My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE CATACOMB CHURCH

"For the True Christian Church there as left no
alternative but to go into the catacombs…
–I.M. Andreyev

The Epistles and Acts of the Apostles are eloquent witnesses that being a Christian in the first days of the Church was no picnic. "I die daily," declared Saint Paul (1 Corinthians 15:31), and he went on to enumerate beatings, flailings, stonings, imprisonments, and other assaults on his life.

Pagan Rome was a type of premonition of the future godless kingdom which the Antichrist shall establish. The last Roman Empire, like the first, is destined to be overwhelmingly hostile to the few Christians in its midst. "Christianity began as the religion of a small minority existing in a predominantly non-Christian society, and such it is becoming once more," warns Metropolitan Kallistos Ware of England.

Christians OF THE END TIMES must learn what their brethren of the Church’s earliest years knew well HOW TO SUFFER. As Saint Paul reminded your Timothy, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION" (2 Timothy 3:12). God’s GIFT OF SALVATION in heaven does not necessarily improve one’s earthly situation; it merely renders it irrelevant. "It is of no consequence where you are in the world, YOU WHO ARE NOT OF IT." (Tertullian pointed out)

A Heritage of Martyrdom

For the first centuries of the Church’s life, Rome was the source of the most intense persecutions. Saints Peter and Paul were both martyred in the imperial capital on June 29, A.D. 67 or 68. Peter was crucified upside down, and Paul was beheaded.

As the decades and centuries passed, countless believers also gave their lives for their convictions, while a succession of emperors vainly struggled on eradicating the Church. Nero illuminated his gardens at night with living Christian torches. In about A.D. 200 Septimius Severus, who had already made the conversion to Judaism an offense in Palestine, prohibited propagation of, and conversion to, Christianity.

In A.D. 250, Decius ordered all Roman subjects to RENOUNCE CHRIST and to participate in pagan religious ceremonies. Diocletian, who considered himself a god, initiated the most savage persecution in A.D. 303. IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE, AND EXECUTION BECAME ROUTINE. While the stone walls of the Coliseum resounded with inhuman, demonic cheers, Christian blood flowed.

But none of this succeeded, SINCE THEY HAD SOMETHING REAL TO DIE FOR. Christians were emboldened rather than intimidated by torture. "Christ’s opponents always achieve results opposite to those that their actions against Christ would [lead one to] expect, "more recently canonized Saint Nicholas Velimirovic. "Instead of blocking the river of Christianity, they widen it and deepen it, and make the roar of its flow heard the more clearly. Instead of drying it up, they produce a veritable flood of Christianity across the whole world."

Frightening though those TIMES OF TERROR WERE, they could NOT destroy the Church. On the contrary, they actually STRENGTHENED IT BY PROVIDING CHRISTIANS WITH DRAMATIC AND CONCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE THEIR ALL FOR GOD. "The oftener we are mown down by you, THE MORE IN NUMBER WE GROW," Tertullian cried to the pagans. "The blood of Christians IS SEED!" Sprang up, it raised additional heroes in order to gain the greater, TO SACRIFICE THE TEMPORAL FOR THE ETERNAL.

"… To pagans the catacombs were nothing more than underground graveyards, which they regarded with superstitious horror. To Christians, however, the catacombs WERE PLACES WHERE THE COMMUNAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH COULD BE PRACTICED INHINDERED BY THE AUTHORITIES. While the mazes and tombs cut into the soft rock at the city’s outskirts afforded believers some concealment, more importantly, THEY ENABLED CHRISTIANS TO STAND TOGETHER WITH DEPARTED SAINTS ON HOLY GROUND.

The Allure of the Catacombs

The catacombs cannot be explained away as simply being discreet places to meet. They suggest A MYSTERY: Why did the children of Light commune in earthly darkness? Why did those newly born into Christ’s Life mingle among the tombs of unhallowed dead? Again, Christianity’s enigma perplexes the worldly mind, and ONLY THE HEART OF FAITH MAY FULLY UNDERSTAND.

As Martyrs fell, thee public cemeteries became THE REPOSITORY OF HOLY RELICS. The bodies of Saints Peter and Paul, along with many others, were interred in such subterranean labyrinths along Rome’s Appian Way. The Liturgy was celebrated DIRECTLY OVER THEIR GRAVES, AND THE COMMUNION OF CHRIST’S BODY AND BLOOD BECAME A DAILY ACT OF PREPARATION BY BELIEVERS FOR THE LORD’S RETURN. Saint Paul had reminded them that by doing this, "YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH TILL HE COMES" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

LITURGY IS THE COMMUNAL LABOR OF DEVOTION AND PRAYER TO GOD. LEITOURGIA, which literally means, "THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE," IS, IN THE WORDS OF CONTEMPORARY writer Benjamin Williams, "THAT CELEBRATION OF THE CHURCH, WHICH HAS ITS ORIGINS IN GOD’S REVELATION, BY WHICH BELIEVERS WORSHIP GOD AND IN THE PROCESS ARE FORMED INTO THE CHURCH. That is why the Eucharist IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE LITURGY: IT IS IN THE EUCHARIST THAT WE RECEIVE New Life by the grace of God.

During the Liturgy, invocations were commonly offered to the newly arrived citizens of heaven. Some of these prayers scratched into the stone can be seen even today. Prayer to the Saints was a natural custom of normal brotherly communication. Since it was common to ask for the prayers and blessings of living Christians, how much better to ask the same of them once they had gone to the Lord.

"… The Church which overcomes will become again what it was then, A PLACE TO LIVE AND DIE FOR CHRIST. As Archbishop Averky stated, Orthodox Christians must "PREPARE FOR CATACOMB TIMES AHEAD… Soviet Russia already gives us an example of what we may expect–ONLY WORSE, FOR THE TIMES DO NOT GET BETTER.

Finding the Catacomb Church

Satan STRIVES TO CAPTURE HUMANITY, NOT BECAUSE HE LOVES MAN, BUT BECAUSE HE HATES GOD. Many ignorantly follow THE ONE WHO WILL DESTROY THEM, AS JESUS WARNED: "For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it" (Matthew 7:13).

On the other hand, A SMALL NUMBER WILL OVERCOME AND REJECT Satan’s thrall. "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14). It is these few upon whom Antichrist WILL FOCUS HIS GREATEST RAGE, FOR THEIR VERY EXISTENCE
BEARS WITNESS TO CHRIST’S VICTORY OVER HIM.

So long AS ONE BELIEVER REMAINS, THE TRUE ORTHODOX IS NOT VANISHED FROM THE EARTH, and the Antichrist’s claim TO RULE OVER ALL IS FALSE. The evil one is willing to consume even the child issuing from his mother’s womb from worshipping the True God. The Lord promises that His Church WILL ALWAYS EXIST: "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT" (Matthew 16:18). Yet, when EVERY INSTITUTION HAS BEEN PENETRATED AND CORRUPTED BY THE EVIL ONE, WHERE WILL CHRIST’S Bride (the Church) reside? The Book of Revelation offers a clear vision of this. (see Revelation 12:1-5). (Source: Ultimate Things. An Orthodox Christian Perspective on the End Times by Dennis E. Engleman)

_________________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says: "Therefore I say to you, do NOT
WORRY about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor
about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and
the body more than clothing?

"…Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why
do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they
grow: they neither toil nor spin;

"…Therefore DO NOT WORRY, saying, ‘What shall we eat? … For your
heavenly Father KNOWS THAT YOU NEED ALL THESE THINGS. But
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU. THEREFORE
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW…" (Matthew 6:25-34)

A major mistake that we all make is to believe that we are in control of our lives and that we can determine the length of our life, our successes in our endeavors, and our long-term planning of what we are to achieve in the future. What this does is create anxiety, stress, ulcers, nervous breakdowns, and illness. Persistent anxiety over the things of this world demonstrates the lack of faith and trust in God, Who desires to come to our aid if we only ask and allow Him to take the lead. The Christian believer understands that we rely totally on the Providence of God for everything.

Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, teaches that we must first seek the Kingdom of God, and all the rest will be added onto us. Our life here on earth is transient and we are here for a very brief time. The things we consider important are not important at all. Our Lord teaches us that in order to be free from all anxiety, we need to look toward heaven, secure in the faith that God will provide needed earthly things.

Christians not having a good understanding of God and God’s ways, therefore, tend to panic if their prayer is not answered when they feel it should be answered. There is a lack of faith, trust, and most of all, patience. The Almighty God cannot be dictated to by us or by our immature human conditions and demands. Who are we to believe this nonsense? Wrongfully and most blasphemous is the way we treat our Creator as though He is our waiter at one of the restaurants that we attend. We give the order to our server who waits on us and we want it immediately. If we are not happy with the food, we become very upset with him or her. How very foolish we are! Don’t you understand that even when God does not answer us, that is actually an answer from Him to us? What we ask may seem good to us, but to God’s Divine Wisdom may actually be harmful to us. We must trust in His Wisdom and Providence.

The believer never desires or declares independence from the Lord. Spiritual maturity dictates that the closer our union is with Him, the more dependent we become on Him, and not less. We become like children who are totally dependent on their parents for everything. God is not constrained by time. Time has no effect on God, but only on us. Minutes, hours, weeks, months, years, eons have absolutely no importance to Him Who created time. So, although a day, a month, a year, or more seems too long to wait for an answer from Him, it is really not. God is timeless! Don’t worry. He will answer you at His appropriate time, and not yours.

Humans worry about everything all the time. However, those with common sense come to realize that it doesn’t produce anything good other than to raise your blood pressure. Christians do everything by prayer. No decision is made without seeking God’s guidance. Knowing our shortcomings and limitations, we turn to the One Who loves us for advice and direction. God knows our past, present, and future. We must finally admit to ourselves that we are NOT a mystery to our Lord. Speaking to Jeremiah the Prophet, the Lord said: "Before I formed you in the womb, I KNEW YOU, AND BEFORE YOU WERE BORN, I SANCTIFIED YOU" (Jeremiah 1:5). Man needs God in his life and should always seek His wisdom with patience before a decision is made by us.

Our Divine Creator has given us free will and the ability to make sound choices in life. Our problem is that we are overwhelmed by life’s many challenges and, out of fear, we are not able to make the necessary decisions and act responsibly. The tendency is to place ourselves in a box and to feel trapped. However, with prayer and patience, we will find ourselves free from any obstacle and continue with our lives. The genuine believer never gives up and is never discouraged from what life dishes out. Faith in God produces hope (optimism) and courage needed in every situation that we face. Life can be a battlefield that demands readiness, vigilance, maturity, wisdom, sacrifice, and the willingness "to fight the good fight" and win.

Good Christians see God’s hand in everything. He is an eyewitness to the many blessings God has given him or her over a lifetime. He or she is thankful and never neglects to express to Him how he or she appreciates all that God has done. The faithful who understand that fact and feel God’s presence in his/her life can never become despondent nor feel abandoned by God. God is ever-present and "fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of Life…" will never leave us. Our relationship with Him is one of unconditional love that no power on earth can ever change.

THANKS BE TO GOD!

_______________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"I REJOICE IN MY SUFFERING"

"The Saints," writes Saint John Chrysostom, "being lovers of the Lord, accepted with great willingness the tribulations for the sake of the Lord, and became more cheerful by these. One said: ‘I rejoice in my sufferings.’ Luke, on behalf of the other Apostles, said the same. He said that, after many scourgings, "THEY LEFT REJOICING THAT THEY WERE CONSIDERED WORTHY TO BE ABUSED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST."

Here, therefore, is why pain is considered blessed. Because it prepares men to become sharers of the Divine Kingdom, where only joy and delight exist. But we could say that pain works out joy in us from now. The Apostle Paul writes appropriately to the Corinthians: "I am filled with comfort, with all our afflictions, I am overjoyed" (1 Corinthians 7:4). He is further glad for his sufferings, being immersed in them because his sufferings supplement the deficiencies of the tribulations of Christ: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His Body, that is, the Church" (Col. 1:24).

He calls THE SUFFERING BELIEVER to praise God with an outstanding joy. Because when HIS FAITH IS TESTED AMID TRIBULATIONS, THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS OFFERED TO HIM, AND THIS GIVES HIM AN UNSPEAKABLE JOY, WHICH IS THE FORETASTE OF THE GLORY OF GOD: "In this, you rejoice though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may rebound in praise and glory and honor of the revelation of Jesus Christ: Without having seen Him you loved Him, though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy; As the outcome of your faith, you obtain the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:6-9).

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans that joy in midst of afflictions is caused also by UNCEASING AND CONSTANT PRAYER. This happens because prayer is animated by hope, and because the God of love and hope answers THE PRAYER OF PAIN WITH A FLOOD OF PATERNAL JOY: "REJOICE IN YOUR HOPE, BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATION, BE CONSTANT IN PRAYER" (Romans 12:12). "MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE" (Romans 15:13).

The BELIEVER SHOULD REJOICE DEEPLY IN THE MIDST OF HIS TRIBULATION, BECAUSE WITH HIS PAIN HE PARTICIPATES IN THE SUFFERINGS OF THE Teacher, the Lord Jesus. Thus, he considers EVERY TRIAL AS THE GREATEST JOY: "COUNT IT ALL JOY, MY BRETHREN, WHEN YOU MEET VARIOUS TRIALS," EXHORTS THE APOSTLE JAMES (1:2).

Joy in the midst of pain REQUIRES MATURITY. We could say that this joy is the gathering, harvest, and vintage of this esoteric maturity, that ONLY THE SCHOOL OF PAIN CAN OFFER. The joy of the suffering soul IS GOD. He is, and constitutes, the UNIQUE GOOD. ONLY GOD CHANGES SORROW INTO JOY AND GRANTS PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. HE REMAINS "OUR STRENGTH" (Nehem. 8:10). This joy is particular, irremovable, and inalienable; it is firm and has outstanding beauty and incomparable content. IT IS THE FRUIT OF THE Cross and of the pain, as one expects and yearns for the resurrection. IT IS THE JOY OF THE SON OF GOD (John 16:20). IT IS THE FRUIT OF THE STRUGGLE FOR PERFECTION. NEAR CHRIST AND UNDER HIS CROSS, PAIN WORKS OUT THE COMPLETION OF MAN: "AS THE BELIEVER WALKS FOLLOWING CHRIST, PAIN REACHES THE HEIGHT OF GLORY, BECAUSE HERE ON THIS ROAD, THE GREATER THE PAIN, THE CLOSER THE COMPLETION. THERE IS NO GREATER JOY THAN BECOMING CAPABLE OF ATTAINING THE HIGHEST.."

In Dostoevsky’s The Karamazov Brothers, Dmitri Karamazov is recorded as saying that, "IN OUR GREAT PAIN WE SHALL BE RESURRECTED TO JOY", and that, "WITHOUT IT, MAN CANNOT LIVE, NOR CAN GOD EXIST, BECAUSE GOD IS HE WHO GIVES JOY. THIS IS HIS PREROGATIVE, HIS GREAT PREROGATIVE."

This joy inundates the Martyrs in the midst of the pain of martyrdom AND GIVES THEM AN UNSHAKABLE AND UNIQUE ASSURANCE THAT THE ROAD TOWARDS HEAVEN HAS OPENED TO THEM BY THE BLOOD, PAIN, AND DEATH OF JESUS (Hebrews 10:19). This joy makes the Apostle Paul leap joyfully, even in his various trials and sorrows, because he thinks of the blessed future that awaits him (1 Corinthians 15:54).

To show that in tribulation there is joy, Christ reminds us in the instance of childbirth: "When a woman is in travail, she has sorrow, because her hour has come, but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for the joy that a child is born into the world" (John 16:21).

In this world WE WILL HAVE SORROW (John 16:33). IT IS GIVEN TO ALL OF US, AND NOBODY IS EXEMPT, BUT IT WILL FINALLY TURN INTO JOY. As far as a faithful Christian and a true disciple of Christ is concerned, nothing can and nothing should do harm to his joy. NOTHING SHOULD SEPARATE HIM FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST (Romans 8:39). Although externally he may seem sorrowful, as he is walking on the difficult road of pain and tribulation, within himself, he tastes and feels a heavenly joy. He feels joy that will fill the elect when God the Father shall forever eliminate from their eyes and heart every pain and tear (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Therefore, the means for this heavenly joy is pain. IT IS MEANS, NOT A PURPOSE, BECAUSE PAIN ITSELF IS NEITHER BEAUTY, NOR JOY, NOR SOMETHING PLEASANT. THUS, BY MEANS OF PAIN, COME JOY AND PURIFICATION AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF VICTORY.

Saint John Chrysostom writes: "I rejoice in my sufferings not that he raised dead people, nor that He drove away demons… But that he
underwent thousands of sufferings… Extensive wounds, often the danger of death, many imprisonments…" Thus, Paul everywhere boasting in his tribulations, adorns himself excessively with this. For Christ promised two things, TRIBULATION AND THEN REPOSE, PAINS AND THEN CROWNS, SWEAT AND THEN REWARDS, BENEFICIAL AND SAD THINGS. THE SADNESS HE GAVE FOR THE PRESENT LIFE, WHILE THE BENEFIT FOR THE FUTURE AGES, showing by both that He does not deceive mankind… Because a deceiver proposes the benefits first and then produces [brings over] the sad things."

Elsewhere, Saint John Chrysostom writes: "Glory to God for everything. I will never cease saying this, always rejoicing over all that happens to me." If we earnestly could repent from the depths of our heart in the midst of our difficulties, like the wise words of this great Father, then we might feel a divine serenity and a heavenly sweetness. We would then be able to accept every pain, every affliction, and every trial with joy, "INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT" (1 Thessalonians 1:6). This joy of the Holy Spirit would heal the wounds of pain, and our hope in the Lord Jesus would be greatly magnified. (Source: The Pain. An Orthodox Scriptural and Patristic Approach)

______________

"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 DEATH OF CHRIST AND HOW
TO FACE DEATH

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Church, the holy Apostles, and the holy Fathers understand the tribulation and pain that death causes to "those who remain." Nevertheless, it is appropriate to mention here, that the faithful (Christians) are directed to lament (grieve) in moderation and thought, with patience and faith, with hope and perseverance, to more than is proper. Because the Christians are NOT "as others who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13). For Christ with His death and Resurrection GRANTED IMMORTALITY TO THE MANKIND. Therefore, in order to liberate us from the power of death, the Lord MADE His existence as mortal as ours. Thus He became the same with the entire human generation (EXCEPT IN SIN). God became incarnate–He took on a carnal human body and walked among us, as one of us, because He came TO SAVE HUMANS, not Angels (Hebrews 2:16-18 and Romans 6:1-11). And the punishment that was meant for human sin fell on Him. He TOOK ON OUR SINS IN OUR STEAD. Even though He WAS INNOCENT. He "tasted death" (Hebrews 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Romans 8:34). He became one of us, i.e., MAN, AND WALKED IN OUR MIDST.

Consequently, His death WAS NOT ACCIDENTAL, NOR WAS it AN ORDINARY EVENT. He also foretold it, to His Disciples, obviously in order to forestall any stumbling block that they might perhaps face: "And He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and is killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:35; John 12:23-33).

The death of Christ IS A LIFE-GIVING DEATH. He dies FOR LOVE OS US (1 Thessalonians 5:10). "HE DIED FOR ALL" (2 Corinthians 5:14), and with the Resurrection, He CONQUERS DEATH, "THE LAST ENEMY OF MAN." This is so because Christ is "THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE" (John 11:25). Christ does not only share all of our human life, but also all of human death: "SURELY HE HAS BORN OUR GRIEF AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS" (Isaiah 53:4). He SHARES ALL OUR TRIBULATIONS AND ALL OUR SORROWS. Our Christ, our Great Physician took upon Himself "THE UNACCEPTABLE AND INCURABLE", EVERYTHING, EVEN DEATH.

After the victory of our Lord against death, then "THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH" (Luke 1:79) ARE ILLUMINATED AND LIBERATED FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. NOW WE ARE ALIVE "FROM DEATH TO LIFE" (Romans 6:13), BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED "FROM THE DEAD WORKS" (Hebrews 6:1). And when WE HEED his words and strive to practice them, then we pass "FROM DEATH TO LIFE", AS HE Himself said (John 5:24). And at another place, He again says: "IF ANY ONE KEEPS MY WORD, HE WILL NEVER SEE DEATH" (John 8:51). WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR IF WE BELIEVE IN THE Victor OVER SIN AND DEATH, AND IN THE Leader OF LIFE. Because even if we die physically, WE SHALL LIVE (John 11:25). And on the contrary, WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE, SHALL DIE IN HIS SINS (John 8:21-24). And thus the "FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST" SHALL BECOME FOR HIM "THE ODOR OF DEATH."

At our Baptism, we were UNITED SACRAMENTALLY WITH THE DEATH OF CHRIST" "We WERE BURIED THEREFORE WITH HIM BY BAPTISM INTO DEATH" (Romans 6:4). This constitutes our daily struggle: The "MORTIFICATION" OF OUR FLESH AND ITS DESIRES, THE DEATH OF OUR PASSIONS. Then the life of Christ appears in mortal flesh. We pre-taste IMMORTALITY even while in this world. Thus even physical death acquires NEW MEANING FOR THE BELIEVER CHRISTIAN. DEATH now becomes a Christian notion (as to its FEARFUL PAGAN NOTION), AND THE CHRISTIAN DIES "IN THE LORD", AS HE LIVED FOR Him (Romans 14:7; Phil. 1:20). Whether dead or alive, CHRISTIANS BELONG TO CHRIST. And in his tribulation and pain of death, A CHRISTIAN SEEKS REFUGE IN Him: "In the day of my trouble, I SEEK THE LORD; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearing" (Psalm 76:2-4). "For Thou has been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of distress" (Psalm 58:17).

It is necessary that we know that our union with the death of Christ does not only offer us the hope of immortality in the present life, but it also gives us the assurance and confidence that "He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also" (Romans 8:11). When this happens then we shall be transferred to another world, the world of the True and Real Life. in that life"DEATH SHALL BE NO MORE" (Revelation 21:4). Then only Divine Light, the Light of Tabor, the Light of Resurrection shall exist. Because Christ with His death and His Resurrection HAS OFFERED SALVATION AND "HAS CHANGED THE (WESTERN) SETTING INTO AN (EASTERN) RISING." And in spite of His explicit words, stubborn heretics still cannot comprehend that His Kingdom is "NOT OF THIS WORLD" (John 17:15, 18:36).

"…Death for the believer begets new life. Saint Ignatius the God-bearer wrote to the Roman faithful when he was being led to his martyrdom" "MY BIRTH (RISE) IS IMPENDING." THUS WITH DEATH, WE SET DOWN IN THIS WORLD, TO RISE BEFORE GOD…In this way death by the believer like a preface to a better and more spiritual life, like a road and beginning the True Life, to Christ our Savior, TO THE LAND OF LIVING". (Source: The Pain. An Orthodox Scriptural and Patristic Approach)

________________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

— Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

SPIRITUAL PAIN

Spiritual pain is nothing else than the deep perception OF OUR SINFULNESS and the realization OF OUR SEPARATION FROM GOD. That is, spiritual pain IS REPENTANCE. Because "there will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil" (Romans 2:9). Therefore, this pain IS THE PAIN OF HEALING, OF CURING AND RELIEF. IT IS THE PAIN OF INNER SERENITY AND HOLY TRANQUILITY. This pain is ‘THE BREAD OF TEARS" (Psalm 79:6) THAT CLEANS AND RELIEVES, THAT BRINGS RECONCILIATION AND REDEMPTION. IT IS THE CONFESSION OF THE SINFUL SOUL: "Put thou my tears before thee [the Lord]" (Psalm 55:9). This pain is the "bursting heart" for the absent Lord, for the privation of His Presence, because of sin. It is what characteristically is mentioned by the Prophet Joel: "And rend your heart: and not your garments" (Joel 2:13).

This BURSTING OF THE HEART indicates CONTRITION and HUMILITY because he who is contrite is the "PURCHASER OF HUMILITY", says Saint John Climacus. This saving ‘bursting’ and ‘rending’ of the heart earns necessarily the mercy of God and abundantly attracts His Holy Grace. Thus man again finds THE TRUE LIFE, because God the Father "has granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18; 14:27; 15:17).

SPIRITUAL PAIN is the Holy Grief of the soul, dripping into it sweetness and tranquility. And this, because substantially, when man truly grieves and mourns psychically, HE IS SEEKING GOD, the Holy Person, the True Life, the inner Grace and exultation, the Divine Presence. SIN DEPRIVES THE SOUL FROM GOD, but with the inner and inmost realization of the sin, THE SOUL AGAIN BECOMES A DIVINE RESIDENCE, THE HABITATION OF THE Holy Trinity. SORROW and PAIN are due TO THE CUTOFF OF A PERSONAL COMMUNION NAMELY THE COMMUNION OF MAN WITH THE Divine Person.

SPIRITUAL PAIN is not psychological perception nor the transgression of some law; it is not a complex of guilt, BUT AN AWARENESS OF DEPRIVATION OF THE Fatherly Presence. The grief of spiritual pain is grief OVER THE LOSS OF GOD. And with the ‘bursting of the heart’ due to holy mourning, THE SALVIFIC COMMUNION RETURNS. Therefore, we might say that this spiritual pain awakens the conscience that seemed to be drugged. Thus there appears in it THE NOTION OF FREEDOM.

After the AWAKENING OF THE CONSCIENCE, man who was a simple individual, now BECOMES A PERSON. And namely "A PERSON NOT SEPARATED FROM PAIN AND GRIEF." Therefore, WHEN MAN ACQUIRES CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS SINFUL SELF, HE REDISCOVERS HIMSELF, HIS TRUE AND ACTUAL SELF, AND RISES UP TO BECOME A PERSON. That is when he becomes different than the others, from the mob–HE BECOMES A PERSONALITY. This, however,, is painful and creates pain of the soul, because it presupposes HUMILITY. The grief of spiritual pain is not a pain of hopelessness, but of A JOYFUL GRIEF. It is the acquisition of joy and of a picture OF THE BEAUTY OF THE PERSON of the Master. This pain is "REJUVENATION OF THE SUFFERING SOUL. It is the "GRIEF OF BEAUTY" or the "BEAUTY OF MOURNING" . It is the "BLESSED JOY-SORROW OF HOLY CONTRITION". It is a daily feast, because "WHOEVER IS UNINTERRUPTED IN GRIEF WALKS ACCORDING TO GOD AND HE NEVER CEASES TO CELEBRATE EACH DAY". Therefore, whoever grieves in a godly way, never ceases to celebrate daily.

Spiritual pain IS A SECOND BAPTISM "IN THE WATER OF TEARS". It is the repetition of the sacrament of Baptism that brings THAT BRING US BACK TO PERSONAL COMMUNION WITH OUR LORD. After the pain of experiencing SPIRITUAL DEATH, that is SIN, "THE SOURCE OF TEARS BECOMES THE GREATEST BAPTISM– A FREE BAPTISM". Thus "blessed joy-sorrow (harmolypi) IS THE FRUIT OF GRACE, IT IS GRACE ITSELF. IT IS THE GIFT OF TEARS OF SPIRITUAL PAIN, OF REPENTANCE, A SAVING (SALUTARY) MARK THAT OUR HEART WAS STRUCK BY HOLY LOVE. THESE TEARS CLEANSE THE HEART AND ERASE GREAT SINS.

When these sins are wiped off, THEN THE SOUL TASTES "CONSOLATION AND SOLACE" from the Holy Spirit, and it feels intimately holy contrition and joy. These tears of spiritual pain are pious tears. They are not some biological symptom, BUT RATHER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMING OF OUR LORD INTO OUR HEART. And this experience is felt in the entire person, in every part of his existence. (The word for repentance in Greek is METANOIA, literally meaning CHANGE OF ATTITUDE OR TRANSFORMATION OF MENTALITY). They further show the change OF A STONY HEART into a FLESHY ONE. The "PIOUS TEARS", therefore, are NOT a lament or subbing due to the bitter taste of death, but rather THE TEARS OF JOY THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE Person of God engenders. And at the same time, this is a God-loving sorrow for the previous privation of Divine Grace. Saint John Climacus wonders and says: "I think of the quality of contrition and I am filled with wonder. How can contrition be called grief and sorrow, a mixture of joy and pleasure, just as honey is mixed with wax? And what do we learn from this? THAT CONTRITION IS IN ITSELF A GIFT OF THE LORD. AND IN THE SOUL THAT IS PRICKED THERE IS TRUE PLEASURE, BECAUSE GOD HIMSELF IN A MYSTERIOUS MANNER CONSOLES THOSE WHOSE HEART IS DEEPLY BROKEN AND AFFLICTED. JOY-SORROW SOUNDS LIKE A PARADOX, BUT IT IS NOT. IT IS GOD’S VISIT ITSELF. (source: The Pain. An Orthodox Scriptual and Patristic Approach)

_________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD

"Pray one for another" (James 5:16).
"Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s" (Romans 14:8).
"Love never faileth" (1 Corinthians 13:8).
"Whatsoever ye shell ask in My name, that will do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13).

IN GOD ALL ARE ALIVE. Church life is penetrated by a living awareness and feeling that our dead ones continue to live after death, ONLY IN DIFFERENT FORM THAN ON EARTH, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT DEPRIVED OF SPIRITUAL NEARNESS TO THOSE WHO REMAIN O EARTH. Therefore, THE BOND OF PRAYER WITH THEM ON THE PART OF THE PILGRIM Church (on earth) DOES NOT CEASE. "Neither death nor life… shall be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38). The DEPARTED NEED ONLY ONE KIND OF HELP FROM THEIR BRETHREN: PRAYER AND PETITION FOR THE REMISSION OF THEIR SINS (1 John 3:14-16).

Corresponding to this instruction of the holy Apostle, the Church PRAY FOR ALL ITS CHILDREN WHO HAVE DIED WITH TRUE REPENTANCE. Praying for them as for those who are alive, the Church follows the words of the Apostle: "Whether we live, therefore, or die, WE ARE THE LORD’S. For in this end Christ both died and rose, and revived, that He may be Lord both of the dead and the living" (Roman 14:8-9). Those, however, that have died WITH UNREPENTANT SINS, OUTSIDE THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH, ARE NOT EVEN VOIUCHSAFED PRAYERS, as follows from the above mentioned words of the Apostle John: "I do not say that he should pray for it", for such prayers would be without purpose.

That the remission of sins in the present for those who have sinned not naturally to be concluded from the words of the Lord Himself: Whosoever speaketh against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, IT SHALL NOTBE FORGIVEN HIM, NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER IN THE WORLD TO COME" (Matthew 12:32). Similarly, from the word of God we know that the Lord Jesus has "the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18), consequently, He has power to open the gates of hell BY THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND BY THE POWERS OF HE PROPITIATORY Bloodless Sacrifice which is offered for the dead.

Concerning the good effect of prayerful communion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ between thosoe living on earth and the dead, Saint Ephraim the Syrian, for example, reasons thus "For the dead, the remembrance performed by the saints during their lifetime is beneficial. We see an example of this in a number of the wroks of God. For example, in a vineyard there are the ripening grapes in the field, and the wine already squeezed out into vessels, when the grapes rpen on the grapevine, then the wine which stands unmoving in the house begins to froth and be agitated, as if desiring to escape. The same things happens, it seems, with another plant, the onion for as soon as the onion which has been sown in the field begins to repen, the onion which is in the house also begins to give sprouts. And so, if even growing things have between themselves such a fellow feeling, will not the petitions of prayer be all the more felt by the dead? And when you will sensibly agree that this occurs in accordance with the nature of creatures, then just imagine that you are the first of the creatures of God."

In praying for the dead, the Church intercedes for them just as for the living, not in its own name, but in theName of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14), and by the power of His Sacrifice on the Cross, which was offered for the deliverance OF ALL. These fervent prayers help the seeds of new life whichour departed ones have taken with them–if these seeds have been unable to open up sufficiently here on earth–to gradually open up and develop under the influenceof prayers and with the mercy of God, just as a good seed is developed in the earth under the life-giving rays of the sun, wiht favorable weather. But nothing can revive rotten seeds whcih have lost the very principle of vegetative life. Similarly, POWERLESS WOULD BE PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD WHO HAVE DIED IN IMPIETY AND WITHOUT REPENTANCE, WHO HAVE QUENCHED IN THEMSELVES THE Spirit of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:19). It is precisely concerning such sinners that one must rememer the words of the Savior in the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus that THERE IS NO DELIVERANCE FOR THEM FROM THE DEEPEST PARTS OF HELL, AND NO TRANSFERENCE FOR THEM INTO THE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM (Luke 16:26). And indeed, such people usually DO NOT LEAVE BEHIND THEM ON EARTH PEOPLE WHO MIGHT PRAY SINCERELY FOR THEM TO GOD; likewise, THEY HAVE NOT ACQUIRED FOR THEMSELVES FRIENDS IN HEAVEN AMONG THE SAINTS, WHO, WHEN THEY FAIL (TAHT IS, DIE), MIGHT RECEIVE THEM INTO EVERLASTING HABITATIONS–THAT IS, MIGHT PRAY FOR THEM (Luke 16:9).

Of course, on the earth it is not known to what lot each has been subjected after his death. But THE PRAYER OF LOVE CAN NEVER BE PROFITLESS. If our dead ones who are dear to us have been vouchsafed the Kingdom of Heaven, THEY REPLY TO PRAYER FOR THEM WITH AN ANSWERING PRAYER FOR US. And if our prayerss are powerless to help the;m, in any case they are not harmful to us, according to the word of the Psalmist: "MY PRAYER SHALL RETURN TO MY BOSOM" (Psalm 34:16), and according to the word of the Savior: "LET YOUR PEACE RETURN TO YOU" (Matthew 10:13). But they are indeed PROFITABLE FOR US. Saint John Damacene remarks: "If anyone wishes to anoint a sick man with myrrh or some other sacred oil, first he becomes a partaker of the anoiinting himself and then he anoints the sick one. So also, everyone who struggles for the salvation of his neighbor, first receives benefits himself, and then offfers it to his neighbor; for God is not unjust, so as to forget the works, according to the word of the Divine Apostle." (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

Please note: I cannot stress enough the significance of memorial services for our departed brothers and sisters in Christ. For centuries Orthodox Chrsitians have followed our Holy Tradition and practice of remembering the departed in their personal prayers as well as in the divine services throughout the Church year. We, as Orthodox Christians, believe that it brings much comfort to their souls. When we appeal to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to show mercy to them that He indeed comforts them and bestows His peace on them.

The current reality, however, is that a significant number of Orthodox Christians have forgotten how important it is to remember their loved ones in their prayers, and in the various memobiral services of the Church. Very few remember to gie the names to the local pairsh priest to include them in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays, Saturday of Souls, and the anniversary of their death. Everything , it seems today, is optional and has no meaning at all. Sadly, the true reason is that Orthodox Christians today are not familiar with the tradtions of the Church and worse, have no interest to learn either.

Not only should know the divine traditions of the Church themselves but they should be knowledgble enough to pass it on to their children and future generations. This includes visiting the graves of their loved one’s and asking their parish priest to offer the Trisagion Service. When family memebrs and priest are praying together at the grave not only it brings comfort to the soul of the departed but it also brings comfort to those present. We are also reminded that death is inevitable and one day we will be there where are our relatives and friends are. We must not fear death as Chrsitians because death is really nothing more than a birth. That is the reason our Church celebrates the memory of the Saints not on the anniversary of their earthly birth, but on the anniversry of their death, i.e., THEIR BIRTH INTO ETERNITY.

____________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED…" (Ephesians 2:8)

The word "χάρις" ("grace") is used in Holy Scripture with different meanings. Sometimes is signifies the mercy of God: God "IS THE GOD OF ALL GRACE" (1 Peter 5:10). In the New Testament, we distinguish two fundamental meanings of this concept. First, by the grace of God, the grace of Christ, is to be understood the whole economy of our salvation by the coming of the Son of God to earth, by His earthly life, His death on the Cross, His Resurrection, and His Ascension into heaven: "FOR BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Secondly, GRACE IS THE NAME APPLIED TO THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT which have been set down and are being sent down to the Church of Christ FOR THE SANCTIFICATION BY THEM OF THE Kingdom of Heaven.

In this second New Testament meaning of the word, GRACE IS A POWER SEND DOWN FROM ON High, THE POWER OF GOD WHICH IS IN THE Church of Christ, which GIVES BIRTH, GIVES LIFE, PERFECTS, AND BRINGS THE BELIEVING AND VIRTUOUS Christian to the appreciation of the salvation which has been brought by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The distinction between these two meanings of the word "GRACE" and the predominant understanding of it in the Holy Scripture of the New Testament as a Divine Power, are important to keep in mind, because in Protestantism a teaching has become established about grace only in general significance of the great work of our Redemption from sin through the Savior’s exploit on the Cross, after which–as the Protestants think–a man (person) who has come to believe and has received the remission of sins is already among the saved. However, the Apostles teach us THAT A CHRISTIAN, HAVING JUSTIFICATION AS A GIFT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL GRACE OF REDEMPTION, IS IN THIS LIFE AS AN INDIVIDUAL ONLY "BEING SAVED" (1 Corinthians 1:18). (The King James Version translation of the verse, "unto us which are saved" IS IMPERCISE; the Greek text has the present participle: "WHO ARE BEING SAVED."), and needs the support OF GRACE-GIVEN POWERS. "WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND" (Romans 5:2); "WE ARE SAVED BY HOPES" (Romans 8:24).

How then, does the saving grace of God act?

Both the SPIRITUAL BIRTH and the further SPIRITUAL GROWTH of a man (person) OCCUR THROUGH THE MUTUAL ACTION OF TWO PRINCIPLES. One of these IS THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, the other, MAN’S OPENING OF HIS HEART FOR THE RECEPTION OF IT, A THIRST FOR IT, THE DESIRE TO RECEIVE IT, AS THE THIRSTY, DRY EARTH RECEIVES THE MOISTURE OF RAIN–IN OHTER WORDS, PERSONAL EFFORT FOR THE RECEPTION, PRESERVATION, AND ACTIVITY OF THE SOUL OF THE Divine Gifts, (see 2 Peter 1:3-9). We read concerning the same thing in the holy Apostle Paul: "WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING: FOR IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE" (Philippians 2:12-13); that is, YOU YOURSELVES COOPERATE, BUT REMEMBER THAT EVERYTHING IS GIVEN TO YOU BY THE GRACE OF GOD. "Except the Lord build the house of virtues, WE LABOR IN VAIN" (Hymn of Degrees of Sunday Matins, Tone 3).

In accordance with this sacred teaching, the Council of Carthage in the 3rd century decreed: "WHOSOEVER SHOULD SAY THAT THE GRACE OF GOD, BY WHICH A MAN IS JUSTIFIED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AVAILS ONLY FOR THE REMISSION OF PAST SINS, AND NOT FOR ASSISTANCE AGAINST COMMITTING SINS IN THE FUTURE, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA. For the grace of Christ gives not only the knowledge of our duty, but also inspires us with a desire that we may be able to accomplish what we know" (Canons 125, 126, and 127).

Saint Symeon the New Theologian (10th century) wrote the following: "If the thought comes to you, instilled by the devil, that your salvation is accomplished not by the power of God, but by your own wisdom and your own power, and if your soul agrees with such thought, GRACE DEPARTS FROM IT. The struggle against such a powerful and most difficult battle which arises in the soul must be undertaken by the soul until our last breath. The soul must, together with the blessed Apostle Paul, call out in a loud voice, in the hearing of Angels and men: "NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS WITH ME."

He who bears the name of Christian, says Saint Symeon the New Theologian, "if he DOES NOT BEAR IN HIS HEART THE CONVICTION THAT THE GRACE OF GOD, GIVEN FOR FAITH, IS THE MERCY OF GOD…IF HE DOES NOT LABOR WITH THE AIM OF RECEIVING THE GRACE OF GOD, FIRST OF ALL THROUGH BAPTISM, OR IF HE HAD IT AND IT DEPARTED BY REASON OF HIS SIN, TO CAUSE IT TO RETURN AGAIN THROUGH REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, AND A SELF-BELITTLING LIFE, AND IF, IN GIVING ALMS, FASTING, PERFORMING VIGILS, PRAYERS, AND THE REST, HE THINKS THAT HE IS PERFORMING GLORIOUS VIRTUES AND GOOD DEEDS VALUABLE THEMSELVES–THEN HE LABORS AND EXHAUSTS HIMSELF IN VAIN" (Homily 2).

What, then, is the significance OF ASCETIC STRUGGLE? It is A WEAPON AGAINST? It is A WEAPON AGAINST "The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" ( 1 John 2:15-16), IT IS THE CLEANING OF THE FIELD OF THE SOUL FROM STONES, OVERGROWN WEEDS, AND SWAMPY PLACES, IN PREPARATION FOR A SACRED SOWING, WHICH WILL BE MOISTEN FROM ABOVE BY THE GRACE OF GOD. (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

_______________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE SPIRITUAL BOND OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH IN PRAYER

PRAYER IS THE manifestation of the Church’s life and the spiritual bond of its members with God in the Holy Trinity, and of all with each other. It is so inseparable from faith that it may be called THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE Church or THE BREATHING OF THE Church. Prayers are the threads of the living fabric of the Church body, and they go in all directions. The bond of prayer penetrates the whole body of the Church, leading each part and helping it by nourishing, by cleansing, and by other forms of mutual help (Ephesians 4:16). IT UNITES EACH MEMBER OF THE CHURCH WITH THE HEAVENLY FATHER, THE MEMBERS OF THE EARTHLY CHURCH WITH EACH OTHER, AND THE EARTHLY MEMBERS WITH THE HEAVENLY MEMBERS. It DOES NOT CEASE, but yet more increases and it exalted in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Through the whole Sacred Scripture of the New Testament there goes the commandment OF CEASELESS PRAYER: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17); "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18); "and He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faith" (Luke 18:1).

The perfect example OF PERSONAL PRAYER was given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He left as an example the prayer, "Our Father" —the Lord’s Prayer. Prayer is a) THE FORM OF THE CHURCH’S LIFE, b) AN INSTRUMENT OR MEANS OF ITS ACTIVITY, and c) ITS POWER OF OVERCOMING.

PRAYER is of two kinds: PUBLIC and PRIVATE. There is prayer which is of words, and in particular sung, and there is MENTAL prayer, that is, INWARD PRAYER, or THE PRAYER OF THE MIND IN THE HEART. The content of prayer is: a) PRAISE OR GLORY; b) THANKSGIVING; c) REPENTANCE; d) ENTREATY FOR THE MERCY OF GOD, for the forgiveness of sins, for the giving of good things of soul and body, both heavenly and earthly. REPENTANCE before God sometimes has the form of a conversation with one’s own soul–as, for example, often occurs in the canons.

PRAYER may be for oneself or for others. Prayer for each other expresses THE MUTUAL LOVE BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. Since, according to the law of Christian love, they pray also for those who are departed (THE HEAVENLY MEMBERS); and the heavenly members likewise pray for those on earth, as well as for the repose of their brethren who are in need of the help of prayer. Finally, we ourselves appeal to those in heaven with the entreaty to pray for us and for our brethren. Upon this bond of the heavenly with the earthly is founded also the concern of the Angels over us and our prayers to them.

The power of prayer for others is constantly affirmed by the word of God. The Savior and to the Apostle Peter: "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:32). The holy Apostle Paul often entreats Christians to pray for him: "I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you" (Philemon, v. 22). "Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord might have free course and be glorified, even as it is with you" (II Thessalonians 3:1). Being far away, the Apostle is joined with his spiritual brethren in common prayer: "Now I beseech you, brethren for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayer to God for me" (Romans 15:30). The Apostle James instructs: "Pray one for another, that ye may be healed for the effectual fervent of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). Saint John the Theologian saw in revelation how in the heavens twenty-four elders, standing at the Throne of God, fell down before the Lamb, and everyone had harps and vials filled with incense, "WHICH ARE THE PRAYERS OF SAINTS" (Revelation 5:8); that is, they RAISED UP THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS ON EARTH TO THE HEAVENLY Throne. (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Father Michael Pmazanksy)

______________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

My beloved spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY" (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

The author of Ecclesiastes is the wise King Solomon, son of King David and builder of the Jerusalem Temple. In his old age King Solomon and according to some, left his palace and all his wealth, dressed in rags, took up his staff, and went wandering along the roads, contemplating the vanity of all material things.

Modern man has indeed fallen a victim in pursuing worldly things and material wealth. With so many billionaires today we have ample examples of man’s uncontained greed. None of the material or earthly wealth that man accrues brings any security, peace, or lasting happiness. Yet, it has become or developed into sickness or obsession. It is believed by some of them that wealth translates into power. Power not to only do what one desires but corrupt power that wishes to dominate and control the destiny of countries and people. Did not someone say that "absolute power, corrupts absolutely"?

The Christians of the 21st century must avoid making this foolish mistake. I recall my father’s advice as we were growing up that we should avoid making life-altering mistakes by observing others around us and learning from their mistakes instead. It is easy to fall prey to a materialistic secular world that literally replaced the Creator God with a "golden calf.’ Or, instead of worshipping the Creator, they worship the creation." A wise man ought to conduct a reexamination of his entire life. A man should come to his senses and think clearly without the influence and enticements of this earthly existence.

We know historically that our ascetics consciouisly gave up the world in its vain manifestations dominated by worldly things and pleasures. Saint John writes, "Do not love the world or the tings of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17). The ‘world’ here is the creation after the Fall and under the dominion of Satan. It is creation no longer oriented toward God, but dominated by inordinate passions and subject to death (see Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31).

The ‘world’ distorts every realm of God’s good creation (James 1:13-14). Then are 1) sensual pleasures of "the flesh" (physical passions), (2) lust of the eyes (the soul’s passions), 3) "the pride of life" power and honors ‘of life.’ The Christian combats all the above throug prayer, fasting, and philanthropy.

What one witness concerning King Solomon’s life are his humility, wisdom, and great love for God. The word "repentance" in the Greek sense: METANOIA, turnabout, change. There were a number of changes in King Solomon’s life: his great love for God and Divine wisdom in his youth. He fell into idolatry and polygamy and flirted with paganism in general. Therefore, King Solomon’s ‘repentance’ was his father David’s ‘repentance.’ His change was more of a philosophical exercise of his existence.

King Solomon says, "I did not withhold my heart from any merriment. For my heart was made glad in all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then, I looked on all the works my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled, and INDEED ALL IS VANITY and is the choice of one’s spirit. There was no profit under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). Man can choose "wisdom" or "foolishness," "light" or "darkness," GOOD OR EVIL.

No matter whether we walk in the light of wisdom or in the darkness of folly, everyone suffers and dies without REMEMBRANCE. It is for this reason that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has come to trample down death by dying THAT WE MIGHT LIVE ETERNALLY WITH Him. Thus, we are bold to chant "Αιωνία η μνήμη" ("May your memory be eternal"). Everything earthly ends with death, i.e., food, drink, pleasure, etc. but the Eternal Food of the Divine Eucharist (John 6:55). "I know," he says, "that whatever things God does, they shall be forever" (Ecc. 3:14).

Saint John Chrysostom annwers the questione ‘What is the present life’? So let us listen to our Holy Father of the Church in order that we make the proper decision that will lead to salvation.

"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" — it is always seasonable to utter this but more especially at the present time…
Where are now the brilliant surroundings of your consulship?

"Where are the gleaming torches? Where is the dancing, and the noise of dancers’ feet, and the banquets
and the festivals? Where are the garlands and the curtains of the theater?

Where is the applause whcih greeted you in the city, where the acclmation in the hippodrome and the
flatteries of spectators?

They are gone — all gone: a wind has blown uponn the tree shattering down all its leaves, and showing it to
us quite bare, and shaken from its very root…

And inasmuch as deceitful things, and maskings and pretence seem so manhy to be realities it behooves
each one every day both at supper and at breakfast, and is social assemblies to say tto his neighbor and
to hear his neighbor say in return "vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

Was I not continually telling you that wealth was a runaway? But you would not heed me…"

The Orthodox Christian is reminded in the funeral service that "ALL HUMAN THINGS ARE VANITY, which do not survive a person’s death…". Saint John of Damascus grafically expresses the philospy of life when he writes, "What pleasure of life ever remains unmixed with grief? What glory endures immovable on earth? All are feebler than shadows, all more illusive than dreams. In a single moment all are supplanted by death. But… "Like a flower it withers, and like a dream it vanishes and dissolves away…". The reality, for the believer, is that nothing worldly is as important as people believe it is. He or she is reminded by Prophet Ezekiel who cried I am earth and dust, our lifeless bodies will return back to earth and just like all matter it remains behind, for the heavenly world is a spiritual world. Our material bodies will, upon the resurrection, will take on a spiritual form and be reunited with our soul to be judged by God.

A genuine Christian, who lives in the Holy Spirit, is a person who lives by faith in Christ Jesus. His or her life is a Christ-centered life inspired by the Holy Spirit to abide by the commandments of God. A life of virtue and piety is not easily attained the faithful members of the Church seek help from above and the intercessions of the Mother of God and Saints. Who ever is satisfied with this world can only be deceived by the evil one or at least may be delusional. Man was NOT created for this world but for the Eternal Kingdom of God. The great ascetics of Christianity renounced this world and saw it as a spiritual desert and wasteland. However, many of them, including Saint Mary of Egypt, who found God in the desert and through Him holiness and salvation.

____________________

"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 SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL OF THE
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN

Saint Cyril of Alexandria, commenting on John 1:23, writes: "We that are made worthy to participate in Him [the Holy Spirit], through faith in Christ we are brought TO PERFECTION AS PARTICIPANTS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (1:4) and are said to be born of God, and on that account are given the title gods, not flying up to the glory above us by grace alone, but as already having God indwelling and taking lodging in us, according to what is set forth in the Prophet, ‘I shall dwell among them and walk about in their midst’ (Leviticus 26:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16).

According to our Faith, we were created with the potential to achieve perfection through grace. Our Gracious and Merciful God sent His Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ to become man and, through His suffering and Resurrection from the dead, to restore man to his original state of grace and enable him to attain perfection. Therefore, the divine goal of man is to become perfect in God. This means, of course, that man is called to a life in Christ. In other words, to live a Christ-like life. A life of total obedience to Him and to His Divine commandments.

Living in Christ God we must be willing to struggle, sacrifice, and be willing to make a life-long commitment to Him. A commitment based on faith and love, and not by force or coercion. After all, God granted us free will. He never uses force to compel anyone to do His will. Anything that is done by force has absolutely no value whatsoever. Therefore, life in Christ means a willing and free submission to the Lord. It means to abandon all worldly and sinful ways and to purify ourselves of all stains and passions. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). When the soul is free from all sinful desires and is no longer dominated by evil passions, nor its energy dessipated by things of this world, its only desire is God. Then, the heart–holding fest to the New Life in Christ and conemplating the glory of God (1 Corinthians 3:18), "shall see God" through communion with His Son and Our Savior.

Through the Divine energies, the Orthodox Christian experiences His presence from within. More specifically, we experience mystical union with Christ through the Mysteriion of the Divine Eucharist. It is imperative for the believer to understand this fact deeply and know that Orthodox spirituality is union with Christ God. The Divine Eucharist is not an ancient religious ritual to be observed as a spectator, but a mystical experience through which one becomes one with our Savior, Who bestows on him or her "remission of sins and life eternal."

Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner taught his disciples, "He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). He renounces all earthly glory and glories only in Christ. That is how it should be for all Christians. The greater our knowledged of God, the lesser importance is our self and our worldly affairs. The more one contemplates on the knowledge of God, the more we realizes his limitations of knowing Him or His essence. Our Creator is and will always remain a great mystery to man. What we know of Him is only what He Himself has revealed to us thruogh His Divine grace, energies, and most of all, through His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.

The spiritual potential of the Orthodox Christian is incomprehensible. Our Almighty God has given us everything that one needs to accomplish our purpose, which is to achieve moral perfection through the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. It is He Who will lead us and make it possible to attain purification, illumination, and perfection needed for salvation. God is Light! When He appears to us, He appears as Light. In 1 John !:5, the holy Apostle says, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, THAT GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL." As the children of God, we enjoy His Light which energizes and illuminates us. "If we say tht we have fellowship with Him and then walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if WE WALK IN THE LIGHT AS HE IS THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON, CLEANSING US FROM ALL SIN" (1 John 1:6-7).