Theosis 2 - Lessons from the Life of Saint Symeon

 https://youtu.be/P-x_unflGgo?si=xKKAh_wu1skxf8Gj

Brief Summary
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."

Reading just one hymn daily during Lent can profoundly impact your Lenten contemplation of your life's purpose, theosis, the cultivation of an inner awareness of the Spirit, and your need for repentance. He will teach you how you can become guided your conscience in everyday decisions.

Here is a link to a PDF of the slides that were used. 

Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis

I apologize for the off angle of the video.