The Greek word, epectasis, conveys this Orthodox view. It means “eternal stretching or straining forward.” Jon Soellner explains, “Epectasis is used to describe man in heaven. The idea is that man never stops changing, moving or growing even in the age to come. We are constantly growing in communion with God. God is limitless and His love can never be extinguished... Such is God’s love for us. As St Irenaeus said, ‘God always has more to teach us and we always have more to learn.’ St Gregory of Nyssa received this revelation: that even in heaven man is constantly growing and changing. There is no stagnation in heaven. We are constantly growing in love with God."
I was surprised a search of the forum yielded nothing about epectasis. Do you think it's an essential or indispensable orthodox truth? If so it would have important implications (in my opinion). For instance, I won't get it completely right in this life time (or even the next!) no matter what I do or don't do. However close I get to God, He might remain
infinitely beyond me. No matter how much the Holy Spirit may fill my heart that amount might always be relatively
nothing compared to the infinite amount more there is to receive. My heart might ache forever more and more, but not in a bad way, more like the herald of perpetually immanent and increasing good!
