he began his career with philosophical studies, he progressed
to the
true philosophy, which is how the Church Fathers describe monasticism.
Dr
Cavarnos admired the monastic life, and wrote several books on the
subject.
Even while living and working as a layman, he seemed to be detached
from the
world. The late Greek Orthodox Archbishop Michael used to call him "a
monk
living in the world." Meeting him, one sensed that here was a man of
true
piety and prayer.
In the course of his career, Dr Cavarnos knew many prominent people.
He has
written of his long friendship with the Greek iconographer and writer,
Photios
Kontoglou, who brought about a revival of Byzantine iconography. He
also
knew some of the Orthodox Church's great Spiritual Fathers, such as
Archimandrite Philotheos Zervakos.
When Dr Cavarnos lost his sight, he embraced the monastic life and
was
tonsured at St Anthony's Monastery in Florence, AZ. I believe he
always
intended to end his life in a monastery, and that this was the
fulfillment of his
fondest wish.
It was my privilege to know Dr Cavarnos for almost forty years.
Whenever my
wife and I would travel to the Boston area to visit family, we always
tried to
make time to visit him at his home in Belmont, MA. He was a major
influence in
my life through his books, lectures, and paternal counsel. Our
conversations at
his home were just like his books: uplifting, edifying, and soul-
profiting. His
books remain as his legacy, and will continue to inspire and instruct
future
generations of those who seek the heavenly Kingdom.
There was an understandable sadness when I heard that he had
completed
the course of his earthly life. However, there is also a sense of joy
because he
is, I believe, with God and with all the saints who ever lived.
May the Lord be merciful to the ever-memorable servant of God,
Schemamonk
Constantine, and give him rest in Abraham's bosom, and number him
among
the just.
Constantine Cavarnos in English. What a beloved author. May his
memory be eternal. I am sorry not to have known on the day of his
passing. His soul is surely with the righteous
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2011/03/constantine-cavarnos-
schemamonk-and.html
Constantine Cavarnos, Schemamonk and Professor, Has Reposed
(1918-2011)
(The following encomium was written by Archpriest Joseph Frawley in
honor of
the late professor and schemamonk Constantine Cavarnos.)
The noted author and lecturer Schemamonk Constantine (Cavarnos) fell
asleep
in the Lord on the morning of March 3, 2011 at St Anthony's Monastery
in
Arizona, and was buried there the same day.
Dr Cavarnos was born in Boston in 1918, and graduated from Harvard
University, where he also received a Doctorate in Philosophy. He
taught at
several colleges in America, and contributed articles and reviews to
various
publications through the years. In 1956, he founded the Institute of
Byzantine
and Modern Greek Studies in order to promote interest in Orthodox
spirituality,
philosophy, and modern Greek culture.
He lectured in schools, seminaries, and parishes in this country and
abroad,
where his clear, lucid presentations were always well received.
Dr Cavarnos wrote nearly one hundred books including volumes on
philosophy,
theology, and the very popular series of Modern Orthodox Saints. His
first
book A DIALOGUE BETWEEN BERGSON, ARISTOTLE, AND PHILOLOGOS was
published in 1949. His latest, THE PHILOKALIA, VOL. 2, was released
just this
year.
Although he began his career with philosophical studies, he progressed
to the
true philosophy, which is how the Church Fathers describe monasticism.
Dr
Cavarnos admired the monastic life, and wrote several books on the
subject.
Even while living and working as a layman, he seemed to be detached
from the
world. The late Greek Orthodox Archbishop Michael used to call him "a
monk
living in the world." Meeting him, one sensed that here was a man of
true
piety and prayer.
In the course of his career, Dr Cavarnos knew many prominent people.
He has
written of his long friendship with the Greek iconographer and writer,
Photios
Kontoglou, who brought about a revival of Byzantine iconography. He
also
knew some of the Orthodox Church's great Spiritual Fathers, such as
Archimandrite Philotheos Zervakos.
When Dr Cavarnos lost his sight, he embraced the monastic life and
was
tonsured at St Anthony's Monastery in Florence, AZ. I believe he
always
intended to end his life in a monastery, and that this was the
fulfillment of his
fondest wish.
It was my privilege to know Dr Cavarnos for almost forty years.
Whenever my
wife and I would travel to the Boston area to visit family, we always
tried to
make time to visit him at his home in Belmont, MA. He was a major
influence in
my life through his books, lectures, and paternal counsel. Our
conversations at
his home were just like his books: uplifting, edifying, and soul-
profiting. His
books remain as his legacy, and will continue to inspire and instruct
future
generations of those who seek the heavenly Kingdom.
There was an understandable sadness when I heard that he had
completed
the course of his earthly life. However, there is also a sense of joy
because he
is, I believe, with God and with all the saints who ever lived.
May the Lord be merciful to the ever-memorable servant of God,
Schemamonk
Constantine, and give him rest in Abraham's bosom, and number him
among
the just.