SUCH was Gregory’s deep knowledge of Scripture and Tradition that in 1341 a synod at Constantinople, the Imperial capital, found in his favour. Slanders spread by a former ally led to three years in jail, but two further imperial synods in 1347 and 1351 exonerated him. Even after he was appointed Archbishop of Thessalonica in 1347, it took another three years for Gregory to win acceptance; but he served out the rest of his life there (apart from 1354, spent in the Ottoman court after being kidnapped by Turkish pirates) and died in 1359. His last words were, ‘To the heights!’
Barlaam, meanwhile, joined the estranged Roman Church, as Bishop of Gerace. In Italy, he found Theology more to his taste, a studious Science of texts and philosophies. In the East, however, Gregory’s ideas prevailed. Theology remained an Encounter: the monks of Mount Athos returned to their caves and cells ready to soothe busy minds, and dim the glare of worldly distractions; perhaps, to glimpse with heart-sight a glory that is not of this world.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Estrange. Philosophy. Sight.
2 Found. His. Three.
3 Cell. Conclude. Imagine.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Light. 2. See. 3. Serve. 4. Lead. 5. Even. 6. Brief. 7. Mount. 8. May. 9. Spread.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
lm (5+3)
elm. lame. lime. loam. loom.
lama. lima. limo.
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