My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL [June 29th]

Who was the Holy Apostle Paul?

Paul, the Holy Apostle, before his apostolate, was called Saul. He was a Jew by birth, of the Tribe of Benjamin. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia. His prominent parents, who lived first in Rome but later moved to Tarsus of Cilicia, held the coveted rank of Roman citizens. This is why Paul was also a Roman citizen himself. Mention is made of a daughter in the family. Saul was likewise a kinsman of the holy First Martyr Stefanos (Stephen) and (probably with him) was sent to Jerusalem by his parents to study the law of Moses. Saul became the pupil f the famous Rabbi Gamaliel. His friend and comrade in his studies was Barnabas, who later became an Apostle of Christ. When Barnabas became a Christian he prayed to God, persistently and with teas, that He enlighten Saul’s understanding and turn his heart. Now Saul studied primarily the law of his fathers, becoming a great proponent of it. He, moreover, joined the party of the Pharisees (strict zealots of their heritage, ostentatious in their piety).

At that time, in Jerusalem and in the surrounding cities and lands, the Holy Apostles were spreading the glad tidings of Christ. In doing so, they often had to engage in lengthy disputations not only with the Pharisees and Sadducees (the latter rejected tradition and DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL), but also with all the Scribes and legal experts of the Jews, who hated and persecuted those who preached Jesus as The Christ. Saul also detested the Holy Apostles and did not even want to hear of anyone preaching about Christ. He scoffed at Barnabas–who had already become an Apostle of Christ–and uttered blasphemy against Jesus Christ. When the Holy First Martyr Stefanos was being stoned by the Jews, Saul not only failed to show any pity for one of his own blood who was being put to death, though innocent but EVEN APPROVED THE MURDER AND STOOD GUARD OVER THE GARMENTS OF THE JEWS WHO WERE CASTING STONES AT ST. STEFANOS. Afterward, having requested authority from the chief priests and elders of the Jews, he attacked the Church (THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS) with even greater rage. He entered into private homes, arresting men and women whom he sent to prison. Not satisfied with persecuting the faithful in Jerusalem, and continuing to breathe in threats and murder against the Disciples of Christ, he set out for Damascus, one hundred and twenty miles away. He had letters from the high priest to the synagogues, that even in Damascus he might seek out any who believed in Christ and have such persons arrested and brought back to Jerusalem. This took place during the reign of Emperor Tiberius [A.D. 14-37].

But when Saul drew near to Damascus, a light powerful and blinding, suddenly flashed around him from heaven, so that he fell to the ground. He "HEARD A VOICE SAYING TO HIM, ‘SAUL SAUL, WHY PERSECUTES THOU ME?’ And he said, ‘WHO ARE THOU, LORD?’ And the Lord said, ‘I AM JESUS WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST, BUT RISE UP AND ENTER INTO THE CITY, AND IT SHALL BE TOLD THEE WHAT IS NEEDFUL FOR THEE TO DO’ [Acts 9:4-6]. In Saint Paul’s later summation before king Agrippa, he describes further this saving experience: "AT MIDDAY, IN THE WAY, I SAW, O KING, A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN, ABOVE THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE SUN, SHINING ROUDN ABOUT ME ND THOSE TRAVELING WITH ME. AND AFTER ALL OF US FELL DOWN TO THE GROUND, I HEARD A VOICE SPEAKING TO ME AND SAYING IN THE HEBREW LANGUAGE, ‘SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST ME? IT IS HARD FOR THEE TO KICK AGAINST THE GOADS.’ AND IS SAID, ‘WHO ART THEE, LORD?’ AND HE SAID, ‘I AM JESUS WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST. BUT RISE UP AND STAND ON THY FEET; FOR I APPEARED TO THEE FOR THIS PURPOSE, TO APPOINT THEE A SERVANT AND A WITNESS BOTH OF WHAAT THOU DIDST SEE AND OF WHAT I SHALL APPEAR TO THEE IN VISIONS, TAKING THEE OUT FOR MYSELF FROM THE PEOPLE AND THE NATIONS, TO WHOM NOW I SEND THEE FORTH, TO OPEN THEIR EYES, IN ORDER TO TURN THEM ABOUT FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT AND FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO GOD, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND AN INHERITANCE AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED BY FAITH THAT IS IN ME" [Acts 26: 13-18].

Now the soldiers who were accompanying Saul were also stricken with awe, and, they stood blinded; they heard the voice speaking to Saul, but could see no one. Following the Lord’s command, Saul arose from the ground. Though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. His bodily eyes were blind, but HE BEGAN TO SEE WITH THE EYES OF HIS SOUL. Saul’s companions and aides led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. He remained in that city for three days, unable to see anything with his bodily eyes. IN HIS REPENTANCE, HE NEITHER ATE NOR DRANK ANYTHING. But he did give himself to continual prayer that the Lord might reveal to him His will.

Saint Bede comments on how this blindness led to vision. "By no means would Saul have been able to see well again unless he had first been fully blinded. Also, WHEN HE HAD REJECTED HIS OWN WISDOM, WHICH WAS CONFUSING HIM, HE COULD COMMIT HIMSELF TOTALLY TO FAITH. Saint Ephraim shows how the injury was for good: "Saul’s impairment did not result from our compassionate Lord, Who spoke humbly there, Rathe, it was the result of the intense light that shone forth here. THIS LIGHT WAS NOT A PUNISHMENT THAT BEFELL SAUL ON ACCOUNT OF THE THINGS HE HAD DONE. IT INJURED HM WITH THE INTENSITY OF ITS RAYS, AS HE HIMSELF SAID…MOREOVER, IF THE SUN HERE BELOW, OF THE SAME NATURE AS OUR EYES HERE BELOW, CAN DO HARM TO THEM WITH ITS INTENSITY, HOW MUCH MORE CAN A LIGHT FROM ABOVE, OF THE SAME NATURE AS THE THINGS FROM ABOVE, DO HARM WITH ITS INTENSITY TO ONE WHO IS BELOW, WHO IS NOT OF ITS NATURE AND WHO LOOKS AT IT SUDDENLY? HOW MUCH WOULD THE BRILLIANCE OF THAT LIGHT BE FOR ONE WHOSE EYES HAD NEVER BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO IT? Saint Bede adds that "since Saul had NOT BELIEVED that the Lord had conquered death by rising on the third day, he was now taught by his own experience of the replacement of three days of darkness by the return of the light."

There lived in Damascus the Holy Apostle Ananias. The Lord appeared to him in a vision and said, ‘Ananias,’ and he said, ‘Behold, I am here, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a Tarsian, by name Saul; for behold, he prayeth [Acts 9:10-11]. The Lord then added that Saul also had seed Ananias in a vision. He beheld how Ananias came in and laid his hand on him, so that he might recover his sight. Thus Christ directed Ananias TO ENLIGHTEN THE EYES OF SAUL’S BODY BY TOUCHING THEM, AND THOSE OF HIS SOUL BY HOLY BAPTISM. "But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how many bad things he did to Thy saints in Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all those who call upon Thy name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go thy way for this one is a vessel of election to Me, to bear My name before the Nations and kings, and the sons of Israel. For I will show him how much it is necessary for him to suffer for My name’s sake’ [Acts 9:13-16].

Ananias went away and entered into the house, where he laid his hands upon him and said, "Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to thee in the way in which thou were coming, hath sent me forth, in order that thou mightiest recover sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [Acts 9:18]. Straightway, as if scales fell from Saul’s eyes, he both recovered sight forthwith and rose up and was baptized. He also received food and was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the Disciples in Damascus. Forthwith, he began proclaiming Christ in the synagogues: THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD. ALL THOSE WHO HEARD WERE AMAZED, AND WERE SAYING ABOUT SAUL, "THIS IS THE ONE, IS IT NOT, WHO RAVAGED THOSE WHO CALLED UPON THIS NAME IN JERUSALEM AND HAD COME HERE FOR THIS, THAT HE MIGHT BRING THEM BOUND TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS" [Acts 9:21].

Saul, filled with holy zeal, grew increasingly stronger in the Faith and brought to consternation the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving to them that Jesus IS THE PROMISED MESSIAH. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

____________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

_ Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

WHO WERE THE APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL?

THE HOLY APOSTLE PETER

Peter, the preeminent Apostle of the Lord and the brother of the First-Called Apostle Andrew, was known as Simon prior to being called to the Apostleship by the Lord Jesus Christ. Simon, son of Jonas (Jonah), was a Jew of the Tribe of Simeon. He was a native of Bethsaida, an insignificant and little-known town of Galilee in Palestine. He lived in poverty during the years when Hyrcanus was the high priest of the Jews. After the repose of Peter’s mother, Peter took to wife the daughter of Aristovoulos, the brother of the holy Barnabas, and begat children of her: a son and a daughter. Simon was a simple and unlettered man. Imbued with the FEAR OF GOD, he observed all the commandments of the Lord. He walked blamelessly in His sight in all his works. Simon was a fisherman by trade. As a poor man, he provided for his family by his manual labor. Thus, he fed his wife, children, and mother-in-law.” He was fair with a slightly sallow tone to his complexion. His eyes were the color of blood like wine. His hair was white and thick. He had a long nose and eyebrows that were somewhat inverted. He was of average height with a straight and upright frame. He was intelligent and prudent. Divine zeal impelled him against injustice and wrong. He was unexacting with the penitent, receiving with ease their conversion. He was quick and fearless in retracting previous decisions, as well be seen in a later episode when the Lord washed the Disciples’ feet.

The holy Apostle Andrew went to his brother Simon and said to him, ‘WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH’ (which is, being interpreted, The Christ), and he led him to Jesus. And having looked at him, Jesus said, ‘THOU ART SIMON, THE SON OF JONAS. THOU SHALL BE CALLED KEPHAS’ (which is interpreted, A STONE) [John 1:41-42]. Straightway, Peter was aflame with love for the Lord, believing in Him as the True Christ sent by God FOR THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD. Yet he neither quit his home nor forsook his occupation. He continued to provide for his household with all that was necessary for survival; in this responsibility. Simon’s brother Andrew sometimes helped him for the sake of their elderly father. And thus did the brothers live until the Lord summoned them to the Apostolic Ministry (Diakonia).

One day, after John the Baptist was imprisoned in Herod’s dungeon, the Lord Jesus Christ withdrew into Galilee. He was walking past the Sea of Galilee (which is also known as the Sea of Tiberias or the Lake of Gennesaret). He espied the two brothers: Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. They, as fishermen, were throwing a casting net into the sea. Jesus said to them, “COME AFTER ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN” (Matthew 4:19). Straightway, they left the men and followed Jesus.

THE SHADOW OF THE APOSTLE PETER

The Apostles wrought many signs and wonders (miracles) among the people who magnified them. More and more believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and of women, “insomuch that they carried out the sick into the streets and laid them upon beds and pallets, in order that at least THE SHADOW OF PETER AS HE CAME MIGHT OVERSHADOW SOME OF THEM. And also the multitude kept on coming 15-16]together out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bearing sick people and those who were troubled by unclean spirits–all of whom were being healed [ Acts 5: 15-16]. This overshadowing had not occurred in the history of Christ. But see here what Jesus had told them actually coming to pass, that “THE ONE WHO BELIEVETH IN ME, THE WORKS WHICH I DO SHALL THAT ONE DO ALSO; AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO, BECAUSE I GO TO MY FATHER” [John 14:12].

THE MARTYRDOM OF THE APOSTLE PETER

Saint Symeon Metaphrastes says that Saint Peter was not taken alone, but with a multitude of the faithful, among whom were Clement, Herodion, and Olympos. The tyrant condemned them to decapitation but ordered Saint Peter TO BE CRUCIFIED. Laying hold of the condemned, the soldiers brought them to the place of execution. Clement, as a kinsman of the emperor, took pity on and set free. But Herodion and Olympos, who had come to Rome with the Apostle Peter, they beheaded together with a multitude of the faithful. THE APOSTLE REQUESTED THAT HE BE CRUCIFIED HEAD DOWNWARD, SAYING: “I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CRUCIFIED AS MY CHRIST, UPRIGHT; FOR THIS HE WAS CRUCIFIED, SO AS TO LOOK TO THE EARTH, WHERE HE WOULD DESCEND INTO HADES TO DELIVER THE SOULS THEREIN. CRUCIFY ME HEAD DOWN, THAT I MAY LOOK TO THE HEAVENS, WHITHER I SHALL GO.” This the Great Apostle of the Lord, the holy Peter, reposed, glorifying God in his death by the cross. He endured great tortures from the nails in his hands and feet until he surrendered his blameless soul into the hands of God, on the 29th day of June, in the year of our Lord 67 A.D. His disciple, the holy Clement, having begged the authorities for the precious body of the Apostle, took it down from the cross and washed it. After Clement called together the remaining faithful and clergy, he interred the body with honor. They, likewise, gave a reverent burial to the bodies of Herodion, Olympos, and the other martyrs who suffered with the Apostle Peter, glorifying Christ God Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is glorified forever. Amen.

Again, it is Church Tradition that informs us THAT THE HOLY APOSTLE PETER DEEMED HIMSELF UNWORTHY TO BE CRUCIFIED AS THE Master Christ. He requested of his executioners that they crucify him UPSIDE DOWN…The church which now stands on the spot where Saint Peter was crucified is small, round, and has two levels. On the lower level, one can see the place where the overturned cross of the Apostle was erected. Above this place, a lamp burns perpetually. In the floor of the upper level of this church, a round opening has been made marking the height of the cross of Saint Peter. The foothill of the Janiculum Hill on which this church stands is called Golden Hill (Monte d’Oro, or, abbreviated, Montorio), by virtue of the golden color of the sand of which its soil consists. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(Next: Saint Paul)

____________________

“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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

On the 29th of June, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the
holy, glorious, far-famed, and chiefs of the Apostles,
PETER and PAUL.

Peter and Paul, the chiefs of the Apostles, are celebrated on the 29th of June in one of the culminating feasts of the Holy Gospel, according to Saint John Maximovitch, "The Apostles Peter and Paul, without having authority over others, both stood in front of all the others on account of their warm seal and labors. Their life was the most brilliant and was a personification of the life and labors of all the Apostles. The end of their earthly labors was especially impressive, also thanks to the fact that it occurred as it were before the eyes of the whole world. Peter WAS CRUCIFIED UPSIDE DOWN, and Paul WAS BEHEADED, BOTH IN ROME, itself toward which at that time the gaze of all peoples was directed. The news of this quickly flew to all the ends of the universe, all the more in that they were both known personally in many places; their names were everywhere the Savior was preached. The Apostle of the Jews and the Apostle of the Gentiles departed in Christ ON THE SAME DAY, as if indicating their equal nearness to God and the oneness of the Church of Christ, ‘WHERE THERE IS NO GREEK AND JEW’ (Colossians 3:11). Therefore, the day on which the earthly labors ended for the leaders of the Apostles, who labored more than all–though separated in body, yet together in spirit–became one of the most memorable days for the whole Church.

"Though it is an immovable feast, still it is bound up with the movable feasts since the preparation for it–the Apostles’ Fast–begins one week after the Feast of Pentecost. Thus, the length of this fast also depends on the date of the celebration of Pascha. This say reminds us of how they went over the earth preaching the heavenly kingdom. They emulated Christ by THEIR POVERTY, ENDURANCE WHILE BEING DISHONORED, AND SUFFERINGS. They showed their love for the children of the Heavenly Father. They revealed their inward travails over those who heeded their preaching as well as their griefs over those who paid no heed to their words. Then, finally, they offered themselves as a sacrifice. This was the earthly lot of the Apostles. But the culmination of their earthly life is at the same time the beginning of their Heavenly glory… their ascent in Christ, Whom they loved, in order to REMAIN ETERNAL WITH Him. The day of their earthly end in the day of their heavenly birth. It is the receiving OF THE CROWNS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, laid up for them and FOR ALL WHO HAVE LOVED THE HIS APPEARING.

"It is noteworthy that the Feast of the Holy Apostles follows after the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit and, being in part bound up with it, the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul CULMINATES THE YEARLY CYCLE OF FEASTS DED9CATED TO THE EARTHLY LIFE OF CHRIST AND REVEALS THE ESSENCE OF HIS PROMISES. Even as the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist IS THE PROLOGUE TO THE GOSPEL AND THE BEGINNING OF THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN IT, SO ALSO THE REPOSE OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL IS BOTH THEIR CULMINATION AND THE EPILOGUE OF THE GOSPEL. The Feast of Saint John the Baptist IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ON EARTH; HIS BEHEADING IS THE PREACHING OF OF IT IN HADES; AND THE FEAT OF THE HOLY APOSTLES IS THE REALIZATION OF IT IN HEAVEN."

"We, therefore, celebrate THE MEMORY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL WITH REVERENTIAL AWE AND HEARTFELT LOVE. Saint Gregory Palamas writes for the present feast: "They are the fathers and guides of all Christians: APOSTLES, MARTYRS, HOLY ASCETICS, PRIESTS, HIERARCHS, PASTORS, AND TEACHERS. As Chief shephereds and master builders of our common godliness and virtue, THEY TEND AND TEACH US ALL, LIKE LIGHTS IN THE WORLD, HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE’ [Philippians 2:16]. Their BRIGHTNESS EXCELLS THAT OF THE OTHER RADIANTLY PIOUS AND VIRTUOUS SAINTS AS THE SUN OUTSHINES THE STARS, OR AS THE HEAVENS, WHICH DECLARE THE SUBLIME GLORY OF GOD, TRANSCEND THE SKIES… The appearance to us this dasy of both these luminaries together BRIGHTENS THE Church. It is not the case that one has a higher orbit and is placed above, while the other is lower down and passes under his shadow. Nor does one rule the day, the ohter the night, such that one would overshadow the other if they appeared opposite each other. Light is not produced by one and received by the other in such a way that the latter’s radiance would vary sometimes depending on the distance between them. Rather, BOTH SHARE EQUALITY IN CHRIST, THE EVERLASTING SOURCE OF Eternal Light, and hae attained to the same height, glory, and radiance. That is why the coming together of these lights signifies THEIR SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT FOR ONE ANOTHER AND ILLUMINATES THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL TWICE OVER." [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

(To be continued)

____________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy, Divine, and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER AND
BAPTIST.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

O PROPHET and Forerunner of Christ God’s coming to us, all we
who with longing now extol thee are at a loss to honor thee
worthily. For thy mother’s barrenness and father’s long silence, by
thine all-renowned and hallowed birth, were both ended, and the
Incarnation of the Son of God is preached unto all the world.

Kontakion Hymn. Third Tone

SHE that once was barren doth today bring forth Christ’s Forerunner, John,
the culmination and the crown of all of the Prophets. For when he, in River
Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets preached aforetime, he
was revealed as God the Word’s forechosen Prophet, His mighty preacher,
and His Forerunner in grace.

He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God’s testimony than he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth [Luke 1:7] and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a male child receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias, the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called John." Since the child’s father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child’s name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And immediately Zachrias’ mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed God of Israel. Who had fulfilled the promise made to their fathers, and had visioned them were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation. Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. John’s birth was carried throughout all Israel, coming to Herod’s ears. So, when he sent men to kill all the infants around Bethlehem, he sent men off to Zachrariahs’s family house in the hills to slay John also. But Elizabeth had the child in good time. The king was enraged at this and sent an executioner to the Temple to kill Zacharias (for it was then his turn to serve in the Temple again). Zacharias was killed between the court and the Temple, and his blood clotted and solidified on the paving slabs, and remained as an enduring witness against Herod. Elizabeth hid herself and the child in a cave in the wilderness, where she soon died. The young John remained in the wilderness alone, in the care of God and His Angels. The child John, who was filled with grace, grew and waxed among in the Spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel [Luke 1:57-80]. His name is a variation of the Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yah is gracious." [Source: The Great Horologion and The Prologue from Ochrid]

__________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ON THE GLORIFICATION OF THE
GOD-PLEASERS

Saint John Maximovitch speaks of how the glorification of God-pleasers among us are chosen: “Holiness is not simply righteousness, for which the righteous are deemed worthy of the enjoyment of blessedness in the Kingdom of God; but rather, it is such a height of righteousness that men are so filled with the grace of God THAT IT FLOWS FROM THEM EVEN ONTO THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE WITH THEM. Great is their blessedness, which proceeds from their direct contemplation of the glory of God. Being filled also with the love for men, which proceeds from love for God, they are responsive to men’s needs and to their entreaties, and they are mediators and intercessors for them before God.

“Such, first of all, were the righteous of the Old Testament, who were freed by Christ from Hades and led into Paradise, as well as Saint John the Baptist, THE GREATEST OF THOSE BORN OF WOMEN. Then the Holy Apostles and their immediate successors became such. None of the Christians doubted their sanctity, and after their decease–the greater the martyrs–they immediately began to venerate them and to invoke them in prayer. During the time of lofty spiritual ardor in the first centuries of persecutions against Christians, such also were the Holy Martyrs. A Martyr’s death was itself A DOOR TO THE ABODES ON HIGH, and Christians BEGAN IMMEDIATELY TO INVOKE THEM AS HOLY MEN PLEASING TO GOD. Miracles and signs confirmed this faith of the Christians and were proof of their holiness. Likewise, later on, the great Ascetics began to be venerated. No one decreed that Anthony the Great, Makarios the Great, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Nicholas the Wonder-worker, and many others like them be venerated as Saints, but East and West alike revere them, and only those WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN SANCTITY can deny their sanctity. The Assembly of the God-pleasers grew without ceasing; in every place where there were Christians, its new ascetics appeared as well.

“However, the general life of Christians began to decline; spiritual ardor began to lose its luster; no longer was there that clear sense of what divine righteousness is. For this reason, the general consciousness of the faithful ould not always determine who was actually righteous and pleasing to God. In some places, there appeared dubious persons, who, by means of supposed ascetic feats, allured part of the flock. For this reason, the Ecclesiastical Authority began to watch over the veneration of Saints, taking care TO GUARD THE FLOCK FROM SUPERSTITION. They began to investigate the life of ascetics venerated by the faithful and to VERIFY THE ACCOUNTS OF THEIR MIRACLES. Toward the time of the Baptism of Rus’, it had already been established that the recognition of a new Saint was be performed by the Ecclesiastical Authority. The decree of the Ecclesiastical Authority was, of course, disseminated throughout the region under its jurisdiction; however, usually other places also recognized A GLORIFICATION performed elsewhere, although they did not enter it into their own MENOLOGION (MENOLOGY). After all, the Ecclesiastical Authority MERELY ATTESTED TO SANCTITY. The righteous became Saints NOT BY DECREE OF THE EARTHLY ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY BUT BY THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD. The Ecclesiastical Authority MERELY APPROVED THE EXAULTING OF THE NEW SAINTS IN CHURCH AND HIS INVOCATION IN PRAYER.

“Just what authority should and could do this was not precisely determined; it was, in any case, an Episcopal authority. There were GLORIFICATIONS PERFORMED BY THE HIGHER ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY OF AN ENTIRE LOCAL Church; THE NAMES OF THE NEWLY GLORIFIED WERE THEN ENTERED INTO THE CHURCH MENOLOGIONS (MENOLOGIES) OF THE ENTIRE Church; others WERE GLORIFIED IN ONE LOCALITY OR ANOTHER, AND THEIR VENERATION GRADUALLY SPREAD TO OTHER PLACES. Usually, the GLORIFICATION was performed in that LOCALITY WHERE THE SAINT LIVED OR SUFFERED. But it also happened otherwise. Thus, the youth George, from the town of Kratov (Serbia), who suffered in 1515 at the hands of the Turks in Sofia (Sredets, Bulgaria), was GLORIFIED ALREADY WITHIN FOURTEEN YEARS IN NOVGOROD. This glorification took place in spite of the fact that his fellow citizens also venerated him as a new Martyr and that a Church service to him had even been composed by his spiritual father. They, however, did not dare to show this openly, fearing the Turks. Therefore, in Novgorod, which had commercial relations with these places, by direction of the Archbishop, a service was composed and the memory of the Martyr George the New began to be venerated, whence it spread throughout all of Russia.

“When Serbia and Bulgaria were liberated from bondage to the Turks, they began to use the service composed in Russia, while the service originally composed in Sofia remains to this day the property of a library. In last two centuries, when Russia lived in glory and prosperity, THE GLORIFICATION OF NEW SAINTS was USUALLY PERFORMED VERY SOLEMNLY BY DECREE OF THE SUPREME AUTHORITY, SOMETIMES (BUT NOT ALWAYS) TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT ALL RUSSIA, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE LOCALITY WHERE THE WONDERWORKING RELICS WERE FOUND.

“What, in essence, is the Church’s FORMAL GLORIFICATION OF SAINTS? asks Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky. He responds that “IN THE HOLY, CATHOLIC, ORTHODOX CHURCH THE PRAYERFUL MEMORY OF EACH OF HER MEMBERS WHO HAS DEPARTED IN FAITH, HOPE, AND REPENTANCE IS CHERISHED. THIS COMMEMORATION OF THE MAJORITY OF THE DEPARTED IS LIMITED, COMPARATIVELY TO THE NARROW CIRCLE OF THE “Church of the home,’, or, in general, TO PERSONS OF CLOSE BLOOD RELATION OR ACQUAINTED WITH THE DEPARTED. IT IS EXPRESSED IN PRAYER FOR THE DEPARTED, PRAYER FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, THAT ‘HIS SOUL BE NUMBERED AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS,’ THAT ‘HIS REPOSE BE WITH THE SAINTS.’ This is a spiritual prayerful thread WHICH BINDS THOSE ON EARTH TO THE DEPARTED; IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE WHICH IS BENEFICIAL BOTH FOR THE DEPARTED AND, LIKEWISE, FOR THOSE WHO PRAY FOR HIM. If after death, he is not deprived of the vision of the glory of God because OF HIS PERSONAL SINS, he responds with his own prayer for those close to him on earth.

“Persons who are great in their Christin spirit, glorious in their service to the Church, beacons illuminating the world, leave behind themselves A MEMORY WHICH IS NOT CONFINED TO A NARROW CIRCLE OF PEOPLE, BUT WHICH IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE Church, local or universal. CONFIDENCE IN THEIR HAVING ATTAINED THE GLORY OF THE LORD AND THE POWER OF THEIR PRAYERS, EVEN AFTER DEATH, IS SO STRONG AND UNQUESTIONED THAT THE THOUGHT OF THEIR EARTHLY BRETHREN IS NOT CHANNELED INTO PRAYER FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF THEIR SINS (SINCE THEY ARE HOLY BEFORE THE LORD WITHOUT SUCH), BUT TOWARD PRAISE OF THEIR STRUGGLES, TOWARD ACCEPTING THEIR LIVES AS MODELS FOR OURSELVES, TOWARD REQUESTING THEIR PRAYERS FOR US. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

_____________

“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”

– Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ALL SAINTS DAY

Saint Maximos the Confessor writes: "God made us so that we might become ‘PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE’ (θείας κοινωνοί φύσεως) and sharers in His eternity, and so we might come to be like Him through divinization by grace. It is through divinization that all things are reconstructed and achieve their permanence, and it is for its sake that what is not IS BROUGHT INTO BEING AND GIVEN EXISTENCE."

UNCREATED Light, according to the teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas and of the Hesychasts in general, IS THE DIVINIZING GIFT OF THE Holy Spirit– "this glory of the divine nature, whereby God has COMMUNION WITH SAINTS." This Light IS NOT VISIBLE TO MAN but also participable by him, and PARTICIPATING IN IT HE IS DIVINIZED. Those who have pleased God and reach that for which they came into being, namely, THEOSIS (DIVINIZATION, THAT IS, PARTICIPATION IN THE UNCREATED ENERGIES, NOT THE ESSENCE WHICH THE WORD ‘DEIFICATION’ CONNOTES)–FOR THEY SAY IT WAS FOR THIS CAUSE THAT GOD MAE US, IN ORDER THAT WE BE MADE PARTAKERS OF His own Divinity–even such as these are in God, as they are divinized by Him and He is in them since He is divinizing them. These also participate in the Divine energy, though in another manner, but they DO NOT participate in the ESSENCE OF GOD. Therefore, also, the theologians state that DIVINITY is a name for the Divine energy."

Saint Gregory Palamas, paraphrasing Saint Maximos the Confessor, says that "GRACE ACCOMPLISHES THIS MYSTERIOUS UNION…GOD IN ALL FULLNESS COMES TO DWELL IN THE COMPLETE BEING OF THOSE WHO ARE WORTHY OF IT, AND THE SAINTS FULLY DWELL WITH THEIR COMPLETE BEING IN THE WHOLE GOD BY DRAWING TO THEMSELVES THE WHOLE GOD, AND NOT RECEIVING ANY OTHER REWARD BUT GOD HIMSELF FOR THE ASCENT ACCOMPLISHED TOWARD HIM. HE ATTACHED HIMSELF TO THEM AS THE SOUL IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY.

Saint Gregory Palamas states: "God lets Himself be seen face to face, and not through enigmas…He Himself to them to the extent of coming to dwell in His entirety in their entireties, so that, on their side, THEY DWELL COMPLETELY IN HIM AND, THROUGH THE SON, THE SPIRIT IS POURED OUT RICHLY ON THEM [Titus 3:6]… YOU DO NOT, HOWEVER, CONSIDER THAT GOD LETS HIMSELF BE SEEN IN HIS SUPERESSENTIAL ESSENCE, BUT ACCORDING TO THE DIVINIZING GIFT AND ACCORDING TO HIS ENERGY, ACCORDING TO THE GRACE OF ADOPTION, UNCREATED DIVINIZATION, AND THE DIRECT HYPOSTASIZED HYPOSTATIZED) GLORY."

Blessed Jerome states: "The truth must now be inculcated more in detail, that WE ARE NOT ONE IN THE FATHER AND THE SON ACCORDING TO NATURE, BUT ACCORDING TO GRACE. For the essence of the human soul and the essence of God ARE NOT THE SAME."

Saint Basil the Great notes: "We say that we know the greatness of God, His power, His wisdom, His goodness, His providence over us, and the justness of His judgment, but NOT His very essence… The energies are diversified, and the essence simple, but we say that we know our God from His ENERGIES, but DO NOT UNDERTAKE TO APPROACH NEAR TO HIS ESSENCE. His energies come down to us, but His ESSENCE REMAIN BEYOND OUR REACH…SO KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIVINE ESSENCE INVOLVES PERCEPTION OF HIS INCOMPREHENSIBILITY, AND THE OBJECT OF OUR WORSHIP IS NOT THAT OF WHICH WE COMPREHEND THE ESSENCE, BUT OF WHICH WE COMPREHEND THAT THE ESSENCE EXISTS."

The distinction made BETWEEN ESSENCE and THE ENERGIES makes it possible to preserve the true meaning of the Apostle Peter’s words "PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (θείας κοινωνοί φύσεως) [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ON THE FIRST DAY FOLLOWING SUNDAY OF PENTECOST,
OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH COMMEMORATES
ALL SAINTS
WHO SHONE FORTH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD,
NORTH AND SOUTH, EAST AND WEST.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn). Fourth Tone

ADORNED in the blood of Thy Martyrs throughout all the world as in
purple and fine lines, Thy Church, through them, doth cry unto Thee,
O Christ God: Send down Thy compassion upon Thy people; grant
peace to Thy commonwealth, and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion Hymn of All Saints, Plagal of Fourth Tone

AS FIRST-FRUITS of our nature to the Planter of created things, the world
presenteth the God-bearing martyred Saints in offering unto Thee, O Lord.
Through their earnest entreaties, keep Thy Church in deep peace and divine
tranquillity, through the pure Theotokos, O Thou Who art greatly merciful.

On this holy day, the Sunday after Pentecost, we Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of All Saints, from all over the inhabited world, to Asia in the East, to Europe in the West, and beyond. Libya and farther, and regions both North and South.

We rejoice spiritually on this day, celebrating the memory of the Saints. It is significant that this day is dedicated to the Saints, after the Descent of the Holy Spirit, thus signifying THE COMMUNION OF THE HARVEST OF SAINTS WHO CONFESSED THE COESSENTIAL TRINITY. Therefore, we commemorate today ALL THE SAINTS, INCLUDING THE ASSEMBLY OF PROPHETS, WHO PROCLAIMED THE COMING O CHRIST TO THE WORLD; THE CHOIR OF APOSTLES, WHO CAUGHT NATIONS AND WERE FISHERS OF MEN; THE COMPANY OF THE MARTYRS, WHO ENDURED THE TORTURES FOR THE SAKE OF THE Orthodox Faith AND RECEIVED THE CROWN OF CONTEST; THE BEEHIVE OF THE VENERABLE ASCETICS NOW WITH THE ANGELS, ASKING THEIR INTERCESSIONS THAT WE MIGHT BE RESCUED FROM VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE ENEMIES. These choirs include NOT ONLY THE APOSTLES, THE ASSEMBLIES OF MARTYRS AND ASCETICS AND TEACHERS, AS WELL AS THE RIGHTEOUS TOGETHER WITH THE HIEROMARTYRS, BUT ALSO THOSE BEFORE THE LAW WITH PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS.

We also take this opportunity to honor THOSE WHO REMAIN UNKNOWN TO US, though known to God and the Church Triumphant (Church in Heaven). Again, many of these Saints may be honored in local churches in different parts of the inhabited earth who, for reasons unknown, are not known worldwide. Therefore, that we may VENERATE AND INVOKE THOSE SAINTS who hailed from every part of the earth, the holy Fathers designated this salutary and jubilant festival for those Saints from earliest times to our own times, whether known or unknown. Saint Gregory of Sinai tells us that "ALL WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE FULLNESS OF THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST IN THIS LIFE ARE OF EQUAL SPIRITUAL STATURE." And that "THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN HOLD INNER CONVERSE TOGETHER, COMMUNICATING MYSTICALLY THROUGH THE POWER OF THE Holy Spirit."

Now the Sunday after Pentecost originally commemorated the holy Martyrs. But this feast was expanded in the 9th century TO INCLUDE ALL THE SAINTS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN THROUGHOUT THE AGES. With the repose of the ever-memorable Empress Theophano the Wonder-worker, (895-897 A.D.) her husband, Emperor Leo VI, desired to build a church dedicated to her. The funeral, held at the Church of the Holy Apostles, witnessed countless miracles and cures that took place before her precious relics. She rejected his proposal to build a church in her name as did the Church leaders at the time, during her lifetime and so soon after her repose. Leo, therefore, with the consent of the Church, that the Feast of All Saints should be ENTERED IN THE CHURCH CALENDAR ON THE SUNDAY AFTER THE FEAST OF PENTECOST. When he dedicated a new church to All Saints, which was near to the Church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople, he added, "Theophano is among the righteous. Therefore, when the Feast of All Saints is commemorated, she is also to be celebrated, to the glory of God Who is wondrous in His Saints.

Today, we hear chanted: "Some were beheaded, others were dismembered in their arms and their whole bodies. All the Saints became sharers of the Passion of Christ." Who, therefore, was "the Martyr, the Faithful One the firstborn of the dead, and Ruler of the kings of the earth?" IT IS JESUS CHRIST… Who loveth us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and the might to the ages of the ages. Amen [Revelation 1:4-6]…

",,,So it was with those who confessed the Faith, keeping the words of Christ within them Who had said, "WHENEVER THEY LEAD YOU AWAY AND DELIVER YOU UP, CEASE TAKING THOUGHT BEFORE WHAT YE SHOULD SAY, NEITHER BE MEDITATING. BUT WHATSOEVER SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU IN THAT HOUR, BE SPEAKING THIS, FOR YE ARE NOT THE ONES WHO SPEAK, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Matthew 13:11). They did not grow fainthearted, even if their outward man was being utterly destroyed, yet the inward man WAS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY. They believed that the lightness of their momentary afflictions worked for them a more and more surpassing eternal weight of glory. They did not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen ARE TEMPORAL, but the things which ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL…

"…Saint Theophylact counsels that "THE NEW MAN, ACCORDING TO GOD’S PURPOSE, ALWAYS ABOUNDS TOWARD GOD AND TO FULL DIVINE KNOWLEDGE." How does this come to pass? "Put off from yourselves all these things: WRATH, ANGER, MALICE, BLASPHEMY, FOUL LANGUAGE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. CEASE LYING TO ONE ANOTHER, SINCE YE HAVE PUT OFF THE OLD MAN WITH HIS PRACTICES, AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW THAT IS BEING RENEWED TOWARD FULL KNOWLEDGE ACCORDING TO THE IMAGE OF THE ONE WHO CREATED HIM" (Colossians 3:8-10). We are then told to put on for ourselves, as elect of God, compassion from our inward parts, KINDNESS, HUMBLENESS OF MIND, MEEKNESS, LONG-SUFFERING, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND GRACIOUSLY FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, IF ANYONE HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST SOMEONE. "Even as the Christ graciously forgave you, thus also do ye. And over all these things, PUT ON LOVE, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTION" (Colossians 3:13-14).

Saint Bede reminds us that "because the King of kings and heavenly Priest united us to His own body by offering Himself for us, there is not one of the saints who has not spiritually the office of priesthood, in that he is a member of the Eternal Priest."

By the intercessions of Thine Immaculate Mother, O
Christ God, and of all Thy Saints from the ages, have
mercy and save us, as Thou alone art Good and the
Lover of mankind. Amen.

[ Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George