Transfigured by the Uncreated Light: A Glimpse into Divine Illumination

The experience of the Uncreated Light in Orthodox Christianity is not just a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment but a profound encounter that transforms the very essence of a person. This divine phenomenon, often described in the teachings and writings of the Church, provides a vivid glimpse into the transformative power of God's presence. The essence of this experience, as articulated by the Holy Elder and saints like Saint Sophrony, reveals the profound impact of divine illumination on human nature.

The Experience of Divine Light and Victory over Death

When one is deemed worthy to receive the Uncreated Light of Christ, there is an intrinsic and powerful conviction that emerges—a realization that "death hath no dominion over him." This experience aligns with the Apostle Paul's teachings that in Christ, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord, making death powerless (Romans 14:8). This profound spiritual realization assures the believer of an unbreakable connection to Christ, ensuring that nothing can "separate him from the love of Christ" (Romans 8:35).

Divine Light as a Foretaste of Resurrection

The reception of the Uncreated Light is not merely an internal or mystical experience but a palpable encounter with the living God. It provides a "living experience of the love that is in the Trinity," as described by the Holy Elder. This love is so potent that it overcomes the existential death that burdens humanity, offering a taste of resurrection into a new, timeless existence. In this state, individuals lose their sense of earthly origin and instead gain a celestial identity, without beginning because they harbor within them the Eternal One.

Divinization through the Illumination of Divine Light

One of the most significant aspects of experiencing the Divine Light is the process of theosis or divinization. This concept is central to Orthodox spirituality and encapsulates the transformation into godliness, whereby the divine nature is imparted to humans through grace. As the Holy Elder explains, this impartation of uncreated energy likens us to the Creator Himself. Love, the very life of the Triune God, when it resides in us, grants not only immortality in the traditional sense but a timeless existence—"without beginning."

The Dawning of Resurrection

Saint Sophrony eloquently describes the Divine Light as the "dawning of resurrection." This gentle, peaceful, and loving light dispels the darkness of non-existence, resurrecting the individual and, symbolically, the entire world. This resurrection is not only of the body at the end of times but of the spirit here and now, marking a new beginning in the life of the believer.

Transformation of Human Nature

Those who have been vouchsafed the experience of the Uncreated Light are irrevocably changed. Their very nature is transfigured; they acquire the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), which reshapes their feelings, thoughts, desires, and heart. This transformation aligns them with Christ's will—that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

Conclusion: Living in the Light

The experience of the Uncreated Light is both a profound mystery and a tangible reality within the Orthodox Church. It is a transformative encounter that redefines existence, imbues life with divine love, and reshapes the believer's identity in the image of Christ. For those walking the path of Orthodoxy, the pursuit of this divine illumination is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that offers a foretaste of the heavenly kingdom, here and now. Thus, the Orthodox way is one of continuous transformation, seeking ever to live in the radiant glow of the Resurrection and the enduring love of God.

Reference: Alive From the Dead: Homilies on Great Lent, Archemandrite Zacharias Zacharou