GLOSSOLALIA

GLOSSOLALIA – Literally, “speaking in tongues.” St. Paul uses the term to describe not an emotional experience but a spiritual gift ^{(1 Cor. 12:10)}, though not one of the higher gifts ^{(1 Cor. 14:1-5)}. At Pentecost the gift was given to allow those present to hear the gospel in their native language ^{(Acts 2:6)}; in Corinth, the gift is an ecstatic utterance ^{(1 Cor. 14:2)}. The Apostle warns against too much emphasis on this experience, urging instead that believers seek to manifest love ^{(1 Cor. 13:1)} and communicate the gospel intelligibly ^{(1 Cor. 14:19)}. Glossolalia has never played a significant role in historic Orthodox spirituality. ^{(1 Cor. 12?14.)}