hesychast

noun

hes·​y·​chast

-kast

plural -s

often capitalized

: one of an Eastern Orthodox ascetic sect of mystics originating among the monks of Mount Athos in the 14th century and practicing a quietistic method of contemplation for the purpose of attaining a beatific vision or similar mystical experience

Word History

Etymology

Middle Greek hēsychastēs, from Late Greek, quietist, hermit, Greek hēsychazein to be still, keep quiet, from hēsychos quiet; perhaps akin to Old English sīd long

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