Theosis: The True Purpose of Human Life — Orthodox Book by Archimandrite George of Mount Athos, Paperback

Theosis: The True Purpose of Human Life is a small book that has become a classic for anyone who wants to understand the heart of the Orthodox faith. Its author, Archimandrite George Kapsanis (1935-2014), was for more than forty years the abbot of the Monastery of Saint Gregory (Grigoriou) on Mount Athos.

Theosis, the purpose of the Christian life

Theosis (Greek θέωσις, Russian обожение) is personal communion with God, the union of man with God by grace. The Church Fathers sum it up this way: God became man so that man might become god by grace. Archimandrite George shows that Christ's call, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand", is a call to this new life, and that the Church, her sacraments and prayer exist to make it possible.

Clear, short, deep

The strength of this book is its simplicity: in 67 pages it explains, in everyday words, an idea that is often little known in the West. It suits catechumens, new converts, godparents and anyone who wants to return to what matters most.

The ochre and brown cover bears the Byzantine double-headed eagle, the emblem of Mount Athos. A fine gift for a baptism, a conversion or a friend who is searching.