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Ostrov (The Island): The Shepherd Into Theosis - Orthodox (Psalm 23)

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Father Anatoly knows the Shepherd intimately—through ascetic life, through prayer, through suffering, toward deification. Orthodox spirituality sees Psalm 23 as theosis journey: the Shepherd leads toward union with God. "He restores my soul"—restoration toward original image; "paths of righteousness"—the way of deification. "I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever"—eternal communion, theosis completed. Anatoly's strange holiness reflects one led far into divine pastures. The Shepherd leads us into God's own life.

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