Foundations

The Saint receives and passes on not an abstract teaching about God -of course, he may do this as well in the beginning- but, first and foremost, he passes on the way-method by which we attain to communion with God. I believe that the basic point which distinguishes Orthodox tradition from any other is the method through which man is cured. The background of the dogmas, of Orthodox arts, of social work, etc. is purification, illumination and theosis.
Met. Hierotheos Vlachos