It is the aim of this study to explore the theological significance of “the divine light”, expressed in the writings of St. Symeon, the New Theologian. It was understood that the believers of the Eastern Orthodox Church focused on “deification” as the vision of Christian life. It was their belief that the experience of an intimate fellowship and a union with God is crucial on the path toward deification. They also asserted that some believers experienced the divine light, which was often expressed by the icons of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The icons implied that the experience of the divine light was crucial, as it worked deeply within the soul of the believer for deification. St. Symeon, based on his experiences, was a prominent and renowned teacher of “the divine light”.
This article outlines the meaning of the divine light in five points. First, the writings of St. Symeon reveal that the divine light is not simply symbolic, but rather as real as the experiences of Jesus and Moses in the Scripture. Those of the Eastern Orthodox Church believed in the literality of these stories, and were convinced that they themselves could undergo such experiences. As a result, many of them, including St. Symeon, experienced the divine light in their earthly lives. Second, the divine light is not permanent, but rather temporal. Because of this temporality, they believed that followers should live a life of thorough obedience to the Scripture. When such a lifestyle is kept, the divine light could be granted again through the grace of God. Third, the divine light is significant for the deification of believers because it is the presence of God. Though there are multiple means through which one might experience the presence of God, the divine light is a particular mean, as it is expressed in the Bible. Fourth, when the believer is blessed by the coming of the divine light upon him or her, said person is filled with the joy of the soul overwhelming all worldly pleasures. This joy functions as a motivation to commit him or herself to a spiritually disciplined life. Finally, the fruit of the divine light is the union with God, and this union is concretely expressed in the daily life of the believer. The believer would then live a life according to the will of God, as well as a life of love regarding one’s neighbor as him or herself.

• 김수천(협성대학교) | Kim, Su Cheon