From an Orthodox Netfriend:

The concept of justification in Orthodox theology differs from that of evangelical Protestantism. Instead of justification being simply a judicial declaration of the right status of the person on the basis of Christ’s imputed righteousness, Orthodox theology holds that justification includes also the actual making of the person righteous. It involves the partaking of a “real righteousness” whereby the individual is in fact being made righteous by being “in Christ,” that is, by becoming a partaker of the Divine nature and, thus, entering the path of theosis or deification. Orthodox theology thus includes what evangelical Protestantism understands as regeneration and sanctification in the meaning of justification. Orthodox teaching explicitly denies justification by faith alone and includes good works as necessary in justification. [It also] defines justification as including the concept of being transformed into the likeness of God. Justification is included in the process of “salvation” or “deificatio” (being transformed into the likeness of God through union with Christ). Thus the place of works in relation to “salvation” or “deification” in the citations below is also the place of works in relation to justification.

1. Justification is not merely a once-for-all event, but a dynamic, ongoing process. Two conditions are given here: God accepts whoever (1) fears Him and (2) works righteousness. This in no way denies justification by faith; but it is not by faith alone. And God supplies the grace necessary for us to fear Him and work righteousness.1

2. Orthodox teaching implicitly denies justification by faith alone by asserting the necessity of the sacramental rites for justification, regeneration, or salvation. Evangelical Protestantism denies that baptism or any other sacramental rite is essential for justification or regeneration.

Netfriend:

“For it is by grace (we) have been saved, through faith, and this not from (ourselves), it is the gift of God – not by works, so no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2 : 8 – 10

Amen.

James 2: 24 You see then that we are justified by works, and not by faith only.