The Christian’s spiritual life (life in the Spirit) is intimately connected with the Church’s faith and worship. While we may consider them separately, we must know that they are essentially related, simply different aspects of the same reality. “Theology” (the … Continue reading
Category Archives: The Spirituality Of the Christian East
As I shared in the last issue of this article, Christian teaching asserts with courage the possibility of a “union” of man with God. In Eastern Christianity this is referred to as “Theosis” or Divinization. There are many varied references … Continue reading
Christian teaching asserts with courage the possibility of a “union” of man with God. In fact it asserts that humans were made in God’s image and have the infused “potential” to become more like Him. Of course we have to … Continue reading
As I indicated in the last issue of this article, the goal of Eastern Christian spirituality is none other than living in a state of deification or participation in the divine life. This experience, strikingly expressed as a state of … Continue reading
At the center of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ and His Resurrection from the dead. As such, the Icon of the Resurrection is the most celebrated, the most common, the most cherished, the most instructive of all the icons … Continue reading
As we enter into this Great and Holy Week, I would bring to an end my thoughts on St. John’s Ladder of Divine Assent. His ending step on the Ladder is love. While Christ told us that by imitating God’s … Continue reading
The last element of the last step on the Ladder of Divine Ascent is LOVE. St. Paul states that of the three virtues – faith, hope and love – love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13). As I have shared, … Continue reading
As I begin to bring to an end this article on the Ladder of Divine Ascent that was written by our Father among the Saints, John Climacus, I think over all of the previous 29 steps. If you recall all … Continue reading
The triad of virtues – faith, hope and love – is not only the end and summit of John’s Ladder but also its beginning. John states: A strong faith is the mother of renunciation! Unswerving hope is the gateway to … Continue reading
The very last step on John’s LADDER is FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE. John writes, And now at last, after all that has been said, there remains that triad, faith, hope and love, binding and securing the union of all. “But … Continue reading