Uncreated Light in the Theological Reflection of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh (Bloom)

Abstract

The present article concerns the theological reflection of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh (Bloom) on the subject of the Uncreated Light. At the moment of the fall of our first parents, man lost the ability to participate directly and fully in the uncreated Energies of the Divine Light and for this reason he can only know the mystery of God “in twilight,” that is in an apophatic manner. From the fact of the creation of the human person in the image and likeness of God, it follows that in every man there is the germ of the Divine Light. Thanks to the relationships of love with our fellow men, we are able to discover this Light on their faces. The whole Church shines with the Uncreated Light, because it is the place of the direct presence of God among His people. In the liturgical celebrations of the Orthodox Church, especially in Lauds and Vespers, the faithful anticipate the full participation in the Uncreated Light, which will be their part at the end of time.