THEOSIS THE TRUE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE ARCHIMANDRITE GEORGE ABBOT OF THE HOLY MONASTERY OF ST. GREGORIOS ON MOUNT ATHOS THEOSIS THE TRUE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE HOLY MONASTERY OF ST. GREGORIOS MOUNT ATHOS 2006 CONTENTS Translator's note .............................................................9 The deifi cation as the purpose of man's life Preface ..........................................................................15 1st Edition 1992 Theosis the true purpose of human life ........................19 2nd Edition 1997 3rd Edition 2001 The incarnation of God: Theosis the true purpose of human life The cause of man's Theosis ..........................................24 4th Edition 2006 The contribution of the Theotokos © 2006 HOLY MONASTERY to the Theosis of man ...................................................30 OF SAINT GREGORIOS 63087 MOUNT ATHOS - GREECE The Church: The place of man's Theosis ..........................................34 ISBN: 960-7553-26-8 Theosis is possible through the uncreated energies of God ............................................................39 Qualifications for Theosis ............................................47 Experiences of Theosis ................................................57 Failure of many people to reach Theosis .....................64 Consequences of guidance for Theosis ........................69 Consequences of guidance that does not lead to Theosis .............................................................72 Glossary .......................................................................77 Translator’s Note The beauty of this book is its simplicity. In clear and simple terms it states the original purpose of the Christian life – namely Theosis. Its author Archimandrite George has been the Abbot of St. Gregorios Monastery since 1974. He is well known throughout the Orthodox world both as a theologian and spiritual father. He has written many books and articles on theology and the spiritual life. His works have been translated into many languages. The idea of Theosis will be unfamiliar to the Western mind, although it is not a new concept to Christianity. When Christ said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,”1 this is a call to a life of Theosis. Theosis is personal communion with God “face to face.”2 To the Western mind, this idea may seem incom- prehensible, even sacrilegious, but it derives unques- tionably from Christ’s teachings. Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the messianic dream of the Jewish race;3 His mission to connect us with the Kingdom of God4 – a Kingdom not of this world.5 When Jesus said, “You are gods,”6 “be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect,”7 or “the righteous will shine like the sun in the 1. Matthew 4:17 2. Cf. Genesis 32:30 3. Cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 53; Acts 1:6; 2:16-36; 1 Peter 2:6-8 4. Mark 1:15 5. Romans 14:17 6. John 10:34 7. Matthew 5:48 10 Archimandrite George Theosis 11 Kingdom of their Father,”8 this is to be taken literally. simply equated with a Jewish state or a single people, For those who are interested, further Biblical evidence but is intended for all humanity.15 Through repentance for this can be found in Leviticus 11:44-45; 20:7-8; Deu- we are all called to the true Exodus –to the New Jeru- teronomy 18:13; Psalms 82:1,6; Romans 6:22; 1 Corinthi- salem16– as Christ said, “Do not think that I am come ans 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:2-4. to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to The whole sacrificial tradition of Israel beginning destroy but to fulfill.”17 with the sacrificial offering of Isaac reaches fulfillment The Orthodox Church has retained this original mes- in Jesus Christ. St. John the Baptist echoing Isaiah says, sage of Christ unchanged. It is for this reason that the “Behold the Lamb of God who takes upon Himself the Orthodox Church is both the “body of Christ” 18 and the sins of the world.”9 St. Paul has this in mind when he “faithful bride”19 who has been true to her lover. It is says, “If you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of this Sacred Tradition which guarantees our fidelity to Abraham, and heirs according to the promise,”10 because Christ’s mission, and it is with this knowledge that He “those who believe are children of Abraham.”11 The says “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the name Israel, was given to Jacob by God as an expression age.”20 Christ’s teachings could not be arrived at from of his fidelity. Later this name was inherited by his faith- the Holy Bible alone; we would simply project our mod- ful descendants. This train of thought is expounded in ern concepts onto the early Church. Theosis stems from the writings of St. Paul, where he blesses the Church as this tradition in which the early Church, Traditional “the Israel of God;”12 whilst elsewhere he wrestles with Christianity, and Orthodoxy are identical. and is pained by his fellow Jews denial of their own Mes- Traditional Christianity gave expression and defini- siah, labeling them “Israel according to the flesh.”13 tion to its Theology through the Church Synods; notable That is why, the Church –“God’s very own Peo- among these being the seven Œcumenical Synods, the ple,”14– is also known as the “New Israel,” the “spiritual Synod of St. Photios of 867 and the Palamite Synods of Israel,” striving to the Heavenly Kingdom. Those first the fourteenth century. Please note: the Church Synods Christians realised that the Kingdom of God was not gave expression and definition to an existent Theology that was fully present within the Church from the day 8. Matthew 13:43; cf Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36. 9. John 1:29 15. Cf. Matthew 3:7-9; Acts 1:8; 11:1-18; 15:16-17; Galatians 3:14;28 10. Galatians 3:29 16. Revelation 21:2-3 11. Galatians 3:7-9 17. Matthew 5:17 12. Galatians 6:15-16; also cf. John. 1:11-13; Romans 2:28-29; James 1:1 18. Colossians 1:18,24; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. 13. Romans 9-11; also cf. John. 8:37-40; 10:32-38 19. 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 18:23 14. 1 Peter 2:9; cf Colossians 2:11. 20. Matthew 28:20; cf John. 17:20-22. 12 Archimandrite George Theosis 13 of Pentecost: the same Synods were also responsible for tion has attempted to keep the simplicity present in the compiling and approving the various books which today original, while continuing to convey the central message are collectively known as the New Testament. as faithfully as possible. Little explanation has been The dual task of Orthodox Theology is to define and added to adapt it to Western thought, as this might mis- also to protect from human distortion the teachings of represent the true content of the book. Jesus Christ. As can be seen, Theology is far more than In order to understand Christ’s central teaching, we knowledge about God acquired through academic study. will have to approach certain key words and concepts Christianity is a living faith, founded on revelation born in a new way and not according to their current English of the Holy Spirit,21 giving those counted worthy inti- usage. We will have to look at them with an open mind, mate experience of the Triune God and of spiritual reali- as if seeing them for the first time. It will be necessary ties.22 All attempts to understand Christ’s message from to go back to basics, and in this way see what Christ and a purely rational standpoint will remain partial and in- the Way meant to the first Christians. Key biblical words complete.23 such as “psyche,” “heart,” “repentance,” and “nous,” We now live in an age where Western civilization will have to be looked at as if we are seeing them for lives and acts contrary to its Christian heritage, yet it the first time. For this reason, it was decided to italicise still believes that it knows about Christ and His Church. key words and concepts when they first appear and to The West fails to appreciate that over one thousand years provide a glossary to define them. separate it from this tradition. As a result, the West’s Theosis is the Pearl of Great Price alluded to by perception and understanding of Christ and His Church Christ.24 It can become a present reality for those who has become clouded. Although no longer perceived as are willing to tread the path, and so it is not exclusively such, Christ’s crowning achievement was also humani- an after-death experience. With Theosis death is tran- ty’s crowning achievement, and this forms a watershed scended.25 St. Paul alludes to this when he says, “it is no in human history. Christ’s message was so profound and longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”26 Again, revolutionary, that it can be said that humanity failed to while being stoned to death, St. Stephen the first martyr grasp both its magnitude and its simplicity. offered himself up to Christ and prayed to God for his As this book was originally intended for an Ortho- persecutors to be forgiven.27 The Easter chant, “Christ dox Greek-speaking audience, there was much common ground between the book and its audience. This transla- 24. Matthew 13:45-46 25. Cf. Mark 9:1; John 4:14; 8:51; 11:25-26; Romans 5:21; 2 Timothy 21. John 16:13; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 2:10;13 1:10 22. Cf. Acts 9:3-7 26. Galatians 2:20 23. 1 Corinthians 2:9 27. Acts 7:59-60 14 Archimandrite George is Risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and bestowing life to those in the tombs” also bears wit- ness to this. Christianity is victory over death. So may this small book help us all to strive for that one thing needful, that One thing which cannot be taken from us. Preface It is very daring for someone to talk about Theosis without first having tasted it. But we have dared what is beyond our power because we have faith in the mercy of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is done so as not to hide from our Chris- tian brothers the highest and ultimate purpose of our life; that for which we were created. This is done so that it will become clear that the only truly Orthodox form of pastoral guidance is that which is intended to lead to Theosis, and is not, as in Western Christianity, aimed at a moral per- fection for man which does not depend on God’s Grace. This is done so that all may desire what is best and struggle for the highest. This is the only thing able to quench the depth of the psyche’s thirst for the Absolute, the Triune God. This is done so that we will overflow with grati- tude towards our Maker and Creator for His great gift to us, Theosis by Grace. This is done so that we realise the irreplaceabil- ity of our Holy Church as the only community of Theosis on earth. This is done so that the magnificence and truth of our Orthodox Faith should be revealed as the 16 Archimandrite George Theosis 17 only faith that teaches and provides Theosis to its Note: members. The text that follows is based on an elaboration This is done so that our psyches should be con- of talks which I have given at different times in var- soled, for regardless of the degree to which they ious Greek cities at the request of the local Most have been poisoned and darkened by sin, they Reverend Metropolitans. yearn for the light of Christ’s face. The style of the work is dependent on the fact Merciful Lord, in Your boundless love, be pleased that it is based on taped extracts of these talks. to make us worthy to enter the path of Theosis be- It should also be mentioned that I developed this fore we leave the present temporal world. subject when I would talk somewhere for the first Merciful Lord, in their quest for Theosis, guide time, since I consider this question as the most im- those of our Orthodox brethren who do not rejoice portant for the spiritual life. because they are unaware of the magnificence of the fact that they are “called to be gods.” Merciful Lord, also guide the steps of heterodox Christians to become aware of Your Truth, so that they are not left outside Your Bridechamber, de- prived of the Grace of Theosis. Merciful Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world! Amen. The Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Gregorios of the Holy Mountain Athos † Archimandrite George March 1997 Theosis the true purpose of human life The question of the destiny of our lives is very serious, as it concerns the most important question for man:* for what purpose are we placed on earth? If man takes a correct stance on this issue; if he finds his true destiny; then he will be able to take a correct viewpoint in relation to particular questions that arise in our daily life; in our relationships with our fellow men; in our studies, profession, marriage and the bearing and upbringing of children. If he does not relate correctly to this basic issue, then he will also fail in life’s particular purposes, for what meaning can a particular purpose have if human life as a whole has no meaning? Our life’s purpose is declared in the first chapter of the Holy Bible, when the Holy author tells us that God created man “in His image and likeness.” From this we discover the great love the Triune God has for man: He does not wish him simply to be a being with certain gifts, certain qualities, a certain superiority over the rest of creation, He wishes him to be a god by Grace. * See glossary