14 Eastern Orthodox Theology

The distinctive elements of Eastern Orthodox theology include icons of the saints, the Transfiguration of Christ, and the energies of the Trinity. Icons are painted images of holy persons who reflect the glory of God; they are venerated but not worshiped. The Transfiguration is the glorification of Christ in visible light, an event narrated in the Gospels, which for the Eastern Orthodox is a paradigm of what happens in the ultimate vision of God. The energies of the Trinity are distinct from the divine essence, which is incomprehensible. The energies are the uncreated glory of God in which creatures can participate, which become visible in Christs Transfiguration. Hence Eastern Orthodox theologians have nothing like Aquinass concept of the supernatural, because they deny the essence of God can ever be seen with the minds eye. Instead, the blessed see the energies of God with both mind and body.