Orthodox Way of Life
Articles and information about how to live an Orthodox Christian life. This includes prayer, fasting, repentance, holy communion and the other sacraments of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Theosis 7 - St. Symeon and the Experience of Theosis
Theosis 8 & St Symeon's Use of Parables and teaching of St Paul
In our final session on Theosis and the teachings of Saint Symeon the New Theologian, we explored his use of Jesus’s Parables and the spiritual support from the writings of Saint Paul. Our discussions delved into three biblical parables—the Pearl of Great Value, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven—along with the symbol of an oil lamp, each rich in spiritual meaning.
In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value, Saint Symeon illustrates the profound treasure of the Spirit within, symbolized by a pearl hidden within an oyster deep in the sea. This pearl represents the divine presence within us, obscured yet invaluable. The merchant, who sells all he has for this pearl, exemplifies the soul’s quest for union with Christ, a journey marked by sacrifice and devotion.
The Mustard Seed parable reflects the transformative power of faith, which, though initially small, grows to an immense stature, expanding our spiritual awareness and fostering encounters with the divine light.
In the Parable of the Leaven, Saint Symeon likens leaven mixed into dough to faith within us. This faith, though concealed, is potent, facilitating a complete spiritual transformation as it grows and matures.
The oil lamp is used as a metaphor for the soul, with virtues as the oil and the mind as the wick. When ignited by divine grace, this lamp illuminates the soul, demonstrating how spiritual experiences of divine light lead to Christ-like actions that radiate outward.
Saint Paul's teachings reinforce the theme of transformation, highlighting his own conversion from a persecutor to an apostle through a divine encounter on the road to Damascus. This experience echoes that of Saint Symeon. Paul , like Symeon, struggled to explain in the nature of such profound spiritual encounters. Saint Paul discusses the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its vital role in our spiritual life, as seen in his epistles (2 Corinthians 13:3, 4:6; Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 3:27, 2:20). He stresses the integration of the Spirit within us, a theme that resonates deeply with the teachings of Saint Symeon.
Our series underscored several critical themes: the significance of the Incarnation and the Fall, the transformative experience of the Divine Light, the alignment of Saint Symeon's parables with Holy Scripture, and their agreement with Saint Paul's teachings. We discussed the distinction between God’s energies and essence, allowing us to know God while He remains unknowable in essence, and the essential nature of the Sacraments, particularly Holy Communion.Also this importance of Spiritual discipline as taught by the Church such as prayer and fasting.
Through these lessons, Saint Symeon's hymns inspire us to seek transformative encounters with the divine, to strive for union with God through Theosis, and to embrace a life of spiritual practice and virtue. His profound insights serve as a source of spiritual guidance and inspiration for those who seek divine communion and holiness. This series has not only deepened our understanding of these spiritual processes but also emphasized the necessity of maintaining alignment with Scriptural and Church traditions to safeguard against misinterpretations that could lead one astray.
Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis
Theosis 2 - Lessons from the Life of Saint Symeon
https://youtu.be/P-x_unflGgo?si=xKKAh_wu1skxf8Gj
The life of Saint Symeon not only exemplifies the profound connection one can have with God but also illuminates the path we are all called to follow—a journey toward theosis, living and acting with the mind of Christ.
Through his lived experience, Saint Symeon demonstrates and reminds us that we are each created in the image of God, endowed with the Holy Spirit at Baptism, and drawn closer to Christ with every participation in Holy Communion. These truths underline the essence of our existence: the pursuit of theosis, an aspiration for deification, and union with God, achievable in this life for some and hopefully for all in the life hereafter. This divine calling, however, acknowledges our differing gifts and the distinct paths we tread, shaped by the individual challenges we face. Remember always that the aim of our life is Theosis.
To follow this path Christ opened for us, requires that we embrace obedience, repentance, and a deep mystical understanding of the Eucharist as the true Body and Blood of Christ. We will hear more later on St. Symeon’s view on this sacrament. Cultivating a daily prayer routine, seeking moments of silence to experience God's love is important in this journey. Engaging in the Jesus Prayer can help us over come our sinful tendencies and significantly enrich our spiritual lives. God speaks to us in silence.
Saint Symeon's journey offers invaluable lessons beyond his exemplary life. He was first instructed by his spiritual father while working in a secular job to delve into the writings of the Church Fathers which instructed him to heed the voice of his conscience, suggesting that we too should become aware of His voice within us and learn to follow it. Importantly, he revealed that ascetic practices like fasting, while beneficial, will not bring us to a knowledge of God. This only comes as a gift from Him depending on a pure and humble heart. Saint Symeon's most profound revelation was the potential existing within us all to perceive God directly, through His energies, not His essence, as demonstrated in his experience of divine light he experienced amid secular duties, while actively participating in worldly affairs. Being in a monastery in definitely not a requirement.
As we delve deeper into Saint Symeon's teachings in our upcoming sessions, we will explore the insights gleaned from his hymns and discourses. I can't begin to explain how beautiful and inspiring they are.
His writings, emanating from a place of spiritual enlightenment, offer simple yet profound guidance on heavenly matters. I encourage you to engage with his works, such as the "Hymns of Love" or "Divine Eros."
Here is a link to a PDF of the slides that were used.
Theosis 3 - Saint Symeon Teaching on Theosis
Theosis 6 - On Prayer on Journey to Theosis
Guarding the conscience,Obedience to it,Observance of the Commandments,Prayer.
Theosis 4 - On Conscious Awareness of Holy Spirit - Saint Symeon on Theosis
Theosis 5 - Participation in the Eucharist on Journey to Theosis