Glossary

Greek, Slavonic, and English terms that recur in Orthodox writing — defined plainly.

Theotokos

/thee-oh-TOH-kos/
“God-bearer.” Title of the Virgin Mary, defined at the Council of Ephesus (431) to affirm that her Son is fully God and fully man.

Theosis

/THEH-oh-sis/
Deification or union with God. The Orthodox understanding of salvation as the gradual transformation of the human person into the likeness of Christ.

Iconostasis

/eye-kon-oh-STAH-sis/
The screen of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary in an Orthodox church.

Pascha

/PAS-kha/
The Orthodox term for Easter, the Feast of Feasts — the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Metanoia

/meh-tah-NEE-ah/
Repentance; literally a “change of mind.” The continual turning of the soul toward God.

Liturgy

/LIT-ur-jee/
From Greek leitourgia, “the work of the people.” The central act of Orthodox worship, especially the Divine Liturgy.

Apophatic

/ap-oh-FAH-tik/
The way of negation — speaking of God by what He is not, since His essence transcends human concepts.

Hesychia

/heh-SEE-kee-ah/
Inner stillness or silence of the heart; the contemplative state sought by monastics through the Jesus Prayer.

More terms are added as essays reference them. Suggest a term via the contact page.