Meditatio practice in the works of St. John Cassian the Roman

The article is dedicated to the practice of meditatio , “reflection on the Sacred Scripture”, as described by St. John Cassian the Roman in his “Conferences”. Provided is a description of this practice by Greek authors who used the term μελέτη, which points to the spread of such spiritual experience, along with translations of these terms. The connection between the teaching on prayer, anagogical interpretation of Scripture, and meditatio in the works of Saint John Cassian is highlighted. Constant struggle with thought is considered to be the cause of the emergence of meditatio , during which a person can deeply understand the meaning of the texts being read. Various forms of this practice as described by ancient ascetics and St. John Cassian the Roman are presented. The essence of the practice of repeating a single verse from a psalm as unceasing prayer, a predecessor of the Jesus Prayer, is shown, along with its spread and influence. The meaning of the term meditatio is clarified.