This one volume book contains two books: "The Mystic of Fire and Light" by Father George A Maloney and "Hymns of Divine Love" by St Symeon the New Theologian and translated by Father George A Maloney. It is beneficial to first know about Saint Symeon (949-1022), his contemplative prayer life, doctrine and teaching so as to establish a basis for comprehending his spiritual and mystical experiences.

Without knowing who Symeon is in the risen Christ, his Hymns of Divine Love would appear to be nothing more than religious poetry. The mysticism of Symeon cannot be understood without appreciating the central function he assigns to the Holy Spirit. For Symeon, it is not enough that the Christian believe that Jesus Christ or the Holy Trinity lives within him. That presence must be operative in a way that is consciously experienced in one's daily existence, through the action of the Holy Spirit.

St Symeon is "orthodox" in his writings and teachings, which are firmly rooted in Holy Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and in the writings of the Fathers of the early Christian Church. Faithful to the Gospel message, he stresses the importance of a new awareness, through repentance for sins committed after the first Baptism, which he calls a Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

For Symeon, the important question posed to the baptized Christian is not whether the Holy Spirit lives within him, but is he consciously aware through a penitential conversion that must be a continued process, that he lives in Jesus Christ through the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

God is Fire and Light, and is seen and felt consciously by the true contemplative, according to Symeon, while the one who has not this mystical awareness is a cadaver, a blind man, imprisoned in darkness.

In this volume, you are invited to enter into a lively presentation of one of the greatest mystics of all Church History. - from Amzon