Theosis: The True Purpose of Human Life
By Archimandrite George
A concise introduction to the Orthodox doctrine of Theosis, deification by grace, by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Gregorios on Mount Athos.
Archimandrite George has served as Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Gregorios on Mount Athos since 1974, and is known throughout the Orthodox world as both a theologian and a spiritual father. First published in 1992 and now in its fourth edition, this short book gathers his teaching on theosis, the Orthodox understanding that the purpose of human life is union with God by grace.
The book traces theosis from its scriptural roots through the teaching of the Church Fathers, explaining how the Incarnation makes deification possible, the role of the Theotokos, and why the Church is the place where this union with God is lived out. It also addresses the practical side of the spiritual life, including the humility, asceticism, and prayer that prepare a person to receive this gift, along with the teaching of St. Gregory Palamas on the distinction between God's essence and His uncreated energies.
Because of its clarity and brevity, it is often recommended as an accessible entry point into a subject that can feel abstract at first, especially for readers encountering the idea of deification for the first time.