The Enlargement of the Heart
‘Be ye also enlarged’ (2 Cor. 6, 13)
in the Theology of Saint Silouan the Athonite and Elder Sophrony of Essex
The heart’s opening up to prayer heals man’s personhood. Man’s mind is concentrated in and becomes united with the heart. Thus the heart is enlarged to contain all the fullness of Christ’s love. Consequently, the entire struggle in prayer has as its aim the discovery and conquest of the heart. The way towards achieving this is impeded only by vainglory.