The Eastern Orthodox concept of uncreated energies provides a very
different explanation of beati¿ c vision from the Roman Catholic concept of
supernatural grace. Once again, the problem is how there can be a beati¿ c
vision of an incomprehensible God. (See Lecture Thirteen.) For Catholics
what is seen in the beati¿ c vision is of the essence of God—which the
Orthodox teach is forever impossible for any creature to see. What makes
beati¿ c vision possible according to the Eastern Orthodox is that human
beings can participate in the energies of God, unlike the essence of God. Since
this is a vision of the light of Tabor, it always involves Christ incarnate. Ŷ
Lossky, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church.
Ouspensky and Lossky, The Meaning of Icons.
Palamas, The Triads.
Pelikan, The Christian Tradition, vol. 2, chap. 3.
- According to Eastern Orthodox theology, how does veneration of icons
bring one closer to God? - How is the Eastern Orthodox view of the ultimate vision of God
different from the Roman Catholic view?
Suggested Reading
Questions to Consider