🇬🇷 ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

Η ΕΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ – ΜΙΑ ΠΙΣΤΗ, ΜΙΑ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ

Ποια είναι η Εκκλησία που διατήρησε την αποστολική πίστη μέσα στους αιώνες;

Ο Χριστός δεν ίδρυσε πολλές διαφορετικές Εκκλησίες με διαφορετικές διδασκαλίες και αντικρουόμενες ερμηνείες. Ίδρυσε ΜΙΑ Εκκλησία, την οποία παρέδωσε στους Αγίους Αποστόλους και η οποία διατήρησε την πίστη μέσα από τη διαδοχή των επισκόπων, τις Οικουμενικές Συνόδους και τη μαρτυρία των Αγίων Πατέρων.

Η ιστορία του Προτεσταντισμού χαρακτηρίζεται από τη δημιουργία πολυάριθμων ομολογιών και διαφορετικών δογματικών ερμηνειών, ιδιαίτερα μετά τη Μεταρρύθμιση του 16ου αιώνα.

Εδώ γεννάται ένα σημαντικό ερώτημα: Εάν κάθε ομολογία ισχυρίζεται ότι κατέχει την αληθινή ερμηνεία του Ευαγγελίου, ποιο είναι το κοινό αποστολικό κριτήριο που τις ενώνει;

Η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία δεν στηρίζεται σε μια νεότερη ανθρώπινη μεταρρύθμιση. Διαφυλάσσει την πίστη που παρέλαβε από τους Αποστόλους, την οποία ομολογούν οι Πατέρες και η οποία παραμένει ζωντανή στη λατρευτική και μυστηριακή ζωή της.

Δεν σημαίνει ότι δεν υπήρξαν σχίσματα, αιρέσεις ή ανθρώπινες αδυναμίες στην ιστορία της. Σημαίνει ότι η αλήθεια της πίστεως δεν αλλάζει ανάλογα με τις εποχές και τις προσωπικές ερμηνείες.

«Μία Αγία Καθολική και Αποστολική Εκκλησία».

Αυτό ομολογούμε στο Σύμβολο της Πίστεως.

Η Εκκλησία του Χριστού, θεμελιωμένη στην αποστολική παράδοση, μαρτυρεί την ίδια πίστη μέσα στους αιώνες.

Ο Χριστός είναι η Κεφαλή της Εκκλησίας και η αλήθεια Του δεν υπόκειται σε ανθρώπινες αναθεωρήσεις.

Δόξα τω Θεώ για την Αγία Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία!

🇬🇧 ENGLISH

THE UNITY OF HOLY ORTHODOXY – ONE FAITH, ONE CHURCH

Which Church has preserved the Apostolic Faith throughout the centuries?

Christ did not establish many different Churches with different teachings and conflicting interpretations. He established ONE Church, which He entrusted to the Holy Apostles and which has preserved the Faith through the succession of bishops, the Ecumenical Councils, and the testimony of the Holy Fathers.

The history of Protestantism is characterized by the emergence of numerous denominations and different doctrinal interpretations, particularly following the Reformation of the 16th century.

Here an important question arises: If each denomination claims to possess the true interpretation of the Gospel, what common apostolic standard unites them?

The Orthodox Church is not founded upon a modern human reform movement. It preserves the Faith received from the Apostles, confessed by the Church Fathers, and kept alive through its liturgical and sacramental life.

This does not mean that there have been no schisms, heresies, or human weaknesses throughout its history. It means that the truth of the Faith does not change according to the times or individual interpretations.

“One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

This is what we confess in the Creed.

The Church of Christ, founded upon Apostolic Tradition, bears witness to the same Faith throughout the centuries.

Christ is the Head of the Church, and His truth is not subject to human revisions.

Glory be to God for the Holy Orthodox Church!

🇷🇺 РУССКИЙ

ЕДИНСТВО СВЯТОГО ПРАВОСЛАВИЯ – ОДНА ВЕРА, ОДНА ЦЕРКОВЬ

Какая Церковь сохранила апостольскую веру на протяжении веков?

Христос не основал множество различных церквей с разными учениями и противоречащими друг другу толкованиями. Он основал ОДНУ Церковь, которую вверил святым апостолам и которая сохранила веру через преемство епископов, Вселенские Соборы и свидетельство святых отцов Церкви.

История протестантизма характеризуется возникновением многочисленных конфессий и различных вероучительных толкований, особенно после Реформации XVI века.

Здесь возникает важный вопрос: если каждая конфессия утверждает, что обладает истинным толкованием Евангелия, то какой общий апостольский критерий объединяет их?

Православная Церковь не основана на современной человеческой реформе. Она хранит веру, полученную от апостолов, исповедуемую святыми отцами и сохраняемую живой в её богослужебной и таинственной жизни.

Это не означает, что в её истории не было расколов, ересей или человеческих слабостей. Это означает, что истина веры не меняется в зависимости от времени или личных толкований.

«Едину Святую, Соборную и Апостольскую Церковь».

Именно это мы исповедуем в Символе веры.

Церковь Христова, основанная на апостольском Предании, свидетельствует об одной и той же вере на протяжении веков.

Христос является Главой Церкви, и Его истина не подлежит человеческим пересмотрам.

Слава Богу за Святую Православную Церковь!

 

• πνευματι...

Here is the complete English translation, with natural English wording, correct grammar, and the original Orthodox theological meaning preserved. ABOUT REINCARNATION How Are Alleged Memories of Previous Lives Created in Children? According to this view, the following events take place in children through the creation of false memories: 1. A young child falls asleep. 2. Alleged memories of previous lives are implanted in the child’s mind. 3. The child wakes up and begins to believe that he or she is actually someone else. For example, the child thinks: “In my previous life, I was another person. I died one day, and now I have been born again. I had another family, a wife, and three children. We lived in Bangkok.” 4. The child tells these stories to adults. The child does not believe that he or she is lying and may even identify the location of the former family home or provide other details. Some of this information is investigated and confirmed. 5. Some researchers and authors believe these accounts and subsequently publish books supporting the theory of reincarnation. 6. According to the Orthodox perspective being presented here, the deceptions of the devil lie behind these phenomena. ⸻ 2 Corinthians 2:11 “So that we may not be outwitted by Satan, for we are not unaware of his schemes.” ⸻ The Alleged Creation of False Memories The above method is presented as being similar to the appearance of unusual dreams. According to this interpretation, demons use young children because it is easier to convince people through them. Adults are considered less suitable for such a purpose because they are more likely to question sudden memories of an alleged previous life. They have already lived for many years without having such memories, and if they suddenly began experiencing them, their story would be less convincing. Furthermore, other people might question their claims and assume that they were lying. In contrast, young children are considered by many to be innocent and naïve, while adults often believe that children are incapable of deliberately inventing such stories. The children themselves may also genuinely believe what they describe. Moreover, in some cases, the information they provide concerns real people and actual locations. The Creation of False Memories in Adults In reality, false memories can also be formed in the minds of adults. For example, some people experience psychological problems and seek help from therapists. Some therapists use hypnosis as a therapeutic tool, attempting to explore the subconscious mind and identify possible past events that they believe may be connected to the patient’s psychological problems. As part of this process, hypnosis is administered to the patient. Hypnosis and meditation are presented here as similar states, with the difference being that meditation is performed by the individual, whereas hypnosis can be conducted with the assistance of another person. According to this description, these states constitute transitional stages leading to a state of trance. Trance is metaphorically described as a cinema in which three-dimensional images are projected and appear completely real. This is why it is symbolically called the “THEATRE OF DREAMS.” What Happens to the Patient During This Process? The patient enters this state and, according to the above description, begins to experience images and events as though personally participating in a motion picture. The patient sees his or her own life through these images. The patient mentally returns to childhood and relives some of the most painful events of the past. Once this is considered sufficient, the process turns back towards the present and comes to an end. According to this interpretation, new, false, and painful memories have now been recorded in the patient’s mind. The trance ends, and the patient returns to the normal waking state, having previously experienced a condition somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. The patient and the therapist are now faced with a new situation. The therapist could say: “These memories did not previously exist in your subconscious mind. We recorded them during the trance. We introduced them into your mind, and now they have become a source of torment for you.” The Orthodox Christian Position on Reincarnation Christ conquered death not by liberating humanity from the body, but through the Resurrection, granting humanity the hope of eternal life and the incorruptibility of the body. The doctrine of karma and reincarnation nullifies the mystery of salvation through Christ. According to the Orthodox Christian faith, the whole human person, both soul and body, will stand before the Eternal Judge, not merely the soul alone. Reincarnation, by diminishing the significance of the body and presenting it as something temporary that is abandoned in order for another life to follow, does not merely undermine the Christian hope in Christ; it also undermines the deeper meaning of divine worship and the Holy Eucharist. And this raises a fundamental question: What is the purpose of suffering in this life if a person does not even remember the mistakes of an alleged previous life? What benefit is there in undergoing this painful process if one is simply going to return to life again and repeat the same journey

 HUMANITY WILL BE GIVEN ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY

Glory to God!

Praise be to God! They ask whether the Warning will come.

Why shouldn’t the Warning come? Why?

If we repent and find ourselves in a state of grace with Christ, then, of course, the Warning will come. However, it will not be for everyone, just as it has never been for everyone, but only for those who desire it.

Christ will give humanity one more opportunity.

Yes, just as He has done on other occasions. When Christ sent His Apostles, did He not send them throughout the entire world? They were a warning, but not everyone accepted them.

And now there will be a Warning, so that our Christ may grant one more opportunity to all of humanity, as He Himself desires.

For it is the human will that will ultimately be fulfilled. God does not violate it. He will not say, “I will take you with Me by force.” No!

He will not force us into Paradise, because then we would turn Paradise into a prison.

Would you like an example to understand that each person will go where he himself has chosen and prepared to go?

Imagine someone who has been living among salt and thorns, and then, after coming out from the Cross, suddenly finds himself in a beautiful room, a living room furnished with luxurious velvet sofas, and is told, “Stay here.”

Yet that person will say on his own: “Isn’t there a brothel somewhere I can go to, so that I can satisfy my desires?”

Our own conscience will tell us that we are not suited for Paradise, but rather for the place to which we belong.

God, our Christ, will not send us to hell. We will go there ourselves, because our conscience will tell us that this is where we belong.

What Have the Modern Saints Said About Extraterrestrials?

Saint Paisios the Athonite

When Saint Paisios was asked whether extraterrestrials exist, he replied:

"You should know that all these things are demonic. They take on various forms. There is no life on another planet. In the last days, do not look at the sky, because you may be deceived by the false signs that will appear there. You will be deceived and led astray."

According to this teaching, any belief in extraterrestrials among Orthodox Christians is unacceptable. Extraterrestrials are demons, fallen angels who have fallen into sin. There is no other civilization. God created this world for mankind.

Saint Porphyrios

One day, some young children, students at a school, approached Saint Porphyrios and asked him whether it was true that extraterrestrials existed.

The Saint answered:

"All these things, you should know, are imaginary and demonic. There is no life on another planet."

Elder Gabriel of Georgia

Speaking about the last days, Saint Gabriel said, among other things:

"In the days of the Antichrist, the world will expect salvation from outer space. This will be the greatest trick of the devil. Humanity will seek help from extraterrestrials, unaware that they are actually demons."

Elder Cleopa Ilie

One night, after midnight, I was in my cave and had finished the Midnight Office when, suddenly, I heard an extremely loud noise.

I thought the whole earth was shaking. I went outside to see what was making that noise. But when I opened the door of my cave, I saw a bright light outside, and within it, a copper-colored vessel with many wheels.

A tall man stepped out of it. He had large eyes and a dark, frightening face. He abruptly asked me:

"What are you looking for here?"

At that moment, I remembered what our Holy Fathers teach us: if you have the Holy Mysteries, Christ is present with you.

I had Holy Communion kept in a small container inside the hollow trunk of a tree in my cave.

When I saw this demonic apparition, I quickly went inside. I took the Holy Gifts into my hands and prayed:

"Lord Jesus Christ, do not abandon me!"

When I came outside again, I saw the figure moving away through the power of Christ.

Beside my cave there was a deep ravine, into which this unclean spirit fell. But as it reached the edge of the ravine, it turned itself and the vessel around three times. Then it plunged into the ravine with a tremendous crash.

The sound of that crash continued ringing in my ears until the following night, for a full twenty-four hours.

The Church's Warning

The Church warns against UFO cults and New Age ideas that deify extraterrestrial beings and attempt to replace faith in Jesus Christ.

Η Μεταμόρφωση του Ιησού

 

Η Μεταμόρφωση του Ιησού

 

Ελληνικά (Greek)

Και μετὰ ἡμέρας παραλαμβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀναφέρει αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ' ἰδίαν·

καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς.

Καὶ ἰδοὺ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς Μωϋσῆς καὶ Ἠλίας μετ' αὐτοῦ συλλαλοῦντες.

Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπε τῷ Ἰησοῦ· Κύριε, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι· εἰ θέλεις, ποιήσωμεν ὧδε τρεῖς σκηνάς, σοὶ μίαν καὶ Μωϋσεί μίαν καὶ μίαν Ἠλίᾳ.

Ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἰδοὺ νεφέλη φωτεινὴ ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης λέγουσα· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα· αὐτοῦ ἀκούετε.

Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα.

Καὶ προσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἁψάμενος αὐτῶν εἶπεν· Ἐγέρθητε καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε.

Ἐπάραντες δὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν οὐδένα εἶδον εἰ μὴ τὸν Ἰησοῦν μόνον.

Русский (Russian)

По спустя шесть дней, взял Иисус Петра, Иакова и Иоанна, брата его, и возвел их на гору высокую одних,

и преобразился перед ними: и просияло лице Его, как солнце, одежды же Его сделались белыми, как свет.

И вот, явились им Моисей и Илия, с Ним беседующие.

При этом Петр сказал Иисусу: Господи! хорошо нам здесь быть; если хочешь, сделаем здесь три палатки: Тебе одну, и Моисею одну, и одну Илии.

Когда он еще говорил, се, облако светлое осенило их; и се, глас из облака говорящий: Сей есть Сын Мой Возлюбленный, в Котором Мое благоволение; Его слушайте.

И, услышав, ученики пали на лица свои и очень испугались.

Но Иисус, приступив, коснулся их и сказал: встаньте и не бойтесь.

Возведя же очи свои, они никого не увидели, кроме одного Иисуса.

中文 - 简体 (Chinese)

过了六天，耶稣带着彼得、雅各和雅各的兄弟约翰，暗暗地上了高山，

就在他们面前变了形像，脸面明亮如日头，衣裳洁白如光。

忽然，有摩西和以利亚向他们显现，同耶稣说话。

彼得对耶稣说：“主啊，我们在这里真好！你若愿意，我就在这里搭三座棚：一座为你，一座为摩西，一座为以利亚。”

说话之间，有一朵光明的云彩遮盖他们，且有声音从云彩里出来说：“这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的，你们要听他！”

门徒听见，就俯伏在地，极其害怕。

耶稣进前来，摸他们说：“起来，不要害怕！”

他们举目观看，不见一人，只见耶稣在那里。

العربية (Arabic)

وَبَعْدَ سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ أَخَذَ يَسُوعُ بُطْرُسَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَيُوحَنَّا أَخَاهُ وَصَعِدَ بِهِمْ إِلَى جَبَلٍ عَالٍ مُنْفَرِدِينَ.

وَتَغَيَّرَتْ هَيْئَتُهُ قُدَّامَهُمْ، وَأَضَاءَ وَجْهُهُ كَالشَّمْسِ، وَصَارَتْ ثِيَابُهُ بَيْضَاءَ كَالنُّورِ.

وَإِذَا مُوسَى وَإِيلِيَّا قَدْ ظَهَرَا لَهُمْ يَتَكَلَّمَانِ مَعَهُ.

فَأَجَابَ بُطْرُسُ وَقَالَ لِيَسُوعَ: «يَا رَبُّ، جَيِّدٌ أَنَّنَا هَاهُنَا! فَإِنْ شِئْتَ، فَلْنَصْنَعْ هَاهُنَا ثَلاثَةَ مَظَالَّ: لَكَ وَاحِدَةٌ، وَلِمُوسَى وَاحِدَةٌ، وَلِإِيلِيَّا وَاحِدَةٌ».

وَفِيمَا هُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ إِذَا سَحَابَةٌ نَيِّرَةٌ ظَلَّلَتْهُمْ، وَصَوْتٌ مِنَ السَّحَابَةِ قَائِلاً: «هَذَا هُوَ ابْنِي الْحَبِيبُ الَّذِي بِهِ سُرِرْتُ. لَهُ اسْمَعُوا».

وَلَمَّا سَمِعَ التَّلامِيذُ سَقَطُوا عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ وَخَافُوا جِدّاً.

فَجَاءَ يَسُوعُ وَلَمَسَهُمْ وَقَالَ: «قُومُوا وَلا تَخَافُوا».

فَرَفَعُوا أَعْيُنَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَحَداً إِلا يَسُوعَ وَحْدَهُ.

THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN

 

On the tomb of Constantine the Great, many oracles were found, including prophecies concerning the reign of the Turks and their end.

The very wise Patriarch Gennadius, a master musician and royal interpreter, explained the reign of John Palaeologus and the Council of Florence.

These prophecies have come down to us through the passage of time and the work of human hands. They read as follows:

In the first period of the prophecy, the kingdom of Ishmael, that is, Turkey, under his successor Mohammed, will defeat the descendants of the Palaeologus dynasty. He will conquer Constantinople and rule there. He will govern many nations and devastate the islands as far as the Black Sea.

He will occupy the eighth part of the prophecy in the Peloponnese and dominate it. In the ninth period, he will campaign in the northern regions. In the tenth period, he will win and return again years later to the Dalmatians, where he will wage a great war, as a result of which he will be partially defeated.

The multitudes and the peoples accompanying them in their wars by sea and land will join together and defeat Ishmael.

A descendant of this king, a small fir tree, will come. In the tenth generation, if he grows strong, he will partially crush the multitudes. The peoples who accompany him in the wars by sea and land will unite and defeat Ishmael.

His descendant will reign. The little ones will come in the tenth generation. If, together with the agents of Ishmael, they conquer Constantinople and its privileges, then a great war will be waged. The army will be drenched in blood until the fifth hour.

Then a voice will cry out three times: “Stand up! Stand up with fear! Hurry, all of you!”

Many will turn to the right, including the parts of a man born of God and the Romans. “This is My friend, for he exists, and by receiving him, My will is fulfilled.”

This prophecy is said to exist in a manuscript of the Holy Monastery of Konstamonitou.

Summary of the Events

Summarizing the events described in this prophecy, we observe that it allegedly foretells events spanning seventeen centuries.

First, the rise and expansion of the Turkish state.

Second, the fall of Constantinople to the Turks.

Third, the defeat and destruction of the Turks by the peoples to the north of Constantinople.

Fourth, the defeat of the Turks by northern peoples, namely in 1683, followed by the defeat of the Turks by the Greeks and other Balkan peoples during the Balkan Wars of 1912–1914.

Fifth, the renewed rise and prosperity of the Turks for a relatively short period, extending from that time until our own days.

Sixth, the destruction and crushing of Turkey by Russia and its allies.

Seventh, the terrible and savage war in Constantinople.

Eighth, the cessation of the war under the intervention of an angel.

Ninth, the enthronement of a king who will be welcomed by God Himself and will be completely enlightened according to the will of the Holy God.

https://vimeo.com/1240098257 

• 0:00 - 0:25: On the tomb of Constantine the Great, very useful prophecies were found, both regarding the kingdom of the Turks and its end. An explanation regarding the kingdom of John the Logothete and the Synod of Florence by the very wise Patriarch Gennadius, who was simultaneously a monk and an interpreter of kings. They reached us through the tribulation of time and human hands.
• 0:25 - 0:34: The first of the indications of the kingdom of Ishmael, meaning Turkey, the upcoming Muhammad, is about to interpret the prophecies of John the Logothete.
• 0:34 - 0:42: He will rule Constantinople; he will reign in the end. Many nations will be ruled, and the islands will be at peace until the fair Pontus.
• 0:42 - 0:47: He will understand the eighth indication in the Peloponnese and will abolish it.
• 0:47 - 0:56: The ninth indication is about to campaign in the northern parts. The tenth indication will be defeated and will return after years to the Dalmatians.
• 0:56 - 1:09: And he will make a great war with the result of a temporary slaughter. The slaughter and the cities and the leaves, along with the experiences of sea and dry wars, will accompany and track Ishmael.
• 1:09 - 1:46: The offspring of these will reign shortly, the seventh generation, if they raise a few; the slaughter and the cities and the leaves along with the experiences of sea and dry wars will end and track Ishmael. The offspring of this will reign shortly, a few, the seventh generation, but after the actors of all of Ishmael's troops, Constantinople, they will spare after the promises. Then, wars will be raised, bloody until the fifth hour.
• 1:46 - 2:08: And a third voice: "Stand, stand, stand, with fear, repent." Many wise men among the right-handed men will be found young, miraculous, and Roman. All these, the despot and a friend of mine, exist, and these are being fulfilled to my will.
• 2:08 - 2:20: This prophecy exists in the manuscript of the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou. Summary of the facts: Summarizing the facts of this prophecy, we observe that prophecies predict the event in 17 whole centuries.
• 2:20 - 2:32: 1st. Acme and expansion of the Turkish state. 2nd. Fall of Constantinople to the Turks. 3rd. Manner of conquest and 300 Turks, the Northern peoples of Constantinople.
• 2:32 - 2:44: 4th. The first defeat of the Turks by the Northern peoples, Vienna, meaning 1683. 5th. The defeat of the Turks by the Greeks and the other Balkan peoples during the Balkan Wars 1912-1914.
• 2:44 - 2:58: 6th. The rise and acme again of the Turks during a short time span from the era of Kemal Atatürk until our days.
• 2:58 - 3:10: 7th. Destruction and dismantling of Turkey by Russia and its allies. 8th. The terrible bitter and blood-soaked war inside Constantinople. 9th. Cessation of war under an angel.
• 3:10 - 3:23: 10th. The establishment of a King who will be accepted by God Himself and will be completely illuminated in the will of the Holy God. 

 

THE UNCREATED HOLY LIGHT: A MYSTERY OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH The Divine Light Revealed During the Sacrament of Holy Baptism Only in the Orthodox Church do we encounter the fullness of the ancient sacramental tradition, in which the mystery of God’s grace is revealed through the Holy Mysteries. Throughout the centuries, Orthodox Christians have testified to the profound spiritual mystery of the Holy Mysteries, especially Holy Baptism, through which a person is born anew in Christ and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. THE UNCREATED LIGHT OF GOD In Orthodox theology, the Uncreated Light is not ordinary physical light. It refers to the divine glory and uncreated energies of God, revealed by His grace. This is the light that shone from Christ at His Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, when His divine glory was manifested before the Apostles Peter, James, and John. The Orthodox Church teaches that through purification, prayer, repentance, and participation in the sacramental life of the Church, human beings may become partakers of divine grace. This is known as theosis — becoming united with God by grace, without becoming God by nature. WHAT HAPPENS DURING HOLY BAPTISM? Holy Baptism is not merely a symbolic ceremony or a public declaration of faith. According to the Orthodox Church, it is a true sacrament through which a person is united with Christ, dies to sin, and rises to new life in Him. As the Lord Jesus Christ declared: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” — John 3:5 Through Baptism, the newly baptized person receives the gift of new life in Christ and becomes a member of His Church. The Orthodox tradition also connects Baptism with illumination, which is why the newly baptized has historically been called photizomenos — the one being enlightened. The Church celebrates this mystery with prayers, the blessing of water, the anointing with holy oil, the triple immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and the sacrament of Holy Chrismation. DOES THE UNCREATED LIGHT APPEAR DURING BAPTISM? There are testimonies and videos circulated online that claim to show extraordinary light during Orthodox baptisms. Such images can inspire awe and encourage reflection on the presence of God in the sacramental life.