My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
"MANNA" A TYPE OF CHRIST AS "THE BREAD OF LIFE."
"Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I WILL RAIN BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN
FOR YOU; AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT AND GATHER…Now the
children of Israel called its name MANNA, and it was white like coriander
seed and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey" [Exodus 16:4-31].
In the Old Testament account, God fed the Israelites in the desert by "raining bread out of heaven" and was given the name "Manna" by the "children of Israel", was a type of Christ as the Bread of Life, and the "golden pot" (v. 33) a type of the Mother of God. For Christ became the Bread of Life in her Holy womb for the salvation of the world.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ instituted the Divine Eucharist: "Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes." And He took BREAD, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My BODY which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:17-19).
In the Old Testament account of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt where the people were slaves and suffering for four hundred years find themselves now under the leadership of Moses in the desert. They ran out of bread and water and were hungry and thirsty. Moses prayed and sought God’s help. "Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread out of heaven…" (v. 4). "Thus Moses said to them, "This is the bread the Lord gives you to eat. This is what the Lord has ordered, ‘Let every man gather it for his family, one omer according to the headcount and number of souls among you. Each one should gather it with those who share your tents" (16:15-16). In the Church, He gives Himself to the Chuch in the Divine Eucharist.
In the Gospel of Saint John 6:51-59, we believe that the Eucharistic significance is indisputable. Jesus’ declaration that He is Himself "Living Bread" which brings us life is intended to reveal the Eucharistic feast. His offering is not for His people only but "for the life of the world." He says, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven, If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." "Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU. WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY" (John 6:53-54).
Christ’s words are clear: To receive Everlasting Life, WE MUST PARTAKE OF HIS ECHARISTIC "FLESH’ AND "BLOOD." Saint John Chrysostom (Homily 47:2) writes we must not understand the Mystery (Sacrament) carnally, that is, according to the laws of physical nature, but SPIRITUALLY, perceiving a true but mystical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Saint Hilary of Poitiers writes, "What we say concerning the reality of Christ’s nature within us would be foolish and impious were we not taught by His words… There is no room left for doubt about the reality of His flesh and blood, because we have both the witness of His words and our own faith. Thus, when we eat and drink these elements we ARE IN CHRIST AND CHRIST IS IN US" (On the Holy Trinity, Book VIII,14). In John 6:63, we are taught, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life", Jesus says. This reality, however, is a profound mystery of faith and grace. Orthodox Christian theology teaches that in the Divine Eucharist, we partake not simply of the physical/material, BUT OF THE DEIFIED AND GLORIFIED BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST WHICH GIVE RESURRECTION LIFE. To reject Jesus’ teaching on the sacramental eating of His Body and drinking of His Blood is to walk "with Him no more."
The Divine Eucharist brings the members of the Church together, and by bringing them together She realizes what She is: an ECCLESIA, THE GATHERING (ASSEMBLY) OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD (1 Corinthians 11:18). As "members of His Body" (Ephesians 5:30), the faithful come together and become one with Christ. The Didache captures the relationship in the beautiful image of the broken bread which was scattered over the hills and was then gathered together to become one. Jesus Christ gathers us together to FEED US His Sacred Body, that is Himself, and to make us all ONE BODY. He makes us His Body and thus He becomes "ALL IN ALL" (Colossians 3:11). When we receive the Divine Eucharist we are IN FULL COMMUNION WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST.
The Divine Eucharist constitutes the central Mystery of our Christian Faith. All the other Mysteries (Sacraments) and divine services of the Church revolve around the Mystery (Sacrament). Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki calls it, "the perfection of every sacrament and the seal of every mystery." The pre-eminence of this Sacrament lies in the fact that, unlike all other Sacraments, in it "WE RECEIVE [NOT] SUCH GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT AS WE MAY, BUT THE VERY Benefactor Himself." The entire life of an Orthodox Christian REVOLVES AROUND THIS CENTRAL MYSTERY, THE MYSTERY PAR EXCELLENCE, THE Divine Eucharist.
In the Old Testament, during the journey of the Israelites through the desert, the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle in the form of a cloud (Exodus 40:34-35). Similarly, in every Divine Liturgy the Holy Spirit DESCENDS AND FILLS THE HOLY TEMPLE AND THE NEW ISRAEL OF GOD (Galatians 6:16). There, when the cloud covered the tent, not even Moses could enter it; here the Holy Spirit descends so that the faithful may unite themselves with Christ through the energy of the Holy Spirit. We request or supplicate for the Holy Spirit to descend not only upon the Gifts offered but also, and ultimately, upon those who present the Gifts, THE HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD. The ultimate purpose of THE CONSECRATION OF THE Holy Gifts is to give life (i.e. the Lord, Who is Life) [John 14:6] TO THOSE WHO PARTAKE OF THEM IN FAITH AND PURITY.
The bread offered (prosforon) is ordinary bread. Since the earliest of times, the faithful brought bread for the needs of the Priests and of the poor, from which the bread for the Offering was taken. Therefore it was NOT unleavened bread, which was introduced by the Latin West (Catholics) in the 11th century.
"Christ, Who offered Himself without blemish to God through the Eternal Spirit" ( Hebrews 9:14) by the good will of the Father offers Himself to us through the same Spirit. The Holy Spirit prepared the way for the Coming of Christ by "speaking through the Prophets. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ was accomplished through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples "as of tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3). The change of the Eucharistic elements into the very Body and Blood of Christ is accomplished through the Holy Spirit. Instead of calling upon the Holy Spirit to sanctify the Gifts, God the Father is called upon to send His Holy Spirit, Who remains hidden, acting only through His Uncreated grace.
God the Holy Spirit continues the Divine Mission of Christ in the world, being with us at every holy Mystery, but in a unique way in Holy Communion. Our SACNTIFICATION is accomplished through Him. Without His activity in us, OUR SOULS WOULD BE DEAD. In fact, without the Holy Spirit, we would be unable to perform any worthy deeds. It is the grace of the Holy Spirit that "MAKES US PARTAKE OF, AND COMMUNE WITH GOD." (Saint Symeon the New Theologian) The Holy Spirit is Divine, that is why He SANCTIFIES US AND DEIFIES US (THEOSIS). [Source: The Heavenly Banquet by Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis]
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chyrsostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 