There are numerous testimonies and descriptions of encounters between humans and God, yet they show that a direct vision of God's essence is inaccessible to man.

Divine Encounters Through Energies

There are numerous testimonies and descriptions of encounters between humans and God, yet they show that a direct vision of God's essence is inaccessible to man. For example, according to the reflections of St. Gregory Palamas, God reveals Himself not as His immutable essence, but through the manifestation of His energies. In this sense, while beholding God, man becomes a partaker of His energies, remaining distant from the very Divine essence. As it is said:

"Divine essence is received not in itself, but in its energies… The essence of God remains whole and unchanging, and divine grace is not a pouring out of God's essence, but the manifestation of His energy. And man, in contemplating God, does not merge with the essence of the Contemplated, but becomes partaker of His energy." (source: link txt)

In the biblical narrative, Moses' encounter with God also illustrates this paradox. Moses asked, "Show me Your glory," but received the response that it is impossible to see the face of God because "a man cannot see Me and live." Instead, Moses saw God "from behind," which indicates that a direct vision of God's face is not intended for man:

"In this context, the narrative is understood about Moses, who could not see the face of God but could see 'God from behind.' [Moses] said, 'Show me Your glory.' And the Lord said, '...I will make all My glory pass before you... you cannot see My face, for a man cannot see Me and live... When My glory passes by, I will put you in the cleft of a rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by; then, when I take away My hand, you shall see Me from behind, but My face will not be seen.'" (source: link txt)

At the same time, there are other testimonies where, through the mediation of the Son of God, God becomes accessible to man. In a well-known saying it is stated:

"No one has ever seen God; the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known." (source: link txt)

There are also descriptions of mystical experiences in which a person feels the presence and communion with God deep within their soul, though this does not imply seeing Him in a direct, physical sense. Thus, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. Testimonies of encounters with God are widely presented both in biblical sources and in the writings of the saints. These descriptions emphasize that God reveals Himself to man through His manifestations (energies), and not directly as an essence.
2. Traditional texts, such as the narrative of Moses, vividly illustrate that seeing God's face directly is impossible – man can only perceive the manifestations and effects of His glory.
3. Other accounts of mystical experience indicate that an encounter with God happens deep within the soul, which is an inner experience rather than a visual contact with the Heavenly.

Supporting citation(s):
"Divine essence is received not in itself, but in its energies… The essence of God remains whole and unchanging, and divine grace is not a pouring out of God's essence, but the manifestation of His energy. And man, in contemplating God, does not merge with the essence of the Contemplated, but becomes partaker of His energy." (source: link txt)

"In this context, the narrative is understood about Moses, who could not see the face of God but could see 'God from behind.' [Moses] said, 'Show me Your glory.' And the Lord said, '...I will make all My glory pass before you... you cannot see My face, for a man cannot see Me and live... When My glory passes by, I will put you in the cleft of a rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by; then, when I take away My hand, you shall see Me from behind, but My face will not be seen.'" (source: link txt)

"No one has ever seen God; the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known." (source: link txt)

These citations clearly demonstrate that although the human experience of encountering God is confirmed by numerous sources, it is accomplished through revelation and manifestation, rather than as a direct visual contact with the immutable essence of God.