Theosis
Theosis “God became human so that human beings may become God” (St Athanasius) Introduction In the history of theology, one can detect quite different, but not necessarily opposing emphases in the understanding of redemption in the Western and Eastern Churches. In the past the Catholic Churchhas tended to understand redemption in terms of legal, juridical and forensic […]
The Prayers
The Prayer WHY DO WE PRAY If we pray for personal needs only, because we need something, then the most necessary ingredient in relationship is missing: love. In order to establish and maintain a relationship (a dialogue, a communion), our love for God should be at the very heart of our desire to come nearer […]
Power to do all that the Theotokos wills
Mary’s intercession and mediation, therefore, are not only incomparably greater but incomparably different in nature from those of the Angels and Saints. The intercessions of all other Saints are only supplicatory in nature. Without Mary the Mother of the Incarnate Logos (Word), however, there can be no Saints. She is one of the two persons […]
Seven characteristics of Orthodox Christian Spirituality
1. TRINITARIAN: I believe in one God, the Father All mighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made; of one […]
Why do we call the Virgin Mary “Theotokos”?
These words and these decrees we ought to follow, considering what is meant by the Word of God being incarnate and made man.