Divinization

[John G. Manutes]

When an Orthodox Christian is properly prepared and receives the Eucharist, is he/she divinized at that moment?

What is the definition of divinization?

Is not the Trinity the only true Divine entity?

Does partaking of the Divine energies divinize us?

[Monachos.net]

Note: I have left this post in the current thread, and removed the similar post from the Liturgy and Liturgical Study topic, as it is more suited to this area.

[John Wehling]

John,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In regard to your question, I would refer you to a wonderful book by Prof. George Mantzaridis called "The Deification of Man," published by St. Vladimir's. This brief study of the theology of St Gregory Palamas contains a very fine chapter on the Holy Mysteries/sacraments (ch. 2) called "The Sacramental and Ecclesiological Nature of Deification." Here is a brief quote that pertains directly to your questions.

"The sacraments of the Church make it possible for man to enter freely and personally into communion with the divinizing grace which the Logos of God bestowed upon human nature in assuming it. Through the sacraments corrupt man, sprung from the corrupt root of Adam, is united with the new root, that is, with Christ, and partakes of incorruptibility and divine life. The uncreated and imperishable grace of God dwelling in man renders him, too, imperishable, eternal, and unoriginate. These bold terms, used to describe the man who through God's grace is regenerate, are not met with for the first time in Palamas; Maximus the Confessor had already used the same words to characterize the man who is alive in Christ and who is guided by His grace. They do not, of course, alter the basic distinction between man and God as created and Creator, but they express the truth of the genuine regeneration as experienced by the man who enters into communion with divinizing grace, which makes him a god in every respect 'save in identity of essence.' (Palamas quoting Maximus)....The direct relationship between the sacramental and the moral life of the believer is obvious. If man continues in sin, says Palamas, baptism and the rest of the sacraments of the Church will do him no good at all." (pp. 42-43)

I also refer you to the first volume of the Homilies of St Gregory Palamas published by St Tikhon's, in which this issue is addressed specifically in Homily 5 and elsewhere.

Hope this helps.

Fr John

PS: Are you attending St Mary's or St Nicholas? I have friends who you might know there.

[John Wehling]

John,

I was remiss in not pointing out another work which deals specifically with your questions, and that is "The Life in Christ" by St Nicholas Cabasilas, also available from SVS Press. This entire work deals with this very question of why Christ gave us the Holy Mysteries, how they work to deify us, and how we must receive them if we wish to be united with Christ.

Grace and peace,
Fr John

[John G. Manutes]

Dear Fr. John,

Thank you for your reply. I will try to investigate the resourses you = mentioned. These questions came up during a class we have at our parish = and our priest, Fr. Paul, pretty much explained it the way you did when = you quoted Palamas

"they express the truth of the genuine regeneration as experienced by = the man who enters into communion with divinizing grace, which makes him = a god in every respect 'save in identity of essence.' (Palamas quoting = Maximus)...."

Being the obstinate person that I am, I seek a "second opinion" on the = idea of being divinized at the moment we participate in sacramental = grace. Maybe I am making too fine a distinction but I am wrong to think = that we are not "divine" when we consume the Eucharist. Agreed, we may = be in "communion with divinizing grace", but it seems to me that this is = a process (theosis), a process that will continue during our entire = life. If we were "divine", (and I am assuming the term is being used in = the same way that God is divine), then we would be the "gods" were are = called to be. I am not sure that that is the case. As Fr. Paul would = say, please tell me what is lacking.



BTW-I started attending St. Nicholas but when St. Mary "spun off" I = went with them.=20

In Christ,

John