His Holiness begins by addressing common questions about the divinity and humanity of Christ, such as: How can Christ be God and yet die, hunger, or weep? He explains that such questions arise from misunderstanding the perfect union between the divine and human natures in the one person of Christ.

The Union of Divinity and Humanity

He clarifies that the divine nature neither dies nor suffers, for it is eternal and unchangeable. Yet Christ’s human nature—which was united with the divine—experienced death and suffering. As the Church prays: “O You who tasted death in the flesh.”

The Iron and Fire Analogy

The Fathers compared this union to iron heated by fire: when struck, the iron feels the blow, but the fire remains unaffected. Likewise, in Christ’s Passion, the suffering belonged to the flesh, but divinity remained impassible, though the union was never broken.

Christ’s Death and Resurrection

When Christ died, His human soul separated from His body, but His divinity remained united with both. The divine nature was present in the tomb, in Hades, and in Paradise, for it is omnipresent. Thus redemption was accomplished through the united natures.

The Complete Humanity of Christ

Christ was fully human, experiencing hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and prayer, because the judgment for sin was upon man; therefore, the Redeemer had to be truly human in every way except sin.

Christ’s Prayer and Humanity

When Christ prayed, His human nature communed with the divine. He prayed openly to teach us how to pray and to reveal the fullness of His humanity.

Christ’s Divinity through Words and Deeds

Though Christ did not explicitly say “I am God,” His works and words proved His divinity, such as:

• Forgiving sins (which only God can do).

• Raising the dead and creating eyes for the blind man.

• Multiplying bread and fish, and turning water into wine—all acts of creation.

Christ’s Acceptance of Worship

Christ accepted worship without rebuking it—from the blind man, the woman with the issue of blood, Jairus, and Peter after the miraculous catch. He blessed those who believed in Him as God, like Thomas who said: “My Lord and my God.”

His Divine Declarations

Christ’s own words reveal His divinity:

• “I and the Father are one.”

• “The Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father.”

• “All judgment has been given to the Son.”

• “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Gradual Revelation of Faith

His Holiness explains that Christ revealed His divinity gradually, as people were not ready to understand it fully. Through His miracles and teachings, He led His disciples step by step to believe in Him as true God after the Resurrection.

Conclusion

Christ is both perfect God and perfect Man, united in one person without separation or confusion. He died in the flesh, rose by His divinity, accepted worship, and declared His eternal authority. Therefore, we worship Him as our living God and Savior forever.

For better translation support, please contact the center.