Theosis: The True Purpose of Human Life - Part I

Part I/II - This short treatise clearly and powerfully explains the true purpose of each and every human being: union with God, or Theosis. Fr. George (Kapsanis), former Abbot of the St. Gregorios Monastery on Mount Athos who reposed in the Lord on Pentecost 2014, presents the Orthodox understanding of Theosis and the essential path towards receiving this divine gift of God. In part I, he explains what Theosis is and how it is the aim of our life, examines the role of the Incarnation and the Theotokos in Theosis, and summarizes the importance of St. Gregory Palamas, the essence and energies distinction, and his affirmation of the true Orthodox teaching against the heresies of the Roman Catholics, Protestants, and non-Christian traditions. This is presented in a way that Orthodox Christians, Catechumens, and inquirers will be able to understand and respond in faith to God.“If man cannot be deified with divine Grace and divine energies what purpose does his life have? Only that he becomes morally better. But moral perfection is not enough for man. It is not enough for us simply to become better than before, simply to perform moral deeds. We have as our final aim to unite with holy God Himself.” -Fr. George of Mount Athos0:14 Preface3:21 Theosis: The True Purpose of Human Life9:40 The Incarnation of God: The Cause of Man’s Theosis17:08 The Contribution of the Theotokos to the Theosis of Man.22:30 The Church: The Place of Man’s Theosis29:37 Theosis is Possible Through the Uncreated Energies of GodThe text of this recording can be found here, and in many languages: http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/theos...A reflection on the life and works of Fr. George by His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2014...This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!