My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,"
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

MAN’S FAITHLESSNESS LEADS HIM TO THE SIN OF IDOLATRY

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make
for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in heaven above,
or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth. You
shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord your
God, am a jealous God…" (Exodus 20:3-5). [Ten Commandments]

The Lord our God is the True Son of the True Father; thus we do not worship any false god. However, false gods do not exist in themselves, for this commandment refers to the future, and what is in the future does not yet exist. But the Son is True God of True God; therefore, He exists eternally with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We worship the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, OUR ONE GOD.

An idol, or image, depicts some god as having form or shape, but the True God has no form or shape. Why therefore did Israel use images in their worship? Because all these foreshadowed the Incarnation of the Son of God, Whom we worship both as God and Man. Also, icons used in our Orthodox Church do not depict the Divine Nature. They draw attention to the Incarnation, God is without passion, but He condescends to call HImself a "jealous God" to show the intensity of His love for man. Therefore, let us love Him with intensity, for this is very pleasing to Him.

The Holy Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14). "Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons" (1 Corinthians 10:20). To genuinely offer a sacrifice is to unite with the object of that offering. An "idol" by itself is nothing, but behind them lurk "demons" waiting for someone to partake of them. The Christian offering is the once-for all Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are not to engage in any worship contrary to, or in competition with, the Echarist of Christ.

The Holy Fathers of the Church condemn worshipping creation instead of the Creator. The belief of idolatry extends beyond physical statues to include anything that receives devotion due only to God. This includes the worship of material things, worldly pleasures, or even internamal mental images or passions. Saint John Kronstadt warned against clinging to any earthly person or thing, stating that only God should be the "god of our heart."

A modern phenomenon among some Christians who have turned to ancient idolatry and pay homage to the pagan earth goddess as a deity representing the Earth, such as the Greek Gaia. The New Age movement or neo-pagan that revere Earth as a mother goddess. Orthodox theology views the modern threat of neo-paganism as dangerous spiritual delusion and a rejection of Christian revelation. The Orthodox Church maintains that neo-paganism, which it considers a form of idolatry, corrupts and misdirects humanity’s inherent search for the Divine.

From an Orthodox perspective, neo-paganism presents sevral foundational theological errors: The veneration of creating beings or spirits instead of the Uncreated God is a fundamental corruption. It represents a disordered prioritization of creation over the Creator, exchanging "the truth about God for a lie" (Romans 1:25). The Holy Church Fathers saw ancient pagan worship as demonic in nature, and this concern extends to modern movements. Orthodox theology is based on the divine self-revelation of God, most fully expressed through the Incarnation of fhs Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Orthodox apologists note that ancient pagan gods were historically and militarily superseded, failing to ensure the survival of their own worship. They argue that modern deities re-created by neo-pagans are equally without salvific power. Many neo-pagan paths emphasise self-determination and personal growth. Orthodox theology in contrast calls for humility, repentance, and communion with God through His Church, not a human-centric focus. As always the neo-pagans target the youth who do not have a strong Christian knowledge and understanding and are easily misled. Unfortunately there are even some adult Christians who dabble in neo-pagan practices and are in danger of surrenderitng to sinister forces and self-damnation.
.
Paganism is attractive because it does not adhere to any form of morality or ethics. In reality, paganism has nothing to do intrinsically with morality. The pagan gods had no code of ethics but were promiscuous, adulterous and dedicated their life to pleasure, food and drink as was Dionysios of ancient Greece. We have witnessed the World Council of Churches, a global Council not of just Christian churches but of all religions that has the potential to enter a new faze. To take a new form or to become a more global religion which will embrace the politically persecuted, the poor, the needy, the diferenchized and those in the fringe of society. This neo or new religion is dedicated to the environment and is active ecologically. They are all about climate change doing everything to save the environment. This new global religion will be all-inclusive, loving and accepting of everyone and of all. It will be non-judgmental and open-ended in regards to morality, very permissive and tolerant.. Therefore, most appealing and enticing for those especially not committed to Christianity. This new religion will be very popular for it will stand against the old, patriarchal , hierarchical, dogmatic, judgmental religion. Even now we hear Christian leaders of major Christian Churches advocating for similar things. In some cases opening themselves to be involved in some form with pagan religious rituals and/or be entertained by them.

It is perhaps the hope of reinstatement of the ancient pantheon in Rome which included the worship of a group of gods and goddesses or deities like Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. The name "Pantheon" comes from the Greek for "all gods". It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings. After Christianity became dominant in Rome, the building was converted into a church, though its history as a pagan temple remains. It is possible that one day in the future it will be revived to accommodate the new global and pagan rituals. The aspiration of the neo-pagans is that that just as Christianity replaced paganism centuries ago, this new global and neo-pagan religion will become dominant once again and replace Christianity.

Christianity, however, is not a man made religion as are the existing world religions today. Our Lord, God, and Savior is not the ordinary human founder of religion, but the Living God and Savior of the world. Christianity is A REVELATION (APOCALYPSE), MEANING GOD HAS ACTIVELY REVEALED HIMSELF TO HUMANITY, MOST FULLY THROUGH THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. This is understood not as a human quest for God, but as God’s self-disclosure through His Son, the Holy Spirit, and various other means such as the Holy Bible, the Lives of the Saints, and even creation itself. The Son of God Himself who sacrificed His life on the Cross to save mankind and who died and rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. God is the Source of faith in the Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy believes that God has revealed Himself to us, most especially in the revelation of Jesus Christ, Whom we know as the Son of God. This Revelation of God, His love, and His purpose, is constantly made manifest and contemporary in the life of the Church by the power and operation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Orthodox Church believes that, as the unique God-man, Jesus Christ has restored humanity to fellowship with God. Therefore, CHRISTIANITY CANNOT AND WILL NEVER BE EITHER REPLACED OR DESTROYED BECAUSE CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIST HIMSELF WHO IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD AND THE ONLY TRUE REDEEMER.
_________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

THE MYSTERY OF THE VASTNESS OF THE UNIVERSE

We believe that God and Creator of All, created the vastness of the universe out of nothing, through His Divine will and power. "The Lord by wisdom found the earth; He arranged the heavens by His understanding. By knowledge the deeps were broken up and the clouds drop down the dew." And in Psalm 104:24: "O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures."

In His Divine Wisdom our Creator, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, created the universe from out of nothing. He created all out of His goodness and power.with God’s Omnipresence filling all of it. The universe in its vastness was not made from preexisting matter but was brought into being out of nothing by God’s God’s creative power and command. Its creation reveals God’s glory and His gift to His creation to share in His blessings. The vastness of the universe, including its innumerable stars and galaxies, is a testament to the immense power and wisdom of God. Therefore, the entire creation, both visible and invisible, was made for the glory of God. The universe is understood to be a single creation where God is present everywhere, filling everything and intending for it to be transformed and incorporated into His Kingdom.

We, as Orthodox Christians, believe that the created world itself is a ‘mystery’ originating in the sovereign will of God accomplished by the action (energia) of the Holy Trinity. We confess in the NiceneConstantinopolitan Creed (325/381) that the Father is the "Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible," The Son "He through whom all things were made," and the Holy Spirit, the "Creator of all life" (zoopion). Thus, the Three Persons created together the world, which is the fruit of the common action of the Holy Trinity issuing out of the one essence.

The Lord God created His universe and all that is in it as an integrated whole. "Out of nothing" (ex nihilo) finds its first expression in the Holy Bible. "Beholding the heavens and the earth, and seeing all that is there, you will understand that God has CREATED IT ALL FROM NOTHING" (2 Maccabees 7:28). Thus, the creation springs into being or passes into being out of non-being. As Saint Gregory of Nyssa affirms, "It begins to be, and the very substance of the creation owes its beginning to change." This transition from non-existence is a change brought about by God’s creative Logos/Word "Who has established the world so that it shall not be moved" (Psalm 93:1).

God is the SOURCE OF BLESSEDNESS. In Him is the fullness of joy, sweetness, rejoicing for those who love Him, as it says in the Psalms: "Thou wilt fill me with gladness with Thy countenance, delights are in Thy right hand forever" (Psalm 15:11). The blessedness of God has its reflection in the unceasing praise, glorification, and thanksgiving which fill the universe, which come from the higher powers–the Cherubim and Seraphim who surround the throne of God and are flaming with fragrant love for God. These praises are offered from the whole Angelic world and from every creature of God’s world: "The sun sings Thy praises; the moon glorifies; that stars supplicate before Thee; the light obeys Thee; the deeps are afraid at Thy presence; the fountains are Thy servants" (Prayer of the Great Blessing of Water).

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Saint John Chrysostom affirms that Moses was a Prophet of things of the past: "All the other Prophets spoke either of what was to occur after a long time or of what was about to happen then; but he, the blessed [Moses], who lived many generations after the creation of the world], wa vouchsafed by the guidance of the right hand of the Most High to utter that had been done by the Lord before his own birth. It is for this reason that he begins to speak thus: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth," as if calling out to us all with a loud voice: It is not by the instruction of men that I say this; He Who called them [heaven and earth] out of non-being into being–it is He Who has roused my tongue to relate of them. And therefore I entreat you, let us pay heed to these words as if we heard not Moses but the very Lord of the universe Who speaks through the tongue of Mose, and let us take leave for good of our own opinion" (Homilies on Genesis).

The first words of the book of Genesis, "In the beginning God created," tell us that God is the sole extra-temporal, eternal, self-existing Being, the Source of all beings, the Spirit above this world, since He existed also BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. HIS BEING IS OUTSIDE OF SPACE, NOT BOUND EEN TO HEAVEN, SINCE HEAVEN WAS CREATED TOGETHER WITH THE EARTH. GOD IS ONE. GOD IS PERSONAL, INTELLECTUAL ESSENCE.

After presenting in order the stages of the creation of the world, the writer of Genesis concludes his account with the words, "And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, IT WAS VERY GOOD" (Genesis 1:31). [Resources: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,

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

CHRISTIAN RECONCILIATION FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember
that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there
before the altar, and go your way. FIRST BE RECONCILED TO
YOUR BROTHER, AND THEN COME AND OFFER YOUR GIFT”
[Matthew 5:23-24).

Our Lord Christ says, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Here is the Divine command of Jesus: to “love” our “enemies” as a true expression of the life of the Kingdom. Having freed us from hate, sadness, and anger, He offers the greatest possession of all-perfect love. That is a gift which can only be possessed by the one who, by the grace of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit, manifests God’s love for all. Such love calls us to “bless” “do good”, and “pray” –even for enemies. Love of neighbor is the sign of having become a true child of God. Agape (love) is not simply an emotion. It is a divine grace–an uncreated divine energy–which inflames the soul and unites it to God and to other people.

Therefore, it is not possible for one filled with hate, anger, malice and spite to be united with Christ and/or to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore shall you be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:46-48). This verse summarizes Jesus’ teaching on God’s standards. The Christian should grow into the perfection of the “Father.” (Ephesians 4:13). Our Lord Jesus Christ is our Guide, and He is able to bring us to participate in the very life of God, which is agape (love). [Resources: The New Testament)

___________
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

THE INSIDIOUS DECEPTION OF HERESY

“Heresy is the conscious and persistent rejection and
distortion of the fundamental doctrines of the faith as
ordained by the Church.”

Rooted in the Greek word hairesis, meaning “choice,” it signifies a person’s deliberate decision or opinion to follow false teachings over the Apostolic tradition and Divine Truth preserved by the Church, so as to cause division among Christians. Heresy is a system of thought which contradicts True Doctrine and has posed a continuous THREAT TO THE CHURCH over the centuries by corrupting the gospel, causing division and confusion, and endangering the spiritual well-being of the faithful. IT IS FALSE TEACHING, WHICH ALL CHRISTIANS MUST TOTALLY REJECT.

The Holy Apostle Peter writes: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who will secretly bring in DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, EVEN DENYING THE LORD WHO BOUGHT THEM, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be BLASPHEMED. By covetousness they will exploit you with DECEPTIVE WORDS; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (2 Peter 2:1-3).

According to our Holy Orthodox Church, a heretic is not merely someone with a difference of opinion, but one who obstinately holds to false teachings even after being corrected by ecclesiastical authority. Heresy is a turning away from the core teachings passed down from our Lord Jesus Christ to his Holy Apostles, which our Church believes have been faithfully preserved over the centuries. Heresy is a dangerous virus which introduces a distortion and corruption of the Divine Gospel message. It undermines the essential, non-negotiable tenets of the true faith, such as the nature of the Holy Trinity or the Person of the Son of God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Historically, persecution of our Lord, God, and Saviour, the holy Apostles, holy Martyrs, and countless other Christians has never ceased. The battle against evil powers and evil people is both internal and external. The intenternal is against heresies and the external is against the antichristian forces that seek to demize the Christian Church. However, beyond theological error, heresies are seen as spiritually threatening because they lead the faithful away from the path to salvation. Early Church Fathers viewed heresy as a graver sin than murder, as it threatened eternal souls rather than just mortal bodies. HERESY WAS NEVER TOLERATED OR INDULGED BY THE CHURCH! The proof of this fact are the Seven Ecumenical Synods of the Church that condemned the heretics and their heresy forever.

In our current era heresy by even many Christian “theologians” has been not only tolerated but endorsed and promoted. Years ago it was announced by a Church theologian that after years of dialogue among various groups that it was determined that there was no heresy but just misunderstandings and disinformation. It is believed by these individuals that when they are accused of heresy is to deny it and that DENIAL IS THEIR BEST DEFENSE.

Saint Irenaeus stressed three important ways by which to distinguish heretical groups from true Christian Churches. First, all the true Churches, no matter where they are located, hold the same basic doctrines, known together as the rule of faith. In contrast, the various heretical groups disagree among themselves in their beliefs. Second, all the authentic Churches can trace their origins back to one of the original Apostles, with their bishops coming down in direct descent from that Apostle; this is known as APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION. Third, whereas the various heretical groups each had their own writings which they followed, the true Churches only considered the Gospels according to the Four Evangelists. Also Saint Irenaeus’s strong affirmation of these four Gospels helped to solidify the first crucial step in the very long and tremendously important process by which the organized Church selected the 27 books which would eventually comprise the New Testament Scriptures. Orthodox Churches share and profess that same Creed, the same liturgical tradition, the same holy Canons, Dogmas, Church Hierarchical structure, the same celebration of the annual feast days, etc. Orthodox Churches also have the same interpretation of the Holy Scripture without any deviation from what has been taught always and by all. The Orthodox speaks WITH ONE VOICE AND AS ONE BODY OF CHRIST.

Those unorthodox groups that spread willfully heresies are NOT to be cuddled and treated as “brothers and sisters in Christ,” for they are not! There are thousands of Protestant denominations worldwide that spread a corrupted and compromised gospel message to the detriment of the faith and realistically slander Christ and His Gospel. They have distorted the Holy Scripture with their false and heretical interpretations and mislead people throughout the world. These are NOT friends of Christ, but His enemies. There are at least 45,000 Protestant denominations worldwide and growing is this a positive and good thing that is so divided? Is this not the fragmentation of Christianity? The Gospel message is ONE! The holy Apostle Paul exhorts Christians, “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being condemned” (Titus 3:10). A “divisive” person is one who “picks” or “chooses” from the whole truth. A SECT is a group that follows its OWN CHOICES, INDEPENDENT OF Holy Tradition. Incomplete or erroneous beliefs result in immoral behavior.

Be ALERT, be VIGILANT and NEVER COMPROMISE THE TRUE CHRISTIAN FAITH! OR CONDONE ANY FORM OF HERESY. Historically the Church convened Ecumenical Synods or Councils, such as the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicaea in 325 A.D., to officially define Christian Doctrine and declare certain beliefs heretical. The individuals charged with heresy or who held heretical beliefs WERE EXCOMMUNICATED. Heretical texts were destroyed and prevented the spread of their false teachings. Today heresy is rampant, encouraged and unhindered by the dark powers and antichristian forces in the world. Christian leaders are afraid so as not to offend the heretics and keep silent. What a difference!

_________
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

On the 18th of October, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the
Feast-Day of the HOLY APOSTLE LUKE, THE EVANGELIST.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Third Tone

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with the Merciful
God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

THOU with Paul didst shine thy light upon the whole world, since
thou wast a genuine disciple of the Logos/Word of God. And thou
didst drive out the gloom far hence when thou didst write the
divine Gospel of Christ God.

The holy Evangelist Luke was born in Antioch of Syria and from his youth studied the wisdom of the Greeks and the science of medicine. He became a skilled physician and an excellent iconographer, and he knew both the Greek and the Egyptian languages well. Moreover, he was thoroughly acquainted with the Law of the Jews and had visited Jerusalem.

At that time our Lord Jesus Christ dwelt in the flesh among men and sowed the seed of salvation, which fell on good ground in Luke’s heart where it sprouted up and bore fruit a hundredfold. Thus, Luke heard the teaching of truth from the lips of God Himself, and he drank therefrom a wisdom greater than that which he had learned in the schools of the Hellenes and Egyptians. He came to know the True God and to believe in Him and he began to teach others the faith as well. He was chosen to be one of THE SEVENTY APOSTLES, of whom he writes in his Gospel thus: "The Lord appointed other SEVENTY also, and sent the two and two before His face into every city and places" (Luke, ch. 10). As a member of the choir of the Apostles, Luke also went before the Lord, preparing a path before Hi by his sacred preaching and giving assurance to the people that the Messiah Whom THEY AWAITED HAD COME TO THE WORLD.

At the time of the saving Passion, when the Shepherd was struck down and the sheep scattered, the blessed Luke went about weeping and lamenting for his Lord, Who had deigned to suffer VOLUNTARILY. But although he sowee with tears, he reaped with rejoicing, for as he was walking with Cleopas to Emmaus, speaking with him and grieving over the death of their beloved Teacher and Lord, the Risen Christ Himself appeared to them. By His appearance the Lord comforted them and wiped away the tears from their eyes. As He drew near, Christ asked them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" Through this conversation Saint Luke became the initiate and close companion of HIm Who said of Himself, "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE" (John, ch. 14). As they walked with the Lord, Luke and Cleopas spoke with Him and drank of the ineffable Fount of Wisdom. O, how sweet the words that Saint Luke heard from the mouth of the sweetest Jesus, Who beginning with Moses and the Prophets, expounded unto them from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself!

Later, Christ’s good disciple Luke, the initiate of divine mysteries, would instruct all the inhabitants of Thebes in Voeotia, enlightening many who were in the darkness of ignorance of God with the light of understanding of the Holy Gospel (Menaion). But first, he who was to feast with Christ in the Kingdom of God was to sup with Him at Emmaus, and the Son of God, Whom Judas denied and betrayed at the Mystical ("Last") Supper, was made known to Saint Luke in the breaking of bread. There the flame of divine love hidden in Saint Luke’s heart sprang forth, and he uttered these words: "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures? [Luke, ch. 24]. Truly, the remembrance of Christ was yet alive in him who loved the Lord with his whole heart when, fifteen years after the Saviour’s Ascension into heaven, Luke wrote most accurately of Him in his Gospel (Saint Theophylact). He wrote of that which he himself had seen and heard and which was inscribed not with a pen but with love in his heart; he also told of those things which they had witnessed who followed Christ from the beginning, before Luke. Soon after Christ’s Passion, those who had been with the Lord from the beginning related these things to Luke, as it is written in the preface to his Gospel: "They delivered those things unto us, which form the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" (Luke, ch. 1).

Saint Luke was a partaker of the sufferings and labors of Saint Paul in the preaching of Christ’s Gospel not only to the Jews but to the Gentiles as well. He accompanied the holy Apostle Paul to Rome, as it is said in the Book of Acts Of the Apostles, which was written by Saint Luke. Paul loved Luke greatly and testified to this love in the Epistle to the Colossians, in which he says, "Luke, the beloved physician, greeteth you."

When Luke left Rome, he went to the regions of the East to preach Christ. He travelled through all of Libya and came to Egypt. He then enlightened the utmost regions of Thebaid and after this found churches in Thebes of Voeotia. There he ordained priests and deacons, and he healed those who were infirm in soul and body. Saint Luke was more than eighty years old when he peacefully reposed in the Lord.

God glorified His servant at the place where Luke’s body was laid, for as a token of his skill as a physician, an ointment could heal the eyes rained down there. Because of the various healings that took place through the prayers of the holy Apostle at his grave, the place where he was buried became well-known among the faithful.

Saint Luke’s holy relics were brought to the city to the chanting of psalms and hymns. Now there was a eunuch named Anatolius who lived in the city, and imperial chamberlain, who had lain for a long time sick upon his bed, and had spent much of his wealth on physicians. He had hoped to receive healing from them, but they could not restore his health. Therefore, when the holy relics of Saint Luke were brought into the city, Anatolus prayed fervently to the holy Apostle. He somehow arose from his couch and ordred that he be taken to the place where the Apostle’s healing casket lay. When he arrived, he touched the coffin with faith and fell down before the relics of the Saint, immediately receiving deliverance from his infirmity and perfect health. He took the casket with the holy relics upon his shoulders, and with the help of the other people who were present, carried it to the church of the Holy Apostles. The precious relics of Saint Luke were place in that church beneath the sacred altar, together with the remains of the Apostles Andrew and Timothy.

It is said that Saint Luke painted the first icon of the Most Pure Theotokos bearing in her arms the Pre-Eternal Child, and Jesus Christ. He also painted two other icons of the Mother of God and brought them to the Mother of the Lord to learn whether she was pleased with them. When she saw the, she cried out with her Most Pure lips, "MAY MY GRACE AND THAT OF HIM WHO WAS BORN OF ME BE WITH THESE ICONS!"

The holy Apostle Luke also painted on panels depictions of the holy preeminent Apostles Peter and Paul. Thus the sacred and most honorable art of hagiography, by which churches are adorned, had its beginning with him. By it God, the Mother of God, and all the Saints are glorified, and the faithful, who piously venerate their holy icons, RECEIVE SALVATION. [Resources: The Great Collection of The Lives of the Saints]

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

Φιλαργυρία (avarice) and Πλεονεξία (greed)

"…who, being past feeling, have given themselves
over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness…" (Ephesians 4:19).

Jesus said:
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will
hate the one and love the other, or else he will be
loyal to the one and despise the other. YOU
CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON" [Matthew 6:24).

In our Orthodox Christian faith GREED is one of the seven grievous sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth. "Mammon" is not a historical deity but a personification of greed, a deceptive "master" that competes with God for the heart. It represents the obsessive love of money, wealth, and material possessions, which are seen as leading people away from God and into a life of self-interest and insatiable desire. Greed is a spiritual danger that can blind people to their true purpose and cause them to value material gain over spiritual wealth, with the antidote being faith, humility, compassion, philanthropy and generosity.

Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ clearly saw "mammon" as an obstacle to salvation. As slaves serving "two masters", people attempt to maintain an attachment both to earthly and to heavenly things. But this is impossible, for both demand full allegiance. Jesus calls "mammon" a master, not because it is by nature evil, but because of the absolute and wretched servility it exacts.

The Holy Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy specified that one of the qualifications of one becoming a bishop of the Church was that "a bishop must be blameless and "not greedy for money…" (1 Timothy 3:2-3). And Saint Paul explains further, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10).

"Mammon" is an Aramaic word for "wealth" or "riches," but the New Testament uses it to represent the concept of serving wealth instead of God. It was later personified as a demon, a "master of the heart" that, through greed, aims to enslave man and to take the place of God. There is no question that greed is a grave sin that leads to consumerism, workaholism, and a materialistic mindset where value is based on what can be bought and sold. This focus on material wealth distracts from the spiritual life and the concern of the soul. Our Lord Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:23-24). Our Lord’s statement indicates the difficulty or impossibility of salvation for those who are attached to riches.

Greediness is not a contemporary phenomenon but as we see from Our Lord’s words but an ancient one. Greed makes it difficult to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, as it encourages hoarding earthly treasures that are corruptible and can be stolen, instead of laying up treasures in heaven, which are spiritual and secure. Our Divine Master and God Jesus Christ tells us clearly, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21). By attaching ourselves to "treasures on earth" people cut themselves off from heavenly treasures. People become willing slaves, not free in Christ. The heart of discipleship lies in (1) disentangling ourselves from the chains of earthly things, and (2) attaching ourselves to God, the TRUE TREASURE. There is no doubt that we have need for certain material things, but we use them according to God’s will and purposes. We must not allow our possessions to possess us or entrap us.

Greed is a deadly passion. Passions are human appetites, desires or urges–such as hunger, the desire for pleasure, and sexual drives–which become a source of sin when not controlled or directed by submission to the will of God (Romans 1:26; 7:5; Galatians 5:24); Colossians 3:5). As we died with Christ, so we must will to experience death daily by "killing" old sinful and disintegrating passions. As we were raised with Christ, so we must will to experience life daily by the virtuous and unifying desires of the "new man" which we all are in the body of Christ. The "new man" grows one stage of perfection to another, becoming "the image of Jesus Christ and throughout eternity remaining THE IMAGE of Him "who created him." Saint Paul exhorts us, "put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire.." (Colossians 3:5).

"Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). Material wealth is not to be hoarded by us but to be shared with the poor and destitute. The Orthodox Christian belief is that wealth is a gift from God that believers are called to be good stewards of, not hoard for themselves. Wealth is not inherently evil, but those who have it are called to use it responsibly to care for their families and the less fortunate, through acts of diakonia (service or ministry). Saint John Chrysostom teaches that wealth is meant to be distributed to those in need, and hoarding it is a form of "theft" because it deprives others of the necessities of life. Alms giving and caring for the poor are not just moral obligations but are essential for one’s own salvation, as we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus says, "Sell what you have and give alms…" (Luke 12:33).

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

COMPARING LIFE’S VARIOUS STAGES WITH THAT
OF THE FOUR SEASONS OF THE YEAR.

Psalm 104:24[103]says, "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all." The great psalm of Vespers (Esperinos), is a poetic rendition of Genesis 1. Since the new day begins at sundown it is sung by the faithful to give praise and thanksgiving to our Creator. Because of verse 30, this psalm is also sung on Pentecost. The psalmist shows the Providence of God: He provides for the heavens and the earth, and does not neglect even the smallest creatures.

The phrase emphasizes that creation is not random but is the result of deliberate and wisdom. Everything in the universe was created by God with a purpose and for a reason, ultimately reflecting God’s glory and majesty. Other biblical passages, such as those in John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16, identify our Lord Jesus Christ as the "Logos/Word" or the One Whom all things were created.

There are unquestionably similarities with man’s earthly life and the four seasons of the year. The Orthodox Christian view of life is that it is a journey from birth to death, and ultimately, to resurrection and Eternal Life with God, beginning with baptism and progressing through spiritual stages. Man is created in the "image" of God to grow towards His "likeness" through a conscious choice between following the "way of life" in union with the Holy Spirit or the "way of death" which leads to separation from God. The stages of this spiritual journey are typically explained a purification, illumination, and union, which correspond to the body and soul. Saint Cyril states, "from the origins of creation, received control over his desires and would feely follow the inclinations of his choice, for the Deity, whose image he is, is free." "Human beings, because they are free, have potential to transcend the limitations of their nature and experience the fullness of their humanity in opening their existence to God and to others."

As Orthodox Christians we understand that as God’s creation we all have a purpose in life. He has bestowed certain talents to each and everyone of us for the purpose of investing them for the Glory of God. "And to one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability" (Matthew 25:15). This Parable illustrates the use of gifts given by God. A talent was a great sum of money and came to designate a special gift or endowment. We comprehend that we are stewards of every gift, using each for our own and our neighbor’s salvation. Idleness is a renunciation of God’s grace, as well as a lack of agape for God and humanity. Since people are managers, or stewards of God’s gifts, each of us will give account of how we used the "abundance" of gifts given to us.

As human beings we have common experiences in life. Just like the four seasons of the year, life is somewhat unpredictable and to some extent mysterious. There are some things which a human can control and others not. However, we, as Orthodox Christians believe that our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is the Divine Physician Who came to cure sinners of their sickness (Mark 2:17). He said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." It is our belief that our Lord Christ came to save and heal, not to judge (John 1:17; 3:17). Through sin people become "heartless" (Romans 1:31), closed in upon themselves and thus incapable of agape. Our Lord Himself declares how evil emerges from an evil heart: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts;, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come FROM WITHIN AND DEFILE A MAN" (Mark 7:21-23). "All these evil things" are not what God created. We will them; we produce them; they are our sins coming FROM WITHIN US. They are a perversion of what God has made.

Nature was created by our Creator and so were we. In Genesis 1:31 we read, "Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed, it was very good." Everything God made, including man, is "very good," because God is GOOD. Nothing He maade is therefore evil in itself. So then, human nature is good in itself. But sin is A FREE CHOICE of man’s will, and it is contrary both to God’s nature and human nature. If we witness the evil conditions and events in man’s life and world, it is a result of man’s wickedness. The pain and suffering which we experience here on earth is self-inflicted through our disobedience and lack of faith.

The Orthodox believer believes that Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that man is created for a life far superior to that of any creature, even the Angels who praise and glorify God and serve the cause of man’s salvation. The true believer is one who seeks to be united to God. The spiritual challenges although are numerous one must not be afraid to confront them and resolve them. God’s created world and nature also present similar challenges and dangers which mankind is not able to avoid. The Church Holy Fathers compare the seasons of the year with the seasons of life, using the cycles of nature as an analogy for humanity’s spiritual journey, maturation, and renewal, i.e., Just as nature moves from the deadness of winter to the new growth of spring and the harvest of autumn, a Christian’s spiritual life has seasons of barrenness, renewal, and fruitfulness.

The Holy Fathers of the Church taught that as the body declines in old age, a person is freed to develop greater spiritual maturity, wisdom, and inner peace. They saw all seasons, both in nature and in life, as designed by God for specific purposes, building character and fulfilling one’s destiny. Spring for example is a season of new beginnings, as life emerges from the cold winter. This represents a period of spiritual awakening and a fresh surge of inspiration, leading to a renewed desire to deepen one faith in God. It is a time to pursue new spiritual challenges and discover hope, etc. The Holy Fathers’ comparison of the seasons with life was founded in the hope of the Resurrection. Everything helps the faithful to find peace in every season, trusting in the mercy, compassion and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Great Litany in the Divine Liturgy expresses our continuing supplication to God:
"In peace let us pray to the Lord, For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls,
For the peace of the whole world…". We also petition Him: That we may complete the
remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, and for a Christian ending to our life:
painless, blameless, and peaceful; and a good defense before the dread judgment seat
of Christ, let us pray to the Lord…".

_________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE TRISAGION [THRICE HOLY]

HOLY GOD, HOLY MIGHTY, HOLY IMMORTAL,
HAVE MERCY ON US.

In the early Liturgy the TRISAGION served as the entrance hymn. This function of the hymn is seen today at funeral services, as we process into and out of the church chanting this hymns.

The roots of the TRISAGION reach back to the ecstasy of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8) and the vision of Saint John the Evangelist (Revelation 4:8). It is a magnificent hymn in its simplicity, because it is addressed to the Holy Trinity, the One God in THREE PERSONS. The triple repetition of the word "Holy" and the triple repetition of the hymn indicate the TRINITY of the Persons worshipped, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, the three are addressed as ONE, because the verb HAVE MERCY (in Greek eleison), is the second person singular, TO INDICATE THE UNITY OF THE THREE PERSONS INTO ONE Divine Being.

The first liturgical use of the TRISAGION hymn is attested by the Fourth Ecumenical Synod (A.D. 451), but it was widely known prior to this time. This hymn originally accompanied the entrance of the bishop into the church and his ascent to the holy AMBON or VEMA, which then stood in the middle of the nave.

At Divine Liturgies the TRISAGION hymn is chanted alternatively between chanters and clergy, who chant an elaborate version of it, known as TOU VEMATOS, "from the vema." In the days of Saint John Chrysostom, the bishop blessed the people with a simple blessing. Today the bishop solemnly blesses the people with the DIKEROTRIKERA–two sets of bundled candles, one with three, the other with two–which are said to signify respectively the THREE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY and THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST (Divine and Human).

God is CALLED HOLY. But what does "holy" mean "set apart." So a person or an object devoted, consecrated to God is deemed holy, set apart for the service of the Lord. How hoy then is He for Whom something or someone is set apart! God is the One Who is totally apart from anything else. He is unlike anything we know. What we know of Him is that He is unlike anything that we know and will ever know. He is the One Who is ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING ELSE THAT EXISTS. HE IS TRULY ONE OF A KIND. Therefore to say that God is Holy IS TO ACKNOWLEDTE HIM AS THE UNIQUE BEING. In a moral sense God is apart as TOTALLY PURE, COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM EVIL, PERFECT IN EVERY RESPECT.

Besides being HOLY, God is also ALMIGHTY, another of His attributes. Nothing lies outside His power. He is the PANTOKRATOR, the Ruler of the universe. ALMIGHTY (OMNIPOTENT). "He spake, and they came into being; He commanded, and they were created"–thus the Psalmist expressed God’s ALMIGHTINESS (Psalm 32:9). God is the Creator of the world. It is He Who cares for the world in His Providence. He is the Pantokrator. He is the One "Who alone doeth wonders" (Psalm 71:19). But if God tolerates evil and evil people in the world, this is not because He cannot annihilate evil, but because HE HAS GIVEN FREEDOM TO SPIRITUAL BEINGS AND DIRECTS THEM SO THAT THEY MIGHT FREELY, OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL, REJECT EVIL AND TURN TO GOOD. Another attribute of God is IMMORTALITY, meaning He is WITHOUT BEGINNING OR END, WITHOUT CHANGE, ALWAYS THE SAME. Everything else has a beginning. The Angels and our souls have NO ENDS, but only by God’s grace. HOLINESS, MIGHT AND IMMORTALITY are predicated upon God in an absolute sense.

"Here the congregation (the faithful) does not offer its own thoughts in poetry but is taken out of itself and given the privilege of sharing in the cosmic song of praise of the cherubim and seraphim." Let us then sing this hymn with fear of God, great piety and contrition of heart, praising and glorifying the TRIUNE GOD, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, WORSHIPPING HIM "IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH" (John 4:23) RESEMBLING THE HOLY ANGELS IN HEAVEN.

In the prayers before Holy Communion we read: "I know that I am not worthy or sufficient that Thou shouldest come under the roof of the house of my soul" (Second Prayer). And again, "I am not worthy or sufficient to behold and see the heights of heaven" (Prayer of Symeon the Translator). "Sufficient" signifies here "spiritually adequate," "spiritually wealthy." In God is the SUFFICIENCY of all good things. "O the depth of the riches of both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" exclaims the Holy Apostle Paul, "for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things" (Romans 11:33, 36). God has no need for anything, since "He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). Thus God is Himself THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE, AND OF EVERYTHING; FROM HIM ALL CREATURES DERIVE THEIR SUFFICIENCY.

ALL-BLESSED. In his epistles, the Holy Apostle Paul twice calls God "blessed"; "According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God" (1 Timothy 1:11); "which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15). The word ALL-BLESSED" must be understood not in the sense that God, having everything within Himself, would be indifferent to the sufferings of the world created by Him; but in this sense: that from Him and in Him, His creatures derive their blessedness. God DOES NOT "SUFFER," but He is "MERCIFUL." CHRIST "suffereth as mortal" (Canon of Pascha)–NOT IN HIS DIVINITY, but in His HUMANITY. GOD is the SOURCE OF BLESSEDNESS. In Him the FULLNESS OF JOY, SWEETNESS, REJOICING FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, as it says in the Psalm: "Thou wilt fill me with gladness with Ty countenance, delights are in Thy right hand forever" (Psalm 15:11).

The BLESSEDNESS OF GOD has its reflection in THE UNCEASING PRAISE, GLORIFICATION, AND THANKSGIVING WHICH FILL THE UNIVERSE, WHICH COME FROM THE HIGHER POWERS–THE CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM WHO SURROUND THE THRONE OF GOD AND ARE FLAMING WITH FRAGRANT LOVE FOR GOD. These praises are offered up from THE WHOLE ANGELICT WORLD AND FROM EVERY CREATURE IN GOD’S WORLD: "The sun sings Thy praises; the moon glorifies Thee; the stars supplicate before Thee; the light obeys Thee; the deeps are afraid at Thy presence; the fountains are Thy servants" (Prayer of the Great Blessing of Water, Menaion, January 5th; Festal Menaion, p. 356). [Resources: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and The Heavenly Banquet)

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

GOD’S DIVINE MIRACLES

"And when John heard in prison about the works of Christ,
he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the
Coming One, or do we look for another?’
Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the
things which you hear and see: ‘The blind see and the lame
walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead
are raised up and poor have the gospel preached to them"
[Matthew 11:2-5].

The Holy Prophet Isaiah predicted that a the Coming of the Messiah, the "blind" would see, the "lame walk, lepers" would sbe "cleansed," the "deaf" would "hear" (see Luke 7:22). Our Lord Jesus Christ the One and Only True Messiah fulfills the prophecies of Isaiah, bearing the fruit which the Messiah can produce.

When we speak of Divine miracles we must begin with the great miracle of God’s creation. "In the beginning God made heaven and earth. The earth was invisible and unfinished; and darkness was over the deep. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the water. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. God saw the light’; it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day; the darkness He called Night; and there was evening and morning one day…" (Genesis 1:1-5).

In the Orthodox Creed ("Symbol of Faith") we confess, "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible." These opening words of the Nicene Creed, the CENTRAL DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY, affirms that One True God is the Source of everything that exists–both physical and spiritual, both animate and inanimate. The Holy Scriptures begin with a similarly striking assertion: "In the beginning God made heaven and earth." Saint Basil the Great declares:

"In the fear that human reasonings may make you wander from the truth, Moses has anticipated inquiry by engraving in our hearts, as a seal and a safeguard, the awesome name of God: ‘In the beginning God created.’ It is He–beneficent Nature, Goodness without measure, a worthy object of love for all beings endowed with reason, the beauty the most to be desired, the origin of all that exists… —it is He who ‘in the beginning created heaven and earth.’

The ever-existent Almighty God was not forced to create the universe. Rather, in His goodness and loving kindness, He freely chose to do so. And that fact that the Lord created the universeS ‘OUT OF NOTHING’ stands in clear contrast to the creation myths of the surrounding cultures in the ancient world.

The central role of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Logos/Word of the Father, in the creation of all things is plainly started in the first chapter of the Holy Apostle’s John’s gospel, where it is written, "In the beginning was the Logos/Word, … All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." And the specific role of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Undivided Trinity, in the creation of the world is seen in Genesis 1:2 (see also Psalms 103:30; 32:6).

The repeated affirmation "and God saw that it was good" in Genesis 1 underscores the intricate, fundamental GOODNESS of matter and the whole created order, even after the Fall. This understanding is the basis for a sacramental world-view–that the created order not only is good, but also can be a means for COMMUNION WITH GOD, BY VIRTUE OF BEING CREATED BY THE ALL-GOOD GOD. Moreover, the astounding beauty, intricate odr, and sublime harmony of all aspects of Creation, as well as the tremendously vast expanse of the universe are intended to draw mankind to ans awareness for the Creator, and to the worship of Him–and Him alone (see Psalm 18:1-4; Romans 1:20).

In Orthodox Christian Theology, miracles or wonders are Divine interventions that reveal God’s power and mercy, superseding natural laws to manifest His will and lead people to faith. While miracles like healings, weeping icons, holy relics, are considered genuine signs of God’s grace and presence, the core of faith lies in trust in Christ’s teachings and the witness of the Church, not in a constant pursuit of supernatural proof. The Orthodox Church emphasizes humility, discernment, and the spiritual transformation of the soul as the true "miracle" of Chistian life, reminding that not every supernatural event is divine and that God’s action is not limited to the Church’s boundaries.

The Holy Scriptures are a true witness to the countless and never-ending miracles of God. Our All-Merciful and Loving God uses every means to reveal to us His presence and compassion. Jesus assures us, "and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). We know Him directly, here and now, in the present, as our Savior and our Divine Friend. He is with us now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. AMEN.

In the New Testament (Covenant), after the Incarnation of the Savior, there was an elevation not only of the concept of man in Christ, but also of the concept of the body as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Himself, the Logos/Word of God, was incarnate and took upon Himself a human body. Christians are called to this: that not only their souls but also their bodies, sanctified by Holy Baptism, sanctified by the reception of the Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ, might become true temples of the Holy Spirit. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you? (I Corinthians 6:19). And therefore the bodies of Christians who have lived a righteous life, or who have become holy through receiving a martyr’s death, are worthy of special veneration and honor.

Our Holy Orthodox Church in all times, following Sacred Tradition, has shown honor to holy relics. This honor has been expressed (a) in the reverent collection and preservation of the remains of the saints of God, as is known from accounts of the 2nd century, and then from the testimonies of later times; (b) in the solemn uncovering and translation of the holy relics; (c) in the building over them of churches and altars; (d) n the establishment of feasts in memory of their uncovering or translation; (e) in pilgrimages to holy tombs, and in adorning them; (f) in the constant rule of the Church to place relics of holy martyrs at teh dedication (consecration) of altars, or to place holy relics in teh holy antimension upon which is performed the Divine Liturgy.

This very natural honor given to the holy relics and other remains of the saints of God has a firm foundation in the fact that God Himself has deigned to honor and glorify them by innumerable sings and miracles–something for which there is testimony throughout the whole course of the Christian history.

Even in the Old Testament, when saints were not venerated with a special glorification after death, there were signs from the bodies of the righteous. Thus, the body of a certain dead man, after being touched to the bones of the Prophet Elisha in his tomb, immediately came to life, and the dead man arose (IV [II] Kings 13:21]. The body of the Holy Prophet Elijah was raised up alive into heaven, and the mantle of Elijah, which was left by him to Elisha, parted by its touch the waters of the Jordan, for the crossing of the river by Elisha.

Going over to eh New Testament, we read in the Book of Acts of the Apostles aht the handkerchiefs and belts ("aprons") from the body of Saint Paul were placed upon the sick, and the diseases of the sick were cured, and evil spirits departed from them (Acts 19:12). The Holy Fathers and teachers of the Church have testified before their hearers and readers of the miracles occurring from the remains of the saints, and foten they have called their contemporaries to the witnesses of the truth of their words… The miracles of antiquity have been renewed from the time when, through the Coming of the Lord Jesus, there has been poured out upon the earth a most abundant Grace! You see many who have been healed as if by the shadow of the saints. How many cloths have been handed down from hand to hand! How many garments, laid upon the sacred remains and from the mere touching become a source of healing, do believers entreat from each other! All strive at least a little to touch (them), and the one who touches becomes well. Similarly testimonies may be read in Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Ephraim the Syrian, Saint John Chrysostom, Blessed Augustine, and others.

Already from the beginning of the 2nd century there is information on the honor given by Christians to the remains of saints… The remains of the saints (in Greek, ta leipsana) are revered whether or not they are incorrupt, out of respect for the holy life or the martyric death of the saint, and all the more when there are evident and confirmed signs of healing by prayer to the saints for their intercession before God. [Resources: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and Orthodox Study Bible)

_________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

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

THE "NEW iSRAEL" AND THE "NEW PEOPLE OF GOD"

The traditional Jewish teachings held that the Messiah (Mashiarch) would be a human, political, and military leader who would restore the nation of Israel to its former glory. The primary difference between the Jewish and Christian concept of the Messiah is that Judaism expects an earthly human leader who will usher in Messianic Age of peace and justice for all humanity, while Eastern Orthodox Christianity believes the Messiah is Jesus Christ, "the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God: begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end…" (Creed).

The very name "Christ" signifies "Anointed One." (the name "Jesus" signifies "Savior.") The Lord Himself referred to Himself the words of the Prophet Isaiah when He read them in the Synagogue at Nazareth: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sighs to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).

Following the ancient custom, in order to gain a fuller illumination of the whole work of salvation accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ, view it most often from three aspects, namely as (a) the High-Priestly Ministry of the Lord, (b) His Prophetic Ministry, and (c) His Royal Ministry. These three aspects are called THE TRIPLE MINISTRY OF THE LORD.

The common feature of the three ministries, the Prophetic, the High-Priestly, and the Royal, is that in the Old Testament the calling to these three ministries was accompanied by anointing with oil, and those who worthily passed through these ministries were strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the Lamb of God Who is offered as a sacrifice for the life of the world; He is at the same time also He Who offers, the Performer of the sacrifice, the High Priest. Christ is "He Who offereth and is offered; that accepteth and is distributed" (the inaudible prayer at the Cherubic Hymn in the Divine Liturgy). He Himself is offered as a sacrifice, and He Himself also offers the sacrifice. He Himself both receives it and distributes it to those who come.

Christ the Evangelizer (The Prophetic Ministry of the Lord)
The evangelistic, or instructive, or prophetic ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was expressed in the fact that He proclaimed to men, in all the fullness and clarity to them, the will of the Heavenly Father, for the salvation of the world, and granted to them the new, more perfect law of faith and piety which serves for the purpose of the salvation of the whole human race. This ministry was performed immediately by the Lord Himself and through His disciples, who, in accordance with His commandment, proclaimed the Good News TO ALL PEOPLES and handed it down to the Chruch in all times. The Lord proclaimed the Good News of (1) the teaching of faith, and (2) the teaching of life and piety.

Christ the Head and King of the World (The Royal Ministry of Christ)
The Son of God, the Creator and Master of Heaven and earth, the Eternal King according to Divinity, is King also according to His God-Manhood, both His earthly ministry until His death on the Cross, and in His glorified condition after the Resurrection.
The Prophets prophesied of Him as a King, as we read in the Prophet Isaiah: "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Messenger of Great Counsel, Wonderful, Counselor, the Might God, Potentate, the Prince of Peace, Father of the age to come… Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon His Kingdom" (Isaiah 9:6-7, Septuagint).

The Royal Ministry of the Lord before His Resurrection was expressed (a) in His miracles, in His authority over nature; (b) in His authority over the powers of hell, concerning which there is the testimony of His numerous exorcisms of demons and of the word of the Lord: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18); and in His authority over death, manifested in the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain, the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus of the four days.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself speaks of Himself as a King before His Resurrection when He was being judged by Pilate: "My Kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36-37).

Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Savior of the whole world and those who believe in Him and follow Him are the children of God, the Ecclesia, the new people of God, the Body of Christ, those who are saved. Our Holy Orthodox Church teaches that the "chosen people of God are now ALL WHO BELIEVE IN AND FOLLOW CHRIST, a concept that fulfills and expands upon the ancient covenant with Israel to include ALL NATIONS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. This understanding is rooted in Scriptural passages like 1 Peter: "But you are a CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION. HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT; WHO ONCE WERE NOT A PEOPLE BUT ARE NOW THE PEOPLE OF GOD, WHH HAD NOT OBTAINED MERCY BUT NOW HAVE OBTAINED MERCY" (1 Peter 2: 9-10) and is based on the belief that through Christ’s Sacrifice and the New Covenant, ALL PEOPLE RECEIVE HM ARE ENGRAFTED INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST BECOMING A "ROYAL PRIESTHOOD" AND "HOLY NATION/".

The Old Testament Covenant with the Jews is seen as a foundation, but THE PURPOSE IS FULFILLED IN CHRIST, OPENING GOD’S AGAPE (LOVE) AND MERCY TO ALL PEOPLE. The Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ, is understood as the spiritual "New Israel," composed of both believing Jews and Gentiles WHO HAVE ACCEPTED THE NEW COVENANT (NEW TESTAMENT). Through faith, repentance, baptism, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, individuals are born again and become part of GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, regardless of their former ethnic or religious background. This new status brings with it responsibilities, such as declaring God’s wonderful deeds and living in His "Marvelous Light," according to Orthodox teachings.

To refer to unbelievers as the "chosen people of God" is a heresy. Unbelievers are known to be antichrists and anti christianity. Why would some so-called professed Christians would insist on calling the unbelievers as the "chosen people of God"? It indicates their ignorance and willingness to preach blasphemy and heresy which brings "defective reasoning and confusion of thought". These heretics have fallen away from the truth and the true faith. The Holy Apostle Peter writes: "But there were also false prophets among the people , even as there will be FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU, WHO WILL SECRETLY BRING IN DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, EVEN DENYING THE LORD WHO BOUGHT THEM, AND BRING ON THEMSELVES SWIFT DESTRUCTION. AND MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR DESTRUCTIVE WAYS, BECAUSE OF WHOM THE WAY OF TRUTH WILL BE BLASPHEMED. BY COVETOUSNESS THEY WILL EXPLOIT YOU WITH DECEPTIVE WORDS; FOR A LONG TIME THEIR JUDGMENT HAS NOT BEEN IDLE, AND THEIR DESTRUCTION DOES NOT SLUMBER" (2 Peter 1-3).

We see the Holy Apostle’s main concern: "False Teachers" who are unholy and communicate or teach heresy. They are arrogant, sensual, and greedy, and they deny accountability in their lives. Isolating themselvs from Apostolic Doctrine concerning Christ, they hold their own "privateor personal interpretations," misconstruing doctrines about the Second Coming and the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ over us. Being deceivers they tech as though they possess true apostolicity. Jesus Himself warns us, "Beware of FALSE PROPHETS who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). [Resources: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and New Testament]

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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