PERICHORESIS & PERICHORESIS & CommunionCommunion

The Communion of the TrinityThe Communion of the Trinity

(Students’ presentation)(Students’ presentation)

GOD IS ETERNAL LIVINGGOD IS ETERNAL LIVING

Life, which is the highest and richest concept Life, which is the highest and richest concept has rightly been attributed to God.has rightly been attributed to God.

In OT God is presented as the Lord who lives, In OT God is presented as the Lord who lives, the source of life, who enters into a covenant the source of life, who enters into a covenant relationship with his people, who saves the relationship with his people, who saves the poor and oppressed, who sets them free.poor and oppressed, who sets them free.

A tender God who builds his kingdom in A tender God who builds his kingdom in history by promoting life, justice, love and history by promoting life, justice, love and peace.peace.

In the OT, God is seen as living and actively In the OT, God is seen as living and actively involved in his people’s history.involved in his people’s history.

In the NT, Jesus is shown as clearly In the NT, Jesus is shown as clearly understanding himself as life personified: that understanding himself as life personified: that his life and his mission consisted to bringing his life and his mission consisted to bringing life and bringing it abundantly.life and bringing it abundantly.

What Comprises Life?What Comprises Life?

ATTRIBUTES TO A LIVING BEINGATTRIBUTES TO A LIVING BEING Spontaneity, inexhaustible, varied process Spontaneity, inexhaustible, varied process

of development from within manifesting of development from within manifesting itself in an outward relationshipitself in an outward relationship ..

OrganismOrganism Self-functioningSelf-functioning Architectonic totalityArchitectonic totality ReproductionReproduction

+ +

=

Life consist in self realization of an Life consist in self realization of an Ex-istentEx-istent

SELF… life draws life SELF… life draws life from its own beingfrom its own being

……and not from and not from outsideoutside

……it is from it is from

with in thus the with in thus the interiority of living interiority of living beingsbeings

REALIZATION … transforming what is REALIZATION … transforming what is potential to reality. For life is a continual potential to reality. For life is a continual process of emergence, production and process of emergence, production and expansion, a continual coming-to-be with-out expansion, a continual coming-to-be with-out end.end.

This reality is more real because of the This reality is more real because of the PRESENCE. It is not a mere concept but life PRESENCE. It is not a mere concept but life in process.in process.

Life calls to life… we grasp of life within by Life calls to life… we grasp of life within by sharing it and living together. sharing it and living together.

ExEx-ISTENT… it is the -ISTENT… it is the property of a being that property of a being that from within relates from within relates outwards to another…outwards to another…

… …. It establishes . It establishes communion and communion and relationship and relationship and participation participation in giving in giving and receiving…and receiving…

If the life we live is If the life we live is loaded with ambiguities, loaded with ambiguities, because its is always because its is always against death, human against death, human hope is set therefore on hope is set therefore on a life no longer a life no longer threatened by death, it is threatened by death, it is on a process of self-on a process of self-realization that is realization that is continually renewed in continually renewed in line with the future…line with the future…

So when we speak of God we mean the One who is So when we speak of God we mean the One who is eternal life and living eternally. God is simply the eternal life and living eternally. God is simply the LIVING ONE. LIVING ONE. OT and NTOT and NT

God is more than life…God is absolute living.God is more than life…God is absolute living.Unlike creatures, God is not depend on a difficult Unlike creatures, God is not depend on a difficult equilibrium continually threatened and destroyed by equilibrium continually threatened and destroyed by death. Creatures pass through life but God remains in death. Creatures pass through life but God remains in life.life.

For God we can say that the eternal life For God we can say that the eternal life consists in the self-realization of the eternal consists in the self-realization of the eternal

Ex-istent.Ex-istent.

Our faith profess that this eternal Life is Our faith profess that this eternal Life is gushing out as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. gushing out as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are three Livings with each gushing forth They are three Livings with each gushing forth to the others, bestowing ceaselessly on the to the others, bestowing ceaselessly on the other except the indestructible fact of being an other except the indestructible fact of being an Ex-istent distinct from the other.Ex-istent distinct from the other.

Each person is Each person is forfor, , throughthrough, , withwith, and , and inin the the others. Thus they exist for the others… others. Thus they exist for the others… communingcommuning

God is Infinite CommuningGod is Infinite Communing

Death is the break with all vital links, it is Death is the break with all vital links, it is absolute solitude. But God is infinite, eternal absolute solitude. But God is infinite, eternal communing. God can be understood in terms communing. God can be understood in terms of relationship. This can be approached by:of relationship. This can be approached by:

analytical…analytical… presence… presenting oneself and presence… presenting oneself and

offering a welcome to another…offering a welcome to another… reciprocity… the movement comes reciprocity… the movement comes

from both sides. it is not an effort from both sides. it is not an effort of one party. the intimacy however of one party. the intimacy however does not mean fusion. each retains does not mean fusion. each retains its own identity …its own identity …

immediacy… wanting to be with immediacy… wanting to be with the other through one’s presence…the other through one’s presence…

philosophical…philosophical…

openness… opening up one’s self to freely openness… opening up one’s self to freely give and to willingly receive. give and to willingly receive. Mark of the SpiritMark of the Spirit

transcendence… going out of one’s self to transcendence… going out of one’s self to relate with another… establishing bonds.relate with another… establishing bonds.

US is the resulting communityUS is the resulting community

ikaw + ako = kita ikaw + ako = kita

this is community is actually one single whole this is community is actually one single whole beingbeing

theological theological

the values and attributes we find with the values and attributes we find with communion, if experienced by us creatures, communion, if experienced by us creatures, then must be rooted in God, who is also the then must be rooted in God, who is also the ultimate model of our relationships. ultimate model of our relationships.

God has been experienced as communing. In God has been experienced as communing. In the experiences of the old testament times, in the experiences of the old testament times, in the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit working especially in the Church.working especially in the Church.

New Testament best New Testament best express God as express God as communion.communion.

St. Paul has the two St. Paul has the two channels of channels of communion: faith and communion: faith and eucharist.eucharist.

Communion with Christ Communion with Christ means communion with means communion with the Spirit.the Spirit.

Early Church community was defined as communio sanctorum

The eucharist was an expression of this communion.

At the present, communion is the basic dimension of anthropology, ecclesiology and pol. activities of a Christian.

God is communion because God is a Trinity of God is communion because God is a Trinity of PersonsPersons

Three Persons and a single communion and a Three Persons and a single communion and a single trinitarian communitysingle trinitarian community

God is always Father, Son, Holy Spirit, not one God is always Father, Son, Holy Spirit, not one for itselffor itself

This leads us to our unity with the TrinityThis leads us to our unity with the Trinity“ “ that they may be one as we are one…” that they may be one as we are one…” Jn. 17:22Jn. 17:22

The Trinity is reflected in people, in their love The Trinity is reflected in people, in their love and relationshipsand relationships

The Father and the Son love each other The Father and the Son love each other absolutely and eternally, this is the Holy Spirit.absolutely and eternally, this is the Holy Spirit.

PERICHORESISPERICHORESIS

What it means?What it means?

Perichoresis (Perichoresis (GreekGreek)= Circumincessio and )= Circumincessio and Circumincessio Circumincessio

(Latin)(Latin) The word The word Perichoresis Perichoresis express the express the

interpenetration of one Person by the others.interpenetration of one Person by the others.

Gospel of JohnGospel of John

““Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father in me? The words I say to you that the Father in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;” (Jn. 14:10-11)Father is in me;” (Jn. 14:10-11)

““the Father and I are one” (Jn. 10:30)the Father and I are one” (Jn. 10:30)

The 2 Meanings of PerichoresisThe 2 Meanings of Perichoresis

First: First: One thing being contained in another, dwelling One thing being contained in another, dwelling in, being in another.in, being in another.

This understanding was translated by This understanding was translated by circuminsessiocircuminsessio, , a word derived from a word derived from sederesedere and sessio and sessio (being seated, (being seated, having its seat in, seat.having its seat in, seat.

Communion in Trinity: one person is in the others, Communion in Trinity: one person is in the others, sorrounds the others, fills them with presence.sorrounds the others, fills them with presence.

SecondSecond: The interpenetration or interweaving : The interpenetration or interweaving of one Person with the others and in the othersof one Person with the others and in the others

This meaning was translated as This meaning was translated as circumincessiocircumincessio, derived from , derived from incedereincedere, , meaning to permeate, com-penetrate and meaning to permeate, com-penetrate and interpenetrateinterpenetrate

The Interpenetration of the The Interpenetration of the Persons: Principle of Union Persons: Principle of Union

in the Trinityin the TrinityThe Perichoresis communion is used The Perichoresis communion is used in order to express the union of the in order to express the union of the Trinity. Keeping the Christian Trinity. Keeping the Christian experience of God as always being experience of God as always being Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It expresses that union better than any expresses that union better than any formula.formula.

The specific revelation of The specific revelation of the Trinity according to the the Trinity according to the New Testament; Jesus New Testament; Jesus Christ is the center. He is Christ is the center. He is conscious of being the Son. conscious of being the Son. He maintain an intimate He maintain an intimate relationship with the relationship with the Father. He feels that he Father. He feels that he sent by the Father.sent by the Father.

The Father and the Son are The Father and the Son are one. This union is Dynamic and one. This union is Dynamic and reciprocal and a true reciprocal and a true indwelling.indwelling.

Between the Father and the Between the Father and the Son there is a genuine, Son there is a genuine, complete Perechoresis complete Perechoresis communion. communion.

Together with the Father and Together with the Father and the Son, there is the Holy the Son, there is the Holy Spirit. Spirit.

Unity in Trinity, since they are Unity in Trinity, since they are always one with the others and in always one with the others and in the others. For it always a union the others. For it always a union of Persons.of Persons.

They are not embodiments of One They are not embodiments of One (nature or substance or absolute (nature or substance or absolute Spirit or subject) but three Spirit or subject) but three Subjects in eternal and therefore Subjects in eternal and therefore essential communion, always essential communion, always united and interpenetrating one united and interpenetrating one another.another.

The Perichoreses Communion The Perichoreses Communion model is the most adequate way of model is the most adequate way of expressing revelation of the Trinity expressing revelation of the Trinity as a communicated and witnessed as a communicated and witnessed by the Scripture.by the Scripture.

The specific revelation of the Trinity The specific revelation of the Trinity according to the New Testament; according to the New Testament; Jesus Christ is the center. He is Jesus Christ is the center. He is conscious of being the Son. He conscious of being the Son. He maintain an intimate relationship maintain an intimate relationship with the Father. He feels that he with the Father. He feels that he sent by the Father. sent by the Father.

They are not embodiments of One They are not embodiments of One (nature or substance or absolute (nature or substance or absolute Spirit or subject) but three Spirit or subject) but three Subjects in eternal and therefore Subjects in eternal and therefore essential communion, always essential communion, always united and interpenetrating one united and interpenetrating one another.another.

The true unity of the Trinity is The true unity of the Trinity is made up of the communion made up of the communion Perechoresis of the three Divine Perechoresis of the three Divine Persons.Persons.

The Always Triadic Relationship The Always Triadic Relationship between Father, Son and Holy between Father, Son and Holy

Spirit Spirit The classical expressionThe classical expression

1.1. causecause

2.2. begettingbegetting

3.3. processionsprocessions

The trinityThe trinity

We start with the Trinity: with Father, Son, and Holy We start with the Trinity: with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in eternal perichoresis.Spirit in eternal perichoresis.

God is a Trinity of Person intertwined in love and God is a Trinity of Person intertwined in love and communion.communion.

Their relationship is one of reciprocal participation Their relationship is one of reciprocal participation rather than hypostatic derivation (correlation and rather than hypostatic derivation (correlation and communion) rather than production and procession.communion) rather than production and procession.

What is produced and proceedsWhat is produced and proceeds

One person is the condition for the revelation of the One person is the condition for the revelation of the others, infinite dynamism like a series of mirrors others, infinite dynamism like a series of mirrors endlessly reflecting the image of the Three.endlessly reflecting the image of the Three.

This emphasis on communion and perrichoresis, This emphasis on communion and perrichoresis, always triadic relationship operating between the always triadic relationship operating between the Person.Person.

This preischoretic communion does not result from the This preischoretic communion does not result from the person, but is simultaneous with them, originates with person, but is simultaneous with them, originates with them. them.

Everything in God is triadicEverything in God is triadic

everything is Patreque, Filioque and Spirituque.everything is Patreque, Filioque and Spirituque. The coordinate conjunction “and” applies absolutely to the three The coordinate conjunction “and” applies absolutely to the three

Persons “and” is always and everywhere.Persons “and” is always and everywhere. We should say that the Father reveals himself through the Son We should say that the Father reveals himself through the Son

and the Holy Spirit as the inviting, utterly mysterious, a mystery and the Holy Spirit as the inviting, utterly mysterious, a mystery both of the paternal and maternal.both of the paternal and maternal.

The father reveals the Son as His Word with the participation of The father reveals the Son as His Word with the participation of the Spirit, who is always the Spirit of the Son and the Father.the Spirit, who is always the Spirit of the Son and the Father.

The Son is “begotten” by the Father in the Holy Spirit.The Son is “begotten” by the Father in the Holy Spirit.

In trinitarian termsIn trinitarian terms The Father “beget” the Son Spirituque (that is in communion The Father “beget” the Son Spirituque (that is in communion

with the Holy Spirit)with the Holy Spirit) The Son reveals the Father in the light of the Holy Spirit (who The Son reveals the Father in the light of the Holy Spirit (who

“reaches” the depths of everything) 1 Cor. 2:10“reaches” the depths of everything) 1 Cor. 2:10 The Son is also revealed to the Holy Spirit as co-related to the The Son is also revealed to the Holy Spirit as co-related to the

father.father. Both of the Father and the Son reveal to the Spirit Both of the Father and the Son reveal to the Spirit

unfathomable mystery of the Father in his overflowing unfathomable mystery of the Father in his overflowing outpouring of love and self-bestowaloutpouring of love and self-bestowal

The Spirit “proceed” from the Father and rests on the Son, (ex The Spirit “proceed” from the Father and rests on the Son, (ex Patre Filioque).Patre Filioque).

Con..Con.. The Spirit reveals the power of the Father, manifest as The Spirit reveals the power of the Father, manifest as

Wisdom in the Son.Wisdom in the Son. The Spirit is an infinite power of love and union through The Spirit is an infinite power of love and union through

communion.communion. The Spirit and the Son share in the unborn quality of the The Spirit and the Son share in the unborn quality of the

Father and together witness to the diversity and communion in Father and together witness to the diversity and communion in the Trinity.the Trinity.

It is the Holy Spirit who permits the Father and the Son to love It is the Holy Spirit who permits the Father and the Son to love one another infinitely.one another infinitely.

Finally, each Person receives everything from the others and at Finally, each Person receives everything from the others and at the same time gives everything to the others. As they are the same time gives everything to the others. As they are Three Uniques. The unity of the same and only Trinitarian Three Uniques. The unity of the same and only Trinitarian God God