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==<i>Logismoi</i> in the Writing of the Fathers==
===Evagrius Ponticus===
[[Evagrius Ponticus]] (c.346-399), originally from Pontus, on the southern coast of the Black sea in what is modern-day Turkey. He served as a [[Reader|lector]] under St. [[Basil the Great]] and was made [[deacon]] and [[archdeacon]] under St. [[Gregory the Theologian]]. In order to deal with his sin, Evagrius retreated to the Egyptian desert and joined a cenobitic community. As a classically-trained scholar, Evagrius recorded the sayings of the desert monks and developed his own theological writings.
Evagrius developed a comprehensive list in 375 AD of eight evil thoughts (λογισμοι), or eight terrible temptations, from which all sinful behavior springs. This list was intended to serve a diagnostic purpose: to help readers identify the process of temptation, their own strengths and weaknesses, and the remedies available for overcoming temptation.
Fr. Maximos teaches that the best way to combat <i>logismoi</i> is to be indifferent, to ignore them. He suggests that a person should pray to combat <i>logismoi</i>, but only when not overcome by fear.
===Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos===
[[Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos]] writing in <i>Orthodox Psychotherapy</i> says:
'When the Fathers speak of `thoughts'(logismoi), they do not mean simple thoughts, but the images and representations behind which there are always appropriate thoughts.'
Referring to an impressive list of patristic writers--including [[Hesychios the Priest]], [[Gregory of Sinai]], [[Maximus the Confessor]], [[Evagrius Ponticus]], [[Isaac the Syrian]], [[Diadochos of Photiki]], St. Thalassios, [[John Climacus]], and [[Barsanuphius of Optina]]--explains the concept of <i>logismoi</i>, the difference between simple thoughts and "images with thoughts," that <i>logismoi</i> are caused by warfare with the devil, consequences of evil thoughts, and the cure for evil thoughts.
Met. Hierotheos' project in <i>Orthodox Psychotherapy</i> is bound up with battling and curing evil thoughts. He outlines a preventative plan that includes "watchfulness, attentiveness, hesychia, and cutting off evil thoughts." For a person already ill with evil thoughts Met. Hierotheos outlines a program of avoiding agitation, cutting off evil thoughts, not letting thoughts persist, chasing them away by prayer, the reading of Scripture and lives of the saints, and creating good thoughts.
==Sources==
*[[Wikipedia:Pontus]]
*'On Watchfulness and Holiness' 21, <i>The Philokalia</i>, Vol. I, trans. G.E.H. Palmer, et al. London: Faber, 1979, p. 165.
* [http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b02.en.orthodox_psychotherapy.03.htm#th Orthodox Psychotherapy - Logismoi], Met. Hierotheos Nafpaktos
==External Links==
[[Category:Theology]]
[[fr:Logismoi]][[ro:LogismoiGândurile rele]]
