Orthodox Spirituality

^{by Fr. Thomas Hopko}

Spirituality in the Orthodox Church means the everyday activity of life in communion with God. The term spirituality refers not merely to the activity of man’s spirit alone, his mind, heart and soul, but it refers as well to the whole of man’s life as inspired and guided by the Spirit of God. Every act of a Christian must be a spiritual act. Every thought must be spiritual, every word, every deed, every activity of the body, every action of the person. This means that all that a person thinks, says and does must be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit so that the will of God the Father might be accomplished as revealed and taught by Jesus Christ the Son of God.

… whatever you do, do all to the glory of God ^{(1 Cor 10:31)}.

Doing all things to the glory of God is the meaning and substance of life for a human being. This “doing” is what Christian spirituality is about.