83 Mobility, immobility and sainthood Often it is hard to establish the exact relation between hesychia and space, as it is not always apparent which of all the possible connotations and layers of meaning of hesychia the author intended to convey. Despite this difficulty, at least two types of relations between hesychia and space can be distinguished in the discussed examples of hesychazein in monastic cells in the Life of Gregory of Decapolis. In the first example (chapter 25), hesychia can be understood as being in certain conditions, such as being in solitude, being without disturbances. The space guarantees these conditions. The meaning of hesychia is then closely wrapped up with being in a space (with these conditions). In the second example (chapter 39), hesychia can be understood as a spiritual activity (such as contemplation). The space of the monastic cell is considered appropriate for this activity, which also has to do with the conditions that the space provides. The difference with the first example is that being in the space (the monastic cell) is not vital for the meaning of hesychazein. In both types of relations though, it is clear that hesychia and the spatial surroundings of the monk are closely related. The exact nature of the relation between hesychia and space is more difficult to establish in other examples, but also in these other examples in the Lives of Gregory and Euthymius it is clear that there is a close connection between hesychia and the surroundings. Quantitatively, the close connection between hesychia and space is apparent from the fact that from 21 instances of hesychia or its cognates in the Lives of Gregory and Euthymius, in 15 instances the type of space is specifically mentioned in the same sentence or just before or after. In addition, there are only a few types of spaces that are mentioned in relation to hesychia. In the following the types of spaces associated with hesychia and the conditions they provide will be explored. It should be noted, in line with the semantic analysis earlier in the chapter, that hesychia has multiple meanings and therefore is used in multiple ways – so in many, but not all, instances in the Lives hesychia is tied to space. Appendix 2 gives an overview of the instances in which the term is linked to specific locations. 2.3.2 Types of spaces and their qualities In the Lives of Gregory of Decapolis and Euthymius the Younger certain patterns in the types of spaces that the saints go to in their search for hesychia can be observed. Only certain types of spaces are mentioned in relation to hesychia: monastic cells, towers, columns, caves, mountains and an uninhabited island. These may be categorised as either (semi-)enclosed interior spaces (monastic cells, towers, caves) or as exterior spaces (mountains, uninhabited islands, and columns). Mountains, towers and columns moreover may be characterised as heights. All of these spaces share two characteristics: they enable a degree of physical separation from the direct surroundings, and because of this physical separation they enable a degree of social isolation. 2
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