HOLY ILLUMINATION

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

HOLY ILLUMINATION

"But recall the former days in which, after YOU WERE
ILLUMINATED (Baptized), you endured a great
struggle with sufferings" [Hebrews 10:32].

"After these things I saw another Angel coming down
from heaven, having great authority and the earth was
ILLUMINATED" [Revelation 18:1].

"And the nations of those who are saved shall walk
IN ITS LIGHT, and the kings of the earth bring their
glory and honor into it" [Revelation 21:24].

In the Orthodox Holy Tradition to be illuminated is to be shown the true path of righteousness in God, thereby being led out of the darkness of sin and death. Baptism is called ILLUMINATION, because in it we are delivered from sin and death and regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

However, what is illumination? Essentially, Illumination is not illumination of the rational faculty. The holy Fathers state that illumination is of the heart. The early Church believed that the nous was darkened by the fall of man and that we need to be ILLUMINATED by the Light of Christ. Thus, Baptism in the early Church was called Holy Illumination because it was the beginning of our process of enlightenment. And the more we behave in a manner that contributes to that the more the nous becomes illumined or receptive to Divine insight.

The Old Testament prophecies concerning the glorification of Jerusalem are fulfilled in the Eternal Kingdom [Isaiah 60]. Created light is unnecessary, for the Everlasting Uncreated Light (Isaiah 60:19-20] WILL ILLUMINE ALL (Psalm 36:9) with true and clear vision to see things as they really are. The True Light, the Light of the world [John 8:12], was incarnate [John 19], and even while on earth He shone with Uncreated Light [Mark 9:2-8; 2 Peter 1:16-18]. "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE" [John 8:12]. Indeed, Jesus is the One Who gives "the Light of Life." And the followers of Jesus Christ are the light [Matthew 5:14]; and believers shine as light in the world [Philippians 2:15]. God is the only Source of this Uncreated and Life-Giving Light [John 1:4-10].

In the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Chrismation the priest prays:

Blessed art Thou, O Lord God Almighty, the Source of Goodness, the
Sun of Righteousness, Who LIGHTEST UP FOR THOSE IN DARKNESS
THE LIGHT OF SALVATION through the manifestation of Thine Only-
begotten Son and our God, and Who grantest to us who are unworthy
blessed purification through Holy Baptism, and Divine manifestation
through Thy Life-Giving anointing; Who hast also now been pleased
to REGENERATE thy servant newly ILLUMINED through water and the
Spirit and has granted to him forgiveness of his voluntary and
involuntary sins. Do Thou, O Compassionate Master, King of all, grant
to him also the Seal of the Gift of Thine Hol, All-Powerful, and worshipful
Spirit, and the participation of the Holy Body and of the Precious Blood
of Thy Christ…".

"You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"
[Matthew 5:14-16]. Light is a symbol of God Who is the True Uncreated Light. In the Old Testament light is symbolic of God [Isaiah 60:1-30]. Christian shine as lights in a perverse world [Philippians 2:15], stimulating others to look to God and His Righteousness. Thus in the Orthodox Pascha Liturgy a candle is brought forth with these words: "COME TAKE THE LIGHT WHICH IS NEVER OVERTAKEN BY NIGHT." Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ says, "And this is the condemnation that the Light has come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. For everyone practicing evil HATES THE LIGHT and DOES NOT COME TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE EXPOSED. But he who does the truth COMES TO THE LIGHT, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE CLEARLY SEEN, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DONE IN GOD" [John 3:19-21]. It is clear that goodness and a pure heart welcome the "Light", whereas evil deeds and malice resist the Light and seek to hide in the "darkness."

The holy Apostle Paul states, "For it is the God Who commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have the treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" [2 Corinthians 4:6-7]. The "treasure" is the Light of God’s glory in Christ; "earthen vessels" refers to our bodies. As the Light shines in and through us, people will see that "the power of God" is in us and not of man. Our prayer to the Almighty God should always be "Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him" [Psalm 13:3]. Our Savior reminds us: "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" [Matthew 6:22-23].

We all understand the value of light in our lives. As the "eye" is "the lamp of the body," so the mind (Gk. NOUS) is the SPIRITUAL EYE OF THE SOUL: IT ILLUMINATES THE WHOLE INNER MAN. Keeping our SPIRITUAL EYES "GOOD", that is, wholesome and pure, is fundamental and essential to a Christian life. Many speak about having a spiritual life, however, a spiritual life must be understood as a life replete with the Light of Christ that shines through and through. A life in Christ is a life of obedience to the will of God, it is a life of goodness, kindness, love, humility, honesty, works of charity, truthfulness, holiness, chaste, and faithful to the word of God. No one should pretend or claim spirituality without adhering to the commandments of our Creator and Savior. An Authentic Christian life, a spiritual life, is a life in God the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul explains the following: "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" [1 Timothy 6:11]. This is true spirituality! This is the true challenge for all who serve God. No one can attain a spiritual life without the guidance, illumination, and grace of the Holy Spirit Himself. The ultimate objective of all Orthodox Christians is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.

_____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia [Ministry],
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George