Holiness and Theosis

I would now like to share with you what the Orthodox Church teaches about holiness and something called theosis. This may be a new word for you, but its meaning is very simple. It is our calling to become more like God by His grace.

God calls us to holiness. The Bible says: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). Saint Peter repeats this: “Be holy yourselves in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Holiness means being set apart for God, living in His love and truth.

Holiness comes from union with Christ. Jesus said: “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). When we live in Christ, His life begins to transform us. Holiness is not our achievement—it is God’s gift working in us.

Theosis means sharing in God’s life. Saint Peter tells us that through Christ’s promises, we “become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). This does not mean we become gods by nature, but that we share in God’s holiness, love, and light. Theosis is growing more like Him, step by step.

The Holy Spirit makes us holy. Saint Paul writes: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Spirit purifies us, strengthens us, and fills us with the fruit of holiness—love, joy, peace, and the other virtues (Galatians 5:22–23).

The sacraments are our path to holiness. In baptism, we are washed and made new (Romans 6:4). In Communion, Christ dwells in us (John 6:56). In confession, our sins are forgiven and our hearts are cleansed (1 John 1:9). Each sacrament is a step toward theosis, drawing us closer to God.

The goal of holiness is eternal life with God. Saint Paul says: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Holiness is preparing now for that eternal life in the Kingdom, where we will see God face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Holiness and theosis mean living in Christ so fully that His love and light shine through us. This is the destiny of every Christian—to become by grace what Christ is by nature, a true child of God.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

Next Letter: Love of Neighbour