Théosis is the process of a person becoming free of hamártía ("missing the mark"), being united with God, which begins in this life and later consummates in bodily resurrection. For the Eastern Christian Théosis is the process of salvation. Théosis assumes that humans from the beginning are made to share in the Life or Nature of God, recognized as the all-Holy Trinity. Therefore, an infant or an adult can be saved from the state of unholiness for participation in the Life (zoé, not simply bíos) of the Trinity — which is everlasting and always continuing.

Groups are formed to take participants through a process toward reaching théosis. Each group initates at the same time in order for the process to be followed and supported by each member equally. Each group begins with a Théosis Weekend Retreat. During this first weekend participants get a glimpse at the breadth of Christianity through the Eastern mindset in regards to the life of God in each one of us.

We experience this glimpse through personal prayer (Prayer of the Heart), the Holy Mysteries, and other liturgical services. Disucssions are also given which fiocus on what the normal Christian life is intended to be according to what has been handed down from the inception of Christianity. Throughout the initiating process participants come to see themselves as sharers in the very nature of God. In being a part of a group participants come away invigorated by new personal discoveries and the support of others who are committed in taking the same journey.

The Group Beyond the Weekend Retreat

The Weekend Retreat is not an end in itself,: it is meant to lead to the formation of an ongoing group. In these groups participants will further deepen their understanding of Christian spirituality, especially in the Eastern Christian mindset, and continue experienciung the suppoort of those who began the journey in retreat with them. New doors will be opened, a method of implementing a new way of life will be reviewed, and contiued exploration with a developing spirituality keeps participants stirred. Participants learn that reaching theosis is not a simple task but a life long journey, a journey that, most likely, will continue into the next life.

For More Information

For more information about Théosis Group Meetings and the Théosis Groups in general contact Larry Monks at larry@stjohnchrysostom.com