Jean Damascène
v. 675-749 8th century Feast day: December 4
Incarnate prayer: to raise the mind to God who drew near even in matter.
Who was Jean Damascène?
Born into a Christian family of Damascus under Muslim rule, a high official before becoming a monk near Jerusalem, he defended the holy images against those who wished to destroy them. A theologian and poet, he gathered the faith of the Christian East and made of it a song.
In their own words
I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter, who became matter for my sake.
Prayer is the raising of the mind to God.
It is not possible to say what God is in his essence; it is more fitting to speak of him by the negation of all things.