Death and Afterlife: 18 - Where will we be after the Ordeal as we crossover from earthly life?

Our experience of this crossover is different for each of us.

The experience of Crossing over from an earthly life to one after the soul has separated from the body and now exists in a spiritual realm, is different for different people. For some it may be swift and this struggle between good and evil is felt rather than seen. What is for s=certain we will end up in either Paradise or Hades as a result.

There is no reality to Purgatory for Orthodox Christians

Purgatory is a teaching of the Roman Catholic Church where the soul is in a intermediate place where it will face punishment for it sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030).  For Orthodox there is no second chance for purification. When we enter this crossover state our soul is what it was when we physically died and will endure an ordeal based on how we lived our life. We will be pulled by both good and evil forces at this time. Hopefully we will have a soul pure enough, a faith strong enough, and a sound relationship with God to know who to follow and willing to be guided by our guardian angel through this ordeal. 

This state is a mystery.

This state we enter is mainly a mystery, so we need to be careful about earthly descriptions. Saint Paul says, I know a man “who was caught up to the third heaven” “whether in the body or out of the body I do not know.” Saint Athanasios says, the mystery of death “is strange and dreadful and hidden from mankind.”

We are led to either Paradise or Hades.

At some point during this ordeal we cannot avoid, we will come to an end, and  arrive at our chosen destination. Some of us will be carried by angels to Paradise and others who are unworthy and easily tempted by the demons will be led to Hades.

Here is how Christian Hippolytus of Rome (c. AD 170-235) puts it. “The unrighteous are dragged ... by angels who are ministers of punishment. These souls no longer go of their own accord. Rather, they are dragged as prisoners by force. And the angels appointed over them hurry them along, reproaching them and threatening with an eye of terror, forcing them down into the lower parts. “

We read in Scripture from Paul, “In this waiting, let us make every effort to be found blameless and without reproach in peace” [cf. 1 Cor 1: 7–8]. 

We will exist in a temporary state.

Our souls will exist in a temporary state of anticipation awaiting the Second Coming of Christ. Saint Athanasios the Great tells us the the righteous will experience “a partial enjoyment.” While sinners will experience a “partial punishment.” At this stage what we experience is a temporary judgment as seen in the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man.

This of our destination as a state of being. 

We should think of Heaven and Hell not as places, but as states of being. The interim place while awaiting the final judgment is called Paradise of Hades. Here we will be awaiting the Final Judgment, living in anticipation of what clearly is to come.