My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST, THE HOLY CHURCH
COMMEMORATES OUR HOLY FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS,
THE ARCHBISHOP OF THESSALONIKE,
GREGORY PALAMAS THE WONDER-WORKER.

On this day, the Second Sunday of the Great Fast, we commemorate our Father among the Saints, Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki and Wonder-worker.

Couplet

"Now is the truly great preacher of the Radiant Light led
by the Source of Light to the never-setting Light. Through
his prayers, O God, have mercy on us. Amen."

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

"Light of Orthodoxy, pillar, and teacher of the Church, adornment of
monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou
Wonder-worker, boast of Thessaloniki, herald of grace: ever pray that
our souls be saved."

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

"With one accord, we praise thee as the sacred and divine vessel of
wisdom and clear trumpet of theology. O our righteous Father Gregory
of divine speech. As a mind that standeth now before the Primal Mind,
do thou ever guide aright and lead our mind to Him, that we all may cry:
Rejoice, O herald of grace divine."

Saint Gregory Palamas, our father among the Saints, was born in Constantinople in the autumn of 1296 A.D., of godly and distinguished parents, Constantine and Kalee. He was the eldest among his two brothers, Makarios, and Theodosios, and his two sisters, Epicharis and Theodote. His family was originally Anatolian, but they made their home in Constantinople because of the Turkish invasion. Constantine Palamas was a Senator who was brought into the immediate encourage as a counselor to Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos who reigned from 1282 to 1328. Constantine was greatly esteemed by the Emperor, who entrusted him with the education of his little grandson, the future Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos (1328-1341). Constantine taught his own son Gregory and the little heir together since they were both the same age. The young Gregory, however, was not quite seven years old when his father reposed.

The Saint’s mother, Kalee, took great care to give Gregory, as well as to all his brothers and sisters, a good education in the spirit of divine law and Holy Scripture. Although Gregory was distinguished for his natural intelligence and diligence, he still sensed that he had difficulty memorizing things. Not trusting his own ability, he made it a rule that before he would take up a book, he would make three prostrations with a prayer before an icon of our Lady, the Mother of God. With great compunction and a contrite heart, he recited the MENTAL PRAYER of Saint Mary of Egyp, before she departed Jerusalem to live as an anchoritess, which was "O Lady, Lady, do not forsake me!" Indeed, the Holy Virgin helped the pious child, whose rapid progress attracted everyone’s attention. Hence, in a short time, he succeeded in learning philosophy and the other known sciences. The lad then became a ward of Emperor Andronikos II, who was known as the Patron of writers and scholars. He supervised the education of the five Palamas children. In fact, the Emperor had a secret affection for the orphaned Gregory, taking a fatherly interest in him and an active part in his education. Gregory’s gifts and excellent conduct won the praise of all, and he was the joy of the Emperor’s heart. Under his patronage, Gregory, from the ages of eleven to fourteen, attained great success in both grammar and rhetoric. He was even admired by those who were then the instructors and masters of oratory. He studied at the Imperial University such topics as physics, logic, and all the sciences of Aristotle. His principal instructor in these subjects was the famous Theodore Metochites. However, Gregory himself believed that the study of profane (secular) learning was only useful as a preparation for the true philosophy of Christianity. Gregory believed that it would be wrong to spend too much time upon profane learning.

While Emperor Andronikos had in view earthly ends and worldly attainments, Gregory already detested everything worldly as an elusive dream. From his earliest childhood, he desired the higher life and the path of perfection. Filled with an ardent love for God, he rose above his promising political future and all temporal advantages. He desired to leave the world and its vainglory and to strive with all his soul to cling to the Only God, the Source of all wisdom, the Bestower of every gift. Gregory had frequent meetings with monks of Constantinople and Mount Athos and asked their advice. They, in return cultivated in him a desire for THE ASCETIC AND MONASTIC LIFE. The most renowned spiritual instructor of that time, Theoleptos, a former monk of the Holy Mountain but then Metropolitan of Philadelphia, had introduced Gregory to the activity of "PURE PRAYER" and "HOLY VIGILANCE." Later in life, the holy Gregory would refer to the saintly Theoleptos as one of the chief inspirations of the renewal of hesychasm.

Saint Gregory, taking the advice of spiritual men, decided to leave the court and his classical studies. He then gradually changed his habits and manner of outward life. After he had led a strict life, neither the Emperor’s offers, nor the kindness of his friends, nor the ties of kinship could make him relinquish the ay of the Cross to heaven. In the year 1316 A.D., Gregory, then 20 years old, as the firstborn of his family, had inherited his father’s responsibilities and property. When Gregory finally decided to become a monk, he told his devout mother Kalee about it. At first, she was rather distressed at the idea. Afterward, however, she not only agreed with his intention but also rejoiced in the Lord, and, so, she decided to become a nun. Further, with God’s help, she even persuaded her other children to receive monasticism with her. Hence, she could say with Prophet Isaiah, "Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me" (Isaiah 8:18). Eventually, Gregory’s mother, his two sisters, Epicharis and Theodote, and some handmaidens, entered women’s monasteries in Constantinople. Following the Commandments of the Gospel, Saint Gregory distributed all of his property among the poor. Then, taking along his two brothers, Makarios and Theodosios, he repaired to Mount Athos. The brothers Palamas left Constantinople on foot in the autumn of 1317 A.D.

After they had passed some months on Mount Papikion, Gregory, Makarios, and Theodosios reached the Holy Mountain of Athos at the beginning of spring. All three brothers put themselves under the spiritual direction of the Monk Nikodemos, a gifted spiritual father, who lived not far from Vatopedi. He would later come to be known as the "master of Gregory Palamas." Nikodemos was an experienced HESYCHAST who was formerly a mon of Mount Afxentios, a monastery on the Eastern Shore of the Bosporus, not far from Chalcedon. The Elder (Geronda) Nikodemos laid a good foundation by training the three brothers in spiritual vigilance, uninterrupted prayer, fasting, and sobriety. The goodly Gregory surrendered his will and practised true obedience and unceasing prayer. He set before himself the Mother of God as his protectress and mediatress, calling out to her, "Illuminate my darkness" [cf. Psalm 17:28]. Every hour, he would look to her icon and ask for her alliance and succor, so that he might finish the course of obedience with her leading him by the hand. (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 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.

"REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, IN
EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; FOR THS IS THE WILL
OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

The Holy Fathers of the Church teach that increasing prayer is a proper goal, for spiritual growth comes through such discipline. For centuries, Orthodox Christians have used the "Jesus Prayer" or "Prayer of the heart" as a way to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FROM THE HEART: "O LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER."

PRAYER is a universal, spiritual phenomenon, the fundamental and inseparable element of every religion and every personal piety. As such, prayer has appeared n the history of mankind with an astonishing multiplicity of forms and expressions that range from the most crude and primitive to the most spiritually sublime. Prayer presupposes FAITH in the reality and the presence of God, and means primarily THAT LIVING AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND THE ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, WHICH IS NOTHING LESS THAN A DIRECT AND REAL SPIRITUAL CONTACT AND PERSONAL CONVERSATION BETWEEN PERSONS, BETWEEN AN "I" AND A "YOU." THE PERSON WHO PRAYS IS THE "I" AND THE GOD Who is addressed in prayer is the "You."

How to Pray

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself teaches us the correct way of praying: "And when you pray, you shall NOT be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But YOU, WHEN YOU PRAY GO INTO YOUR ROOM, AND WHEN YOU HAVE SHUT YOUR DOOR, PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN THE SECRET PLACE AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY. AND WHEN YOU PRAY, DO NOT USE VAIN REPETITIONS AS THE HEATHEN DO. FOR THEY THINK THAT THEY WILL BE HEARD FOR THEIR MANY WORDS. THEREFORE DO NOT BE LIKE THEM. FOR YOUR FATHER KNOWS THE THINGS YOU HAVE NEED OF BEFORE YOU ASK HIM. IN THIS MANNER, THEREFORE, PRAY:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily
bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into
temptations,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the Kingdom and
the power and the glory
forever. Amen. [Matthew 6:5-13]

Saint John Chrysostomos in his homily On Prayer writes: "Prayer is the beginning of every good thing and the mediator of salvation and eternal life…

"The greatest thing we have to say about prayer is that every praying person converses with God Himself, and this to the extent that, being human, one can speak with God… One cannot adequately express in words this honor. For this honor exceeds even the magnificence of the Angels themselves…A the time of prayer we are forgetful of our human nature, considering ourselves to be in the midst of Angels and carrying out the same worship as they. For all the other things are very different and separated — I mean between us and the Angels — but the work of prayer is common to both Angels and humans.

For what more saintly things can happen to those who converse with God? What more righteous? What more modest and becoming? What more wise? Prayer and supplications fills them with so much wisdom, so much virtue, and understanding, and goodness, and prudence and gracious manners!

It is impossible for man to be able to carry on a divine conversation without the activity of the Holy Spirit, and that is why this activity must be present and associated with the sacred struggle (of prayer). Thus, we are enabled to bend the knees, to petition, and to pray… Therefore, when you are aware that not only are you speaking with God but are also receiving the energy of the Holy Spirit to sanctify the soul, you will not allow the devil any entry whatsoever into your soul, when you begin to pray.

He who IS SUBSERVIENT TO THE PASSIONS IS TRULY CONVERSING WITH THE DEMONS and is desirous of their attractions, while he who is prudent and struggles to be righteous IN IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS AND STRIVES TO ACQUIRE THEIR MAGNIFICENCE.

It seems to me that if one were to say that prayers are like nerves to the soul, he would speak truly. For, I think, that as the nerves hold together the body and enable it to run, to stand, to live and to be firm… in a similar manner THE HOLY PRAYERS MAKE THE SOULS COMPETENT, ABLE TO STAND TOGETHER, AND TO RUN THE RACE OF PIETY WITH GREAT FACILITY.

Should you deprive yourself from prayer, it would be the same as if you removed a fish from the water; for as thes water is life to the fish, so is prayer to you. Through prayer, as if through water, ONE MAY ASCEND AND GO BEYOND THE HEAVENS TO BE IN THE NEARNESS OF GOD.

For who is it that does not know that the light of the sun, the stars and the moon, the temperate seasons, the great variety of foods, wealth, life and a myriad of good things are granted by God similarly to all people, because of His love for mankind, which He has for us? If God then is so Merciful and gives rest each day to those who do not even petition or ask, how many more good things are they likely to enjoy who occupy their whole life in prayers and supplications to God?

In remembering prayer, Saint Paul is the first worthy of mention. Saint Paul was the insatiable worshipper of God, the common father and the ancestor of the seravants of Christ. He, then, the guardian of the ecumene, who saved all the nations through prayer and supplications, is always saying to us: "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:14-17). Do you see THE POWER OF PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION? It makes people to be TEMPLES OF CHRIST… Thus prayer makes temples of God, for he says "that Christ may dwell in your hearts." What greater praise can be said for prayer than to affirm that it creates TEMPLES OF GOD? The One Whom the heavens cannot ontain, MAY ENTER A LIVING SOUL THROUGH PRAYER.

PRAYER IS CAUSE FOR SALVATION, MEDIATION FOR THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AN UNBREAKABLE RAMPART OF THE CHURCH, AN UNSHAKEABLE GAURDIAN, FEARFUL TO THE DEMONS BUT SALUTARY TO THE PIOUS.

When prayer enters into the souls, every other virtue will enter also. For what the foundaion is for the house, THIS IS WHAT PRAYER IS FOR THE SOUL. And it is necessary to have prayer, as a basis and a sort of root implanted first in everyone so that all may be able to also cultivate PRUDENCE, HUMILITY, RIGHTEOUSNESS, CARE FOR THE POOR AND ALL THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM AND WITH WHOM GLORY AND DOMINION BE TO THE FATHER TOGETHER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTO THE AGES OF AGES. AMEN.

Saint Neilos the Ascetic writes on Prayer:

"Do NOT pray for your wills to be done; for they do NOT always agree
with the Will of God. Rather, pray as you have been taught: "Thy Will be
done" in me. And everything ask God that this same will be done. For
He wants what is good and beneficial for your soul, while you do not
always seek this."

Saint John of the Ladder On Sacred and Blessed Prayer,
the Mother of Virtues

"The quality and the grace of prayer which is done, as it should,
with fervent love and desire for God, has so much great power,
that it unites human beings with their Creator and raises their
mind to be inseparably bonded with Him. The energy of such
prayer, moreover, can hold the world together and keep it from
being annihilated by the many sins done each day."

Saint Isaac the Syrian On Prayer

"When man BECOMES HUMBLE, he is at once encircled by the
mercy of God, and it is then that the heart becomes aware of
Divine interventions, and discovers a certain power of faith and
reassurance moving within itself. Again, when man becomes aware
of this Divine help and knows that it is within him and empowers
him, the heart is then directrly filled with joy and faith. It is from this
that man understands prayer to be a refuge of assistance, a source
of salvation and a treasury of reassurance and conviction, a haven
where man finds rescue from the tempatations, a light to those in
darkness, a staff of support for the infirm, a shelter at the time of
temptation, a madicinal help at the height of illness, a shield of
protection during UNSEEN WARFARE, an arrow aimed at demons,,,"

Saint Symeon the New Theologian On the Three Methods of Attention
and Prayer.

"There are three methods of attention and prayer, by which the soul may rise up
and make progress in prayer, or may fall and be lost…

First of all attention must be attached to and inseparable from prayer as the body is
inseparable from the soul, and one cannot stand without the other. Attention must
go ahead to scout out the enemies, and as an avant guard to do battle with sin
and to oppose the evil thoughts that attempt to enter into the soul…

The second method of attention and prayer is thte following: One gathers the mind
within the self, removing it from all sensory things wandering over the vain things of
this world. And at other times, again,, one may with much effort and difficulty become
aware in himself of some passion that may have come to rule over him…

The third method of attention and prayer is truly a marvellous thing but rather difficult
to explain. For those who are not familiar with this method, it is not only difficult to
explain it to them, they also find it virtually incredible to believe, and imagine that there
is no such thing, probably because in these times of ours this method is not found to
be used by many, but rather is rarely used by a few…it is OBEDIENCE TO ONE’S
SPIRITUAL FATHER WHICH MAKES A PERSON FREE FROM MANY CARES BECAUSE
HE HAS PLACED THEM ON THE SHOULDERS OF HIS SPIRITUAL FATHER, AND IS THUS
RELEASED FROM THE ATTACHMENTS OF THIS WORLD…"

Saint Gregory of Sinai on Various Texts On Prayer

"If a man is praying with his lips while his mind is wandering what benefit is this to him?
When one builds up and another pulls down, there is nothing left but useless labors. On
the contrary, as the body works in prayer, the mind is also obligated to do the same,
otherwise one will be found justified in the body, but his heart will be full of anxiety and
impurity…"

Saint Gregory Palamas On Prayer

"The power of prayer lies in nits holy work to bring to perfection the ascent of man to unite
him to God, and thus to be the bond between rational beings with their Creator, especially
when prayer, through fervent contrition, succeeds in transcending those passiones and
thoughts which tend to accompany prayer. For it is impossible for a passionate mind to be
united with God…" [Source: A Prayer Book. An Anthology of Orthodox Prayers]

__________________

"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

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST: SUNDAY OF
ORTHODOXY

On this day, the First Sunday of the Great Fast,
the SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY, the Holy Church
Commemorates the Restoration of the holy and
august Icons, and the SYNODIKON of the Holy
and Seventh Oecumenical Synod on behalf of
Orthodoxy is read.

On this day, the First Sunday of the Great Fast, is the commemoration OF THER RESTORATION OF THE HOLY AND VENERABLE ICONS, which came about by the autocrats of Constantinople, Michaels and his mother Theodore, together with the Patriarch, the holy confessor Methodios.

"The sense of joy and thanksgiving, already evident on the Saturday of Saint Theodore, is still more apparent on the First Sunday in Lent when we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy. On this day the Church commemorates the final ending of the Iconoclast controversy and the definitive restoration of the holy icons to the churches by Empress Theodora, acting as regent for her young son Michael III. This took place on the first Sunday in Lent, 11th March 843. There is, however, not only a historical link between the First Sunday and the RESTORATION OF THE HOLY ICONS but also, as in the case of Saint Theodore, a spiritual affinity. If Orthodoxy triumphed in the epoch of the Iconoclast controversy, this was BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE FAITHFUL WERE PREPARED TO UNDERGO EXILE, TORTURE, AND EVEN DEATH, FOR THE SAKE OF THE TRUTH. The Feast of Orthodoxy is above all A CELEBRATION IN HOUR OF THE MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS WHO STRUGGLED AND SUFFERED FOR THE FAITH: HENCE ITS APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE SEASON OF LENT, when we are STRIVING TO IMITATE THE MARTYRS BY MEANS OF OUR ASCETIC SELF-DENIAL."

"ICONOCLASM was one of the most powerful and prolonged heretical movements. The Iconoclast heresy began in the first half of the 7th century and continued to disturb the Church for more than 100 years. Directed against THE VENERATION OF OF HOLY ICONS. it touched also on other aspects of the faith and Church order (for example, the VENERATION OF SAINTS). The seriousness of this heresy was increased by the fact a whole series of Byzantine emperors acted epigenetically, in its favor for reasons of internal and external politics, these emperors were also hostilely disposed to Monasticism. The heresy was condemned at the Seventh Ecumenical Synod in 787 A.D., and the FINAL TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY OCCURED ON 842 A.D. under Saint Methodios, Patriarch of Constantinople at that time there was established the feast of "Triumph of Orthodoxy," which is observed by the Church up to now (on the First Sunday of Great Lent)."

After Emperor Theophilos’ death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11th), together with the Patriarch Methodios (June 14th), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodios and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out thes holy words: "IF ANYONE DOES NOT OFFER RELATIVE WORSHIP TO THE HOLY ICONS, NOT ADORING THEM AS THOUGH THEY WERE GODS, BUT VENERATING THEM OUT OF LOVE AS IMAGES OF THE ARCHETYPE, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God’s forgiveness for her husband Theophilos. After this, on the First Sunday of the Great Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the Clergy and faithful and RESTORED THE HOLY ICONS, AND AGAIN ADORNED THE Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox Christians commemorate today, and we call this radiant and Venerable Day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, THE TRIUMP OF TRUE DOCTRINE OVER HERESY.

Dismissal Hymn. Second Tone

WE worship Thine Immaculate Icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness
of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased
to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightiest deliver from slavey to the
enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to the Thee
thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Savior, when Thou camest
to save the world.

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

THE undepictable Logos/Word of the Father became depictable when He
took flesh of thee, OTheotokos, and when He had restored the defiled image
to its ancient state, He suffused it with Divine beauty. As for us, confessing
our salvation, we record it in deed and word.

The Greek word ANATHEMA can mean either "SEPERATED" or ‘ACCURSED." With regard to the former, the Apostle Paul said to the Romans: "For I could wish to be an anathema from the Christ on behalf of my brethren, my kinfolk according to the flesh, who are Israelites, of whom are the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the worship, and the promises, of whom are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, Who is OVER ALL, God blessed unto the ages. Amen" (Romans 9:3-5).

So, in the Synodikon of Orthodoxy, we hear how the heretics are ANATHEMATIZED and whow those reposed in Christ are acclaimed. At each proposal, for the former we proclaim "ANATHEMA" THREE TIMES and for the latter we proclaim "ETERNAL MEMORY" THREE TIMES. The pronouncment of "anathema" upon a heretical doctrine IS TO PROTECT THE FAITHFUL OF THE CHURCH. As for sany who are under anathema, THEY NEED TO REPENT BEFORE DEATH OVERTAKES THEM. The adherents of HERETICAL BELIEFS who have been anathematized or seperated from the Church are able to repent and to be received into the Church. The anathema against heretical doctrine CANNOT BE LIFTED. Since the acts and decisions of the Oecumenical Synods ARE NOT PRONOUNCEMENTS OF ANY ONE BISHOP OR ARCHBISHOP, THESE Spirit inspired Councils are the UNASSAILABLE PILLARS OF THE Church.

Let us be instructed by the teachings of the aforementioned acclaimed Orthodox Chrisntians, and let us be confirmed by their contests and struggles until death on behalf of pieity. Let us be emulators of the end oof their godly conduct of life. May we be accounted worthy of the attainment of our entreaties through the mercies and grace of the First High Priest Christ, our True God, by the intercessions of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Eve-Virgin Mary, the godlike Angels, and of all the Saints. Amen. (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

THE LIFE OF THE HOLY MARTYR THEODORE
THE TERON

Theodore flourished during the reigns of the joint pagan Roman Emperors (Augusti) Diocletian (284-305 A.D.) and Maximian (286-305 A.D.), and the junior colleague Maximinus Daia (310-313 A.D.) in the east. He hailed from the village of Houmiala of Amaseia, a city of Cappadocia. Diocletian issued an order requiring all men-in-arms and administrators to sacrifice to the gods. Those who refused were made to resign. This policy was in force for six years. Among the crypto-Christians (secret-Christians) would come forth the Great-martyr Theodore. At first, he was a hidden Christian, not out of any terror regarding martyrdom, but because he believed that it was not yet from God for him to undergo martyrdom. While serving in Efchaita, he met the elderly lady Evsevia, who cautioned him to flee from the local dragon. Theodore, however, wishing to test his mettle to endure martyric contents, decided to contend with that fearsome creature that terrorized the inhabitants. God helping him, he slew the dragon.

Now when Theodore’s commander, named Vrigan, summoned the men in order to fulfill the imperial order and offer sacrifice. Theodore remained in his tent. When asked to explain his absence. Theodore confessed Christ before all. Commander Vrigan and Theodore’s squad leader decided to give Theodore time to reconsider his allegiance to Christ. In the meantime, Theodore sought out other Christians and urged them not to deny The Christ. As the pagan tyrants were arresting and incarcerating other Christians, Theodore went by night to the Greek altar dedicated to the goddess Rhea, the so-called "mother of the gods." His heart was ablaze with divine zeal when he entered the temple. He set the temple on fire that he might demonstrate that he was a Christian not only in word but also in deed. He further wished to prove to the Greek pagans that the idols to which they were making obeisance were deaf and made of insensible wood. As a result of the destruction of the pagan’s shrine to the idolaters’ chief goddess, Efchaita was in turmoil and confusion.

The minister of that defiled altar, one named Kronides, had seen the soldier Theodore set fire to it. Since he feared that he should be held responsible for the burning of the altar, he took hold of Theodore and brought him before Governor Puplios. After Puplios listened carefully to the accusations, he quickly dispatched a message that Commander Vrigan should be brought to him. When Vrigan arrived, Puplios questioned him: "Did you give leave to this ungodly soldier to burn down the altar of Rhea our goddess?" Vrigan answered, "I gave him permission to gather his thoughts and reflect upon what is best. I did not give him leave to ignite our altar. He was many times told that he ought to offer sacrifice, but he refuses to listen. Instead, he scorns me by saying that he is a soldier of the Nazaraean Jesus and that he denies the army of our mighty emperors."

Governor Puplios addressed the holy Theodore, threatening him with a multitude of tortures. Theodore was conveyed to prison, clapped him in chains, flogged, and left to die of starvation and thirst. Christ appeared to Theodore, strengthening him and warning him not to partake of the victuals from the pagans. After Theodore was placed in stocks, Puplios ordered that Theodore might receive twenty-six grams of bread daily and a little water. When the guards fulfilled the order and brought Theodore’s rations, he would not accept them. Instead, he told them, "I have heavenly food, that is, my Christ and His power, I do not want thy polluted food. I, therefore, say with the Prophet-King David, ‘But oil of a sinner, let it not anoint my head’ (Psalm 140-6).

Governor Puplios, after offering promises and freedom, still met with Theodore’s stalwart resistance. Puplios ordered his executioners to suspend the saint upside down. The executioners flayed his body with iron claws. "Administer this," bellowed Puplios, "until the prisoner should die or state that he shall offer sacrifice." The minister of tortures performed their office to the extreme so that the Saint’s sides were laid open, exposing his ribs. At length, the executioners became exhausted from their brutal scraping and carving. The holy Theodore made no outward response. He chanted secretly, "I WILL BLESS THE LORD EVERY TIME, HIS PRAISE CONTINUALLY SHALL BE IN MY MOUTH" (Psalm 33:1). Puplios, at length, issued the final sentence: "Let the fire devour him, as he consumed the temple of Rhea the goddess."

Forthwith, the soldiers bound him to the execution site. Upon arrival, he was unfettered. Theodore then loosened his belt, took off his outer garment, and removed his footwear. The soldiers intended to affix him to the ground, lest he should bolt or make any sharp or quick movements. The Saint wished to be left alone and said, "Do not tie me to a stake. Christ, Who empowered me to withstand even the flame of the fire." The soldiers obliged the prisoner, but they still tied his hands in front of him. The Saint, lifting up his hands to God with tears, besought Christ in prayer for his fwllow soldiers who were found in the prison with him for the sake of Christ. The whole burnt offering Theodore, after uttering his prayer, straightway, jumped inside the fiery furnace that had been prepared. In the midst of the roaring flames, he was chanting and glorifying God! With a view to make manifest the miracles and glorify His Saint, God dispensed in His oeconomy the following marvelous occurrence. The flame of that fire arched and became as a vault that surrounded the Saint. The fire in no wise touched or injured Theodore! The Saint, who scorned death in the flames, kept giving thanks and glorifying the Lord, as he surrendered his soul into the hands of God.

The Saint’s grace-flowing relics were retrieved by means of an exorbitant sum paid by Evsevia. She returned them to her home, Efchaita, where yearly the Saint’s memory was celebrated. In every circumstance, the holy Martyr proved an excellent helper, healing every ailment of soul and body.

By the intercessions of Saint Theodore,
O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

[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

SATURDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF THE GREAT FAST,
THE HOLY CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE MIRACLE
OF THE KOLLYVA WROUGHT BY THE GLORIOUS AND
GREAT MARTYR THEODORE THE RECRUIT.

Boundless are the wonders (miracles or thavmata) of Saint Theodore the Teron (Recruit or soldier of the Tyronian Legion). One of the foremost among his famous miracles, which deals with KOLLYVA or boiled wheat. The events regarding this miracle are especially commemorated yearly by the Holy Church on the First Saturday of the Great Fast. On that day, we remember the Saint’s care for the pious Christians, those who keep the commandments of God. By this miracle, we are assured that he fights as a champion in defense of God’s people. We, therefore, beseech your love and attention, as we unfold this history that exhibits the superabundant compassion of God and His unresentful help. Hear now to how He protects the Christians by His Providence and visitation, lest they should fall into the slippery pit of destruction prepared by the leader of mischief, the devil, and his minions.

When the profane Julian the Apostate reigned (361-263 A.D.), he rejected the Faith of his fathers and attempted to revive paganism. He committed many blasphemous deeds against the True God. He was incited by his father, Satan, to fight against God and persecute the godly faithful of the Christians. He sought to separate his subjects from God’s love and Hol Faith that they might honor and worship demons. O the misery and calamity! Not a day passed during his reign that he did not attempt to undermine and punish the Christians. His tortures were diverse: the Christians were made to suffer the perforation of abdomens with borers and augers, or the plucking out of eyes, or the extraction of teeth, or the severing of tongues, or the piercing of various organs with spits, or even frying in pans. In short, he utilized any tool, instrument, or apparatus he could find in order to torment and usher in the death of the Christians. Manifold and malignant was the raving madness of this man defiled with blood. Julian the Apostate, inflamed with malice, was then resolved to attack the Christians in another way, rather than by inflicting wounds and physical death. Since he had not succeeded in instilling desperation, hopelessness, and despair among the beleaguered Christians, he contrived to bring them into idolatry in a secret manner. Had not God intervened and helped the Christians by revealing Julian’s befouled machinations, he certainly would have succeeded in implementing his evil and mindless decision.

This was the subtle plan that Julian the Apostate wished to employ. The evil one observed that the Christians purified themselves by means of fasting and extended prayer during the FIRST WEEK OF THE GREAT FAST. He summoned the city Prefect, a man of like mid and sentiment, who had also lapsed into unbelief and said to him, "O Prefect, we have invented many and all kinds of contrivances to extinguish the Faith of the Christians, but we have not succeeded. As a result, we currently find ourselves in dire straits. Now our gods have enlightened me with their good and incontrovertible judgment that, this week, since the Christians shall be exercising diligence in keeping a fast, I should direct ALL FOOD SUPPLIES BE REMOVED FROM TEH MARKETPLACE. Nothing will be available, except for what I shall furnish. I shall provide the shops and stalls WITH FOOD AND DRINK WHICH HAVE BEEN SPRINKLED WITH THE BLOOD OF OUR PAGAN SACRIFICES. The demand for food will cause all TO EAT ONLY WHAT IS AVAILABLE. IN THIS WAY, ALL SHALL BE COMPELLED TO PROCURE AND PARTAKE OF ONLY THAT WHICH I HAVE MADE OBTAINABLE. ALL SHALL COME TO OBEY US BECAUSE THEY HAVE TASTED OF THE SACRIFICES TO THE gods. As for those who refuse to comply, well, they shall just die of hunger, shall they not? These words, uttered from lips hostile to God, caused the Prefect to remark, "Now I know that the heart of the king is in the hands of the gods!" The plan was immediately implemented by the Emperor and all food and drink were replaced with food and drink that was polluted and defiled with the blood of sacrificial animals. What then did our God and Fashioner do? Even as that terrible and satanical strategy was being executed, the All-Good God speedily dispatched the Great Martyr Theodore, the gift of God–the truest gift both in name and deed, in order to rescue the faithful. "Dreadful, therefore, was the plot devised by the ungodly ruler; for in his wretchedness he planned to defile the people of Christ with unclean food."

The Saint actually appeared to the Patriarch and revealed to him the abominable conspiracy perpetrated by the God-hater, Julian, the betrayer of the Faith, and said, "O chief shepherd, rise up quickly and assemble the flock of the Christians, the flock which thou are to preserve with great care and attention! Command the faithful that they are NOT to purchase any food whatsoever that is found in the marketplace because the most impious Julian has polluted everything by means of the profane blood of sacrificed animals." The hierarch asked the Saint and said, "How my lord is it possible that such a situation has come about? On the one hand, perhaps for the rich, it is possible for them to survive on the provisions they have in storage; but on the other hand, the poor, those who do not even have their daily food, what can be given in order to console them the in their plight? The Martyr Theodore replied, "THOU SHALL OFFER THEM KOLLYVA THAT THEY MIGHT RELIEVE THEIR NEED." The hierarch said, "And what pray are kollyva?I know not." The Martyr answered, "WHEAT." THOU SHALL BOIL WHEAT AND DISTRIBUTE IT TO CHRISTIANS." The Martyr here, by using the word "KOLLYVA" revealed from where he came from; for among the people of Efchaita this word is in common use in their dialect. "In this manner" continued the Saint, "shall keep the flock of Christ from being harmed and polluted."The hierarch then said, "And who are thou, sir, that hast taken care to demonstrate such philanthropy and compassion for the sake of our salvation?" The Saint replied, "I am Theodore, the martyr of Christ Who has sent me forth for you own salvation and help."

The hierarch received the message with both astonishment and joy. He quickly set about gathering together the people of Christ. He revealed to them the Martyr’s watchfulness and care. He proclaimed to all, with much exactness, all that had taken place that the flock of Christ might be preserved intact.

Now that entire week, the evil trick of Julian the Apostate proved to be a failure. There was no activity in the shops and stores. Not one Christian purchased the defiled food. In their place, the usual supplies were offered. The Christians sent up hymns and thanksgiving to God and this gloriously triumphant Martyr Theodore, so that they celebrated the holy day with gladness and splendor. Thereafter, to the present, the operation of this miracle is preached when instructing the Christians in regard to fasting, BECAUSE A PURE FAST IS A GREAT POWER AND IS ABLE TO COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS. (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.

SUNDAY OF THE CHEESEFARE

The holy Fathers of the Church have appointed the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, HOW BENEFICIAL FASTING IS FOR MAN, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the Divine Commandments. For the First Commandment that God gave to man was THAT OF FASTING, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep, and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death and TRANSMITTED THESE AND INNUMERABLE OTHER EVILS TO ALL OF MANKIND. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us, that brings to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and DISOBEDIENCE OF THE FIRST-FASHIONED (ADAM), we might be diligent to return again to that occasion from today’s Gospel (Matthew 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask FORGIVENESS THIS DAY, FIRST FROM GOD, THEN FROM ONE ANOTHER AND ALL CREATION.

The holy Fathers desire to show how shameful are the results of gluttony and disobedience. Omitting instances without number recounting the vices in the world, the holy Fathers have set forth a vivid example in the first-created Adam. Due to the latter’s FAILURE TO FAST, HE CAME TO SUFFER MANY EVILS. Disregarding God’s First Commandment of a beneficial fast, he yielded to the desires of his belly and of the serpent through Eve. Adam and Eve not only failed to become as gods but also transmitted to our nature corruption, death, and numerous other evils.

On account of Adam’s intemperance, our Lord FASTED FOR FORTY DAYS AND WAS OBEDIENT TO THE LAW OF FASTING. Furthermore, this is the reason that the Holy Fathers INSTITUTED THE FORTY-DAY FAST so that as Adam FORFEITED INCORRUPTION THROUGH HIS INTEMPERANCE, WE MIGHT REGAIN IT THROUGH ABSTINENCE. And, as Adam stretched forth his hand at the sixth hour to touch the fruit, so the New Adam, Christ, at the sixth hour STRETCHED OUT HIS HANS ON THE CROSS, ANNULLING THE SENTENCE OF PERDITION BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE FORMER ADAM.

Therefore, ON THE EVE OF THE GREAT FAST, has brought to mind the fall of the PROTOPLASTES and enormous evil ushered in by it, we ought to eagerly KEEP THE FAST. By means of it, together WITH TEARS AND HUMILITY, LET U DEPART FROM SELF-LOVE. LET US SEEK RIGHT FAITH AND A LOVE THAT "SEEKETH NOT ITS OWN" (1 Corinthians 13:5). For even The Christ pleased not Himself (Romans 15:3), AND HE DIED FOR ALL IN ORDER THAT THEY WHO ARE LIVING NO LONGER ARE LIVING TO THEMSELVES, BUT TO HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND WAS RAISED (2 Corinthians 5:15). Let us struggle on this path that we may attain TO DIVINIZATION–if God by His grace visits us with PURIFICATION and ILLUMINATION OF THE HEART, AND EVEN THEOSIS (DEIFICATION) and GLORIFICATION, PERFECTING US IN THE VISION OF THE UNCREATED GLORY. Saint Mark the Ascetic writes: "Everyone baptized in the Orthodox manner HAS RECEIVED MYSTICALLY THE FULLNESS OF GRACE, BUT HE BECOMES CONSCIOUS OF THIS GRACE ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT HE ACTIVELY OBSERVES THE COMMANDMENTS." So let us keep the Great Fast with the utmost care since it also honors the Holy Passion of Christ. Furthermore, THEE FORTY DAYS ARE A KIND OF TITHE OF THE ENTIRE YEAR. We now have the occasion, by means of this fast WITH A CONTRITE HEART AND HUMILITY, TO UPROOT FROM THIS HARVEST-TIME OF OUR SOULS WHATEVER UNSEEMLY DEEDS WE COMMITTED DURING THE YEAR.

In Thine ineffable compassion, O Christ our God,
vouchsafe us the delights of Paradise, and have mercy on us,
as Thou alone lovest mankind. Amen.

Saint Mark the Ascetic states, "He who seeks forgiveness of his sins loves humility, but if he condemns another he seals his own wickedness." So, "when you first become involved in something evil, do not say, ‘It will not overpower me.’ For to the extent that you are involved, you have already been overpowered by it.’ Again, "If you do not want to suffer evil, do not inflict it, since the suffering of it inevitably follows its infliction. ‘For whatever a man soweth, that also shall he reap’ (Galatians 6:7).

"It is A GREAT VIRTUE TO ACCEPT PATIENTLY WHATEVER COMES AND, AS THE LORD ENJOINS TO LOVE A NEIGHBOR WHO HATES YOU." Indeed, "It is better to pray devoutly for your neighbor than to rebuke him every time he sins." Now, "the sign OF SINCERE LOVE IS TO FORGIVE WRONGS DONE TO US. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world. Remember that we cannot with all our heart forgive someone who does us wrong unless we possess real knowledge. For this knowledge shows us that we deserve all we experience.

"When HARMED, INSULTED, OR PERSECUTED BY SOMEONE, do not think of the present but wait for the future, and you will find he has brought you much good, not only in this life but also in the life to come." So, "ACCEPT PRESENT AFFLICTIONS FOR THE SAKAE OF FUTURE BLESSINGS, THEN YOU WILL NEVER WEAKEN IN YOUR STRUGGLE. But again, pray that temptation may not come to you, but when it comes, accept it as your due and not undeserved." For "HE WHO SUFFERS WRONG AND DOES NOT DEMAND ANY REPARATION FROM THE MAN WHO WRONGED HIM, TRUSTS IN CHRIST TO MAKE GOOD THE LOSS, AND HE IS REWARDED HUNDREDFOLD IN THIS WORLD AND INHERITS ETERNAL LIFE. As for the sinner, ‘HE CANNOT ESCAPE RETRIBUTION EXCEPT THROUGH REPENTANCE APPROPRIATE TO HIS OFFENSE." (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.

THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST
{The Resurrection Dismissal Hymn and Kontakion.
Kontakion. First Tone)

WHEN Thou, O God, wilt come to earth with glory,
and all things tremble, and the river of fire floweth
before the Judgment Seat, and the books are opened
and the hidden things made public, then deliver me
from the unquenchable fire, and deem me worthy to
stand at Thy Right Hand, O Most Righteous Judge.

"For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west,
so also will the Coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the
carcass is there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately
after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the
moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of
Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will
mourn, and then they will see the Son of Man COMING IN THE
CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. And He
will send His Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will
gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of
heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:27-31)

No one knows the exact time when the Second Coming shall take place. It was NOT REVEALED to the Apostles of the Lord. He did, however, permit for us to be aware of signs which have been expanded upon by some Saints. It is said that after the passage of seven thousand years of human history, one may expect the consummation. But prior to our Lord’s Coming, the Antichrist shall appear. Saint Hippolytos of Rome discloses that the Antichrist will be born of a defiled woman, claiming to be a virgin. He shall be a Hebrew of the Tribe of Dan. The latter, a patriarch, was Jacob’s furth son, whose mother was Bilhah (the maid of Rachel). Antichrist, in his own way, will attempt to emulate the life of Christ. He shall achieve this only by means OF ILLUSION REGARDING HIS TAKING OF FLESH AND BIRTH. Saint Paul, in any event, warns us and writes: "For the mystery of the lawlessness already energizing itself, only there is the one, who restraineth now until he should come to be taken out of the midst. And then the LAWLESS ONE SHALL BE REVEALED–WHOM THE LORD SHALL DESTROY BY THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH, AND SHALL BERING TO NAUGHT BY THE MANIFESTATION OF HIS COMING–WHOSE COMING IS ACCORDING TO THE ENERGY OF SATAN IN ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS, AND IN ALL DECEIT OF THE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE SAVED. And this account God shall send to them an influence of error for them to believe the lie, that they all may be judged who believe NOT THE TRUTH, BUT HAD PLEASURE IN THE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS [2 Thessalonians 2:7-12].

Now the torments, according to those enumerated in the Holy Gospel, ARE WEEPING AND THE GNASHING OF TEETH, WHERE THEIR WORM DIES NOT AND THE FIRE IN NOT QUENCHED, AND THE DARKNESS, EVEN THE OUTER ONE.

As for all the Church of God, they accept such beliefs. The Church maintains that those attaining to the delight of the Kingdom of the heavens will live together with God and the Saints, in a continual illumination and ascent. But those in torment and darkness, and other such states, FAR FROM GOD, THEIR SOULS ARE BEING CONSUMED, TORMENTED BY THEIR CONSCIENCE ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR CARELESSNESS, NEGLIGENCE, AND INDULGENCE IN FLEETING DELIGHTS, SO THAT THEY ARE DEPRIVED OF DIVINE ILLUMINATION.

The Day of the Lord

The holy Apostle Peter forewarns us, saying, "The day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a rushing sound, and the elements, being burned with intense heat, shall be disolved, and the earth and the works in it shall be burned completely. Therefore, because of all these thiings being dissolved, wht manner OF PERSONS ought ye to be in holy modes of life and acts of piety, expecting and earnestly desiring the coming day of the Lord, by reason of which the heavens, being set on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elments, being burned with intense heat, shall be melted! But according to His promise, WE LOOK FOR NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, WHEREIN DWELLETH THE RIGHTEOUNSNESS (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Concerning That Day and Hour

The evengelists write: "But conerning THAT DAY and HOUR, no one knowth, not even the Angels of the heavens, except My Father, ONLY" (Matthew 24:36), and concerning that day or the hour, NO ONE KNOWETH, NOT EVEN THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN, NOR THE Son, except the Father (Mark 13:32). Saint Athanasios wrote: "Of that day or that hour no one knows not even He Himself–that is, when viewed according to the flesh, because He too, as human, lives within the limits of the human condition… Insofar as He is viewed according to His Divinity as the Logos/Word is to come, to judge, to be Bridegroom, however, He KNOWS WHEN AND IN WHAT HOUR HE WILL COME… VIEWED ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINITY, HE KNOWS, AND THERE IS NOTHING WHICH HE DOES NOT KNOW.

The Sign of the Son of Man

We are told that ‘then shall the sign of the Son of Man (Christ) appear in the heaven’ (Matthew 24:30). Saint John Chrysostomos says, "This is the Cross, being brighter than the sun–since the latter be darkened and hide itself–and IT WILL APPEAR…FAR BRIGHTER THAN THE RAYS OF THE SUN. Saint Kyril indicates that "the Cross shall be the Sign of His Coming. Lest a hostile power dare to counterfieted, we read. "And then shall the Sign of the Son of Man appear in the heaven, and then the Tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:39). Now Christ’s own true sign IS THE Cross; A SIGN OF A LUMINOUS CROSS WILL GO BEFORE THE KING, PLAINLY DECLARING HIM WHO WAS FORMERLY CRUCIFIED, SO THAT THE JEWS WHO BEFORE PIERCED HIM AND PLOTTED AGAINST HIM, WHEN THEY SEE IT, MAY "MOURN TRIBE BY TRIBE", SAYING, This is He Who was buffeted,’ that is He Whose face fhey spat on, this is He Whom they bound with fetters, this is He Whom of old they crucified and set at nought… The Sing of the Cross shall a terror to His enemies; but joy to His friends who have believed in Him, or preached Him, or suffered for His sake. (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 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 GREAT MYSTERY OF GOD’S
COMPASSION AND JUDGMENT
By Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

Saint Paisios told us the following story, wishing to give us an example of the way God looks after His children, while many times wee get angry at Him and do not understand His actions.

An ascetic was praying to God asking Him to reveal why the righteous and pious people are miserable and suffer unjustly, whereas the unrighteous and sinful ones are rich and contended. While he was asking God to reveal to him this mystery, he heard a voice saying to him: "Do not ask to comprehend what your mind and power of knowledge cannot grasp and do not examine the mysteries of God, as His judgments are like an endless ocean. However, since you wish to know, go out there in the world and watch carefully the people, and you will be able to understand a small part of God’s judgment, Then, you will know that God’s prudent governing is unexplored and inscrutable."

When the ascetic heard all this, he left for the world. After walking for a while, he reached a meadow. There was a fountain nearby and an old tree with a large hollow. He hid inside the hollow, in order to watch the busy street passing by the meadow. After a while, a rich man passed by riding his horse. He stopped by the fountain to drink some water and rest. While he was sitting there, he took a purse out of his pocket containing one hundred golden coins and started counting them. When he finished counting, he mistakenly left the purse on the grass instead of putting it in his pocket. After he ate, he rested and slept for a while, and then he took off without realizing that he left his purse on the grass.

After some time, another passer-by appeared. He stopped by the fountain, and when he saw the purse with the golden coins, he took it and left running in the fields. A few minutes later, a third man came along. As he was tired, he too went by the fountain to drink some water and sat to eat a piece of bread. As this poor man was eating, the rich man came back to look for his purse. He had an extremely angry look on his face and went straight to him shouting in a rage and demanding his purse. The poor man, though, who had no idea about the purse and the golden coins, assured him that he had not seen it. Then, the rich man began beating him up so badly that he finally killed him. He searched through his clothes and found nothing. He left feeling very sad.

The ascetic was watching the incident sitting inside the hollow and was astounded. He felt very sad and began to cry, feeling sorry for the unjust death of the poor man, and prayed to God: "Lord, what is the meaning of this will of Yours? Let me know how Your kindness can tolerate such an injustice. Someone lost the coins, another man found them, and a third man was unjustly murdered."

As he was praying and crying an Angel of the Lord appeared and told him: "Do not feel sorry for the poor man, nor think that this incident is not the will of God. Bear in mind that some things occur, either because God permits them to, or in order to instruct people or because He causes tehm to happen for our benefit."

"Now listen: The man who lost the gold coins is the next-door neighbor of the one who found them. He owned a farm worth one hundred golden coins. The rich man, who was an avaricious person, forced him to sell his farm to him for only fifty gold coins. The poor man feeling helpless, prayed to God to punish his unjust neighbor on his behalf. And God rewarded him in double. The second man who was unjustly killed, he had once committed a murder. He had honestly repented and lived the rest of his life according to God’s will. He constantly prayed to God to forgive him and said to Him: ‘God, let me have the same kind of death as the one I gave.’ Of course, our Lord had forgiven him since the first time expressed his repentance for his sinful act. However, He was moved by the sensitivity and righteousness of this man, who not only tried to live according to His will, but also wished to pay back for his sinful act. So, God fulfilled his wish and gave the chance to experience a violent death, as he himself had asked for, and took him to heaven by His side, granting him a glorious laurel for his deep and responsive repentance.

The third man, the avaricious one, who had the gold coins and committed the murder, had fallen in two sins, avarice and stinginess. God permitted a violent murder to be committed, so that he may experience pain, which in turn, would lead him to repentance. The sin of murder turned out to be the cause for his decision to leave the world and become a monk.

Thus, where and under what circumstances do you see that God was unjust, merciless, and cruel? You should not examine God’s judgments, as He always makes them correctly and according to the way He knows, whereas you misjudge them and find them unjust. You should also know that many things happen with God’s will for reasons we do not know. Therefore, the right thing for us to say is: "RIGHTEOUS ARE THOU, O LORD, AND UPRIGHT ARE THY JUDGMENTS" (Psalm118:117). (Orthodox Heritage)

___________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With 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

SATURDAY OF THE SOULS (Part III)

The Soul’s Departure from the Body

Saint Theognostos states: "When the soul leaves the body, the enemy (Satan) advances to attack it, fiercely reviling it and accusing it of its sins in a harsh and terrifying manner. The devout soul, however, even though in the past it has often been wounded by sin, is still not frightened by the enemy’s attack and threats. Strengthened by the Lord, winged by joy, filled with courage by the holy Angels that guide it, and encircled and protected by the Light of faith, it answers the enemy with great boldness: "Fugitive from heaven, wicked slave, what have I tod with thee? Thou has NO AUTHORITY OVER ME; Christ the Son of God has authority over me and over all things. Against Him have sinned, before Him shall I stand on trial, having His Precious Cross as a sure pledge of His saving love toward me. Flee from me, destroyer! Thou has nothing to do with the servants of Christ. When the soul says all this fearlessly, the devil turns his back, howling aloud and unable to withstand the name of Christ. The soul swoops down on the devil from above, attacking him like a hawk attacking a crow. After this, IT IS BROUGHT REJOICING BY THE HOLY ANGELS TO THE PLACE APPOINTED FOR IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS INWARD STATE.

On Tribulation and Mortality in this Life

Afflictions have been foretold by Christ. Saint Cyprian tells his flock that neither mortality nor plague WAS TO BE FEARED, INSOFAR AS THAT IT LEADS TO IMMORTALITY, AND THAT "THEREFORE, THAT MAN IS WANTING IN FAITH WHO IS NOT EAGER FOR A BETTER WORLD. Nor it is wonderful that the evils of this life ARE COMMON TO THE CHRISTIAN WITH THE HEATHENS, since the former have to suffer more than the latter in the world, and thence, after the example of Job and Tobias, there is need OF PATIENCE WITHOUT MURMURING. For unless the struggle preceded, THE VICTORY COULD NOT ENSUE; and however diverse the diseases, they are common to the virtuous and to the vicious. Nevertheless, that death is not common to them: FOR THAT THE RIGHTEOUS ARE TAKEN TO CONSOLATION, WHILE THE UNRIGHTEOUS ARE TAKEN TO PUNISHMENT.

Preparation for Our Death

So, Saint Gregory, the Theologian eulogizes his deceased younger brother, the holy Caesarios, who practiced medicine, saying to a crowd of mourners including his parents, "Let us not then mourn Caesarios but ourselves, knowing what evils he as escaped to which we are left behind, and what treasure we shall lay up, unless, earnestly cleaving to God and outstripping transitory things, we press toward the life above, deserting the earth while we are still upon the earth, and earnestly following the spirit which bears us upward. Painful as this is to the fainthearted, it is as nothing to men of brave mind.

Continuing with Saint Gregory’s eulogy, we hear him say about his beloved Caesarios, "Yes, would that what we hope for might be according to the great kindness of our bountiful God! For God asks for little and bestows great things, both in the present and in the future, upon those who truly love Him. So we bear all things, endure all things for their love and hope of Him, giving thanks for all things favorable and unfavorable alike. As to the latter, I mean both pleasant and painful; for reason knows that even these ARE OFTEN INSTRUMENTS OF SALVATION. We, therefore, commend to Him our own souls and the souls of those who follow wayfarers who, being more ready, have gained their rest before us…

We are afraid of death because OUR HEART HAS NOT BEEN WON BY STRONG LOVE FOR THE MUCH-DESIRED KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS. We have not been wounded by the love for the Kingdom, and have not been touched by the desire for the future things. Otherwise, we would despise the things of the present world as did the blessed Saint Paul who said, "But you rather I also deem all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I suffered the loss of all things, and deem them to be dung, that I might win Christ (Philippians 3:8). This is why Saint John Chrysostom used to say: "Give me the opportunity to live like Saint Paul lived and I shall never fear death." Saint Theognostos, in the Philokalia, therefore, writes: "If you still fear death you have not yet been intermingled with Christ through love, although you have been found worthy to sacrifice Him with you own hands and have been filled with His flesh. For, were you linked to Him in love, you would make haste to join Him, no longer concerned about this life or the flesh.

Our Resurrection

Saint Gregory of Nyssa discusses how the resurrection is not beyond probability… Saint Paul wries, "It is sown an animal body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is an animal body, and there is a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:44). Saint Gregory of Sinai writes: "The body in its incorruptible state will be earthly, but it will be without material density, indescribably transmuted from an unspiritual body into a spiritual body, so that it will be in its godlike refinement and subtleness both earthly and heavenly. Its state when it is resurrected WILL BE THE SAME AS THAT IN WHICH IT WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED–ONE IN WHICH IT CONFORMS TO THE IMAGE OF THE SON OF MAN THROUGH FULL PARTICIPATION IN HIS DIVINITY."

Saint Symeon the New Theologian adds that: "AFTER THE RESURRECTION FROM TEH DEAD, A BODY IS RAISED THAT IS ALL SPIRITUAL AND IMMUTABLE, SUCH AS WAS THE BODY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AFTER THE RESURRECTION, WHEN HE BECAME THE SECOND ADAM AND THE FIRSTBORN FROM AMONG THE DEAD; AND THIS GLORIFIED BODY WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE BODY OF ADAM THE FIRST TO BE CREATED."

According to Saint Gregory Palamas, "While during the present condition of mankind, the spiritual soul is concealed by the thickness of the flesh, yet, in the future condition, the bodies of the saints will be so refined and spiritualized that they will be VIRTUALLY IMMATERIAL." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

_________________

"Glory Be To GOD

For

All Things!"

– Saint Johnn 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

SATURDAY OF THE SOULS

THE SOUL AFTER DEATH

Saint John Chrysostom, speaking of the soul, tells us "it is not possible for a soul, torn away from the body, to wander here anymore. For THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HAND OF GOD, and if of the righteous, then those children’s souls also–for neither are they wicked–and THE SOULS OF THE SINNERS ARE STRAIGHTWAY LED AWAY HENCE. And it is evident from Lazarus and the rich man, and elsewhere too Christ says, "THIS NIGHT THEY DEMAND THY SOUL FROM THEE" (Luke 12:20) And it may not be that a soul, when it is gone forth from the body, SHOULD WANDER HERE; NOR IS THE REASON HARD TO SEE. For if we, going about on earth which is familiar and well known to us, being encompassed with a body, when we are journeying in a strange road, know not which way to go unless we have someone to lead us, how should the soul, being rent away from the body, and having gone out from all her accustomed region, know where to walk without one to show her the way?

"And from many other things too one might perceive, that it is not possible for a disembodied soul to remain here. For both Saint Stefanos, the Protomartyr says, "Lord Jesus, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT (soul)" [Acts 7:59]; and Saint Paul, "TO BE WITH CHRIST…THAT IS VERY MUCH BETTER" (Philippians 1:23); and of the Patriarch too in the Holy Scripture records that "THOU SHALT DEPART TO THY FATHER IN PEACE, NOURISHED IN A GOOD OLD AGE" [Genesis 5:15], And as to the proof, THAT NEITHER CAN THE SOULS OF SINNERS CONTINUE HERE; here the rich man making much entreaty for this, and NOT OBTAINING IT; since had it been at all possible, he would have come, and have told what had come to pass there. Whence it is evident that AFTER THE DEPARTURE HENCE OUR SOULS ARE LED AWAY INTO SOME PLACE, HAVING NO MORE POWER OF THEMSELVES TO COME BACK AGAIN BUT AWAITING THAT DREADFUL DAY."

Saint John of Damascus writes: "ONE WHO HAS DEPARTED UNREPENTANT AND WITH AN EVIL LIFE CANNOT BE HELPED BY ANYONE IN ANY WAY. BUT THE ONE WHO HAS DEPARTED EVEN WITH THE SLIGHTEST VIRTUE, BUT WHO HAD NO TIME TO INCREASE OR, EVEN IF HE WISHED TO, COULD NOT INCREASE THIS VIRTUE BECAUSE OF INDOLENCE, INDIFFERENCE, PROCRASTINATION, OR TIMIDITY, THE LORD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE AND MASTER WILL NOT FORGET SUCH A ONE."

Saint Athanasios the Great accepts that "THE SOULS OF SINNERS RECEIVE A CERTAIN BENEFIT FROM THE Bloodless Sacrifice. But this is done AS ONLY OUR GOD WHO HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE LIVING AND THE DEAD KNOWS AND ORDAINS."

Elsewhere, Saint John Chrysostom urges us not to grieve inordinately for a beloved one. "Now suppose he departed with sin upon him, even on this account one ought to rejoice, that he was STOPPED SHORT IN HIS SINS AND ADDED NOT TO HIS INIQUITY. Therefore, help him as far as possible, not by tears, but BY PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS AND ALMS (CHARITY) AND OFFERINGS. For not unmeaningly have these things been devised, nor do we in vain make a mention of the departed in the course of the Divine Mysteries, and approach God in their behalf, beseeching the Lamb Who is before us, WHO TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD; – NOT IN VAIN DOES THE PRIEST STAND BY THE ALTAR AND CRY OUT WHEN THE TREMENDOUS MYSTERIES ARE CELEBRATED, "FOR ALL THAT HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST, AND FOR THOSE WHO PERFORM COMMEMORATIONS FOR THEM, THESE THINGS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SPOKEN, SINCE OUR SERVICE IS NOT A MERE STAGE SHOW–GOD FORBID! YEA, IT IS BY THE ORDINANCE OF THE SPIRIT THAT THINGS ARE DONE.

"Let us then give them AND PERFORM COMMEMORATIONS FOR THEM. For if the children of Job were purged by the sacrifice of their father, why do you doubt that we too offer FOR DEPARTED SOME CONSOLATION ARISES TO THEM, SINCE GOD IS WONT TO GRANT THE PETITIONS OF THOSE WHO ASK FOR OTHERS? Let us not then be weary in giving aid to the departed, both by offering in their behalf and obtaining prayers for them for the universal EXPIATION OF THE WORLD IS EVEN BEFORE US. Therefore, with boldness do we then ENTREAT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD, AND NAME THEIR NAMES WITH THOSE OF THE MARTYRS, OF CONFESSORS, OF PRIESTS. FOR IN TRUTH ONE BODY ARE WE ALL, THOUGH SOME MEMBERS ARE MORE GLORIOUS THAN OTHERS; AND IT IS POSSIBLE FROM EVERY SOURCE TO GATHER PARDON FOR THEM, FROM OUR PRAYERS, FROM OUR GIFTS IN THEIR BEHALF, FROM THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE NAMED WITH THEIRS. WHY THEN DOST THOU GRIEVE? WHY MOURN, WHEN IT IS IN THY POWER TO GATHER SO MUCH PARDON FOR THE DEPARTED?" (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 Diakonia (Ministry(,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George