Tag: Theosis

Tools For Theosis

· Fr. Michael Gillis 10 Leave a Comment on %s
This summer I had the privilege of serving two Orthodox youth camps, one in Idaho, USA and the other in Alberta, Canada.  The spiritual theme of both camps was the same:  “What’s in Your Toolbox?”  The idea was to talk to the youth about the tools the Orthodox Church provides to help them grow spiritually and morally. On the first day of the first camp, I asked the group—there were about fifty,…

Reforestation and The Healing Of The Soul

· Fr. Michael Gillis 4 Leave a Comment on %s
It’s August first, 14 degrees (57f) and raining: Welcome to my world. Actually it is a beautiful day, if you wear a little more than a tee shirt and if you’re somewhat at peace with yourself.  A lot of our life is like this.  On days that we expect sun and good times, it rains–sometimes it rains for days on end and it seems as if we will never see the sun…

The Almost Blind Leading the Almost Blind: Theosis For Those Who Do Not See Very Well

· Fr. Michael Gillis 8 Leave a Comment on %s
Often when I am answering questions from inquirers, I realize that I am saying (or writing) something that might be a blessing to others.  When that happens, I usually ask the person I am responding to if he or she would mind if I used some of what I have written to them as the basis of a blog post and podcast.  Yesterday I did my best to answer some questions from…

St. Isaac and Theosis (and the Experience of Fear)

· Fr. Michael Gillis 2 Leave a Comment on %s
I am preparing now to give a presentation at the Antiochian Orthodox Institute in the Fall on the topic of divinization or theosis according to St. Isaac the Syrian.  I have been enjoying reading through the latest edition of St. Isaac’s homilies, and when I was asked to present a small lecture on some aspect of the topic of theosis, I suggested that my focus be St. Isaac.  Most of the time,…