Continuation
Without the Sacred Canons the Orthodox Church is unprotected and in danger. The concern is not fanaticism but the lack of implementation and the lack of adherence to them. Sadly, the majority of Orthodox Christians are oblivious to their existence or importance. The wrong kind of elements within the Church may easily compromise the Canons or even ignore them and the people would have absolutely known nothing about it. Enemies of Orthodox Christianity have been working insidiously over the last century to fracture it and lead it to destruction. They are taking advantage of its weakness which is the lack of knowledge of the faith by the Orthodox Christians. These enemies from within are working diligently and unhindered to accomplish their sinister goal and objective What stands in their way are the Dogmas, the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the Sacred Canons but most of all our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ Himself Who is the Head of HIs Church. Speaking to the holy Apostles Jesus "said to them, ‘But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you Silon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT" (Matthew 16:15-18).
Peter/rock is a play on the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek (petros/petra). "Rock" refers NOT TO PETER HIMSELF BUT TO THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. This True Rock and foundation of the Church is, of course, CHRIST HIMSELF. The Church RESTS UPON THIS ROCK BY HER UNCHANGING FAITH, HER CONFESSION. WITH THIS FAITH AS THE FOUNDATION,"THE GATES OF HADES," THE POWERS OF DEATH, ARE POWERLESS AGAINST HER. BY SHATTERING THE GATES, CHRIST IS OPENING THE STRONGHOLD OF DEATH TO SET FREE THE SOULS OF RIGHTEOUS MEN. THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE DIVINE-HUMAN ORGANISM, AND TO HER COMES THE CALL OF JESUS FOR THE WHOLE OF MANKIND TO ABIDE WITH HIM AND IN HIM (Matthew Ephesians 1:23).
The early Church Fathers are foundational bishops and Great Theologians who defined, protected, and explained the Orthodox Christian faith. Standing out as pillars of the early Church, figures like SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM AND SAINT BASIL THE GREAT SHAPED CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, LITURGY, AND PASTORAL CARE.
The most prominent bishops and "Great Fathers" in the early Church include:
a. Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea (4th century). He was a
leading opponent of the Arian heresy, a pioneer of organized philanthropy
(building the first true hospital, the Vasiliad), and compiled the liturgical
service still used on Sunday of Great Lent.
b. Saint John Chrysostomos, Archbishop of Constantinople (4th-5th century).
known as "golden-mouthed" for his incredible eloquence, he is the author
of the Divine Liturgy that the Orthodox Church celebrates on most Sundays.
He was renowned for his trict adherence to Holy Scripture and defence of
the poor.
c. Saint Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople. Alongside
Saint Basil, he is one of the key Cappadocian Holy Fathers, celebrated
for his brilliant theological defence of the Holy Trinity against various
4th century heresies.
d. Saint Athansius the Great, Bishop of Alexandria (4th century). He
fiercely championed the orthodox belief that Christ is fully Divine,
earning the title "Father of Orthodoxy." His classic work, On the
Incarnation, explains why God became man.
e. Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Patriarch of Alexandria (5th century). Often
called the "Seal of all the Fathers," he safeguarded orthodox teachings
on the Incarnation at the Council of Ephesus, defending the Virgin Mary
as the THEOTOKOS (Mother of God).
f. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop of Antioch (1st-2nd century). He was
a direct Successor of the Holy Apostles. En route to martyrdom in Rome,
he wrote letters defending the Church’s hierarchical structure, the Eucharist,
and the Divinity of Christ.
g. Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, bishop of Smyrna (2nd century). Known as an
"Apostolic Father," he directly protected early Christians from Gnostic and
Marcionite heresies, and famously refused to deny Christ during his
martyrdom.
h. Saint Mark of Ephesus was the chief defender of Eastern Orthodox theology
at the Council of Ferrara-Florence Italy (1438-1445). He stood virtually alone
in his refusal to sign the ACT OF UNION, firmly safeguarding Orthodox Doctrine
against the FILIOQUE CLAUSE, PAPAL SUPREMACY, AND THE ROMAN
DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY. Because of his defense against heresy, he is
commemorated by the Orthodox Church as the "INSTRUCTOR OF ORTHODOXY."
It is understood by Orthodox Christians throughout the centuries that ALL BISHOPS OF THE CHURCH ARE TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND DEFEND THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH. However, Orthodox Christians, especially for the last century and most certainly currently are beginning to question if some of our hierarchs are as committed to protect, preserve and protect the faith. Most Orthodox Christians remain vigilant and alert to see that Our Orthodox Christian Church and Faith remain true to the Teachings of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, to the Seven Ecumenical Councils and to the Sacred Tradition. Any deviation from the TRUTH would be condemned immediately and those responsible would also be condemned.
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"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
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 