Eastern Orthodox theology describes the ultimate destiny of the redeemed as theosis—full and eternal participation in the divine life of the Trinity through union with Christ in the Holy Spirit. This is not the absorption of human persons into God but an ever-deepening communion in which human personhood is glorified rather than dissolved. The body, reunited with the soul at the general resurrection, participates in this glorification: the saints' bodies, like Christ's resurrection body, will be spiritual, incorruptible, and radiant with divine light.

The Orthodox vision of heaven is expressed most beautifully in the Divine Liturgy, which is understood as a participation here and now in the heavenly worship of the angels and saints around God's throne. The famous account of the Russian envoys who witnessed the Byzantine Liturgy in Constantinople (987 AD) and reported 'We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth' captures the Orthodox understanding of liturgy as eschatological anticipation. The Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) celebrates the same uncreated divine light that the saints will enjoy forever.