Prof. Jean-Claude Larchet

Prof. Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet is one of the foremost Orthodox theologians and patristics scholars writing today.

Born in north-eastern France in 1949, he earned state doctorates in philosophy (1987) and theology (1994).

He is a spiritual son of the Elder Serge Chévitch (1904-1987), who was also the spiritual father of the philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev, the theologian Vladimir Lossky, and the monk iconographer Gregory (Krug).

From 1973 to 1979 he met, to receive their advice, some of the best-known spiritual leaders of that era: Archimandrite (now Saint) Justin Popovich, Archimandrite Sophrony (Sakharov) and, in two long stays at Mount Athos, the followers of Elder Iosif the Hesychast – the Elder Efraim of Katounakia, the Elder Efraim (Moraïtis) of Philotheou, the Elder Haralambos Dionysiatis , Father Theoklitos Dionysiatis, and especially the Elder Païsios (Eznepidis) with whom he had long talks and whose support remains of great importance to him.

He is one of the very few contemporary authors who is able seamlessly to combine rigorous scholarship with a vibrant sense of the inner life of the Church. His prolific writings on the spirituality of the Fathers of the Church and on Orthodox theology and ecclesiology (twenty-two books, over one hundred and fifty articles) have been translated into no less than 15 languages. His book Therapy of spiritual illnesses is a bestseller in many countries.

Professor of philosophy and honorary professor of theology for 35 years, he is now retired. He is, in the publishing house L’Age d’Homme (Lausanne and Paris), the editor of the book series “Grands spirituels du XXe siècle” (“Great Elders of XXth Century” – presently 22 volumes published) and has been for 10 years one of the main collaborators of the French Orthodox information website www.orthodoxie.com