Theology & Dogma
Theosis (Deification)
The ultimate goal of human life in Orthodoxy: union with God, becoming 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:4). Not becoming God in essence but participating in God's uncreated energies. As St. Athanasius wrote: 'God became man so that man might become god.'
Sources
- St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation CCEL
- St. Maximus the Confessor, Ambigua
- St. Gregory Palamas, Triads archive.org
Connections
- Essence-Energies Distinction
- Grace Is Uncreated
- Hesychasm
- Holy Eucharist (Communion)
- Image & Likeness of God
- Soteriology (Salvation)
- St. Gregory Palamas (1296-1359)
- St. Seraphim of Sarov (1754-1833)
- St. Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)
- The Incarnation
- The Jesus Prayer
- The Philokalia
- Transfiguration of Christ: August 6