THE CHURCH (Part III)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE CHURCH (Part III)
By Father Anthony Alevizopoulos

The HOLY EUCHARIST in the parish transforms the parish SYNAXIS into the Catholic Church (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) and gives to the term "parish" a deeper meaning extending beyond its purely geographical significance. Because the SYNAXIS "in the Church" (1 Corinthians 10:16-18) IS CHRIST and hence, THERE ONE FINDS THE CHURCH CATHOLIC. This means INNER – not external or geographical – catholicity; the Apostle Paul implies this in 1 Corinthians 11:18-23, which we have already mentioned, when he writes: "When, therefore, you gather as the Church, I hear that there are divisions among you… or that you disdain the Church of God…for I have received from the Lord that which I handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night THAT HE was betrayed took bread and having given thanks, broke it and said: Take eat…"

The term CHURCH is used here in a dynamic sense and is identified with the gatherings of the Christians of Corinth in order to perform the Holy Eucharist. Each time that the Christian of an area (parish) gather with this purpose, THE GATHERING BECOMES THE Church; here THE ENTIRE CHURCH – AND NOT JUST PART OF IT – IS TO BE FOUND (cf. Romans 16:23).

The CATHOLICITY of a parish is manifest also from the fact that the entire life of the faithful transpires within its boundaries. There are priests who belong to the canonical Orthodox bishop of the area, who guarantees the presence of Christ in the liturgical life and the unity of the faithful among themselves and with the Head of the Church, CHRIST. In the parish, Holy Baptism, Holy Myrrh and all the Sacred Mysteries (Sacraments) are solemnly performed. Here the parishioners gather together "In Church"; each member, through the parish BELONGS TO THE CATHOLIC Church. The parish, just as a Monastic coenovium, IS NOT PART OF THE CHURCH BUT THE ENTIRE CHURCH, SINCE ITS CATHOLICITY IS INWARDLY DETERMINED.

The parishioners ARE CALLED TO REALIZE IN THEIR DAILY LIFE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ONE BODY THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE Holy Eucharist; this is also implied in the exhortation at the end of the Divine Liturgy: "LET US DEPART IN PEACE." The deep unity and peace OF TEH ONE BODY, and THE ONE Spirit, OF THE ONE HOPE, OF THE ONE LORD, THE ONE FAITH, THE ONE BAPTISM, AND THE ONE GOD AND THE CHURCH THEN, IS UNIQUE AND INVISIBLE (Matthew 16:18). It exists throughout the ages and is the "PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH"; the Truth IS FOUNDED UPON THE CHURCH AND NOT THE CHURCH ON THE TRUTH. The Church IS THE TRUTH BECAUSE ITS HEAD IS CHRIST, i.e.. the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15; John 6). WITHOUT CHRIST THERE IS NO CHURCH (Matthew 16:18) AND WITHOUT THE CHURCH THERE IS NO TRUTH (1 Timothy 3:15).

Since the Church is also a visible reality, it exists throughout the centuries and is discerned by visible signs or marks. These outward signs modify and determine the identity of Christ’s Church and distinguish it from SELF-STYLED "churches" and heresies.

These marks are the continuous AND UNBROKEN CONTINUITY OF THE CHURCH IN THE FAITH, ORGANIZATION AND LIFE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL OF CHRIST AND THE PRAXIS OF THE Holy Apostles. The most visible focus of the Church’s continuity is the Apostolic Succession. Here we do not have an arbitrary act that was decided upon and later enforced…

"…Unfortunately, in the larger cities, the large parishes with a great number of parishioners no longer function within the framework of "One in Christ" and "members of each other". It is a matter with which the Church must deal, and seek other structures. But regardless of whatever structures are to be sought, they must safeguard the basic Apostolic organizational elements of the Church, and MUST NOT BE CREATIONS OF MAN’S CONCEPTION, NOR HUMAN METHODS, AND ESPECIALLY MUST NOT IMPLY CRITERIA AND MODELS "OF THIS WORLD" – SOMETHING WHICH WOULD MEAN THE SECULARIZATION OF THE CHURCH.

The entire organizational structure of the Apostolic Church has as its center THE DIVINE EUCHARIST AND ENSURES THE CONTINUITY OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CHURCH, THE CONTINUOUS COMMUNION AND UNITY WITH THE HEAD, Christ because He it is "WHO IS EVER EATEN AND NEVER CONSUMED" AS IT SAYS IN ONE OF THE PRAYERS OF THE DIVINE LITURGY. This means, that the new structures ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE SEVERED FROM TEH COMMUNION WITH THE BISHOP AND MUST HAVE AS SHEPHERDS PRESBYTERS WHO ARE IN UNITY WITH THE BISHOP. FOR THE BISHOP STANDS IN THE IMAGE AND IN THE PLACE OF CHRIST, AND THE PRESBYTERS WHO RECEIVE THEIR ORDINATION FROM THE BISHOP STAND IN THE PLACE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE APOSTLES.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a bishop of the primitive Church, who makes the above statements, underlines the unity of the Church by saying wherever the bishop is, there the multitude of the faithful must be, one cannot perform the Holy Eucharist outside the unity with the bishop.

In the communion with the bishop, the unity of the entire Church is preserved. Each bishop must belong in the local synod of bishops which is recognized by all other synods of bishops of the Orthodox Church throughout the world. In this way, through the local synod, each bishop is in unity with all the bishops throughout the world…". (Source: The Orthodox Church Its Faith, Worship, and Life)

________________________


"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

THE CHURCH (Part II)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE CHURCH (Part II)
By Father Anthony Alevizopoulos

The Church, moreover, has its visible dimension, Jesus Christ Himself chose His twelve Disciples and called them Apostles. Before His glorious Ascension, He promised them "power from on High" (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) and He sent them forth to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to make Disciples of those who would believe, incorporating them into the Church through Holy Baptism (Matthew 28:19). This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost on which three thousand souls were added to the Church (Acts 2:41).

The first Church was concrete community and society it included the exercise of the Holy virtues of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) and had as its center THE PERFORMANCE OF THE Holy Eucharist on the Lord’s Day and INCLUDED A COMMON CONFESSION which was the Apostolic (Didache), COMMON PRAYER and the COMMUNION OF LOVE, which as we have already mentioned, reached to the point of common possession of all things (Acts 2:42; 4:42). Whoever participated in the SYNAXIS was included among the Christians. Whoever DID NOT PARTICIPATE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A CHRISTIAN. In the Apostolic Church there existed specific structures: THE APOSTLES, THE PRESBYTERS, THE DEACONS, and other cadres, such as Timothy, Titus, et al. Whenever serious problems concerning the faith arose, they were solved in broader Councils under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as was the case with the Apostolic Council which was in some way "THE MOUTH" or voice of the Church (Acts 15:22-29, cf 1 Timothy 3:15). The Church about which Holy Scripture speaks was VISIBLE AND CONCRETE. Among its members were numbered individuals WHO WERE VERY WEAK AND EVEN GRAVELY ILL SPIRITUALLY; WHO WEREE CALLED TO REPENTANCE SO AS NOT BE CAST OUT (Matthew 13:30. 47; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 11; Jude 12:23).

The Orthodox Church has condemned any notion whatsoever concerning a supposed "Church of the pure" (Katharoi), and declares that the "separation of the clean from the unclean" will take place "at the time of the harvest", during the Second Coming of Christ and certainly not by man; no one is to attempt such a separation before the Lord’s Coming, for in such a case the criteria and standard of judgment would be human and the evaluation subject to error (Matthew 13:29-30).

The fact that in the Church there are weak members does not mean that the entire Church has fallen into apostasy. When Moses was on the mountain and speaking to God nearly the entire "chosen people" fell into apostasy, and yet for God is still remained His people; He did not reject them (Exodos 32:1-8).

The Church of the New Testament, the NEW PEOPLE OF GOD, is not simply an episode in history which took place during the time of the Apostles, but a continuous event, extending to the time of Christ’s Second Coming. The Holy Spirit remains eternally in the Church and leads to the Truth (John 14:16); Christ is the Head of the Church, and as the Head, He IS AND EVER REMAINS UNITED WITH THE BODY. HE LEADS THE BODY AND IS NOT LED BY IT. THIS IS ALSO WHY THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST, CAN NEVER FALL INTO APOSTASY — ONLY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS CAN BECOME INDEPENDENT AND SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE BODY, FALL INTO APOSTASY, AND BE LED TO SPIRITUAL DEATH. Even pastors of the Church and "stars from heaven" can fall into apostasy, BUT NEVER THE Church (Acts 20:30). 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 9:1-1; Timothy 3:15). There will always be A SMALL "REMNANT" and the remainder of the faithful people, UNITED WITH THE HEAD and THAT WILL BE THE CHURCH, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO CHRIST’S PROMISE EVEN "THE GATES OF HELL" WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HER (Matthew 16:18).

The Church then, IS UNIQUE AND INVISIBLE (Matthew 16:18). It means throughout the ages and is the "PILLAR" and FOUNDATION OF Truth"; the Truth is founded UPON THE CHURCH AND NOT THE CHURCH ON THE TRUTH. The Church IS THE TRUTH because ITS HEAD IS CHRIST, i.e. the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15; John 6). WITHOUT CHRIST THERE IS NO CHURCH (Matthew 16:18 and WITHOUT THE CHURCH THERE IS NO TRUTH (1 Timothy 3:15).

These marks are THE CONTINUOUS AND UNBROKEN CONTINUITY OF THE CHURCH IN THE FAITH, ORGANIZATION AND LIFE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILL OF CHRIST AND THE PRAXIS OF THE APOSTLES. The most visible focus of the Church’s continuity is the APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION. Here we do not have an arbitrary act that was decided upon and later enforced. Apostolic Succession has its source in the Divine Will as it is distinguished from the specific person. The Holy Apostles proceed to elect Matthias to assume the "EPISCOPE" of Judas, in accordance with the prophecy of the Old Testament (Acts 1:26; Psalms 108:8). This proves that in the Church there exists the ministry (diakonia) of the "episcope", for which the Priesthood (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6), and gave to them the commandment to undertake the pasturing of the local Church and to ordain in every city Presbyters and Deacons in the manner which was shown unto them (Acts 14:23; 2 Timothy 3:8-12).

All these pastors of the Church were in an unbroken Apostolic Succession, which was the guarantee and assurance of the preservation of the purity of the Apostolic teaching and of the one accord ("make my joy complete; be of the same mind, having the same love, being of full accord and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2). The Orthodox Church has all these marks and characteristics of the Apostolic Church: the Apostolic teaching and the entire hierarchic structure of the First Church, the Apostolic teaching, and the Apostolic mind.

The Orthodox Church knows two different expressions of the Catholic Church in a given place: the Monastic Coenivium and the parish. In the Orthodox Monastic Coenovium, the primitive form of the Church is preserved inviolate, as it is described in the Acts of the Apostles and includes holding all possessions in common (Acts 2:42-47).

(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

THE CHURCH

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE CHURCH
By Father Anthony Alevizopoulos
Ph.D. of Theology, Ph.D. of Philosophy

THE CHURCH AS BODY OF CHRIST IS A DIVINE-human (Theanthropic) ORGANISM, i.e. AN INVISIBLE AND VISIBLE REALITY. The INVISIBLE DIMENSION OF THE Church refers to the CONVICTION BETWEEN GOD AND man having as its model the communion between the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity. With the creation of the Angels, the Heavenly Church was constituted; to this Church, man was added: "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge OF ALL, and to spirits of the just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:22-23).

Man’s Fall broke off his Communion with the Heavenly Church. God, however, did not abandon His creation but had already pre-eternally planned man’s salvation. In order to prepare man’s return to Communion with God, He chose "the chosen people of Israel" who were the prefiguration of the New Israel, i.e. the Church (Romans 9:7-8; Galatians 3:29).

The Apostle Paul speaks of the pre-eternal Mystery of God which was revealed to man and to the Angels with the Incarnation of the Saon and Logos/Word of God. It was the economy of the mystery that was hidden for centuries by God… for the multifaceted wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which was revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord to be recognized now …through the Church (Ephesians 3:9-11; cf. Colossians 1:26).

In Christ Jesus the Church HAS BEEN RECONSTITUTED; ANGELS and men united together in order once again TO CONSTITUTE THE CHURCH:

"Through Your Cross, O Christ,

One fold has come into being;

Of Angels and men, and One Church.
9).
Heaven and Earth rejoice,

Lord, glory to Thee."

The UNITY OF THE Body of the Church is realized from the One Head, Christ; "man is the head of the woman, JUST AS THE CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND He is the Savior of the Body" (Ephesians 5:23). This COMMUNION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN HAS AN ABSOLUTE CHARACTER: This is why in the Old Testament God is called a jealous God (Exodus 1:20, 5; Deuteronomy 5:9). Every APOSTASY on the part of God’s people is characterized AS FORNICATION and ADULTERY (Judges 2:17; Ezekiel 6:9).

In the Church the "regathering" i.e. the gathering of the scattered children of God (John 11:52) was accomplished – THE STRUCTURING OF THE ONE BODY UNDER THE HEAD: CHRIST; HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY." CHRIST "LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR HER IN ORDER TO MAKE HER HOLY BY CLEANSING HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, SO AS TO PRESENT THE CHURCH TO HIMSELF IN SPLENDOUR WITHOUT A SPOT, OR WRINKLE OR ANYTHING OF THE KIND – SO THAT SHE MIGHT BE HOL AND WITHOUT BLEMISH" (Ephesians 5:23-27).

"With the washing of water by the word" ("in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19) WE ARE SANCTIFIED AND INCORPORATED INTO THE BODY UNDER THE One Head, Christ; WE BECOME "ONE IN CHRIST" (Galatians 3:26-28). Therefore, when we speak about the Church, we do not mean simply the people of God, without Christ, nor the Lord, the Head, without the body. We mean BOTH TOGETHER; THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH TOGETHER WITH ALL ITS OTHER MEMBERS, THE CHRISTIANS. The Holy Spirit Who DESCENDS UPON THE CHURCH ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST ABIDES IN HER, RENEWS THE FAITHFUL AND INCORPORATES THEM INTO THE ONE Body of Christ. Christ is "the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS" (Romans 8:29); In Himself, He reconciled all unto God (2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:18-20).

In this way, we understand THAT THE CHURCH AS THE Body of Christ IS EQUATED WITH SALVATION. In her, THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST WITH THE FATHER IS TRANSFERRED TO EACH ONE OF US: "I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME, SO THAT THEY MAY BECOME COMPLETELY ONE" (John 17:23). The Church is NOT THE WORKSHOP OF MAN’S SALVATION but SALVATION ITSELF. The "GATHERING" of the scattered children of God and their incorporation into the "unity" of Christ is not a fact of secondary importance, but the very event of salvation (John 11:52). One can neither be a Christian nor call himself a Christian APART FROM HIS INCORPORATION INTO THE Body of Christ, WHICH AT THE SAME TIME IS ALSO COMMUNION WITH THE BRETHREN (1 Corinthians 12:12-28). THE SALVATION OF EACH MAN CANNOT CONSTITUTE THE SEPARATE CONCERN OF EACH INDIVIDUAL, INDEPENDENT OF HIS INCORPORATION INTO, AND HIS LIFE WITHIN, THE CHURCH. He who in "self-love" retreats and immerses into himself, hoping thereby to find salvation within himself without reference to the Person of Jesus Christ and without incorporation into His Body, CANNOT BE CONSIDERED A CHRISTIAN.

The Church, BEING THE Body of Christ, IS ONE (Ephesians 4:4) and Christ IS NOT "DIVIDED" (1 Corinthians 1:13); ONE CANNOT BE CHRIST’S IF HE IS NOT AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE BRETHREN IN CHRIST. THIS IS WHY DIVISION OR SCHISM IS A CRIME.

The Christian SYNAXIS OR GATHERING is not simply a congregation of Christian people but A GATHERING IN WHICH THE UNITY OF THE ONE BODY OF CHRIST IS EXPRESSED: THE UNITY OF THE BODY WITH THE HEAD. This is why wherever two or three are gathered there is Christ, the entire Church. They must, however, GATHER IN CHRIST’S NAME (Matthew 18:20).

This means that this SYNAXIS (GATHERING) MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IN ORDER THAT THE WORK OF CHRIST BE PERFORMED, AND NOT TO SERVE HUMAN GOALS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. The work of Christ was the gathering of the scattered children of God "INTO ONE"; IT IS ACCOMPLISHED WHEREVER THE Holy Eucharist is performed as AN ACT OF UNITY AND NOT DIVISION. The Apostle Paul, referring to these gatherings "In Christ’s name" declares: "FOR I RECEIVED FRO THE LORD WHAT ALSO I HANDED ON TO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK BREAD… AS SAID, "TAKE EAT…" (1 Corinthians 11:23). "FOR WE THE MANY ARE ONE LOAF, ONE BODY", Saint Paul elsewhere affirms, thereby identifying the Holy Eucharist with the return of men TO THE UNITY OF "THE ONE NATURE", TO THE "ONE IN CHRIST."

The SYNAXIS OR GATHERING, then, "in Christ’s name", even if it is synaxis "of two or three" MUST realize and express THE UNITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH and NOT its division into small groups (denominations) and fragments (sects) THAT HAVE NO COMMUNION AMONGST THEMSELVES. This UNITY in the Apostolic Church extended even to the point of possessing all things in common: "NOW THE WHOLE GROUP OF THOSE WHO BELIEVED WERE OF ONE HEART AND SOUL, AND NO ONE CLAIMED PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF ANY POSSESSION, BUT EVERYTHING THEY OWNED WAS HELD IN COMMON… AND GREAT GRACE WAS UPON THEM ALL" (Acts 4:32-33. 2:42). In such a gathering "in the name of Christ" SCHISMS and DIVISIONS HAD NOT PLACE. For this reason, the Apostle reprimands the Corinthians, because in their synaxes which gathered in the Church together there were divisions" "…I HEAR THA TWHEN YOU COME TOGETHER AS A CHURCH, THERE ARE DIVISIONS AMONG YOU…" (1 Corinthians 11:18). A SYNAXIS than "OF TWO OR THREE" CANNOT TAKE PLACE IN CHRIST’S NAME" WHEN IT CONSTITUTES A SCHISM OR CONVENTICLE — EVEN WHEN THOSE WHO GATHER TOGETHER CONTEND THAT THEIR GATHERING IS DONE "in Christ’s name."

(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

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE TRIODION (Sunday of the Prodigal)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

The Second Sunday of the Triodion (Sunday of the Prodigal)
[Part III)


   Saint Theophylact writes:  "The ring is the Seal of Christianity given at Chrismation… You may also think of the ring as 'the earnest of the Spirit' (Corinthians 1:22).

   Saint Gregory Palamas says: "The 'Father of mercies' (2 Corinthians 1:3) came down to meet him.  He embraced him and ordered His servants, namely the priests, to put on him the best robe, sonship, in which he had been clothed before through holy Baptism, and to place a ring on his hand, putting the Seal of contemplative virtue on the active part of the soul, as symbolized by the hand, as an earnest of the inheritance to come.  He also ordered them to put shoes on his feet as holy protection and assurance to empower him to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the power of the enemy.

   "And bring the young bullock, the wheat-fed one, and slay it; and let us eat and be merry [Luke 15:23]; for this my son was dead and is alive again, and he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry [Luke 15:24].

Saint Ambrose stated: "The calf, the fatted one, is killed so that restored by participation in the Mysteries through the Sacrament, he may feast on the flesh of the Lord, rich in spiritual virtue."

Saint Theophylact comments: "This is none other than the very Son of God… That He is fattened (fed with wheat), accordingly means that He was set apart for this mystery from the foundation of the world… Now the bread which we break in the Eucharist appears to our eyes to be made of wheat, and thus may be called wheat-fed; but…is flesh, and would be called a young Bullock. For Christ Himself is both the young Bullock and Wheat."

Saint Gregory Palamas adds: "The father orders the young bullock, the wheat-fed one, to be brought, slain, and offered at table. This bullock IS THE LORD Himself Who is led out from the hidden place of Divinity, from the Heavenly Throne set above all things. Having appeared on earth as a man. He is slain like a young wheat-fed bullock for us sinners, that is, He is offered to us as bread to eat… God shares His joy and celebration over these events with His saints, making our ways His own. And, in His extreme love for mankind, He says, ‘Let us eat and be merry (Luke 15:23).

"And he said to him, ‘Thy brother is come, and thy father slew the young bullock, the wheat-fed one, because he received him back safe and sound [Luke 15:27]. But he was angry and not willing to go in. Then his father went out and besought him (Luke 15:28). And he answered and said to his father, ‘Behold, so many years I am serving thee, and never did I transgressed thy commandment, and never didst thou give a kid to me, in order that I might make merry with my friends [Luke 15:29]; but when this thy son came, the one who devoured thy means of living with harlots, thou didst slay for him the young bullock, the wheat-fed one" [Luke15:30).

The elder brother, according to Saint Romanos, says such thing as these: "The indignant son spoke to his father, ‘For so long a time I have been a slave to Thy will. I have always served Thy Commandments. Not a single Commandment of Thine have I transgressed. And for these toils, Thou has not allowed me even a kid. I am oppressed unceasingly in desert places and deprive myself . I, am tormented by the fierce temperatures of summer and winter. Yet, to the prodigal on his return, Thou hast given far greater honor."

"Saint Romanos describes the elder brother returning from the field who refused to go in. "Christ teaches us, through this, an example of His own compassion and measureless pity, which rouses even the just to indignation. Come then, let us learn how He stood and entreated him, He Who begot them both, He Who is Governor and Creator of all things, the God Who WISHES ALL TO BE SAVED. Offering His right hand, the compassionate One raised the fallen son, likewise, He supported the other who was standing. The one who laid low He raised up in His compassion, while He would in no way allow the one who stood to fall. The one in poverty He enriched. The one in wealth He would not allow to become poor, but saved them both.

"And he said to him, ‘Child, thou art always with me, and all that is mine is thine" (Luke 15:31).

Saint Romanos comments: "No sooner had the Father heard these words from His child than He answered him with meekness. ‘Incline thine ears and hearken to thy Father. Thou art with Me, for Thou never didst leave Me. Thou has not been separated from the Church. Thy place is always with Me, with all My Angels. But he has come who ahs been covered with shame, naked and ugly, crying out for mercy.’ Saint Romanos then has the Father say, ‘How shall I not have mercy on the one I FASHIONED OF OLD AND TAKE PITY ON HIM WHEN HE REPENTS? IT WAS MY ENRTAILS THAT BEGOT MY CHILD ON WHOM I HAVE HAD MERCY. I the Master and Lord of the ages. So, "My son, understand what I say. All that is Mine is thine, and to him, I wanted to grant some of My goods. The property which thou hast is not any less, for I did not take from it to give to thy brother. I provided for him from Mine own treasures. Of you both, I am Creator and Loving Father. Lover of mankind and compassionate. I honor thee, My child, for BY CHOICE HAST ALWAYS LOVED ME AND SERVED ME, AND TO HIM I SHOW COMPASSION BECAUSE OF HIS EAGERNESS AND PERSISTENCE IN REPENTANCE. THOU OUGHTEST TO BE CELEBRATING WITH ALL WHOM I INVITED, I THE MASTER AND LORD OF THE AGES."

"But to make merry, and TO REJOICE WAS FITTING, BECAUSE THIS THY BROTHER WAS DEAD AND IS ALIVE AGAIN, AND WAS LOST AND IS FOUND" (Luke 15:32).

Saint Kyril of Alexandria writes: "We sometimes experience something of this sort. For there are some who live a perfectly honorable and consistent life, practicing every kind of virtuous action, abstaining from everything disapproved by the law of God, and crowning themselves with perfect praises in the sight of God and of men; while another is perhaps weak and trodden down, and humbled unto every kind of wickedness, guilty of base deeds, loving impurity, given to covetousness, and stained with all evil. And yet such a one often in old age turns to God and asks forgiveness of his former offenses. He prays for mercy, and putting away from him his readiness to fall into sin, sets his affection on virtuous deeds. Or perhaps when about to close this mortal life, he is admitted to divine Baptism, and puts away his offenses, God being merciful to him. And perhaps, sometimes, persons are indignant at this, saying that such a one did not pay to the judge the retributions of his conduct, but has been vouchsafed grace, and has been inscribed among the sons of God. Such complaints given by these persons are from an empty narrowness of mind, not confronting to the purpose of the Universal Father. For He greatly rejoices when He sees those who were lost obtaining salvation.

Epilogue

"Let us," urges Saint Gregory Palamas, "take hold of repentance by our actions. Let us abandon the evil one and his herds. Let us keep away from pigs and the husks they eat, that is to say, the disgusting passions and their devotees. Let us withdraw from evil pastures, namely, habitual sins. Let us flee from the land of the passions, wherein dwells unbelief, insatiate desire, and intemperance. It is a land where there is a terrible famine of good things. It is a place where there are passions worse than any famine. Let us HASTEN TO THE IMMORTAL FATHER. HE HAS COME OUT TO MEET US, GRANTING US FORGIVENESS OF SINS, THE TOKEN OF IMMORTALITY, THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE TO COME. As we are taught by the Savior, as long as the prodigal son was IN THE LAND OF PASSIONS, even though he thought and spoke words of repentance, he still gained no benefit at all. ONLY WHEN HE LEFT ALL HIS SINFUL DEEDS AND RAN TO HIS FATHER DID HE AGAIN ATTAINED WHAT WAS BEYOND HOPE. From then on he stayed near him IN HUMILITY, LIVING CHASTLY AND HONESTLY AND PRESERVING UNHARMED THE GRACE RENEWED IN HIM BY GOD. May all of us attain this grace and keep it undiminished, that in the age to come we may rejoice with the prodigal son who was saved, in the heavenly Jerusalem, the mother of the living, the Church of the firstborn, in Christ Himself our Lord, in Whom be glory forever. 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

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE TRIODION (Sunday of the Prodigal)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

The Second Sunday of the Triodion (Sunday of the Prodigal)

Saint Gregory Palamas asks: “How did he disperse his substance? Above all, it is our inborn mind that is our substance and our wealth. As long as we are faithful to the ways of salvation, our mind is at one with itself and with God, the first and highest Mind. Whenever WE OPEN THE DOOR TO THE PASSIONS, IMMEDIATELY IT IS DISPERSED, WANDERING CONTINUALLY AMONG FLESHLY AND EARTHLY THINGS, ALL KINDS OF PLEASURES AND PASSIONATE THOUGHTS ABOUT THEM.

“You will see the same happening with all our virtues and faculties, which are truly our wealth. Evil IS ALWAYS NEAR AT HAND, and those who turn aside to it are dispersed. Our mind itself stretches out in longing toward the One God Who Is, the Only God, the Only Desired, the Only Bestower of pleasure unmixed with pain. But once the mind has been enfeebled, the soul’s ability FOR REAL LOVE FALLS AWAY FROM WHAT IS TRULY DESIRED. The SOUL IS SCATTERED AMONG VARIOUS LONGINGS FOR SENSUAL PLEASURES, IS DISPERSED, PULLED THIS WAY AND THAT BY DESIRES FOR SUPERFLUOUS FOODS, DISHONORABLE BODIES, USELESS OBJECTS, AS WELL AS EMPTY AND INGLORIOUS GLORY. So the wretched man IS CUT TO PIECES AND TORTURED BY THE CARES THESE THINGS BRING, AND CANNOT EVEN ENJOY BREATHING THE AIR OR SEEING THE SUN, THE RICHES WE ALL SHARE.

“If our mind has NOT distanced itself from God, it stirs up our anger against the devil alone. Such a mind puts the soul’s courage to use against THE EVIL PASSIONS, THE RULERS OF DARKNESS, AND THE SPIRITS OF WICKEDNESS. But if the mind DOES NOT heed the Divine Commandments of the Lord Who ARMED IT WITH THESE WEAPONS, IT FIGHTS AGAINST ITS NEIGHBORS, RAGES AGAINST ITS FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, AND HUNTS DOWN THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE WITH ITS OWN ABSURD DESIRES. Such a man, alas, becomes a murderer. He is NOT ONLY like an animal, but like a reptile or some venomous creature: a scorpion, a snake, one of the viper’s brood, although he was appointed TO BE A SON OF GOD. Do you see how the younger son has dispersed and done away with his substance? He did not think yet about returning, profligate as he was, so he joined himself to a citizen of that country.

Saint Joseph the Hymnographer writes: “Ruled by corrupting thoughts, I am full of darkness and separated far from Thee, and I have lost all possession of myself. The Divine wealth that once Thou gavest me, I have sinfully wasted. I have departed from Thee and lived as the prodigal, O compassionate Father.”

“As he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that land; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine” (Luke 15:15).

Saint Ambrose wrote: “That citizen is seen to be the prince of this world (Satan). The younger son is sent to the farm bought by the man who excused himself from the Kingdom. He feeds swine, those, indeed, into which the devil sought to enter, which were cast into the sea of the world as they lived in filth and foulness.”

Blessed Theophylact wrote: “He feeds swine, that is, he became a teacher to others of evil and filthy practices.” And, “The citizens of that land far from God are all the demons.”

“And he was longing to fill his belly from the husks, which the swine were eating; and no one was giving to him” (Luke 15:16).

The husks (κερατίων) are little-horned shaped carob-pods. Saint Gregory Palamas asks: “Who are the citizens and rulers of that country far from God? The demons, of course… The life of pigs, because of its extreme filthiness, is symbolic of all the passions. Those who wallow in the mire of the passions are the pigs, of which the younger son was put in charge, as surpassing them all in self-indulgence. But he could not eat his fill of the husks the pigs ate, meaning that he ould not find satisfaction for his desires. Why is the nature of the body not adequate to seve teh impulses of the dissolute man? If someone who loves money gets gold or silver, his need for it grows, and the more it flows in, the more it increases his desire. So it was that the younger son, who had distanced himself from God, was not able to eat his fill. No one, it says, gave him enough to satisfy him. Who would be able to? God WAS ABSENT. As it is written: ‘I shall be filled when Thy glory is shown to me’ (Psalm 16:15). The devil, for his part, DOES NOT WANT TO SATISFY SHAMEFUL DESIRES. This is because satisfaction naturally produces a change in relation to what is being consumed. It stands to reason therefore taht no one gave the younger son enough to satisfy him.”

Elsewhere, Saint Gregory comments: “Now nothing is more deadly than gluttony. The younger son had embraced a piggish way of life and enjoyed thepig’s filth. He was thrown together with them and, once he had cast aside his similitude to God, he became like them.”

“I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I sinned against heaven and before thee [Luke 15:18], and am no longer worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:19).

Saint Gregory Palamas comments, “So the younger son, after he abandoned his sonship, came out of his own free will from his father’s holy country and fell into famine, finally passes judgment on himself. He HUMBLES HIMSELF and REPENTS. We were right when we said at the beginning that this Father is God. How could this son who had left his Father have sinned against heaven unless his Father was in heaven? …Brought to his senses BY HUMILITY, he is right to say, ‘MAKE ME AS ONE OF THY SERVANTS.’ Nobody can manage the steps of virtue ON HIS OWN, THOUGH ALSO NOT WITHOUT HIS OWN DELIBERATE CHOICE.’

“And he rose up and went to his father. But when he was yet far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell upon his neck, and ardently kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

Saint Gregory Palamas writes: “How did the younger son come to him when he was still far away, so that his father, having compassion on him, came out to meet him? He who REPENTS IN HIS SOUL REACHES GOD BY HIS GOOD PURPOSE AND HIS REJECTION OF SIN. He is, however, still far from God, tyrannized mentally by habitual sins and failings, and he needs great compassion and help from above if he is to be saved.”

“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no longer worthy to be called thy son [Luke 15:21]’. But the father said to his slaves, ‘Bring forth the robe, the chief one, and clothe him, and provide a ring for his hand and sandals for the feet” (Luke 15:22).

Blessed Theophylact states: “The slaves signify THE ANGELS, the ministering spirits who are sent to minister on account of those worthy of salvation… The Angels clothed those WHO HAVE CONVERTED FROM EVIL WITH THE ROBE, THE FIRST ONE, THAT IS, THE FORMER ONE OF OLD, WHICH WE WORE BEFORE WE SINNED, THE GARMENT OF INCORRUPTION; OR IT MEANS THAT GARMENT WHICH IS HONORED ABOVE ALL OTHERS, THAT OF BAPTISM… Therefore, you may also signify the slaves to mean the Angels who carry out all those things that are done in our behalf, and by means of which we are sanctified. Also, the priests may be signified by the slaves, for they clothe the repentant sinner with Baptism, and the word of teaching, placing around him the first robe,” which is, Christ Himself.”

Saint Ambrose writes: “What is a ring, if not A TOKEN OF SINCERE FAITH AND AS EXPRESSION OF TRUTH?… Whosoever HAS THE RING HAS THE Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, because God has sealed it. Christ is His Image, and He gave as a pledge the Spirit in our hearts, that we may know that this is the token of the ring which is placed on the hand, with which the INNER PLACES OF OUR HEARTS AND THE WORKS OF OUR DEEDS ARE SEALED. THUS WE ARE SEALED AS WE READ: ‘AFTER YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE [Ephesians 1:13]. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

_________

“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things1″

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON (February 20th)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

"What pleasure and joy you feel when you find some necessary and
valuable object which was lost! You are ready to leap with joy.
Picture to yourself how pleasing to the Heavenly Father is the sight
of His lost child, the sinner who is found; the sight of His lost sheep
brought to life again; the sight of His lost and found piece of silver–
that is, OF THE LIVING IMAGE OF GOD–MAN. It is impossible to
describe this joy. The joy of the Heavenly Father over His lost and
found prodigal son is so great that the whole loving and kind heaven
is moved to joy. "Joy shall be in heaven OVER ONE SINNER THAT
REPENTETH." My lost brethren and sinners! return from the way of
destruction to the Heavenly Father. "REPENT YE, FOR THE KINGDOM
OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND." (Saint John of Kronstadt)

On this day we celebrate the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, a Parable
found in the Sacred Gospel according to Saint Luke (Lk. 15:11-32).
The most hallowed Fathers appointed this lesson to be the Second
Sunday service of the TRIODION.

"If anyone should be a prodigal as I, well then, take courage! For the
gates of God’s compassion have been opened to all."

Inasmuch as there are some who are consciously aware of many improper thoughts, and deeds, as they have lived in profligacy from their earliest years, they acknowledge how they have occupied themselves with dissipating habits as drunkenness and wantonness. Furthermore, they have fallen into such depths of evil that they have come to despair of their condition, which is born of one’s false pretensions, boastfulness, and empty babbling. As a consequence, they in no wise desire the diligent pursuit of virtue, putting forward as an excuse their many wicked acts. Since they choose to remain in this bondage, they are always falling into the same bad habits and even worse evils. The Holy Fathers, possessing philanthropic and paternal care for the plight of such persons and desiring to lead them out of their rejection and desperation, prescribed the present Parable at the threshold of the Great Fast. They did so IN ORDER TO MAKE MANIFEST THE MAGNITUDE OF GOD’S BOWLS OF MERCY. Thus, by revealing God’s love for man and His surpassing goodness, the Holy Fathers STRIVE TO UPROOT THE PASSION OF DESPAIR AND TO INSPIRE SUCH SINNERS TO TAKE UP THE LIFE OF VIRTUE. By this Parable given by Christ, the Holy Fathers purposed TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THERE IS NO SIN WHATSOEVER THAT CAN OVERCOME GOD’S LOVE TOWARD MANKIND.

The Parable involves a father and his two sons. The father represents God. Now the God-Man Logos created man very good, but there came came TO BE TWO TYPES: THE RIGHTEOUOS ONES AND THE SINNERS. The two sons in the Parable REPRESENT TWO KINDS OF MEN. On the one hand, the elder son kept God’s Commandments, always doing what is good and never rebelling against the Lord. But on the other hand, the younger son, desiring sin rather than living together with God, took pu a conduct of life that was profligate. He REJECTED GOD, wasting God’s Loving-kindness for man, by means of his shameful deeds. The younger son did not wish to preserve intact the image and similitude in which he was made. Instead, HE CHOSE TO FOLLOW THE EVIL DEMON, BRINGING HIMSELF INTO BONDAGE TO HEDONISM AND DOING THE WILL OF THE DEMON. Bu it came to pass that the younger son still was unable to satisfy his desire. This is BECAUSE SIN IS ULTIMATELY DISSATISFYING, DESPITE HABITUAL PLEASURE THAT IS TEMPORARY.

Christ, in the Parable, then compares the husks, the little-horned shaped carob-pods fed to the swine, which initially taste sweet, but they turn out in the end rough and chaffy, which is how sin takes possession. For the Prodigal had hardly come to his senses when, perishing from hunger for virtue, he says inwardly, "I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER, AND WILL SAY TO HIM, ‘FATHER, I SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND BEFORE THEE’ (Luke 15:18), AND AM NO LONGER WORTHY TO BE CALLED THY SON (REPANTANCE OR METANOIA) [Luke 15:18-19).  Even before he says anything to him, the father ACCEPTS HIM IN REPENTANCE.  He does NOT REPROACH HIM, but RATHER ENFOLDS HIM WITH EMBRACES ADN KISSES IN A DISPLAY OF DIVINE AND FATHERLY LOVE.


   The Father gives him a garment, which is to say, BAPTISM; as A SEAL and token of earnest, the GRACE OF THE Holy Spirit, by putting a ring on his finger.  He also proceeds to give him footwear, sandals, in order the he might TREAD UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND UPON ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY, so that he should readily CRUSH THEIR HEADS.  Then, on account of his excessive joy, the father sacrifices the wheat-fed calf for him.  The sacrifice is a symbol of THE ONLY-BEGOTTEN Son of the Father Who ALLOWS THE REPENTANT MAN TO PARTAKE OF His Flesh and Blood.

    Thereupon, the elder son wonders at his father's SUPERABUNDANT COMPASSION.  He not only is angry but also IS UNWILLING TO GO IN TO THE FESTIVITIES.  This philanthropic father exhorts his elder son with gentle and calm words, saying,  "Child, thou art always with me, and all that is mine is thine" (Luke 15:31).  The father tells him IT IF FITTING FOR HIM TO MAKE MERRY AND REJOICE, SEEING THAT HIS BROTHER "WAS DEAD AND IS ALIVE AGAIN, AND WAS LOST AND IS FOUND" (Luke15:32).  "Indeed, this son of God WAS DEAD IN SIN.  He HAD BEEN REVIVED BY REPENTING OF HIS IRRATIONAL PRACTISES.  "As he was lost and far from Me, God, ON ACCOUNT OF HIS HABITUAL HEDONISM.  He has been found by Me, Who SUFFERED IN My COMPASSION, AND RECALLED IN My sympathy.  It is possible for this Parable to be understood IN REGARD TO THE HEBREW PEOPLE AND US, THOSE WHO WERE CALLED BY GRACE.

   For this csause, this very Parable was prescribed by the Holy Fathers for the Second Sunday.  We who have sinned as the Prodigal are ENCOURAGED TO UPROOT REJECTION, DESPAIR, HOPELESSNESS, FEAR, AND COWARDICE BY MEANS OF GOOD WORKS (WORKS OF CHARITY) WITHOUT STUMBLING.  This account icites us TO A CHANGE OF MIND (METANOIA), REMORSE, AND REPENTANCE EVEN AS THAT EXHIBITED BY THE PRODIGAL.  ThIs is indeed a mighty weapon and strong bulwark that prevents and averts teh sadversary's arrows.

                                          In Thine ineffable love for mankind, 
                                O Christ our God, have mercy on us.  Amen.

(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

PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT FAST

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

Preparation for the Great Fast

On this day, the First Sunday of the TRIODION,
our Holy Orthodox Christian Church makes
remembrance of the Parable in the Sacred Gospel
concerning the TAX COLLECTOR and the PHARISEE.

The one who was pharisaical distanced himself from the holy place; for
Christ is received within, Who ACCEPTS THOSE WHO ARE HUMBLE.

O Fashioner of all above and below, as Thou dost receive the thrice-holy
hymn of the Angels, receive the TRIODION from man.

It is in accordance with God that this present day we commence the TRIODION season. Thy hymns of this period were composed by many of our holy and God-bearing Fathers and melodists. They were incited by the Holy Spirit, according to their excellence and as useful vessels, to compose melodic hymns. The first of all was the great author Kosmas of Maiouma, who composed the three ODES (tri-ode, symbolic of the Holy and Life-Creating Trinity) for the Great and Holy Week of the Passion of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, composing the hymns and using acrostics containing the names of the days of the week. Together with him are other holy Fathers, including Theodore and Joseph of the Stoudite Monastery. Filled with zeal, they composed hymns for the remaining weeks of the Forty-day Great Fast., reserving them at first for the use of the Stoudite Monastery. Furthermore, they composed and arranged hymns, seeking them and collecting them from other books of the Holy Fathers. Since, according to the book of the TRIODION, Sunday, the celebration of the Resurrection, is the first day of the week, as well as the last or EIGHTH DAY OF THE WEEK, that is MONDAY. The Second Ode is for Wednesday; the Fourth Ode is for Thursday; the Fifth Ode is for Friday; and the Sixth and Seventh Ode are for Saturday. The rest, the Eighth and Ninth Odes, are prescribed for every day. It must be known, however, that although it is called TRIODION yet it does contain services that are arranged other than with THREE-CANTICLE CANONS. But the name TRIODION remained so on account of the majority of the services having three-canticled canons. This is observed especially during Great and Holy Week. Furthermore, Saint Kosmas also composed a four-ode canon (tetra-ode) for Great and Holy Saturday.

It was the purpose of our holy Fathers that throughout the TRIODION texts there would be commemorated, in a concise form, ALL OF GOD’S BENEFITS TO US FROM THE BEGINNING. Thus, the services might be used AS A REMINDER TO ALL OF US THAT WE WERE CREATED BY HIM. They would also put us in remembrance OF HOW WE WERE EXILED FROM THE DELIGHTS OF PARADISE, by means of setting at nought the Commandment and tasting of the fruit. We are mindful that WE WERE CAST OUT THROUGH THE ENVY OF THE ORIGINATOR AND AUTHOR OF EVIL, THE SERPENT AND ADVERSARY, WHO WAS CAST DOWN FOR HIS PRIDE, BUT WE WERE CAST OUT FROM THE BENEFITS OF PARADISE AND WER LED BY THE DEVIL. However, we also ARE BIDDEN TO CALL TO MIND HOW THE Son and Logos/Word of God, having suffered in His mercy, bowing the heavens, DESCENDED AND MADE HIS ABODE IN THE Virgin and BECAME MAN FOR OUR SAKE. Indeed, by His conduct of life and other deeds, He SHOWED US THE ASCENT HEAVENWARD: FIRST OF ALL, THROUGH HUMILITY, THEN BY FASTING AND REJECTING BAD WAYS. Even so, He SUFFERED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND WAS TAKEN UP INTO THE HEAVENS. As promised, He sent down the Holy Spirit upon His Holy Disciples and Apostles, who all proclaimed Him TO BE THE SON OF GOD AND GOD MOST PERFECT. By means of the preaching of the Holy Apostles, through the grace of the Most Holy Spirit, there is the gathering of all the Saints from the ends of the earth, filling the world on high, which was the intention of the Creator from the beginning.

Now the purpose of the TRIODION Period intended by the Holy Fathers o these THREE PRESENT FEASTS OF THE Tax Collector and the Pharisee, the Prodigal Son, and the Second Coming of Christ IS A KIND OF PREPARATORY EXERCISE AND EXHORTATION TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE SPIRITUAL LABORS OF THE FAST, HAVING PUT ASIDE OUR HABITUAL LOATHSOME HABITS. First of all, they present to us the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, and they call the week following PROPHONESIS, which means something that is "DECLARED BEFOREHAND," OR THAT IS "A PRECURSOR" OR "A HARBINGER." For those who desire to go off to do military battle, first ascertain the time of the battle from the leaders, so that having cleaned and polished their swords, and preparing well all their other matters, and having removed all obstacles from their path that they might defeat the foe, they earnestly go forth to their labors, taking the necessary supplies and equipment. Often before battle, they recount anecdotes and histories and examples to incite their hearts to zeal, driving off reluctance, cowardice, despair, and other perilous thoughts that may lead to their retreat. IN LIKE MANNER, FOR THE COMING FAST, THE DIVINE FATHERS SUMMON US TO ARMS WITH A HERALDING TRUMPER THAT WE MIGHT PURGE OURSELVES OF THE LONG-ACCUMULATED POISON OF THE PASSIONS LAID DOWN BY THE DEMONS’ LINE OF BATTLE IN ORDER TO ENTRAP US. SINCE WE HAE NOT YET ATTAINED THOSE GOOD THINGS, LET US DILIGENTLY STRIVE TO OBTAIN THEM. LET US ARM OURSELVES PROPERLY AND SET OFF TO THE LABORS OF THE FAST.

What are our weapons? The chief weapon among the virtues IS REPENTANCE AND HUMILITY. And the temptation to attain the Greatest Humility often leads to PRDIE and ARROGANCE. So they place before us first of all this present trustworthy Parable from the Divine Gospel according to Saint Luke. It ENCOURAGES US TO SHUN THE DESIRE FOR THE PRIDE AND SELF-CONCEIT OF THE Pharisee, and to CULTIVATE THE OPPOSITE DESIRE WHICH IS FOUND IN THE Tax Collector: HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE. For the greatest and most grievous passion are PRIDE AND ARROGANCE, SINCE THIS IS HOW Lucifer (Satan), that rose in the morning, fell from heaven and was cast into darkness. Because of this, Adam and the father of our race were driven from Paradise through partaking of the fruit. Through this example, the Holy Fathers ENCOURAGE ALL NOT TO BE PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT ALWAYS TO REMAIN HUMBLE AS IT IS WRITTEN: "THE LORD RESISTETH THE PROUD; BUT HE GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE" (Proverbs 3:34). IT IS BETTER TO HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED ONE’S SIN AND TO HAVE REPENTED OF IT THAN NOT TO HAVE SINNED AND THINK ONESELF TO BE RIGHTEOUS. For Christ said, "I say to you, this one [the tax collector] went down to his house having been justified rather than that one [Pharisee]; FOR EVERYONE WHO EXALTETH HIMSELF SHALL BE HUMBLED, AND THE ONE WHO HUMBLETH HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED" (Luke 18:14). This Parable reveals that NO ONE SHOULD EXALT HIMSELF, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS DONE GOOD DEEDS, BUT RATHER HE SHOULD ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND PRAY FROM HIS HEART TO GOD. But even if such a one should fall into the most serious sin, then BY HIS REPENTANCE HE SHALL FIND THAT SALVATION IS NOT FAR OFF.

In today’s account, we hear of a tax collector, a publican, who at that time was an official of the Roman Empire. Such persons collected taxes not only for the government but even were known to charge higher rates than they might benefit themselves. Needless to say, they were hated by their fellow countrymen, who saw them not only sinners but as avaricious oppressors and traitors. (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

_____________________

"Glory Be to GOD
For
All Things!"

Inspired Orthodox Positions (Part II)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

Inspired Orthodox Positions (Part II)
By Saint Nicolas of Ochrid

Just as the faithless Jews once trampled upon the Commandments of God, one after the other, and marched according to the witness of the world and their hearts, they now have done the same with the teaching of Christ, the Master of all teachings. They have undermined and abolished one dogma after the other. They have gotten rid of all Gospel Commandments. They have rejected the Apostolic and Patristic decrees. They have ridiculed all the sayings of the Saints, and the Ascetic examples they have reduced to myths.

The strongest blow THE HERETIC THEOLOGIANS HAVE IMPARTED TO THE GOSPEL IS THEIR QUESTIONING THE DIVINITY OF THE MESSIAH OF THE WORLD, SOME DOUBTING IT AND OTHERS TOTALLY REJECTING IT. This was followed by a whole string OF DENIALS OF SPIRITUAL TRUTHS SUCH AS: THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS AND DEMONS, OF PARADISE AND HELL, OF HTE ETERNAL GLORY OF THE SAINTS AND THE JUST, FASTING, THE POWER OF THE CROSS, THE VALUE OF THE PRAYER, etc.

Simply put, THE HERETIC THEOLOGIANS HAVE CONCERNED THEMSELVES WITH ADAPTATIONS AND HOMOOGENIZATION (OF DIFFERENT FAITHS), EVN SINCE THE SCHISM OF THE West from the East, with greater emphasis in the last 150 years. They CONFORMED THE HEAVENS TO EARTH, CHRIST TO OTHER "FOUNDERS OF RELIGIONS" and the Good News to their religions, Muslim, and pagan. Everything allegedly IN THE NAME OF "TOLERANCE" and "FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEACE" between people and nations. However, this is where the BEGINNING OF WARS AND REVOLUTIONS LIE, such as have never been heard of before. For the Truth CAN IN NO WAY TOLERATE JOINING WITH HALF-TRUTHS AND LIES.

The theosophical view that the truth is scattered among all the religions, philosophies, and mysteries got the best the heretic theologian of the Western world. Thus, they say that there must be some truth in Christianity, as well as in Islam, and Hinduism or Brahmanism, in Plato and Aristotle, in Zed-Avesta, in Tantra and Mantras of Tibet. If it were so, then the ark of humanity would keep on sailing without hope in the dark seas of life, without compass or captain.

Then, why did Christ say this strange saying: "I AM THE TRUTH" (John 14:5), He did not say, I am a part of the truth but THE TRUTH. Also, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12). So, He is the WHOLE TRUTH AND THE WHOLE LIGHT. Moreover, according to His word, HE IS THE ONLY GUIDE TO THE PATH TO ETERNAL LIFE AND THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS GOD. He said to the Jews: "AND YOU HAVE NOT COME TO KNOW HIM BUT I KNOW HIM AND IF I SAY THAT ID NOT KNOW HIM WILL BE A LIAR LIKE YOU…" (John 8:55). Is it possible Christ was deceived? Or perhaps He deceived us?

May God forgive us for putting forth such questions. We do not pose them ourselves, but the heretics posed them from very early on. And they are constantly answering them, one so and so and another differently – the one like the Jews, that Christ was a deceiver, and the other like the theosophites, that He was deceived. For us, such a case DOES NOT EXIST.

The Orthodox Christians believe and confess that Jesus Christ IS THE ONE AND ONLY MESSIAH, SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, THE ONE WHO HAS REDEEMED THE HUMAN RACE FROM SIN AND RESTORED IT, THE SON OF GOD WHO WAS INCARNATE OF THE EVER-VIRGIN MARY AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD OF GOD THE FULFILLMENT OF TRUTH, THE SOURCE OF LIFE, THE VICTOR OVER DEATH, THE CAUSE OF RESURRECTION, THE ONLY TRUE PATH TOWARD THE PROPER GOAL, THE JUDGE OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

There is something that remains unexplained till now and forms the basic difference between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the heretical churches of the Latin West. However, before we proceed in its explanation, we must settle the fact taht the new period for the heretics of the Latin West and not stat with the REFORMATION or with the French Revolution, but from the 10th century when the Christian West FELL AWAY FROM TEH CHRISTIAN EAST. From that point on, Western Latin Christianity started WITH ADAPTATIONS AND THE HOMOGENIZATIONS. This constitutes the essence of this new period for them, OF THE CONTEMPORARY AGE OF MODERNISM ABOUT WHICH THEY EVEN BRAG. For the Eastern Orthodox Church, FROM THE TIME OF CHRIST’S APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD, THER IS NO OLD AND NEW AGE BUT EVERYTHING IS EXACTLY THE SAME AND REAL, INDEPENDENT OF PERIODS, SITUATIONS AND SUBJUGATIONS.

DOGMATICS IS AN APPLIED SCIENCE. This is something that the heretic theologians either don’t realize or neglect ed. From the beginning, dogmatics was an applied science – something that the holy Apostles were aware of, as well as the Saints and the Ascetics of the Eastern Orthodox Church and for this reason, they struggled to personally fulfill every dogma in their life.

The dogma of the Holy Trinity, for example concerning the One Triune God, seemed to many laypeople and even to heretic theologians as the most abstract of all dogmas. However, in the Menaion of the Orthodox Church, it mentions many Saints who through asceticism made themselves "THE ABODE OF THE HOLY TRINITY." They ENLIGHTENED TEHIR MIND, THEIR HEART AND THEIR WILL, THESE THREE, LIKE CONNECTED RECEPTACLES WHICH THEY FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ACCORDING TO THE LORD’S PARABLE OF THE LEAVENED BREAD (Luke 13:21).

The holy Apostle Paul expressed it beautifully by saying: "What? Don’t you know that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God and you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Of course wherever God the Holy Spirit is, there God the Father and God the Son are the Holy Trinity, INDIVISIBLE, INSEPARABLE, AND LIFE-GIVING. This is why in some stichera of the Saints we sing, "YOU BECAME THE ABODE OF THE HOLY TRINITY."

ALL the Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Holy Orthodox Church, but also of many of the sacred services, begin with the prayer to the Holy Spirit, "Heavenly King, the Spirit of Truth…come and DWELL IN US." We pray, therefore, for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in us. This does not happen immediately but AFTER MUCH ASCETICISM WITH PRAYER, FASTING, ALMSGIVING, AND TOIL. And after then all these things, with FREQUENT WEEPING AND SIGHING, THE HEART IS CLEANSED AND THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN IT (THE HEART) TO ENLIGHTEN THE HEAR AND THE MINDAND THE WILL. THEN THE MOST HIGH GOD DWELLS IN MAN AND WORKS EVERYTHING THROUG HIM.

MIND, HEART, AND WILL COMPRISE THE TRIUNE MAN. In the sinful and passionate soul, these three do NOT exist in union and divine harmony but are divided and ill-sorted. In such a case man looks like a house that is divided, CANNOT STAND AND FALLS. Such a dwelling of the soul CANNOT THEN BE SAVED, EXCEPT THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN THE GOSPEL (Source: "Inspired Articles of Orthodox Spirituality" by "Orthodox Kypseli")

________________

"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

Inspired Orthodox Positions

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

Inspired Orthodox Positions
By Saint Nicolas of Ochrid

The Lord said: Repent and believe in the Gospel. TRUE REPENTANCE IS NOT ONLY TO GRIEVE OVER THE SINS ONE HAS COMMITTED BUT A COMPLETE RETURN OF THE SOUL FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, FROM THE WORLDLY TO THE HEAVENLY, FROM ME TO GOD.

What does faith in the Gospel means? It means to believe the Good News that the Heavenly Messenger (Angel), the Son of God, and God brought to the human race. In other words, IT IS TO BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS REVELATION. The Revelation of Christ is the greatest revelation since the creation of the world. IT IS THE ONLY REVELATION THAT CAN CHANGE THE MAN-WORM INTO MAN-god and a son of God.

Only "the ONe Who descended from Heaven, the Son of Man Who is in Heaven" (John3:13) could bear witness to the world what exists in Heaven, Who God is, what the spiritual reality is in the other world, how the spiritual world is that encompasses God, and what happens to human souls after bodily death. "What we saw we preach and what we heard we confess" (John 3:1).

We could say His witness is on a spiritual level, completely empirical. He does NOT bear witness according to worldly logic, or according to the conclusions of human understanding, or according to the wisdom or philosophies of the earthly man but according to him who has seen and heard. He is the Heavenly Messenger of the heavenly reality. "And to this end am I come to this world, that I should bear witness to the truth" (John 18:37), which no one of those born on earth could bear witness to accurately. He Himself calls this witness Good News.

The Heavenly Messenger of the Good News bears witness that: God IS ONE, IN THE TRIUNE HARMONY OF THE Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; that God is NOT ONLY the Creator but also Father, namely the Most Beloved and closest relative of all who wish to become children; that God as Father IS TRUE LOVE, AND OUT OF LOVE FOR THE HUMAN RACE HE SENT HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON TO SAVE THE WORLD. He bears witness: THAT THE SOUL OF MAN HAS GREATER VALUE THAN THE WHOLE MATERIAL WORLD AND THAT THERE ARE LEGIONS OF INNUMERABLE ANGELS IN THAT WORLD WHO – SOMETIMES INVISIBLY AND AT OTHER TIMES VISIBLY, CEASELESSLY NONETHELESS – WORK FOR PEOPLE IN THE EVENTS OF THIS WORLD; THAT AFTER THEIR DEATH, THE RIGHTEOUS OF THIS WORLD SHINE LIKE THE SUN IN OTHER WORLD; AND THAT THE SON OF GOD CAME DOWN TO THE WORLD WITH THE PURPOSE OF MAKING WORMISH MEN THE SON OF GOD, TO MAKE THEM gods, according to the will and mercy of the Father. He bears witness to the just judgment of God, the Resurrection of the dead and Eternal life, and to many more things – one more joyous than the other.

Christ called men to believe this Good News: REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL. This means that He called us to believe Him and in Him, in His every word. Since for humans, there is no other way to come to the knowledge of the Truth about the most important questions of life and existence, other than accepting to believe His words, seeing as He is an eyewitness to the heavenly and spiritual truths. Either they will believe in Christ or they will continue to walk in the dark and stormy seas of life, guessing and hypothesizing about the earth and the edge of the ocean. A third solution does not exist in the history of the human anthill to this day.

From this, it becomes obvious that the Christian faith does not in the least resemble the other faiths and theories of the world, since the other faiths are man-made from the earth and of the earth, by people who spoke about the spiritual world, either according to their natural reasoning or through the deceit of evil spirit. None of the founders of other religions said about himself that he had descended from heaven, or that he had been sent by the Father, or that he bears witness to that concerning heaven which he saw and heard and that he will return to heaven. For this reason, there can be no talk about the equality of or similarity between the witness of Christ and that of the other religions and confessions of the rest of the world.

Do not ask a Christian if he believes in God but ask if he believes in the Gospel, in the Good News of Christ. For if he says he believes in God according to his own logic but not in the Gospel, then he is regressing and i15:5)s a pagan since he arrived at faith just as people who lived some two thousand years ago (i.e. some of the philosophers of Greece and Asia). Then for what reason did Christ descend from Heaven? For what reason did He seal with His Blood His revelation to the world, the Good News? Such a Christian has in truth the All-Holy Blood of the Son of God on his head like those who cried, "Crucify Hi, crucify Him!"

The Holy Orthodox Church – THE ONLY CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD – has KEPT THE FAITH IN THE GOSPEL, WITHOUT LOOKING RIGHT OR LEFT, WITHOUT BEING SUPPORTED BY OTHER FAITHS, OR BY PAGAN PHILOSOPHIES OR BY THE NATURAL SCIENCES. For if one follows a far-sighted and keen-eyed leader, it is useless and laughable to ask the crooked and blind for directions.

While Christ says: "Without Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5), the heretic world in thousands of ways expresses the following saying: "Without Christ, we can do everything." The entire contemporary culture IS TURNED AGAINST CHRIST. All the modern sciences compete in seeing who will succeed in serving the hardest blow to Christ’s teaching. IT IS A REVOLUTION OF THE VULGAR SERVANTS AGAINST THE MISTRESS OF THE HOUS, A REVOLUTION OF WORLDLY SCIENCE AGAINST THE HEAVENLY SCIENCE OF CHRIST,. However, this whole revolution in our days boils down to what has been written with such clarity: "PROFESSING THEMSELVES TO BE WISE, THEY BECAME FOOLS" (Romans 1:22).

Truthfully, no one knows WHERE THE GREATEST INSANITY OF THE MODERN WORLD THAT HAS FALLEN AWAY FROM CHRIST LIES: in each person’s life or in marriage? In school or in politics? In the economic structure or legislation? In war or in peace? EVERYWHERE ONE SEES WHAT WE CALL VULGAR AND BARBARIC. FALSEHOOD AND VIOLENCE TRIUMPH.

(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

“DO NOT JUDGE”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"DO NOT JUDGE"

My dear, let it be the code and rule of our lives the saying of the Lord: "Do not judge."

Apparently a light commandment. Light, because if we examine it with some attention, we shall see that it is easy to avoid judging, to protect our soul and mouth from it. Besides judging is not something priority rooted from birth and kneaded with our soul. It is something external, especially when judging is not born out of animosity or hatred but from superficiality and negligence and from the usual tendency to always talk about others.

In fact, judging is not only light but also a heavy sin, unfortunately extensively spread. We meet it everywhere. It consists of a much-polluted atmosphere which we continually breathe. It is a common phenomenon that one can say has become the norm for man. "Nothing is more pleasant to man than to judge the actions of others’" says Saint Gregory the Theologian. Exactly because of this extensive spread of judging, makes this sin hard to fight and makes the Divine Commandment "DO NOT JUDGE" heavy.

No one can dispute this sad condition but also no right-thinking person can seriously claim that he is justified in judging, since others judge. Woe to us if we used as criterion and rule of our ethical life the disorderly life of others. Our conscience herself, no matter how much she has been overshadowed by the prevailing confused and disorderly condition in our society, will protest and condemn the judging. She will scream that the rule of our life must be not the voice and habits of the world BUT HER VOICE, WHICH IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS IS THE VOICE OF GOD. That is why every person finds the Commandment of God "do not judge", correct and just, even if he is swept away in "judging."

"Do not judge!" Truly, why should we judge another? Why should we become involved with what others say or do? Who made us examiners, inspectors, and judges of the behavior of others? No one! Besides don’t we sin? On the contrary, the word of God many times and emphatically forbids this judging, this censuring of others. "Do not judge!" commands the Lord. For ONLY He has the right of judgment. He is the Law-Maker and the Judge. In His presence, WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE, ALL THE PEOPLE WHETHER JUDGING OR JUDGED. Therefore, the tendency and habit to judge and condemn others are USURPING AND REMOVING THE AUTHORITY AND RIGHTS OF THE LORD. IT IS IMPIETY AGAINST THE JUST Judge Himself.

That is why the brother of the Lord Saint James the Apostle writes on the one who judges: "DO NOT SPEAK EVIL AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, MY BROTHERS. HE WHO SAYS EVIL AGAINST HIS BROTHER OR MAKES HIMSELF HIS BROTHER’S JUDGE, SAYS EVIL AGAINST THE LAW AND IS JUDGING THE LAW; AND IN JUDGING THE LAW YOU BECOME NOT A DOER OF THE LAW BUT A JUDGE. THERE IS ONE Judge and Law-Giver, even He who is able to save or to destroy; but who are you to be your neighbor’s judge?" (James 4:11-12). And for you, yourself, God has enacted to respect and to love your neighbor. However, when you judge your brothers, YOU TRAMPLE AND IGNORE THE LAW OF GOD, you condemn with your action and make void the Law of God. You are no more the defender but THE ABOLISHER OF THE LAW AND YOU PRESENT YOURSELF, YOU A SINFUL PERSON, WITH IMPUDENT PRETENCE TO JUDGE OTHERS AND USURP RIGHTS OF OTHERS. This way with your judging you perpetrate a sin, perhaps graver than that which your brothers committed.

And the holy Apostle Paul adds: "You are therefore without excuse, oh man, whoever you are that judges, for when you are judging another YOU ARE JUDGING YOURSELF, FOR YOU WHO JUDGES DO THE SAME THINGS" (Romans 2:1). WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE BEFORE THE LORD. To Him, we will have to give an account of our actions. Whenever you judge and condemn the other, what argument would you bring before the Lord and how would you dare ask for mercy and leniency? And just because you know how God angers against the sinners and JUDGING IS A SIN-FOR THIS YOU WILL BE FOUND UNFORGIVEN AT THAT Great Day of the Second Coming. Also consider that the person you judge, COULD REPENT, OR HAS REPENTED AND COULD FIND MERCY BEFORE GOD, BE SAVED AND GLORIFIED, WHILE YOU COULD REMAIN WITH THE HEAVY GUILT OF CONDEMNATION. SO WHILE YOU CONDEMN THE OTHER, YOU CONDEMN YOURSELF.

Heavy they appear these God inspired predications of the Holy Bible. Serious are the condemnation against judging. And just think they are not few. In many other instances the Holy Scripture CONDEMNS WITH JUST STRICTNESS THE JUDGING BECAUSE IT CONSIDERS IT AN IMPIETY AGAINST GOD AND LACK OF LOVE FOR ONE’S NEIGHBOR. That is what Saint John Chrysostomos had in mind when he said: "Brothers, let us not be bitter judges and accusers of others that we may not be found seriously responsible against God. Let us not forget that WE TOO HAVE COMMITTED SERIOUS SINS WHICH NEED GREATER FORGIVENESS. LET US THEREFORE, BE LENIENT TOWARD OTHERS NO MATTER HOW BADLY THEY HAVE SINNED, THAT WE MAY BE ASSURED OF THE MERCY OF LENIENCY OF GOD." (Source: Pantokratoras)

HOLY SCRIPTURE SPEAK ON FORGIVENESS

The Lord’s Prayer:

"…And forgive us our debts
AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS…" (Matthew 6:12)

"For if you forgive men their trespasses YOU HEAVENLY
Father WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU. But if YOU DO NOT
FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES NEITHER WILL YOUR
Father FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES" (Matthew 6:14-15).

"Be Merciful" (Matthew 7:1-9)

"JUDGE NOT, and you shall not be judged. CONDEMN NOT,
and you shall not be condemned, FORGIVE, AND YOU WILL
BE FORGIVEN" (Luke 6:37)."

The Lord’s Divine example OF FOGIVENESS

"Then Jesus said, "Father, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT
KNOW WHAT THEY DO" (Luke 23:34).4:

"And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven the, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22-23).

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from
you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING
ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE YOU" (Ephesians 4:31-32).

"Therefor, as the ELECT OF GOD, HOLY AND BELOVED, put on tender MERCIES,
KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, LONGSUFFERING; bearing one another, and
FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as
Christ FORGAVE YOU, SO YOU ALSO MUST DO. But ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS
PUT ON LOVE, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTION" (Colossians 3:12-14).

_________________

"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