My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"… YOUR GOOD SPIRIT SHALL GUIDE ME…" (Psalm 142 [143])

ORTHODOX PRAYER TO GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,
Who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury
of good things and Giver of Life: Come and dwell
in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our
souls, O Good One.

In the book of Acts 8:27, we read "… behold a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, had charge of all her treasury and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning.
And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit
said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him, and
heard him reading the prophet Isaiah and said, ‘Do you understand what
you are reading?’ And he said, ‘HOW CAN I, UNLESS SOMEONE GUIDES
ME?’

Speaking to His disciples, our Lord Jesus Christ promised to send them the Holy Spirit, the Comforter Who would remain with them forever; the Spirit of Truth Who WOULD INSTRUCT THEM IN EVERYTHING AND WOULD INFORM THEM OF THE FUTURE. The Holy Spirit, in His Divine power, gives to us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

Just like the Ethiopean and the holy Disciples, we too need someone to guide us spiritually. The holy Apostle Philip, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, was able to instruct the eunuch so that he could understand what he was reading from Isaiah the holy Prophet.

Before reading the Gospel during the Divine Liturgy, the priest offers the following prayer asking for the blessing of God, that His word may be fruitful in the hearts of the faithful. Every Christian, however, should offer the prayer, because only the word of God can bear fruit in our hearts.

Let us pray to the Lord. Kyrie Eleison.

Shine in our hearts, O Merciful Master, the pure Light of Thy
Divine knowledge, and open the EYES OF OUR MIND THAT WE
UNDERSTAND THE TEACHINGS OF THY HOLY GOSPEL;
implant in us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments,
that we, trampling down all carnal desires, may enter in a
spiritual manner of living and thinking and doing all things
that please Thee. For Thou art the Source of Light for our
souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we
ascribe glory, together with Thy Eternal Father, and Thine
All-Holy, Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and forever,
and from all ages to all ages. Amen.

Living today in a fast-changing world, one is easily disoriented and loses his or her way. The constant change creates almost an unknown world, a kind of foreign world where we are strangers. However, what is strange is that the people who we thought we knew have changed, too. The structures remain the same, but the attitudes, morals, values, and human interaction are different. It is confusing to us and, just as if we were visiting another country, one feels the need for a guide to show the way.

What is even more intense and challenging is the spiritual warfare taking place throughout the world. Christians remaining steadfast in their faith are on the alert. Many Christians who had enjoyed a peaceful co-existence with unbelievers and people of other religions for most of their lives, now are being attacked for their beliefs and Christian values. Young Christians, men and women alike, are ostracized and belittled by those who object to their faith and way of life.

Christians have been persecuted for centuries throughout the world. The early settlers from Europe traveled to this new land to escape religious persecution. Amerca was created with the intent that people would not be persecuted, no matter what faith they espoused and practiced. As everyone knows, persecution takes different forms and sanctions. Those who know world history know that persecution of Christians for the first 300 years of Christianity under the pagan Roman Empire was not the same as those suffered under Islam. Persecution of Christians for 74 years in the Communist Soviet Union took a different form, as well. During these major persecutions of Christianity, millions upon millions of Christians were martyred for Christ. Where will present and future Christians be persecuted next, how severe will the persecution be, and what kind? Only God knows.

What is important, though, is to remain steadfast in our Christian faith and NOT to waver from it or to betray Christ. Jesus says, "I AM THE WAY," and that never changes under any circumstances. Our Savior also reminds all Christians, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HE WHO FOLLOWS ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE" (John 8:12). Since we believe that He indeed is the Light of the World, how can we ever lose our way? That is impossible!

The True Guide for all Christians is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. Persecutions did not only take place from outside the Christian Church, but also from within by heretics. Heretics, who were determined to destroy the Christian Faith from within. Because of this violent and evil persecution, Christian blood was shed as in the case of iconoclasm (war declared against holy icons) which lasted for approximately 100 years. Even today Orthodox Christians are told NOT to venerate them out of fear of the virus.

If there is a time where you are confused or, for whatever other reason, you have lost your way, pray to the Holy Spirit to guide you and show you the way back home. It is never too late. A good example of genuine faith was announced in the current Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, when a South African Christian athlete, who won a gold medal in swimming, attributed her win to God and wore a cap that said, "Glory to God alone." Thanks be to God! If we are looking for inspiration, we need to just look around us…and especially at our fellow Christians.

In Psalm 142 [143]:8-19 we read: "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness
in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in
which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my
enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is Good.
Lead me in the land of
uprightness…".

_____________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"GO FORTH AND NEVER FEAR"

My siblings and I were taught by our father to ‘go forth and never fear’. A motto which we all followed closely throughout our lives. It reflected the strong faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of our pious Christian parents. When my father uttered those words of conviction, we knew that they were real and that the message came out of a life of struggle, poverty, war, death, and sacrifice. But along with all that, there was a triumph, joy, success, courage, daring, confidence in the future, and determination. My parent’s life depicted the resilience of the human spirit and the unwillingness to surrender to misfortune, pain, and even sorrow. I don’t ever remember, after both of my parents went through so many trials and faced the numerous challenges in life, that they would think of giving up. Instead, their faith in God, the love for each other, and that of their children grew and became ever greater.

I am the youngest of five children who was born in 1943. The world was at war. World War II was taking place and the European Continent was on fire. No one knew what the outcome of this war would be. Both of my parents were handicap and yet they did not allow their physical problems to prevent them from going forth without fear. I can only say that their example inspired all of us and their fearlessness inspired us to emulate their good and positive example.

Why am I opening my heart to you at this time? It is because I see that there are many who need to have the same inspiration and good example as we did a long time ago. There is no need to ever lose one’s faith in God, to ever think of giving up on life and the world, or to fear the struggles in life. My parents were simple people, poor, with very little education, but they were people that even during adversity did not think only of themselves, but thought of others who were going through the same battles. They knew no stranger, but welcomed anyone who needed help and a place to stay. Our home was always open to strangers. Although there wasn’t always a lot of food in the house, they were more than eager to share what they had with a stranger.

My siblings and I learned many lessons over the years from them. One important lesson, is never to feel sorry for yourself, no matter what you are going through. Another is not to waste time blaming others, the country that you were born in, the conditions, destiny, lack of opportunity, and sometimes even God Himself. Instead, to see before you the challenge and, with courage, take it on with the intent of overcoming it and moving on. It is not any different than participating as an athlete in various Olympic events. Many of the Olympians must overcome fears, obstacles, physical and psychological concerns. Especially the Special Olympics or Para Olympics of young men and women with serious handicaps competing with each other! They will never allow their handicap to define them nor to prevent them from reaching their dreams.

Be courageous and determined not to allow life to crush your spirit. Our All-Loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has given each of us the necessary means, gifts, talents, wisdom, intelligence, and strength to work out our problems and to one day attain what today may seem to us as unattainable.

An example of this is how my family and I came to America. In order to emigrate to the U.S. at that time, one needed to have a person, usually, a relative, who was an American citizen and willing to take the responsibility of taking care of you when you came into the country by becoming your sponsor. Our most Merciful God found a sponsor for my oldest sister and brother. The sponsor was not our relative, but a friend of the family and a fellow from our town. He was not obligated in any way to help us, but he did. My sister and brother came to Chicago in 1950 and the rest of us arrived in 1955. Why am I saying all this to you? To prove to you that what seems impossible to you is possible with God.

My father and mother were people of prayer. Their prayer was founded on genuine faith in God and they trusted Him to guide them on what to do. They were humble and obedient to His will. We must not only trust in God, but also be patient no matter how long it takes. Before we make any decision, we need to always turn to prayer and supplicate our Lord truthfully and meekly. "I desire, therefore, that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Timothy 3:8). Sincere prayer must be united with quiet and godly behavior. Prayer should not be reduced to empty words and demands. The genuine prayer must be founded on A LIVING FAITH, obedience, abiding in God’s commandments, virtuous life, and humility. God is not the owner of a grocery store where we, as shoppers, walk-in and selectively buy what we want and then leave the store without any regard for the proprietor. The only time we step into the store IS ONLY when we need something. It is wrong for us to pray ONLY AT TIMES OF NEED, DISTRESS, HUNGER, THIRST, etc. Therefore, don’t be surprised when your supplication is not answered. We offend the Lord when we turn to Him with this disrespectful attitude. It reveals how spiritually immature we are and how we have missed the mark when it comes to Him.

Any real relationship must be based on mutual respect, commitment, and unconditional love. Our relationship with our Creator should be a relationship that should lest not only for this transient life, but for all eternity. Relationships that are shallow and selfish never last for very long, whether they are that of friendship or marriage. Relationships must be built upon strong and solid foundations. It is different with the Almighty God Who knows us inside out. We cannot fool or deceive Him of who we are, of how we truly feel, how truthful we are, and what our long term plans are. He absolutely knows if we believe in Him and if we truly love Him. People don’t have this capability to know in a relationship if the other person in their lives is sincere or not. This is why in any relationship with another person, we feel betrayed when the one whom we trusted proves to be untrustworthy. We see this kind of betrayal in the life of our Savior when Judas Iscariot betrayed Him with a kiss. There is no doubt that it is a very painful experience for the one betrayed. However, a good Christian must forgive him or her and pray for his/her salvation.

Therefore, my beloved friends, "GO FORTH AND NEVER FEAR!"

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"Grant me tears, O God, tears of repentance"

The holy desert Fathers, during the most solemn moment of prayer, did not ask the Almighty and Merciful God for greater strength, clairvoyance, wonders, nor piety. With profound humility and a sense of unworthiness, they would plead with Him and say, "GRANT ME TEARS, O GOD, TEARS OF REPENTANCE."

How often do we actually stop to think about the importance of tears? Practically all of us take tears for granted and give them not even a second thought. We simply explain them as a natural reaction to pain, to fear, to sorrow, to joy, of love, or even to guilt of a wrong that we have done. From a spiritual perspective, we shed tears of contrition, repentance, reconciliation, fear, shame, or indignation.

Our Divine Creator created everything with wisdom and a specific purpose. Nothing about His creation happened without a good reason and benefit, including tears. There is hardly any person, unless there is a health or medical problem, that has not shed tears. However, the ascetics are not asking for natural tears, but a special kind of tears. "Grant me tears, O God, tears of repentance." This is called the "gift of tears."

God’s love for us is boundless and infinite. The gift of tears is one of His great gifts to mankind. True or genuine tears flowing from love for Him, possess such power, according to Saint John of the Ladder, that "greater than Baptism itself is THE FOUNTAIN OF TEARS after Baptism." Another great holy Father of the Church, Saint Gregory Nazianzus, states, "I know a fifth baptism, which is born of tears, from tearful repentance, and such strength this baptism has, that it is greater than the first Baptism, because the first Baptism washes our sins, but it does not impart to us THE STRENGTH TO SIN NO MORE." Tears after Baptism ERASE THE SINS WE HAVE COMMITTED AFTER BAPTISM AND MAKE US CLEAN.

"Good tears flow from love for God. They nourish man, bringing great joy to his soul. Whether a man eats or does not eat, if he weeps, he is satisfied. These tears curb hunger and thirst, and man does not become angry at anyone. His soul ever rejoices, because he has a love for God." There are, of course, different kinds of tears, i.e., tears from the fear of God, tears of the fear of death and of Judgment, tears of sorrow of committing grave sins, tears of losing a loved one, tears caused by a painful divorce, tears of great anger and of hatred, tears of losing one’s wealth or job, tears od a mother crying for her child, tears of a child crying for his/her mother, tears of vainglory, hypocritical tears, etc. Even the Evil One takes advantage of tears by convincing a person to cry when others will see him and seek sympathy.

As you can see that there is a great variety of tears, not all are good. Good tears come from the love of God, tears that bring the believer closer to His Savior God. Good tears are the tears that express love for one another, love between friends, love between husband and wife, between two enemies that reconciled after many years of separation, between brothers and sisters, etc. Good tears bring healing to an injury whether spiritual or physical. Good and genuine tears bring us inner peace and relief from anxiety, stress, disappointments in life, and give us a time to regroup.

Undoubtedly tears, my good people, are an important part of our lives which we do not ever think about. We read in the psalms how God sees and collects each of the tears that come from our eyes. Each tear shed has a story. There is a personal story behind it. Each tear is an individual and personal statement, a revelation about what is in the heart of the human being. Each tear is unique and there is beauty in every good tear.

Thanks be to God the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the Gift of Tears. Where would we be without the gift of tears? Next time you shed tears, thank God for the privilege and blessing. I know that through tears my life is richer and happier. I can never forget the time that I broke down in tears when I had to conduct a funeral for a little child, my first son’s age, in my first parish of Assumption in Chicago. Even now after four decades later, just thinking about it fills my eyes with tears.

There are many wonderful stories of how tears have made a difference in someone’s life. How incredible this gift of tears is? They are truly a sign of love that flows from the heart. We should truly appreciate and acknowledge the importance of tears in our lives. One of the most inspiring and moving examples, is when our Lord Jesus Christ stood before the tomb of his good friend Lazarus, who had died four days before He arrived, "Jesus wept." That historic event of tears reveals clearly how great His love is for each and every one of us.

Glory Be To GOD!

_________________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

_ Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ON JULY 27th
OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES
THE FEAST OF SAINT PANTELEIMON, THE GREAT MARTYR

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Great Martyr. Third Tone

O HOLY prizewinner and healer Panteleimon, intercede with the
Merciful God that He grant unto our soul’s forgiveness of
offenses.

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of First Tone

SINCE thou an imitator of the Merciful One, and hast received from Him
the grace of healing. O prizewinner and Martyr of Christ our God,
by thy prayers heal the diseases of our souls, and ever dispel the
stumbling blocks of the enemy from them that cry unceasingly: SAVE
US O LORD.

During the end of the 3rd century AD, Saint Panteleimon, the Great Doctor and Martyr was born. His father, Efstrogios, was not only very rich, but was well known for his zeal in idol worship; whereas his mother Saint Evouli was a faithful Orthodox Christian full of the Holy Spirit, love, and kindness. Her only interest was to guide her only begotten son in the True faith and virtuous life.

Saint Panteleimon’s first name was Pantoleon. When he was very young, his mother, Saint Evouli, passed away and his father taught him to worship the false gods of their ancestors. He studied under the guidance of the wise doctor Efphrosynos, and shortly differentiated from all his other classmates in wisdom and all virtues. Even the Roman pagan Emperor Maximianos admired his kind character so much, that he ordered Efphrosynos to teach him all the secrets of medicine and made him his own personal imperial doctor.

At that period of time, in the Greek city of Nicomedia, there was an old man named Ermolaos who was the Orthodox Priest of the city. He foresaw, that the young Pantoleon would become a vessel of Christ’s Grace and would glorify Him through his life. One day, as Pantoleon was passing by, he called the young doctor to his house and asked him about his family and religious beliefs. Pantoleon, as noble as he was, answered with politeness to all his questions. Saint Ermolaos said to him that the medicine which Asclepius, Hippocrates, and Galenus taught is of no value, nor the gods of the Empire are true gods, but false and the work of man. He taught Pantoleon about the Orthodox Christian Faith and that Christ is the only true God, Who created heaven and earth, and reminded him that his mother believed in Jesus Christ. He also emphasized that Christ is the True Physician of both SOUL and BODY and assured him, that if he believed in Christ, he shall cure all illnesses through God’s Healing Grace.

Pantoleon heard all the wise words of Saint Ermolaos. One day, as he was returning to his home after school, he found on the side of the road a small boy who died after being bitten by a viper snake. Pantoleon prayed to Jesus Christ saying: ‘If You are the True God, as Ermolaos says, let this boy rise from the dead and let the viper die.’ Immediately the boy came back to life and the snake blasted into pieces.

This was the proof which he needed. He returned to Ermolaos and demanded to be baptized. From that day onwards, the young doctor performed so many miracles in the name of Jesus Christ that his fame travelled throughout the Roman Empire. From all places, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome, ill people came to see the imperial doctor and to be cured of their illnesses. He never demanded payment for his services, but rather asked that they believe in the True God and become Orthodox Christians.

Unfortunately, the other doctors, seeing that they were losing out, reported to Maximianos the Emperor that his personal doctor, Pantoleon, was a Christian. The pagan Emperor, at first, did not want to believe this rumour. He sent soldiers to bring Pantoleon and asked him personally. When the young man stood before the Emperor, he confessed his faith in the One and Only True God. In order to prove the falsehood of the gods, Pantoleon cured a blind man, but the Emperor did not believe.

Pantoleon was brought forth in the imperial court. He was asked to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods of the Empire. On his refusal, Maximianus put Christ’s Martyr under different martyrdom. He was hanged, and with iron clutches, the soldiers tore his body to pieces. At the same time, they burned his wounds with torches. They threw him into a boiler with lead, but God’s Grace protected His servant. They then plunged him into the sea with a heavy rock tied to his neck to drown him, but he walked on the sea as on dry land. They tied him on a large wheel of knives to be cut in pieces, but was not harmed. They threw him to the lions, but the wild beasts respected the Martyr of Christ and were playing around him as if kittens. On that day, all the inhabitants of Nicomedia, seeing that the Martyr through his God overcame all sufferings, believed in Christ and cried out with one voice:

"GREAT IS THE GOD OF THE CHRISTIANS, HE IS THE ONE AND TRUE GOD, LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE SET FREE."

Maxemeanus, seeing that he could not achieve anything, ordered that Pantoleon be beheaded on the 27th of July, in the year of the Lord 304 A.D. When the soldiers brought Pantoleon outside the city of Nicomedia, they tied him on a dry olive tree. The Martyr of Christ asked for few moments to pray. Christ appeared to him and said:

‘From now on your name shall be PANTELEIMON, for in your name I shall work signs (miracles or wonders) and if anyone calls WITH FAITH UPON YOUR NAME, HE SHALL BE CURED OF ANY ILLNESS HE HAS.’

At the stroke of the sword on Saint Panteleimon’s neck, the sword bent as though it was made out of wax. Everyone was filled with fear, but Saint Panteleimon demanded that they should carry out the Emperor’s order, and thus he was beheaded. When his blood fell on the roots of the dry (dead) olive tree, immediately it gave new branches, leaves and olives.

This is the life and the Martyrdom of the Great Martyr of Christ Panteleimon, whom our Orthodox Church celebrates on July 27th. Everything he did and lived for was for Christ’s Glory. He never gave in to worship false gods or teachings. He never placed worldly riches or pleasures over his love for Christ.

We, as Orthodox Christians, must recall the lives of these heroes of our Orthodox Christian Faith, because they ARE THE LIVING PROOF THAT MAN CAN BE SAVED IN CHRIST. We must imitate their faithfulness TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. We must take their example of virtuous life and become LIVING TEMPLES OF OUR True God. We must GIVE TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD WHICH LIVES IN THE DARKNESS OF FAITHLESSNESS AND IGNORANCE OF TRUE Faith in Christ. WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT OUR ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THE TRUE AND ORIGINAL (AUTHENTIC) WHICH LEADS MAN TO SALVATION. In this Faith, MILLIONS OF MARTYRS FOUND THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME TRIALS, PERSECUTIONS, MARTYRDOM, AND FINALLY DEATH ITSELF.

WITHIN OUR ORTHODOX CHURCH we have the living proof, the existence of the Saints, Holy Martyrs, and Ascetics, who gave their lives for Christ’s sake and were brought forth to kings and rulers of the world. They, testify, that Orthodoxy leads TO SANCTIFICATION AND SALVATION. The Saints of our Church ARE THE TRUE FRIENDS OF CHRIST WHO PROVED THEIR LOVE TO HIM AND, BECAUSE OF THIS LOVE, SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR His glory. LET US IMITATE THEM. (Source: His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Antinoes (South Africa).

__________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

28th PAN-ORTHODOX CONFERENCE OF THE DELEGATES OF ORTHODOX
CHURCHES AND SACRED METROPOLISES ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO
HERESIES AND PARA-RELIGION

CONCLUSION

The 28th Pan-Orthodox Conference of the Delegates of Orthodox Churches and Sacred Metropolises on matters pertaining to heresies and para-religion, which took place under the auspices of His Beatitude Hieronymos, Archbishop, and All Greece, in the Papastrateion Conference Centre at Agrinion, from the 31st of October to the 2nd of November 2016, graciously hosted by His Eminence Kosmas, Metropolitan of Aetolia and Akarnania… presided by His Eminence Ignatios, Metropolitan of Larisa and Tyrnavos, Chairman of the Synodical Committee for Heresies, on the subject: "Heretical and occultist views regarding man and human rights", has, pursuant to an extensive discussion on the presentation, unanimously approved the following Conclusions:

During the lasts decades, it has been supported by increasingly many that we have already entered the century of anthropology – theology’s preoccupation once again and its special concern for mankind. This means it is necessary that the contemporary theological challenge not only sets out the content of faith, but that it also responds to the opportune question OF WHAT MAN IS TODAY, AND HOW HIS CIVILIZATION WILL BE PRESERVED.

The Creator brought man INTO EXISTENCE OUT OF NONEXISTENCE, AS A CREATION "ACCORDING TO HIS IMAGE AND TO HIS LIKENESS". The gift of "according to His Image" constitutes the common characteristic of all human beings, while the "according to His Likeness" is offered TO MANKIND AS THE POTENTIAL FOR FREE CHOICE. BODY and SOUL together COMPRISE THE WHOLE MAN, who is perceived as a PSYCHO-SOMATIC UNITY, AS A UNIFORM ENTITY, MAN IS A PERFECT MICROCOSM, INASMUCH AS FROM HIS VERY BEGINNING, HE FECAPITULATES, UNIFIES AND INCLUDES THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE, GIVEN THAT HE HAS WITHIN HIM ALL THE COMPONENTS OF THE WHOLE, AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS CREATED FOR HIM. Man was created for the purpose OF PERFECTING HIMSELF AND FROM "THE IMAGE" be let to "THE LIKENESS". He is a "god-like" creation, as well as a "called-upon god": that is, HE HAS THE CALLING, THE MOVE, AND THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME DEIFIED IN CHRIST.

To the opportune question of our time, as to what a man is, and how his civilization can be preserved, the reply by Orthodox Theology is NOT found somewhere else, NOR afar or OUTSIDE THE LEGACY EMBODIED IN THE Trust of "THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD", which is none other THAT THE AUTHENTIC MAN – the Godman, JESUS CHRIST.

Contrary to the Orthodox ecclesiastic teaching regarding man, are ALL ANTHROPOLOGICAL DELUSIONS, both of the occultist sphere, as well as fo the various heretical and PARA-CHRISTIAN MOVEMENTS.

The contemporary occultist approach regarding man is a repetition of the DEMONIC EXHORTATION OF "ye shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5) and a motivation for contemporary Christians to pursue the things THAT THEY HAD RENOUNCED WITH THEIR REJECTION DURING THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM. It is a prompting by the "ancient serpent", that entices man into yet another EXISTENTIAL AUTONOMY, A DISREGARD FOR THE Triune God and A PROMISE FOR NEW PATHS TO "SELF-REDEMPTION" and "GOD-LINENESS", which have the appropriate guise per case, in a maze of positions, and beliefs…

"…In the occultist belief regarding MAN’S SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON HIS OWN POWERS. He is saved BY HIS OWN ACTIONS. God – as perceived in the occultist sphere – remains a non-participating, neutral observer. Everything illegitimate and dark that the morbid, post-Fall and corroded religiosity is able to present is projected by occultism with an excess OF ARROGANCE, AS ITS OWN, ENDO-COSMIC REASSURANCE OF THE ANCIENT, DEMONIC EXHORTATION OF "ye shall be as dods". At teh same time, with the insufferable conceit of an egotistical conscience, it also implements magic ritualistic practices…

"…Contemporary HERETICS’ and PARA-CHRISTIAN MOVEMENTS’ beliefs regarding man ARE FOUNDED AT TIMES IN CACODOX AND DEFICIENT INTERPRETATIONS OF SCRIPTURAL VERSES, and at times in more recent, supposedly exo-biblical "revelations" by God [for example, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or "Mormons", Christian Science et. al.] THEIR BELIEFS ARE IN ABSOLUTE ANTITHESIS TO THE BEARERS OF IN-CHRIST DIVINE REVELATIONS, TO THE HOLY BIBLE AND TO SACRED TRADITION.

In the HERETICAL and para-Christian movements in the field of anthropology, fundamental Christian terminology such as the FALL, SALVATION, ETC. have been given A RADICALLY DIFFERENT AND UNACCEPTABLE MEANING – NOT ONLY DIFFERENT TO THE Orthodox teaching. but also to the remaining Christian world…

The anthropological deviations from the Orthodox teaching, as projected by the variously named occultist and HERETICAL MOVEMENTS, WREAK NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, WREAK NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES ON BOTH THE INDIVIDUALS AND ON THE GROUP THAT ADOPT THEM.

The Conference UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES the Conclusions stated above…

_______________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE STRENGTH OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY

"THERE IS ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT, EVEN AS YOU ARE
CALLED IN ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING; ONE LORD,
ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL,
WHO IS ABOVE ALL, AND THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU
ALL" (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Depicting the Church in Parables, our Savior Jesus Christ speaks of ONE FLOCK, OF ONE SHEEPFOLD, OF ONE GRAPEVINE, OF ONE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE Church. Our Lord gave A SINGLE TEACHING, A SINGLE BAPTISM, AND A SINGLE COMMUNION. The UNITY OF THE FAITHFUL IN CHRIST COMPRISED THE SUBJECT OF His High-Priestly Prayer before His sufferings on the Cross; the Lord prayed: "THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE" (John 17:21).

In his book The Eastern Orthodox Church, Ernst Benz writes: Within contemporary Christendom, Orthodoxy shines with a light all its own. Especially impressive is the fact THAT IT HAS PRESERVED FAITHFULLY THE CATHOLICITY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL ITS VITAL FUNCTIONS.

Its liturgy is a wonderful repository of all the early Church’s interpretations and practices of worship. Whatever the early Church and the Byzantine Church created in the way of liturgical drama, meditation and contemplation, in beauty of prayers and hymns, has been integrated and retained in the Orthodox liturgy. Similarly, the content of Scripture has been kept ever-present in the form of generous readings from both the Old and New Testaments at various prescribed times through the liturgical year. The entire historical tradition of the Church IS CONSTANTLY COMMUNICATED TO THE MEMBERS IN READINGS FROM THE LIVES OF THE GREAT SAINTS AND MYSTICS. The sermon has ITS FIXED PLACE IN THE SACRAMENTAL SERVICE; ORIGINALLY IT CAME IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE READING OF THE GOSPEL TEXT IN THE SERVICE FOR CATECHUMENS…".

"… This Church has clung TO THE ORIGINAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF UNIVERSALITY AND CATHOLICITY. Its sense of itself AS THE ONE HOLY, ECUMENICAL AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH IS BASED NOT UPON A JURIDICAL IDEA, BUT UPON THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF REPRESENTING THE Mystical Body of Christ. According to the Orthodox Church outlook, the CELESTIAL and the EARTHLY Church, and THE CHURCH OF THE DEAD, BELONG INDISSOLUBLY TOGETHER. In taking part in the Liturgy the earthly Church is reminded that IT BELONGS TO THE HIGHER CHURCH. In the Liturgy THE EARTHLY CONGREGATION EXPERIENCES THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS, PATRIARCHS, PROPHETS, APOSTLES,, MARTYRS, SAINTS, AND ALL THE REDEEMED (SAVED); IN ALL IN THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST IT EXPERIENCES THE Presence of the Lord. Within the Mystical Body there takes place a unique communication and correlation: WITHIN THAT COMMUNION THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT–THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS, TO TRANSMIT SALVATION, TO SUFFER BY PROXY FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND THE POWER OF INTERCESSION–BECOME EFFECTIVE, And these powers extend dow to the domain of the dead, for God is "A LORD OF THE LIVING, NOT THE DEAD."

"… This heritage IS NOT AT ALL A MUSEUM PIECE AS HAS OFTEN BEEN ASSERTED. ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS A LIVING FORCE CAPABLE OF DEVELOPMENT. In a certain sense, the greatness of Orthodoxy rests on the very fact that the doctrine is not so carefully defined down to the details, is not so strictly regulated by canons. Orthodoxy’s system is by no means closed; it is still full of potential. The charismatic life of Orthodoxy has not been confined within sets of legal and institutional forms…".

The Sanctity of the Church

Our Lord Jesus Christ performed the work of His earthly ministry and death on the Cross; Christ "LOVED THE CHURCH…THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OF ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH" (Ephesians 5:25-27). The Church is Holy through its Head, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT IS HOLY, FURTHER, THROUGH THE PRESENCE IN IT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GRACE-GIVING GIFTS, COMMUNICATED IN THE MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS) AND OTHER SACRED RITES OF THE CHURCH. IT IS ALSO HOLY THROUGH ITS TIE WITH THE HEAVENLY CHURCH.

The very "body of the Church" is holy: "If the firstfruit- be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy; so are the branches" (Romans 11:16). Those WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST are "TEMPLES OF GOD," "TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). In the True Church there have always been and there are always people of the highest spiritual purity and with special gifts of grace–MARTYRS, VIRGINS, ASCETICS, HOLY MONKS AND NUNS, HIERARCHS, RIGHTEOUS ONES, BLESSED ONES. The Church has an uncounted choir of departed ones of all times and people. It has manifestations of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, both visible and hidden from the eyes of the world. (Souce: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

_______________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ON JULY 20th
OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES THE FEAST
OF THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS PROPHET ELIAS THE THESBITE (ELIJAH
THE TISHBITE)

A man who saw God, a wonderworker and a zealot for faith in God, Elias was of the Tribe of Aaron, from the city of Tishba, whence he was known as ‘the Tishbite’ . When Elias was born, his father Sabah saw Angels of God around the child, swaddling it with fire and feeding it with flames. This was a foreshadowing of Elias’s fiery character and his God-given fiery powers. He spent his whole youth in prayer and meditation, withdrawing often to the desert to ponder and pray in tranquility. At that time, the Jewish Kingdom was divided into two unequal parts: the Kingdom of Judah consisted only of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with its capital at Jerusalem, while the Kingdom of Israel consisted of the other Ten Tribes, with its capital at Samaria. The former Kingdom was ruled by the descendants of Solomon, and the latter by the descendants of Jeroboam, a servant of Solomon’s. The Prophet Elias came into the greatest conflict with the Israelite king. Ahab, and his evil wife Jezebel, for they worshipped pagan idols and turned the people from the service of the One, Living God. On top of this, Jezebel, being a Syrian, persuaded her husband to build a temple to the Syrian god, Baal and appointed many priests to the service of this false god. Elias performed many miracles by the power of God: he closed the heavens, that no rain should fall for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God’s command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrah. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Zarephath of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mt. Horeb, as far this is humanly possible. He prophesied to King Ahab that the dogs would lick up his blood, and to Jezebel that the dogs would devour her — which came to pass, and performed many other miracles and foretold many events. He talked with God Himself on Horeb and heard His voice in the calm after the great wind. At the time of his death, he took Elisha and appointed him heir as a Prophet; he parted the Jordan with his mantle and was finally born to heaven in a fiery chariot drawn by fiery horses. He appeared, together with Moses, to our Lord Jesus Christ on Mt. Tabor. At the END OF THE WORLD, ELIAS WILL APPEAR AGAIN, TO BREAK THE POWER OF ANTICHRIST (Revelation 11).

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Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

THE incarnate Angel, and the Prophets’ summit and boast,
the second forerunner of the coming of Christ our God, Elias,
the glorious, from above sent down his grace upon Elisseus;
he doth cast out sickness and doth also cleanse lepers; and
unto all that honor him, he poureth forth streams of cures.

Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone

O RENOWNED Elias, Prophet and seer of the mighty works of God,
who by thy word didst check the rain clouds: Intercede in our
behalf with the only Friend of man.

________________

“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

GOD’S DIVINE WONDERS (Gk.THAVMATA) OR MIRACLES

"…behold, I and the children God gave me. This will be for SIGNS and WONDERS in the house of Israel
from the Lord of Hosts…" (Isaiah 8:18). [The "children" are interpreted as Christ's Apostles and Disciples,

Every aspect of Antichrist’s life will serve to copy, yet mock, God. For example, the lineage of Christ is preserved in the Holy Scripture as am exam[e of HOLINESS nurtured, preserved, and passed along in order to produce the Virgin Mary, who in turn gave birth to God the Logos/Word.