Andrej Kutarna: Light and Likeness in St. Gregory of Nyssa

St. Gregory of Nyssa is often considered one of the most influential early authors describing the “mysticism of darkness“– the three-fold way of the soul proceeding from light through shadow to the divine darkness, even though in recent years scholars have begun to question such one-sided approach. Many now argue that in St. Gregory’s thought the image of light plays a highly significant role. He speaks of the importance of light e.g. in the discussion on the Incarnation and he also describes the original state of mankind – before the Fall – using the imagery of light. Similarly, when he speaks of baptism, he considers it as return to light for those darkened by sin.Light for St. Gregory also plays role in the spiritual progress of the soul – not only what might be called the “light of truth” in the early stages of soul’s ascent towards God, but even in later stages the “light of deification” emerges from his writings as running parallel with the cloud and darkness.In this paper my aim is to explore how Gregory employs the notion of light throughout his writings (but especially in the Vita Moysisand in his commentary on the Canticum Canticorum) with regard of man’s deification – his return to the original state and attaining the likeness of God – both through his own struggle as well as God’s grace.