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.
THE SYSTEMATIC COMMERCIALIZATION AND DEGRADATION OF CHRISTIAN
MAJOR HOLY DAYS, i.e., CHRISTMAS, PASCHA (EASTER) AND
THANKSGIVING.
Christians of all major traditions have witnessed for decades, upon decades, their holy days being hijacked by big businesses and unscrupulous opportunists that have commercialized,debace, corrupted, and altered the significance and meaning behind the original celebration in favor of profitability. These major Holy Days of Christianity reflect the faith and celebration of the importance of key occurrences in the life of Jesus Christ, such as His birth and His Resurrection. Holy Days respected and honored by all major Christian Churches throughout the world for two thousand years or more. These Holy Days are not only events in the calendar but Christian history itself.
These Christian Holy Days were reverently observed by believers and widely respected by even the non-Christian world for centuries. To disrespect them would be to offend millions upon millions of Christians who would vehemently protest against it. At one time this kind of insult would not be tolerated and it would have political and economic negative ramifications. It seems, however, the Christian community has been either inductrinated or desensitized to accept this offensive, grotesque and a caricature of a holiday. The present reality is that the authentic, traditional and original meaning of these three major Holy Days have been almost completely lost.
Christians must make a concerted and united effort to reclaim their Holy Days and Tradition. It all begins in the Christian home and in church. The history, tradition, and spiritual significance of the Holy Days must be taught and explained to the children, future generations of Christians. It is up to the Christians to protect and preserve the integrity and sanctity of the Faith. A faith which must be practiced and implemented in our daily life. The world is mostly a secular place and not a friend of Christianity. This secular world has its own Gentile agenda which seeks to dominate it with its very radical and liberal philosophy.
Throughout the centuries, Christianity, has experienced deliberate hostile actions and persecutions against it. Beginning with Israel and the killing of the Founder and Head of Christianity, Jesus Christ and later His Apostles and followers. The Roman caesars and the systematic persecutions of Christians and through horrific tortures to prevent the spread of Christianity and to bring it to its total defeat. Another powerful enemy of Christianity were the Moslem Ottoman Turks which brought terror to the hearts of innocent Christian people. A totalitarian political foe of Christianity was communism which was responsible for the death of millions of Christian men, women and children. Also, an insidious and melovelent power for centuries has infiltrated Christianity and has sought to destroy Christianity from within through heresy, corruption, power struggle, greed and byzantine style political intrigue and conspiracy.
Everyone decries the commercialization of Christmas and at the stores when a Christian says, "Merry Christmas" the answer much of the time is "Happy holidays" to you. The Person of Jesus Christ, Whose Birth we celebrate, has been replaced by the symbol of commerce, Santa Clause, reindeer, elves, and gift giving, eating and fun. At Pascha (Easter) the Person of Jesus Christ and His Triumphal Resurrection has been replaced by the "Easter bunny" and egg hunts. Thanksgiving, a time that all should be offering prayers of thanksgiving, has been replaced by gluttony, drinking, and football games. Therefore, these major Holy Days in the Christian calendar have been hijacked, diluted and neutralized. This cannot be allowed to continue and for the traditional Christian celebration to fade away. In the Orthodox Christian Tradition the Holy Nativity Fast begins on November 15th to December 24th, Christmas Eve. Traditionally Orthodox Christian do not exchange gifts on Christmas Day. Christmas for Orthodox Christians is a day of worship at their local parish church. For Pascha (Easter) again it is a 40 day Fasting period (Lent) in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the Orthodox Christians every Lord’s Day (Sunday) is one of thanksgiving and praise. The Greek word for thanksgiving is efcharistia (eucharistia or Eucharist). At the Divine Liturgy we pray, "It is meet and right to hymn You, to bless You, to praise You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in every place of Your dominion."
Christians must not be dictated by a non-Christian society and world how these Holy Days are observed. These sacred traditions, when conducted reverently and solemnly, with profound faith, are very inspiring and memorable to all, but especially to our children. Through our Orthodox liturgical tradition we relive those memorable and holy events in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We truly honor and glorify Christ God for everything He has done to save us through the commemoration of His life on earth i.e., His Birth, His Baptism, His Sacrifice on the Cross, His death and Resurrection, His Ascension. The true meaning and significance of these Holy Days must be preserved and protected by all Christians no matter where they are.
An assault on the major Holy Days of our Church is an assault on Christ Himself. Christians have always been the defenders of their Divine Leader, Lord, God and Savior and willing to die for Him. Even when they were threatened with horrific tortures they were never afraid and never betrayed Christ. Are Christians currently any different than those who suffered imprisonment, tortures, beheadings and crucifixion for the sake of Jesus Christ? Have contemporary Christians become fair weather Christian today? Is there no commitment to Christ and for the Gospel? Is the faith of the Christian now a lukewarm faith? Historically, Christians would confront pagan rulers and the Roman Caesars, and openly defend their faith in Christ, and would declare it unafraid of the consequences. Many of the early Martyrs were young women, young men and even children. Why do the Christians and Christian leaders and Churches currently remain silent and passive? Is there no faith, no courage, no commitment, no loyalty to the Son of God Who gave His life to save us and all of mankind? Christianity has never been about safety, comfort, convenience, pleasure, glamor, prestige, entertainment (fun); Christianity is the Cross! The Holy Evangelist Mark writes, "When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME" [Mark 8:34]. You see there is a cost to discipleship: SELF-DENIAL, CARRYING ONE’S CROSS (A SYMBOL OF SUFFERING), AND OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST.
Pray for God to strengthen you so as to remain steadfast in your faith in Him. If there are some Christians who are embarrassed to be a Christian, the Lord Christ has a message for you. "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels" [Mark 8:38]. Good Christians do not question Jesus’ Divine Teachings, His Holy Gospel, the Good News. He is our Master and we are His servants or His willing slaves. There are no debates, no philosophical arguments, no deliberations, controversies, scientific findings, scholarly facts, there is only total obedience to Christ God. One is either a Christian or he/she is not.
___________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 