Cavasilas, Nikolaos, St

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Cavasilas, Nikolaos, St (c.1320–95). Greek theologian and mystical writer in the Orthodox Church. He wrote An Exposition of the Divine Liturgy and Life in Christ, both of which exerted an influence long after his death. In the former he makes the worship on earth an anticipation of the worship in heaven; the connection is real, since the participation in the sacraments is not merely symbolic. In the latter, the incarnate life of Christ is continued into the lives of the faithful through the sacraments, leading into union with God. He was canonized in 1983; feast day, 20 June.