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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2026 1:01 pm
Further on, the level was, well, the very top, then the second-to-last, then further on comes a tier. These are the heavenly ranks, the angels, the Mother of God, the forerunners, the apostles on thrones. But further on, much more is also listed: we see the serpent; further on, at the very bottom, we see the resurrection of the dead; the righteous go to paradise, often on the left, an angel leads them to the gates of paradise; the sinners to hell, on the right — fire, demons, tortures. This is the second-to-last level — that is often how it is depicted on the icons. It is not on all of them, but it appears that way in places. And the very bottom is the torments of hell — the beast, cauldrons, worms, chains, and often crowds of sinners in chains.
In more detail, here is what they write: “The very top — that is, the last level — is the Lord Sabaoth, that is, God the Father on the throne. In a segment of glory, surrounded by Seraphim, Cherubim, and the heavenly spheres, sometimes next to Him are the Son and the Spirit in symbols — this is the uncreated Trinity. The eternity to which one strives. Above everything else — these are circles of glory, mandorlas, spheres, symbolizing the divine light, the hierarchy of the heavens. And the second-to-last level, just beneath the top, is Christ in Glory, as the Judge, seated on a rainbow or a sphere, often with the Gospel in His hand, blessing. Around Him is the Mother of God — Hodegetria or the one in prayer — John the Forerunner. The Apostles on thrones, as judges of the twelve tribes. The Angels with trumpets, proclaiming the resurrection. This is the judgment throne, where Christ is already visible as King and Judge. Here the created ends and the encounter with the uncreated begins.” Pay attention to this once again. That is, this last created* level — the second-to-last level — Christ in Glory, this period right now that concerns the eleventh volume and me, this is the last created, and beyond it begins the uncreated*.
*In Eastern Orthodox theology, “uncreated” (нетварный) refers to that which belongs to God’s own being — His eternal divine energies, not made or brought into existence. “Created” (тварный) refers to everything God brought into being: the cosmos, angels, souls, matter, even spiritual phenomena that are not God Himself. The Tabor light witnessed at Christ’s Transfiguration is the classic example of uncreated light — divine energy, not a created phenomenon.
In more detail, here is what they write: “The very top — that is, the last level — is the Lord Sabaoth, that is, God the Father on the throne. In a segment of glory, surrounded by Seraphim, Cherubim, and the heavenly spheres, sometimes next to Him are the Son and the Spirit in symbols — this is the uncreated Trinity. The eternity to which one strives. Above everything else — these are circles of glory, mandorlas, spheres, symbolizing the divine light, the hierarchy of the heavens. And the second-to-last level, just beneath the top, is Christ in Glory, as the Judge, seated on a rainbow or a sphere, often with the Gospel in His hand, blessing. Around Him is the Mother of God — Hodegetria or the one in prayer — John the Forerunner. The Apostles on thrones, as judges of the twelve tribes. The Angels with trumpets, proclaiming the resurrection. This is the judgment throne, where Christ is already visible as King and Judge. Here the created ends and the encounter with the uncreated begins.” Pay attention to this once again. That is, this last created* level — the second-to-last level — Christ in Glory, this period right now that concerns the eleventh volume and me, this is the last created, and beyond it begins the uncreated*.
*In Eastern Orthodox theology, “uncreated” (нетварный) refers to that which belongs to God’s own being — His eternal divine energies, not made or brought into existence. “Created” (тварный) refers to everything God brought into being: the cosmos, angels, souls, matter, even spiritual phenomena that are not God Himself. The Tabor light witnessed at Christ’s Transfiguration is the classic example of uncreated light — divine energy, not a created phenomenon.