Differences of reward in heaven. The development of the doctrine from the Fathers to the definition at the Council of Florence

Abstract

This paper focuses on the doctrine of differences among the blessed in heaven: all enjoy the beatific vision of God, but “some more perfectly than others, according to the diversity of merits”. The development of this idea is analyzed in the Fathers, and then in Aquinas and Palamas, to underline the differences of perspectives in the West and the East. Particular attention is placed on the ecumenical council of Florence, where this definition was discussed and approved, following the explicit requested of the Byzantine participants. The purpose is to explain the reasons and the meaning of such a request, for a correct understanding of the conciliar definition.