Saint Symeon the New Theologian on the Eucharist as Real Communion with Christ
What the video says
When we approach the divine mysteries with faith and purity, we receive within ourselves the fire of the Godhead that Christ came to cast upon the earth. This fire consumes our sins and illumines our souls, making us shine with the brightness of the divine. The Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ, and also the spirit that grants life, light, and divine energy.
Whoever partakes becomes one with God, a sharer in the divine nature, and Christ dwells in him as in a living temple. 'How great is the mystery. How unspeakable the condescension of God.' Saint Simeon the New Theologian.
Key moments
- Approaching the divine mysteries with faith and purity brings the fire of the Godhead, the fire Christ came to cast upon the earth, into ourselves.
- This fire consumes sins and illumines souls, making them shine with the brightness of the divine.
- The Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and also the spirit that grants life, light, and divine energy.
- Whoever partakes becomes one with God, a sharer in the divine nature, with Christ dwelling in him as in a living temple.
- Saint Simeon the New Theologian exclaims: 'How great is the mystery. How unspeakable the condescension of God.'
The post presents the Orthodox teaching on the Holy Eucharist through the words of Saint Symeon the New Theologian. It states that the Eucharist is not merely a symbol but a real participation in the life of Christ. Saint Symeon emphasized that Christianity is not only about knowing things about God but about encountering Him, receiving Him, and being transformed by His grace.
The post cites John 6:56, where Christ says: 'He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.' For the Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is not a remembrance of something in the past. It is communion with the living Christ, the medicine of immortality, and a participation in divine life. According to the post, Saint Symeon's spirituality points toward this reality: God does not call us to believe from a distance but to become united to Him and transformed by His presence.
It closes with Psalm 34:8: 'Taste and see that the Lord is good.' The accompanying summary develops the same theme. When we approach the divine mysteries with faith and purity, we receive within ourselves the fire of the Godhead that Christ came to cast upon the earth. This fire consumes sins and illumines souls, making them shine with the brightness of the divine.
The Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and also the spirit that grants life, light, and divine energy. Whoever partakes becomes one with God, a sharer in the divine nature, and Christ dwells in him as in a living temple. The post ends with Saint Symeon's exclamation: 'How great is the mystery. How unspeakable the condescension of God.'
Main points
- Saint Symeon the New Theologian taught that Christianity is about encountering God and being transformed by His grace, not only knowing things about Him.
- The Eucharist is not a symbol or a remembrance of the past but communion with the living Christ, the medicine of immortality.
- The post cites John 6:56: 'He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.'
- Approaching the mysteries with faith and purity brings the fire of the Godhead, which consumes sins and illumines souls.
- Whoever partakes becomes a sharer in the divine nature, with Christ dwelling in him as in a living temple.