[[Image:Hagia Sophia Christ.jpg|right|225px]]'''Incarnation''' is the act of clothing with flesh, or the state of being so clothed; the act of taking, or being manifested in, a human body and nature. Used by itself, the word refers to the fact that in [[Jesus]], God took on flesh and became man. [[God]], the Son, has truly lived and died and risen from the dead in the flesh, as a true human being.

In the early Christian era many divisions broke out concerning the true nature ==Doctrine==The Orthodox doctrine of Christincarnate is: *True God and true man, *one person in two natures, without separation and without confusion: a single person, but endowed with two wills and two energies. Christians believed that He was From the Son of God[[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]]: ''"... But how and He was He both Son incarnate of God the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and truly became man?."''

The final definitions Orthodox Church teaches that the Incarnation is the fulfillment of the incarnation and promise to [[Abraham]]. It is the nature completion of Jesus were made by the early church at the Council Law of Ephesus [[Moses]] and the Council fulfillment of Chalcedonthe [[prophet]]s. These councils declared that Jesus was both fully GodTo the Church, begotten from Christ incarnate is the Father; and fully manfinal Prophet, Teacher, taking His flesh and human nature from the Virgin MaryKing. These two natures, human and divine, were hypostatically united into He is the one personhood Great High Priest of Jesus ChristSalvation.

The significance of In the Incarnation has been extensively written-upon throughout early Christian history, and is era many divisions broke out concerning the subject true nature of countless hymns and prayers[[Christ]]. For instance, Christians believed that He was the Liturgy Son of StGod. John Chrysostom, as used by Orthodox But how was He both Son of God and Byzantine Catholics, includes the "Hymn to the Only Begotten Son":truly man?

O only begotten Son The final definitions of the Incarnation and the nature of Jesus were made by the early Church at the [[Council of Ephesus]] and Word the [[Council of Chalcedon]]. These councils declared that Jesus was both fully God, Who, being immortal, deigned for our salvation to become incarnate of begotten from the holy Theotokos Father; and ever-virgin Mary, and became fully man without change; You were also crucified, O Christ our God, taking His flesh and by death have trampled Death, being One of human nature from the Holy Trinity[[Theotokos]]. These two natures, glorified with the Father human and divine, were hypostatically united into the Holy Spirit— Save us!one personhood of Jesus Christ.

The doctrine was reaffirmed and clarified by the [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]], called by the Byzantine Emperor [[Justinian]] in the sixth century.  Because of the [[Monothelitism|Monothelite]] Controversy, the [[Sixth Ecumenical Council]] (Constantinople 680-681) had to further reaffirm and clarify the doctrine. The Incarnation itself is a major reason why the Church encourages the use of [[icon]]s. Defenders of the veneration of the holy icons, led by Saints [[John of Damascus|John Damascene]] and [[Theodore the Studite|Theodore Studion]], claimed that the central point of the Christian faith is that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" and that "we have beheld His glory" (Jn 1:14). The [[Seventh Ecumenical Council]], held in [[Nicea]] in 787, officially declared that the faith is to be proclaimed "in words and images." Icons safeguard the doctrine of the Incarnation.  The [[Athanasian Creed ]] contains what may be considered a comprehensive definition of the Incarnation. ==Hymns==The significance of the Incarnation has been extensively written upon throughout Christian history and is the subject of countless [[hymn]]s and [[prayer]]s. For instance, the [[Divine Liturgy|Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]], as used by Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics, includes the "Hymn to the Only Begotten Son" by the Emperor Justinian:  :O only begotten Son and Word of God,:Who, being immortal,:deigned for our salvation:to become incarnate:of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary,:and became man without change;:You were also crucified,:O Christ our God,:and by death have trampled Death,:being One of the Holy Trinity,:glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit—:Save us! ==Loving-kindness towards mankind ==The view of [[Maximus the Confessor]], [[Isaac the Syrian]], and other Orthodox writers is that the Incarnation was an act of love towards mankind. Even if man had never fallen, God in His love for humanity would still have become man.  Because man fell, it is not only an act of love but an act of [[soteriology|salvation]]. Jesus Christ, by uniting man and God in His own person, reopened the path for all people to have union with God. ==Source==*[[Wikipedia:Incarnation|''Incarnation'' at Wikipedia]]==External links==*[http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=19 Incarnation] from ''The Orthodox Faith'' by the V. Rev. [[Thomas Hopko]] *[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/history_timothy_ware_2.htm#n2 Excerpts from the Orthodox Church] by Bishop [[Kallistos Ware]] [[Category:Creeds]][[Category:Theology]] [[ro:Întruparea]]