<P> Theosis has three stages : first , the purgative way , purification , or katharsis ; second , illumination , the illuminative way , the vision of God , or theoria ; and third , sainthood , the unitive way , or theosis . Thus the term `` theosis '' describes the whole process and its objective . By means of purification a person comes to theoria and then to theosis . Theosis is the participation of the person in the life of God . According to this doctrine , the holy life of God , given in Jesus Christ to the believer through the Holy Spirit , is expressed through the three stages of theosis , beginning in the struggles of this life , increasing in the experience of knowledge of God , and consummated in the resurrection of the believer , when the victory of God over fear , sin , and death , accomplished in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ , is made manifest in the believer forever . </P>
phases of theosis in the eastern orthodox church
the purgative way the illuminative way the unitive way