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

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

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. First Tone

WHEN Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of
the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare
witness to Thee, calling Thee His Beloved Son. And the Spirit in
the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ
our God, Who has appeared and hast enlightened the world,
glory to Thee.

Hypakoe. Plagal of First Tone

WHEN Thou didst enlighten all things by Thine Epiphany, the
briny sea of unbelief fled, and as Jordan flowed down, it
turned back, exalting us to Heaven. Through the intercessions
of the Theotokos, preserve us at the height of Thy Divine
command,emts, O Christ God, and have mercy on us.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

ON this day Thou hast appeared unto the whole world, and Thy
light, O Sovereign Lord, is signed on us who sing Thy praise and
chant with knowledge: Thou hast now come, Thou hast appeared,
O Thou Light Unapproachable.

The Great Holy Feast of THEOPHANY (THEOPHANEIA), meaning "MANIFESTATION OF GOD," is also known as the Epiphany (Epiphaneia), meaning "MANIFESTATION FROM ABOVE." The divine office for this feast celebrates the BAPTISM OF CHRIST in the river Jordan, thus SANCTIFYING BOTH MAN AND THE WATERS, and His manifestation as Christ and the MANIFESTATION OF GOD IN TRINITY. Epiphany is the oldest feast of our Lord next to All-Holy Pascha, and has always been celebrated on the 6th of January. The first mention of the feast is found in Saint Clement of Alexandria (150-215). Originally, Epiphany COMMEMORATED NOT ONLY THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST BUT ALSO HIS NATIVITY. However, the day on which Christ was born, He was not manifested to all; when He was baptized, He WAS MADE MANIFEST TO ALL; and so says Saint John Chrysostom [Homily XXIV on the Baptism of Christ]. During the early centuries, this day of our Lord’s Theophany, together with Pascha and Pentecost, and later the Feast of the Nativity, were the solemn occasions of Christian INITIATION THROUGH BAPTISM. The remnant of this practice is observed in the chanting of this hymn during the Divine Liturgy: "AS MANY AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, YE PUT ON CHRIST. ALLELUIA." [Galetians 3:27]. It was not until the 4th century that the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus was commemorated as a separate feast. As a historical note, according to the old Egyptian calendar, the 8th of January was the day OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE, at which time the benighted pagans celebrated the conquest of winter darkness by the sun god. Later, the new Roman calendar placed the Winter Solstice on the 25th of December, at which time the idolaters were commemorating the conquest of winter darkness by their sun god or deifying their Emperor, the Christians were celebrating the manistetation of Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, Who CONQUERED THE DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE AND SIN, LEADING OUR RACE TO WORSHIP OF THE CREATOR RATHER THAN THE CREATURE. The establishing of the Feast of the Nativity did not diminish the Feast of the Theophany, which is celebrated from the 2nd of January to the 14th of January, with the 6th of January being (proeortia), the the eight day days after it constitute the AFTERFEAST or POSTFEAST (metheortia). The Service of the Great Sanctification of the waters (Megas Agiasmos) is a conspicuous feature of this feast day, which is observed twice, on the Eve and on the Day of the Feast of Theophany. The hymns of this divine office emphasize that Christ WAS NOT BAPTIZED IN ORDER TO BE SANCTIFIED, BUT TO GRANT SANCTIFICATION TO US AND THE WATERS. In the West, Epiphany was observed in Rome. At first the commemoration of the Feasts of the Nativity and Baptism of Christ were together, but it gradually came to be associated with the Magi. Evidence of this is found in the sermons of Pope Leo I (440-461 A.D.). At length, the Western Epiphany was fixed as the TWELFTH DAY OF NATIVITY, THAT IS, THE 6th of January.

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

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

Saint Anthony’s Mysterious Prophecy of
Mankind’s Queer Future.

Saint Anthony the Great one of the Great Ascetic and Desert Fathers of the Orthodox Church and who is commemorated on the 17th of January. He is known for spending 85 years in the desert in unceasing prayer, pondering and contemplation, patiently enduring inexpressible demonic temptations. He departed this earthly life and entered into rest in the Lord in the year 356 A.D., at the age of 105. It was he who prophesied about future strange happenings among the people. He predicted that "A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is NOT mad, they will attack him saying, ‘YOU ARE MAD, YOU ARE NOT LIKE US."

It is evident that sadly that time is upon us. What Abba (Father) Antony predicted is true and applicable to an age such as ours. His prediction is supported by the Great and Holy Prophet Isaia who also said, "Woe to those who call EVIL GOOD and GOOD EVIL, who put DARKNESS FOR LIGHT and LIGHT FOR DARKNESS, who put BITTER FOR SWEET and SWEET FOR BITTER" [Isaiah 5:20]. Again the Holy Prophet Isaiah reveals and describes in detail an evil and sinful society Isaiah in chapter 5:8-15. He describes their sins: GREED; LOVE OF PLEASURE; INDIFFERENCE TO GOD; INTENTIONAL EVIL ACTS; MOCKING GOD; PERVERSION OF TRUTH; VANITY AND CONCEIT; DISHONESTY; AND FINALLY, REJECTING GOD’S LAW AND DESPISING HIS WORD. It seems somehow that he is describing the current conditions in society world wide.

Although thousands of years have elapsed since Prophet Isaiah and Saint Antony the Great lived and taught, the human race has not changed for the better. Humanity remains static and spiritually anemic and weak. The moral, ethical and spiritual challenges which human beings faced centuries ago are the same challenges they confront today. However, due to the present technology and instant means of communication, this evil virus can easily and instantly spread and infect or poison the entire world. It is foolish to refer to this as human progress and advancement.

Christianity is the only hope for the present and future of the world. Christianity is also the greatest obstacle to those who seek the destruction of the human race and why Christians are still persecuted by atheists and idolaters today. Satanism (evil) and idolatry i.e., hedonism (pleasure) and greed (wealth) are two ‘gods’ sought after. They will never worship the True God and His Divine Commandments. They not only reject God, the wish to trample anything good underfoot. They are so obsessed with what they perceive as power that they, the creatures, are greater in power than the Creator Himself.

Historically, the Jews should have been rich and fruitful, but in theri rebellion and disobedience they became barren. God gave men and women A NATURAL LAW within them–THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE GOOD AND THE EVIL–but they chose selfishness. Then God gave them the law of Moses, and it too was broken. It is important to know and understand that great darkness falls upon the soul that is without the light and wisdom of the Commandments. We all witness today how these evil people promote lawlessness, rebelliousness, division, theft, injustice, anarchy, and unhindered crime. They deliberately protect the criminal and punish the victim. It is a sick and twisted society.

Christianity must remain steadfast in her principles, values, precepts, and divine teachings. Humanity can truly experience God’s love and presence only through authentic Christianity. For Christians there is no other kind of life,other than the one Jesus Christ lived, taught, and preached. Prophet Jeremiah speaks of . ‘ worship when he says, "This is the nation that heard not the voice of the Lord, nor received correction. Faith has perished from their mouth" [Jeremiah 7:27]. Man has shown time and again not to be trustworthy and obedient to God’s law and has sinned against Him. The sure way of returning to God is through repentance ( Gk. metanoia). When humanity not only turns but accepts darkness sinister things happen because evil is emboldernt. When we read in the Holy Scripture what happens to a person who is possessed by evil we can better understand the lethal consequences that follow. In the Gospel of Saint Matthew 8:28 we read, "When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way" [v. 28]. The evil in them drove them to a frenzy, mental derangement, made them aggressive and self-destructive. They were not only a threat to themselves, but also to all others.

"And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs, a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and n one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart from him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.’ For He said to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ Then He asked him, ‘What is your name?’ and he answered, saying, ‘My name is Legion; FOR WE ARE MANY" [Mark 5:1-9]. The term "legion" comes from the Latin word legio, which was the name of the largest unit in the Roman army. A Roman legion typically had around 5,000 soldiers. Of course the use of the term "legion" in the Holy Bible highlights the severity of the man’s possession, and the power of Jesus over the demons.

What Saint Anthony the Great predicts centuries ago, as well as, what the Holy Prophet Isaiah witnessed among his people; confusion. delusions the disttortions, mental derangement, and the lack of discernment. These are symptoms of evil influence and possessions. The Church teaches that evil brings about "defective reasoning and confusion of thought." We, today, are confronting similar insane situations and conditions in the world that we live in. We are told lies after lies from government officials, politicians, heads of gorernment ministies or departments, to believe on things which are totally false and dangerous to one’s health. Governments throughout the world deceive and turn people against eachother. They actually create hostility among the citizens and even among family members which is outrighte an evil things to do. No matter if one is a Christian or not, the reality is that there is this evil entity known as Satan along with his demons. There are many Scriptural accounts of the existence of evll both in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. To deny the existence of evil is foolish and dangerous to one’s life and soul. Our Lord Christ Himself drove out demons from people of that time. Not only are the demons unable to resist Jesus’ command, they are unable to escape confrontation with Him. Though they may be able to tempt man, they have no power over Jesus. Jesus’ words or commands accomplish in an instant what shackles and chains cannot.

We, Orthodox Christians, believe in the existence of the evil one and that he is our greatest enemy. Satan is the only source of all evil in the world. Those who promote, wicked conduct, and commit evil acts are listening to no one else but the evil one. It is evil that creates enmity among the people, and creates "defective reasoning and confusion of thought". No matter how much evil is in the world, God always prevails and triumphs. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God" [John 3:20-21]. A profound insight: Goodness and a pure heart welcome THE LIGHT, whereas EVIL DEEDS AND MALICE RESIST THE LIGHT AND SEEK TO HIDE IN THE "DARKNESS."

The faithful who remain united to Christ have nothing to fear. We know that the purpose of Christ’s coming is to save, but the result is also condemnation for those who will not believe. Jesus is very clear when He says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world. but THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, BECAUSE HE HAS NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. And this is the condemnation, THAT THE LIGHT HAS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does THE TRUTH COMES TO THE LIGHT, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE CLEARLY SEEN, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DONE IN GOD" [John 3: 16-21]. Therefore, my friends, the essence of the Gospel: God’s gift of His Son as the ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF HIS LOVE FOR THE WORLD.

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

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

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

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

THE VIRTUE OF KINDNESS IN THE
SPIRITUAL LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN.

What is a virtue?

A virtue is "a righteous characteristic such as a SELF-CONTROL, PATIENCE, OR
HUMILITY; the opposite of VICE or PASSION. As a person (a Christian) grows
spiritually , he or she GROWS IN VIRTUEs while the passions are conquered by the
grace of God. [see Philippians 4:8; 2 Peter 1:2-7]

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things
are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of
good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on
these things" [Philippians 4:8].

"As His Divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him who called us BY GLORY AND VIRTUE…But also
for this very reason, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE, TO VIRTUE
KNOWLEDGE, TO KNOWLEDGE SELF-CONTROL, TO SELF-CONTROL PERSEVERANCE,
TO PERSEVERANCE GODLINESS, TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS, AND
TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS LOVE" [2 Peter 1:3-7].

How do we who know Christ grow in our participation in the divine nature through grace? By the cultivation of a progression of SPIRITUAL QUALITIES. As in "VIRTUE" refers to the commitment, conviction, and courage striving always to attain moral excellence. "Agape" ("Love") is connected to "brotherly kindness" (affection among Christians), because love of God CANNOT BE PERFECTED EXCEPT THROUGH LOVE OF ONE’S NEIGHBOR [see 1 John 4:20].

The Greek word for kindness or goodness is καλωσύνη [kalosyni]. This wonderful virtue is so necessary in today’s world which is filled with cruelty and meanness. No Christian can claim spirituality if he or she does not possess kindness in his/her heart. In other words one cannot claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ and be cruel and vicious to another human being. The practicing Christian is always gentle and loving. We are reminded by Holy Apostle Paul that kindness is "a fruit of the Spirit" [Galatians 5:22]. One needs to think of our Lord Christ and how He spoke to everyone, how He dealt with even His enemies or sinners, how He dealt with His disciples that either denied Him, abandoned Him, or betrayed Him. The Lord Himself calls all of us when He says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, FOR I AM GENTLE and LOWLY IN HEART, and you will find rest for your souls" [Matthew 11:29]. The Holy Apostle Timothy says, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, GENTLENESS" [1 Timothy 6:11].

Orthodox Christianity exhorts the faithful to emulate or imitate Christ and to be as kind, gentle, obedient, merciful, forgiving, and compassionate as He is to all of His children. Even when Christ corrected someone, it was done lovingly, and gently, and not by either force or threats. No one will ever agree to change when an authority figure, a teacher, a judge, a religious leader, sets out to demean and humiliate him or her in the process. However, a gentle person has respect for others and uses good methods to encourage the person to change that are supportive and positive instead of using intimidation and coercion. One with good intentions is sensitive and considers the feelings of others and avoids dictating or insulting the person needing guidance.

Kindness takes different forms such as patience, tolerance, forgiveness, tenderness and especially understanding. There are many examples where poor people have been mistreated because of their poverty or being uneducated. A good person is never judgmental of others and considers their situation and whether the person is suffering from mental illness, physical disability, emotional distress, lack of cognitive ability or reason, intellectually handicapped, depression, and to act accordingly. It takes a special kind of a person to be able to discern the situation and to be willing to take the necessary time to help this human being. Furthermore, a kind person will correct others, if need be, and his very kindness will be proven by his care and concern for the health of his fellow man. Any kind of resentment or anger is wrong and unacceptable.

"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, GENTLENESS" [1 Timothy 5:11]. Helping all kinds of people in need is an act of kindness. The Holy Apostles not only taught and preached Christ but they also served people in need such as the widows. "Then the Twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over "to serve tables." In other words to feed the hungry. Our LordGod Jesus Christ taught the people how significant it is to help others. "When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU DID IT TO ME" [Matthew 25:38-40]. Those of us who show no kindness, no compassion, no love for our fellow man are condemned "to everlasting punishment" [v. 46], "but the righteous into eternal life" [v. 46].

Kindness is not only giving a person a plate of food or a slice of bread but it is offering one’s self without conditions or demands. You help others by building up their self-esteem, confidence in themselves, making them feel important no matter what they are going through, whether they’re struggling to overcome an addiction, illness, depression, poverty, or mental illness. psychological, emotional, or physical disability, No one wants to add to the problems of the individual and make the person’s struggle worse than before. Unfortunately there are people with ‘good intentions’ who lack discernment or sound judgment that in the process of helping cause further injury to the person they try to help. All first responders must be trained to be extremely careful before they are assigned to assist those in danger.

Our Lord’s Earthly Ministry reveals His unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and gentleness. We, as Orthodox Christians, must learn from Him how to treat others who are vulnerable. It is not what we offer to the person in need that counts, but also, how we do it. In other words, the attitude and words that we use to communicate our intent. People who are faced with all kinds of impediments and challenges have feelings too. It is wrong to attempt to help someone if we don’t take into account the person’s emotional and psychological or spiritual condition. No one should have the power to crush anyone’s spirit and dignity. The person who needs help is a child of God and we must always respect that, and have it in mind. Our Lord sees everything that we do and knows a person’s intent of all that he does.

Be kind to all people and pray for them. Our world needs more kindness and love for one another. Needless to say, the world that we live in is tragically filled with cruelty, neglect, pain, injustice, brutality, murder of the innocent, persecution, and unending wars. As Christians we have a commandment from our Lord and Redeemer, and by His grace, to turn things around. To free the world from hatred, evil, violence, and all other vices and acts. Our God created a beautiful world and put man in charge of it to take care of it. His will has never changed and will never change. It is His creation and will always be His. Mankind is also a part of creation, created "in His image and likeness." God awaits for us to be obedient to His will and to work together with Him to fulfill His Divine and Great Plan. Saint Isaac of Syria speaks on the all-embracing love and kindness of God. "The ‘merciful heart’ in a human person is therefore the image and likeness of God’s mercy, which embraces the whole of creation — people, animals, reptiles, and demons. In God, there is no hatred towards anyone, but all-embracing love which does not distinguish between righteous and sinner, between a friend of truth and an enemy of truth, between Angel and demon. Every created being is precious in God’s eyes." This non-discriminating and all-embracing love and kindness of God is what we Orthodox Christians strive to emulate in our own lives.

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

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

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

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

THE DIVINE LITURGY

After the Resurrection of Christ, the son of Joseph the Betrothed, Iakovos (James), who is called Adelphotheos or "Brother of God," became Bishop of Jerusalem. He wrote in the Hebrew tongue (language) certain prayers and petitions to God, to be used whenever the priests were about the celebrate the Divine Liturgy, which was handed down BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE APOSTLES DURING THAT NIGHT WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO BE DELIVERED UP. (HENCE THE WORD "DIVINE") Shortly thereafter those prayers and the rest of the service of the Divine Liturgy were translated into Greek, as we have found it today, by Saint Clement (88-07 A.D.), the Disciple of the Holy Apostle Peter, who afterward became Bishop of Rome He ordained as law that in this way the Chritians are to perform the Divine Liturgy.

In such a manner then the Christians conducted the Liturgy for about three hundred and fifty years. However, because the prayers were long and the service lengthy, the priests were negligent and DID NOT LITURGIZE. Saint Basil urged, "It is good and beneficial to communicate every day, and to partake of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ… And who doubts that to share frequently in Life is hte same thing as to have life abundantly? I, indeed, COMMUNICATE (TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION) FOUR TIMES A WEEK, on the Lord’s Day, on Wednesday, on Friday, and on Saturday, and on other days if there is a commemoration of any Saint."

Nonetheless the Christians were feeling weighed down and began murmuring on account of the length of the service, and wished to go about their work in the world. The Saint, observing this response of the people was desirous to find a way to relieve their weariness. Consequently to this, he sought Divine enlightenment, by entreating the Lord to show him a sign that He might know whether his intention was God’s will.

Then he pondered and supplicated God for many days, with fasts and tears. "Then one night, the Saint, as one pure and worthy, beheld a wondrous and paradoxical vision, which I (the hagiographer), as one unworthy and filled with every uncleanness, shudder to narrate, O blessed Christian. Well then, the Lord with His Holy Apostles appeared to come down to the Saint. O Thy condescension, Lord Who loves mankind! And, according to hierarchical order, Christ celebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Apostles. Yet the Lord was not uttering those prayers which are written in the Liturgy of Saint Iakovos (James) the Brother of the Lord, but an ABRIDGEMENT, which afterward Saint Basil placed in the Lturgy. After seeing this vision, the Saint gave thanks to God Who harkened to his entreaty. Hence, he COMPOSED THE SHORTENED DIVINE SERVICE, WHICH HAS COME DOWN TO US TO THIS DAY, AND WHICH WE KNOW AS THE LITURGY OF SAINT BASIL.

After Christ and the Holy Apostles appeared to Saint Basil, he uttered the NEW PRAYERS IN THE DIVINE SERVICE. Evoulos and the clargy of higher rank then beheld A CELESTIAL LIGHT ILLUMINATING THE SANCTUARY AND SAINT BASIL. Certain radiant men clsd in white shining garments surrounded the Saint. All the clergy were astonished and fell prone to the floor, weeping and glorifying God.

About the same time the Holy Bishop commissioned a goldsmith to fashion a dove of pure gold, as an image of what took place at the Baptism of Christ, when Saint John the Baptism bore witness, saying, "I HAVE BEHELD THE SPIRIT DESCENDING OUT OF HEAVEN AS A DOVE, AND HE ABODE UPON HIM" [John 1:32]. He then suspended it above the Holy Table as a receptacle in which to store the Mysteries.

Whenever the Saint served the Divine Liturgy and elevated the Holy Gifts, that golden dove, which was suspended above the Holy Altar, shook thrice by the power of God. However, one day, when Saint Basil was serving, the usual sign of the movement of the dove did not take place. Saint Basil pondered thy this should have happened now. Then he observed that one of the Deacons, who was holding the fans (ripidia), was gazing earnestly at a woman standing in the church. The Deacon was dismissed, and given a penance. He was to pray and fast for seven days, and distribute alms to the poor. As a result of this incident, Saint Basil commanded that a veil (screen) be hung and a partition constructed IN FRONT OF the Sanctuary.

Today, the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is celebrated by the Church only ten times a year: the Five Sundays of the Great Fast (Holy Lent), Great Thursday, Great Saturday, the Eve of the Nativity of our Lord, the Eve of the Theophany, and the Feast Day of Saint Basil on the 1st of January. [Resource: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

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

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

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

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

SAINT BASIL AND A WIDOW’S REPENTANCE

A certain widow, who has surpassed the other women of Caesarea with regard to her wealth and nobility,had come to enslave herself in gluttony and in profligacy (licentiousness, lewdness or vulgar), being enthralled in defiling carnal passions and squandering her fortune. At length, unsettled and shaking when she brought to mind everlasting torments, she resolved to go before the Saint in order to confess the morass of her sins. But the enemy of the salvation of man, the devil, suggested to her thoughts of how intolerable her shame would be in confessing her deeds. Thus, he hindered her from coming to repentance by means of a thorough confession. Though the devil may have postponed her good intention, by the grace and mercy of God she did not abandon her decision to change her life. What then did she think to do? She wrote down on paper all her sins. At the end of her listing, she recorded one deadly sini; and then she sealed the letter appropriately. Then, while Saint Basil was on his way to church, she intercepted him and cast the sealed letter before his feet. With tears, she cried aloud, "Have mercy on me, O Saint of God, who am the most sinful of all the people!" Standing still, the Saint asked her the cause for such a flow of tears. She replied, "Holy master, I have written all my sins in this letter. I beseech thy holiness not to open it, but only through thy prayer thou mayest blot out my sins." The Saint took the letter and looked up to heaven, praying thus, "It is Thy work, O Master and Lord, to forgive the sins of this Thy handmaid; for Thou, the only sinless One, art good and the lover of man, and didst bear the sins of the people."

And making this entreaty, the Saint then entered the church and began to celebrate the Divine Liturgy while holding the letter. After the dismissal, he summoned that woman who gave him the letter. Listen, woman, for no one is able to forgive sins, save God alone," the Archbishop told her. " I did hear, holy master, and for this reason I besought thee to intercede with God for the forgiveness of my sins," she said. Then the woman broke the seal and unrolled the paper. And–O the Wonder! –she found it unwritten upon, except for that last grievous sin she had penned. Seeing this one had remained, she became faith hearted and beat her breast with her hands. Falling at the feet of the Saint, she held the letter and implored him, ‘Have mercy on me, O Saint of the Most High God, even as my other sins were blotted out through thy holy prayers, in like manner entreat God to wipe out this lawless deed of mine." The Saint, weeping, advised, "Arise, O woman, because I also am a sinful man, and I too have need of forgiveness. Go into the desert and seek a certain great ascetic named Ephraim. When he offers up entreaty to God, He will blot out thy sin."

The woman, therefore, having received the blessing of the Saint arrived in the desert and found the righteous Ephraim who upon hearing that she was sent to him by Archbishop Basil and of her request to blot out the deadly sin said to her, "…the same one who besought God from Whom thou didst receive forgiveness of many sins is able to supplicate on thy behalf for even this one. Go, therefore, back to him. However, Saint Basil had reposed by the time she returned. As she entered Caesarea, she met the precious relics of the Saint being escorted by a multitude proceeding to the place of burial.

After disclosing this, she cast the letter upon the bier of the Saint and recounted her story before all the people. One of the clergy took up the letter, because she desired to know what was that great lawless deed, but he found the paper to be utterly blank. Then he cried out with a loud voice to the woman, "O woman, there is nothing written anywhere on the paper! Why are you troubled? Do you not recognize the kindness of God? She acknowledged the compassion of God and also thanked Saint Basil and Saint Ephraim. From that time on she conducted the rest of her life in a prudent, chaste, and God-pleasing manner, until her repose in the Lord. [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church].

(To be continued)
____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

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

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

SAINT BASIL’S WISDOM AND WONDERS

A Righteous Couple

The Saint wished at one time to go to a certain city of his Diocese which was ministered by the Priest Anastasios, a righteous and virtuous man. The Priest was conspicuous for his self-control and fasting, which he kept exactly. He also had a wife whose name was Theognosia. In the eyes of the people she was his wife, but in reality he in no wise knew her carnally, living with her as a sister. The people of that city erroneously believed the couple’s childlessness was due to her barrenness. Apart from this, the Priest possessed another virtue: he kept a man who has a form of leprosy. No one was privy to the fact that the Priest and his wife cared for the infirm man on their own property. Now when Saint Basil was moved to take this journey by road, Father Anastasios, filled with the Holy Spirit, remarked to his wife, ‘My sister, I intend to go to our field, since there is need. But today our master is coming. Now at that hour that I tell thee, thou shalt go forth and meet him with incense and lights." Hence, at the appointed time revealed by Father Anastasios, Theognosia made ready and went forth from the house. Indeed, as foreseen, the Saint arrived. The Archbishop exclaimed, "How is it with thee, Lady Theognosia?" Composing herself after being amazed that the hierarch knew to call her by name, she answered, "I am well, holy master." The Saint took up the conversation, and inquired, "Lord Anastasios, the Priest and thy brother, where is he?" She replied, "He is my husband, Despota; and he has gone to the field to labor." The Saint responded, "He has come. He is inside the house. Therefore, do not send men to fetch him."

Taking note of the hierarch’s prophetic gifts, Theognosia fell at his feet and with tears petitioned, "Pray on behalf of me, the sinner, holy master, because I see in thee great and marvellous things!" And the hierarch then blessed her. As Saint Basil and Theognosia proceeded toward the house, the Priest Anastasios had anticipated their arrival, and went out of the door, so ast to meet them. Saint Basil entered the Priest’s home and sat down. Not much time had passed when the hierarch asked, "Lord Anastasios, speak to us of thy virtue, to the benefit of the Christians who stand here." But Father Anastasios declared, "I am a sinful man, holy master. What kind of virtue dost thou seek from me?" The Saint kept his eyes upon him, and the Priest continued, "But this I say to thy prelacy. I have two plows. I, indeed, work with one, and the other my bondman Now from the yield, we retain however much is sufficient for us to manage for the year; and the rest we give to the poor. I also have my house, and thy handmaid, who serves with me." The Saint said at this point, "Say not thy wife, but call her thy sister, just as she actually is." He then resumed, saying, "Now disclose to me thine other virtues also." The Priest Anastasios then returned to his first position. "I do not even have one virtue, my master, and am desolate of every good work," he said. The Saint then bade him, "Rise and come with me."

Thereupon the Priest listened and followed, while the Saint let him to a cell–the very chamber where Anastasios had cloistered the diseased man! Saint Basil then directed, "Open this door." The Priest pleaded, "Do not enter, O Saint of God, for the place is polluted." The Saint assured him, "I also need this place." Since it was evident that the Priest did not wish to open the door, lest his virtue should be made manifest, Saint Basil opened the door by his prayer alone. The Saint entered therein; and turning to Anastasios, questioned him, "Why has thou hidden this treasure from me?" The Presbyter answered, "My master, I feared that if I had presented thee to him, perhaps the leper might hae uttered an evil word against thee." The Saint commented, "Well, father, thou didst struggle on account of his ill-temper for so many years, thus leave me also to serve him thus during this night." Therefore, the hierarch remained inside the sick room for that entire night, all the while offering fervent prayer to God. And–O the Wonder!–in the morning, that man came forth from the chamber completely cured, without having even the slightest sign of the dreaded leprosy. [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

(To be continued)

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED, PEACEFUL SPIRITUALLY EDIFYING, AND PROFITABLE, AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

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

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

On 1st of January: The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Father
Among the Saints BASIL THE GREAT, Archbishop of Caesarea of
Cappadocia.

ON THE CIRCUMCISION

On the 8th day after His birth, the Divine Child was taken to the Temple and duly circumcised according to the Jewish Law that had been observed from the time of Abraham. At this time He was given the name JESUS, the name announced to the Most Holy Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:31) In the Book of Genesis 17:10, "Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It shall be A SIGN OF THE COVENANT BETWEEN Me and you. A child of EIGHT YEARS OLD SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED BY YOU" [vs. 10-12]. The RITE OF CIRCUMCISION was not the covenant itself. It was "A SIGN OF THE COVENANT". It was a temporary sign, because it applied only to Abraham’s "genealogy", that is to Abraham’s physical lineage, and also to those born in his house or bought with his money. Thus the rite did NOT apply to the "many nations," or Gentiles (Pagans), to be made righteous by faith in the Gospel. Christ Himself FULFILLED THIS RITE AND BROUGHT IT TO AN END WHEN HE WAS CIRCUMCISED ON THE EIGHTH DAY AFTER HIS BIRTH FROM THE VIRGIN (Luke 2:21).

The Baptism of the New Covenant was prefigured in the Circumcision of the Old Covenant. The Lord’s Circumcision shows that He TOOK TRUE HUMAN FLESH UPON HIMSELF, NOT ITS SEMBLANCE AS HERETICS LATER TAUGHT OF Him. The Lord was truly circumcised, desiring thus TO FULFIL ALL THE LAW, which He Himself had given through our Forefathers and the Prophets. Fulfilling all the ordinances of the Law, He superseded them by Baptism in His Church, for, as the Holy Apostle declares: "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but A NEW CREATURE" [Galatians 6:15].

WHO WAS SAINT BASIL THE GREAT?

Saint Basil the Great was born about the end of the year 329 A.D. in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents’ names were Basil and Emily. His mother Emily (commemorated July 19th) and his grandmother Macrina (January 14th) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19th), Gregory of Nissa (January 10th), Peter of Sebastia (January 9th), and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantinople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good influence of his sister Macrina (see July 19th), he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ASCETICAL LIFE; here he also wrote his ascetical homilies.

After the year 370 A.D., when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntary poverty and strict asceticism, having no other care than to defend Holy Orthodoxy as a worthy SUCCESSOR OF THE HOLY APOSTLES. The pagan Roman Emperors Valens and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who wer of one mind with the HERETICAL ARIANS, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest. But he set all their malice at nought, and in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. Modestus, amzed at Basil’s fearlessness in his presence, sasid that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil’s dignity and wisdom. When Valens’ son fell gravely ill, he asked for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restored if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens, persuaded by his counsellors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; but his pen broke when he was signing the banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent wth extreme ascetical practices and continual labors at the helm of the Church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379 A.D., at the age of 49.

His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and with these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both OF CREATION [see his Hexaemeron] and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honored as "THE REVEALER OF HEAVENLY THINGS" and "THE GREAT.."

Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30th with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostmos. [Resources: The Great Horologion]

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

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

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Incarnate Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ,

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

On 30th of December Our Holy Orthodox Church
Commemorates the Holy Martyr ANYSIA.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Anysia. Fourth Tone

O LORD Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb cry with a great voice: O my
Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and
with Thy baptism and crucified and buried. I suffer For Thy sake,
that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in
Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless
sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since
Thou art great in mercy.

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece of wealthy and eminent parents, she was brought up in the Christian faith. She was orphaned young, and gave herself over to pondering on God and prayer in her own home. Fired with the love of Christ, she often said: ‘Oh, how false is the life of youth, for you either create scandal or are scandalized. Better is age, but oh, I am seized with sorrow at the length of time that separates us from heaven!’ She sold her goods and gave away the proceeds to the poor, and herself lived from the labor of her own hands. She keep strict fasts, slept very little and always wept in prayer. When sleep overtook her, she said to herself: ‘It is dangerous to sleep while the enemy keeps vigil. ‘ At that time, the wicked pagan Roman Emperor Maximian issued a decree that any man was free to kill Christians when and where he came across them, without trial or sentence. This holy maiden once went out into the street to go to church. It was the day of a pagan festival of the sun. A soldier saw her fairness of face and went up to her with impure lust, asking her name. She made the sign of the Cross and said to him: ‘I am Christ’s handmaid, and I’m going to church.’ When the impudent soldier came closer and began to speak as one deranged, she pushed him away and spat in his face. The soldier aimed a blow at her with his sword, and ran her through under the rib. This holy maiden suffered in 298 A.D. and was buried by Christians, and was crowned with a wreath of glory by God in the heavenly Kingdom. A church built over her grave. [Resources: The Prologue from Ochrid]

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On Faith
By Saint Gregory Palamas

BELIEVING IN GOD IS DIFFERENT from believing God, To believe God is to regard His promises to us as sure and true, but to believe in Him IS TO HAVE A RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF HIM. Both are necessary for us and we must speak correctly in both respects, in such a way THAT PEOPLE WITH CORRECT UNDERSTANDING CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE FAITHFUL BEFORE THE GOD TO WHOM OUR FAITH IS DIRECTD AND THAT, BEING FAITHFUL BEFORE THE GOD TO WHOM OUR FAITH IS DIRECTED AND THAT, BEING FAITHFUL, WE SHALL BE JUSTIFIED BY HIM. "Abraham believed God," it says, "and it was counted unto Him for righteousness" [Romans 4:3; Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23]. Why was Abraham counted as righteous because he believed? He had received a promise from God that in his seed, that is, in Isaac, all the Tribes of Israel would be blessed [Genesis 17:6; cf. 26:3-5, 24]. Then he was commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac [Genesis 22:1], while he was still a child. Without contradicting he, the father, was hastening on his way to become his son’s murderer while at the same time regarding the promise concerning his son as infallibly sure [Genesis 22:1-18].

Do you see what sort of faith brings justification? But Christ also promised us that we would inherit Eternal Life, pleasure, glory and the Kingdom, while then He commanded us to be poor, to fast, to live in lowliness and affliction, to be ready to die and to crucify ourselves together with our passions and desires [cf. Galatians 5:24]. If therefore we eagerly do these things while at the same time believing God’s promise to us, then we shall have really believed God in the way Abraham did, and it will be counted to us as righteousness…

"The fact that we believe God, that we understand that His promises and warnings to us are true and susre, even though they have not happened yet, is shown by our good works and by our keeping of His commandments. But what proof is there that we have A RIGHT BELIEF IN GOD, THAT WE HAVE TRUSTWORTHY AND DEBOUT UNDERSTANDING OF HIM? It is that we confess the same faith as our God-bearing Fathers. Sincerely believing God provokes opposition not only from the physical passions and the evil one’s snares, but also fromm people in the grip of passions who lure others and drag them down with themselves into wicked pleasures. In the same way, having a right belief in the ONE TRUE GOD PROVOKES OPPOSITION NOT ONLY FROM IGNORANCE AND THE ENEMY’S PROMPTINGS, BUT ALSO FROM GODLESS MEN WHO TREACHEROUSLY PULL BELIEVERS DOWN INTO THE DEPTHS OF THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION. I BOTH ASPECTS OF FAITH OUR GREATEST HELP COMES NOT JUST FROM GOD HIMSELF AND OUR GOD-GIVEN FACULTY OF KNOWLEDGE, BUT FROM THE GOOD ANGELS AND FROM GOD=FERING PEOPLE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.

This is why the Church of Christ, THE SPIRITUAL MOTHER AND NURSE OF US ALL, CLEARLY AND PUBLICLY CELEBRATES THOSE WHO WERE ILLUSTRIOUS IN THEIR PIETY AND VIRTUE, THEIR HOLY COUNCILS AND THE THE GODLY DOCTRINES THESE COUNCILS PROCLAIMED…

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD AND CHAOTIC, AND WORKS WITHOUT FAITH ARE EMPTY AND USELESS. This is why we, eagerly pursuing BOTH FAITH AND WORKS TOGETHER, may show our faith by our works and carry off the prize for our labors through faith." [Homilies]

______
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ + +
With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Incarnate Logos,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in the Divine Incarnate Logos,

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

"Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in dream, saying,
‘Arise, and take the young Child and His Mother, and flee thou into
Egypt, and be thou there until I should tell thee; for Herod is about
to seek the young Child, to destroy Him" [Matthew 2:13]. And he
arose and took the young Child and His Mother by night and departed
into Egypt" [Matthew 2:14].

She who knew not wedlock said, "O Son without beginning , I am
blessed beyond words in Thy strange birth, wherein I have been
spared all travail. And as I behold Thee fleeing from Herod with his
sword of sorrow, I am torn in soul. But do Thou live and save them
that honor Thee."

According to Eusebius, in his Church History, Herod was the first foreigner to be king of the Jewish nation, having been entrusted by the Romans with the government of the Jews, thus fulfilling the words of Moses; "A ruler shall not fail from Juda, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for Him; and He is the expectation of hte nations" [Exodus 49:10]

Not long after the visit of Magi, Herod left for Rome where he remained for about one year. Coming back to Judaea, Herod knew that he had been mocked by the Magi, and his heart swelled with rage. He has the roads searched in his mad desire to have the family seized and put to death; but he could not find a trace of them.

Saint Kosmas writes, "Herod reckoned the time the guiding star had appeared, which brought the Magi to Bethlehem, there to worship Christ with gifts. Led back to their own land by that same star, they returned not to Herod, but mocked the wicked perpetrator of infancticide [Matthew 2:7-12]. Mulling over his thoughts, Herod pondered how he could most quickly destroy the Infant Who the Magi proclaimed. Then, after calculating the time from the appearance of the star to the Magi (which was nine months before they entered Jerusalem), he added the year of his own absence abroad, and counted twenty-one months. Desiring to be certain the Christ Child’s death, he would slay those infants twenty-four months and younger, instead of twenty-one months old. Then he called forth his army and commanded them to slay all male children two years of age.

Herod commanded his men to enter not only Bethlehem but also the large Province of Judah, on account of the misquoted verse of the Chief Priests and Scribes who said, "Bethlehem of Judah" [Matthew 2:6]. What the Prophet Micah actually prophesied was the small hamlet of Bethlehem, of which it is written: "And thou, Bethlehem, house of Ephratha, art few in number to be reckoned among the thousands of Judah [Micah 5:2[.  Thus, the mutilated Scripture verse ushered in the mutilating deaths of children.

"And they stoned Stefanos as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘LORD, DO NOT CHARGE THEM WITH THIS SIN.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep" [Acts 7:59=60]. Saint Stefano’s words are reminiscent of Christ’s words from the Cross [Luke 23:34.  The Martyrdom of Saint Stefanos, called the Protomartyr (First-Martyr). was the beginning  OF THE WIDESPREAD PERSECUTION of the early Christians.  In response to it they "scattered throughout the regions" of Palestine, using the opportunity to spread the Gospel.