My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!
AN ORTHODOX PRAYER TO GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of
Truth Who are everywhere and filled all things.
Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life: Come
and abide in us, and cleanse us from every
impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
ABOVE us is God the Father, the Ever-flowing Source, as it is expressed in the Church’s prayer, the Foundation of all being, the Father of mercies Who loves and cares for us. His creation–for we are His children by Grace
WITH US is God the Son, begotten by Him, Who for the sake of Divine agape has manifested Himself to men as Man so that we might know and see with our own eyes that God is with us most intimately, partaker of flesh and blood with us (Hebrews 2:14) in the most perfect way.
IN us and in all creation–by His Power and Grace–is the Holy Spirit, Who fills all things, is the Giver of Life. Life-Creator, Comforter, Treasury and Source of good things. Having an Eternal and Pre-Eternal existence, the Three Divine Persons were MANIFESTED to the world with the coming and Incarnation of the Son of God, being “ONE POWER, ONE ESSENCE, ONE GODHEAD”.
The dogma OF THE PROCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT rests upon the following direct and precise expression of the Savior: “But when the Comforter is come, Who PROCEEDETH FROM THE FATHER, HE SHALL TESTIFY OF ME” [John 15:26).
“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God (the Father), and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all, Amen” [1 Corinthians 13:14]. Here all three Persons of the Holy Trinity are named AS EQUAL. And in the following words the Savior Himself expressed the Divine dignity of the Holy Spirit: “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: BUT WHOSOEVER SPEAKETH AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT, IT SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN HIM, NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER IN THE WORLD TO COME” [Matthew 12:32].
“When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will
GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH… He will glorify
Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare
it to you. All that the Father has is Mine…”
[John 16:12-13].
The Holy Fathers of the Church say that the Holy Spirit makes people to be “christs,” that is, the “anointed” children of God. This also is the teaching of the 13]. Holy Apostles in the New Testament:
“But you have been ANOINTED by the Holy One and you know
all things… and the unction [chrisma] you have received from
Him abides in you… His anointing teaches you about everything
and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in Him…
And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which
He has given us… By this we know that we abide in Him and He
in us, because He has given us of His own Spirit” [1 John 2:20-27,
According to Saint Seraphim of Sarov, the essence of Christian spiritual life, the very essence of life itself, is the “acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.” Without the Holy Spirit, there can be no true life for man. Saint Seraphim reminds us, “In spite of our sinfulness, in spite of the darkness surrounding our souls, the Grace of the Holy Spirit, conferred by baptism in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, still shines in our hearts with the inextinguishable Light of Christ… and when the sinner turns to the way of repentance, the Light smooths away every trace of the sins committed, clothing the former sinner in the garments of incorruption, spun of the Grace of the Holy Spirit. It is this ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT about which I have been speaking…” [ Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Conversation with Motovilov].
Having a better understanding of God the Holy Spirit how can anyone, especially a Hierarch, Priest or Deacon of the Church not fear God? How can one allow oneself to either attempt to dismiss God from his mind or to foolishly and sinfully tolerate heresy? What we witness throughout the many centuries but specifically in our own century, the deliberate effort of the heterodox outside the Orthodox Church who are blaspheming against the Holy Spirit by their wicked behavior, their abuse of the Christian Faith, and by their so called “inclusiveness” condone, permit, and embrace all kinds of perversion which corrupts the body of their denomination and all in the name of “love.” The whole world sees the result of these blasphemous decisions and the negative impact that it has on their followers. These denominations have imploded from within and people are not only totally scandalized by it, but they are scattering and looking to find the true Church of Christ.
The Spirit of Truth will never condone evil, corruption, heresy, distortion and rebelliousness. What happened to Lucifer will happen to those who challenge God’s Divine Authority and/or His commandments. Just as he fell from Grace they too will fall from Grace. There have been many over the centuries who because of their pride, and arrogance, thought they were above God’s Law. They believed that they knew Who God is but because of their pride fell into heresy, were proven wrong by the Ecumenincal Councils of the Church, were deposed as hierarchs, or defrocked or excommunicated if they were clergy or laymen. There can be no negotiations with the evil one and his minions. Genuine Christians are obedient and faithful servants of God alone. Saint Luke the Evangelist warns in the Acts of the Apostles, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you OVERSEERS (EPISCOPOI OR BISHOPS) to shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTURE SAVAGE WOLVES WILL COME IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK” [Acts 20:28-29]. “Wolves” meaning the heretics. Also, Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself says, “Beware of FALSE PROPHETS who come to you IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENOUS WOLVES” [Matthew 7:15]. Jesus charges us to “BEWARE” because it is possible to be DECEIVED BY THOSE WHO WEAR A MASK OF VIRTUE BUT ARE “FALSE PROPHETS”. OR “WOLVES”, WHO LIVE CORRUPT LIVES.
What we see today, among Christians of various heterodox traditions (denominations) is their fall; one by one. No one enemy of God can escape His Divine Justice, especially those in high offices within the Church who betray Him. The higher the office, the greater the accountability and responsibility. There is what the Church refers to as a Final Judgment which no one can escape. Those who attempt to tear down the Church that Our Lord and Savior built on His Sacrifice on the Cross with His own blood will be dealt with severely. Also, those who assault the Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church by trivializing them and demeaning them are blaspheming against the Holy Spirit who, through them, bestows His grace to the faithful and children of God. To deliberately plant the seed of doubt in the minds and hearts of the Orthodox faithful about the sanctity of the consecrated Eucharist, worshiping in church, receiving Holy Communion by spoon (lavida), and venerating the holy icons during the pandemic. The destruction of faith in innocent people.
No Orthodox Christian, hierarch, priest, deacon or laymen should ever doubt the grace of the Holy Spirit our God. There is nothing greater than the grace of the Life-Giving Spirit. He is always with us and His love for all of humanity is unconditional and infinite. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is blasphemy against the Divine activity of the Spirit. This blasphemy in most cases, is undoubtedly the willful hardness of heart. Jesus pronounced a severe judgment against the blasphemers of the Spirit. It is therefore imperative to always be alert and know that the tree is revealed by its fruit, a human being, no matter what his station in life is, is known by his/her works. The blasphemers are a “brood of vipers” because of their evil works and malice. No one is infallible in our Orthodox Church and no one has unlimited authority over you, the people. And if there are hierarchs, priests, deacons who either abuse their authority, fallen into heresy, or betray the Faith you are NOT obligated to obey them or follow them.
______________
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in His Glorious and Divine Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 