The aim of the Christian is to attain the blessed state of deification. Deification is identical with `likeness’, that is, to be like God. However, in order to reach the likeness, to attain the vision of God, and for this vision not to be a consuming fire but a life-giving light, purification must previously have taken place. This purification and healing is the Church’s work. When the Christian participates in worship without undergoing life-giving purification – and moreover these acts of worship also aim towards man’s purification – then he is not really living within the Church. Christianity without purification is utopia.
This purification is in fact our cleansing from hate to attain love because God is love. This is the aim of the commandments to teach us how to love.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
Based on Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktou, 1 John 3:2
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