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 CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
AT THE SAME TIME THE INAUGURAL APPEARANCE OF DIVINE AGAPE ON
EARTH.

"He who does not love does not know God,
FOR GOD IS AGAPE (LOVE). In
this THE LOVE OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED
TOWARD US, that God has sent His Only-begotten
Son into the world, that we might live through
Him" [1 John 4:8-9].

The Only-begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, IS AGAPE and with His birth on earth He reveals to all of mankind His Divine AGAPE. "In this is agape, not that we loved Bod, but that HE LOVED US AND SENT HIS Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved if God so loved us, we also ought TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER" [1 John 4:10-11]. "We love Him BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US" [1 John 4:19].

"If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, HE IS A LIAR; for he who DOES NOT LOVE his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God WHOM HE HAS NOT SEEN? And this commandment we have from Him, THAT HE WHO LOVES GOD MUST LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and EVERYONE WHO LOVES HIM WHO HE BEGOT ALSO LOVES HIM WHO IS BEGOTTEN OF HIM. By this we know that WE LOVE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WHEN WE LOVE GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. And His commandments are not burdensome" [1 John 4:20-21; 5:1-3].

Every Christian soul understands that God is agape but His Divine agape (love) for humanity is not anything like ours. He created all of His creation, including man, out of Divine Love. Life in Christ is a life of unconditional love for Him and our fellow brothers and sisters. Divine Agape is the purest form of love. The Christian’s good works of salvation are works of love which touch the very depths of the human soul. It is true Christian love that transforms one and all those around him. The Divine Love that our Lord and Savior brought into a hostile and wicked world intended to change or transform it to a world of unending and everlasting love.

When mankind rejects Christ, it rejects agape. It rejects God, it rejects salvation, it rejects the true Light, it rejects the authentic Truth and it rejects His Kingdom of agape and everlasting life. If our world continues to be a world of hatred, of division, of death, of wars, a world of materialism, of hedonism, of sin and evil it is because it has rejected the Christ, the Son of God, God Himself, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, and along with it, the world HAS REJECTED AGAPE (LOVE). The only antidote to evil and darkness is AGAPE! The holy Apostle John writes, "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, THAT WE MAY KNOW Him Who is true; in His Son Jesus Christ. This IS THE TRUE GOD and ETERNAL LIFE" [1 John 5:20].

"There is no fear IN LOVE, but PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has NOT BEEN MADE PERFECT IN LOVE. WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US" [1 John 4:18-19]. How can we know God lives in us? Saint John gives a fourfold answer: (1) "if we love one another" (2) if we have been given "His Spirit" (3) if we can confess "Jesus is the Son of God" and (4) if we abide in THE LOVE OF GOD". But who is it that truly "believes that Jesus is the Christ?" Those who live in the way Christ commanded, WHO LOVE OTHERS. And how is it that God’s "commandments are NOT burdensome?" By living these commandments by FAITH and in God’s LOVE, which makes them light on our fallen nature. They are hard and rough only to those who are living a sinful life. That the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who suffer makes even suffering sweet as in the case of the holy Martyrs of our Church.

World troubles as well as personal troubles indicate an absence of agape. Without genuine agape the world becomes a cold and dark place. Without true agape the life of the human is reduced to simply existence and nothing more. Life without agape, without God, has no purpose, no meaning, no future, no hope, no salvation. God planned and founded everything on LOVE! If anyone wishes to witness or to see TRUE LOVE, one has to look at CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION. His GREAT SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS TO SAVE HUMANITY SHOULD TEACH MANKIND ALL IT NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT PERFECT, TRUE, UNCONDITIONAL, AND DIVINE AGAPE IS. There is no greater example of True Agape than Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross. Why has not the human race learned it yet?

When we, as Christians, look at His Great Sacrifice on the Cross, we must immediately kneel in awe and in penitence and seek His mercy. In our Holy Orthodox Christian Tradition we utter the words, Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) out of knowing that we are not worthy of His love and even forgiveness. Just as in Jesus’ Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican according to Saint Luke 18:9-14. "And the tax collector, standing afar off, WOULD NOT SO MUCH AS RAISE HIS EYES TO HEAVEN, BUT BEAT HIS BREAST, SAYING, ‘GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER’." (v.13). In the eyes of God, my dear friends, it is the tax collector who is justified BECAUSE OF HIS HUMILITY. The Pharisee IS CONDEMNED because of HIS SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, HIS PRIDE AND SELF-EXALTATION.

Tragically, however, true brotherly agape does NOT even exist among today’s Christians. Christians have been torn apart and fragmented to thousands of pieces. Just among the Protestants, world wide, are 45,000 denominations or fragments. Why? because there is NO TRUE LOVE OF GOD AND AMONG US. YOU SEE TRUE LOVE UNITES, IT DOES NOT DIVIDE. The lack of love for Christ’s Commandments is very evident because His TRUTH AND HIS GOSPEL have been attacked by those who profess to be Christians. Jesus Christ’s Divine Teachings have been distorted and instead what is taught by them is OUTRIGHT HERESY! If this was not true there would ONLY BE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH
INSTEAD OF THOUSANDS OF BRANCHES AND FALSE TRUTHS. HERETICS ARE THE ENEMY OF TRUTH AND OF OUR SAVIOR GOD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS HOLY GOSPEL.

What is needed by Christians is TO TRULY REPENT and CONFESS THEIR FIDELITY TO JESUS’ HOLY GOSPEL, THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH AND AGAPE. And then TOGETHER AS THE BODY OF CHRIST TO SPREAD GOD’S LOVE TO ALL OF MANKIND. IT IS THROUGH GOD’S LOVE THAT HUMANITY MAY BE SAVED!

________
"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 40 Day Journey to Meet Our Lord Christ On The Day of His Birth
[CHRISTOUGENNA].

Katavasias [Hymns] of
CHRISTMAS

CHRIST IS BORN!
Glorify Him1
Christ is come from
heaven! Go and meet
Him! Christ is on earth!
Arise to Him!
Sing to the Lord, all you
inhabitants of earth, and
all you peoples, praise Him,
and with merriment extol
Him Who is glorified!

TO the Son,
begotten from the Father
unchangingly before the ages,
and now becoming incarnate
from the Virgin without seed;
to Christ God let us cry aloud,
You have exalted the horn of our
strength. Only You are Holy,
O Lord!

A rod has come forth from Jesse’s
root, and You its flower grew from it,
praiseworthy Christ, now born of the
Virgin, whom Habakkuk called Paran,
shady thickly wooded mountain.
From her who knew no man You came
incarnate, O immaterial God.
Glory to Your strength,
O Lord!

O God of peace and Father of mercies,
You have sent to us the Wonderful
Counselor, the Angel of Your Great Counsel,
granting us peace. And now to light of
knowledge of God we have been guided,
and we rise from night to dawn and glorify
You, O Benevolent Lord.

JONAH long ago was hurled from the belly
of the whale as he went in, like a newborn babe.
With the Virgin now, when the Logos/Word had
dwelt in His Mother’s womb, taking flesh, He then
emerged, preserving her intact. Yielding not to
changeability, He preserved her unaltered in
childbirth.

BROUGHT up together piously, the Servants with
contempt regarded the impious king’s decree.
The threat of the furnace did not frighten them.
Rather, standing in the midst of flames, they
prayed and sang, "Blessed are You, O Lod God
of our fathers!

The Magnificat. Mode 1.

Verse: My soul magnifies the
Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced
in God my Savior.

GREATER in honor than the
Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond
compare than the Seraphim; you
without corruption gave birth to God the Logos/Word,
and are truly Theotokos,
You do we magnify.

Katavasia Hymn. Mode 1.

O my soul, magnify the woman
Who is higher in honor and in glory
than the armies of heaven.

I see here a new and paradoxical mystery.
For the cave resembles heaven,
the Virgin, the Cherubic Throne, the
manger, a grand space, in which He Whom
nothing can contain was laid, Christ our God;
Whom we extol in song and magnify.
+++

As everyone can see the Orthodox hymns reveal the mystery of Christ’s birth by describing the simplicity of the story and the depth of God’s agape. The hymns are not just religious songs sung in the divine services to enhance the beauty of the ritual. They are instruments and means of conveying the theology of the Orthodox Church, in this case to explain the mystery of the divine Incarnation. Just as with the hagiography or iconography of the Orthodox Byzantine tradition has a greater purpose than decorating the walls of the churches. This is why it is so important that the Orthodox faithful pay close attention to the words or the individual holy icons which they speak to the believer and increase their knowledge of the Faith. "Thus, the icon is also a theology, a theology in color, expressing the experience of God with lines and paints rather than with discursive language. The goal of the holy icon and that of written theology are the same – to LEAD OTHERS TO THE MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD. The icon artistically depicts the experience so that others may approach the mystery and be invited to share in it."

Hagiographers and Cantors have a great responsibility to translate and interpret both hymns and holy icons correctly and according to Orthodox theology and tradition. Some examples of hymns that explore the mystery of Christ’s Birth include:

Irmos of the 9th Ode of the Nativity Canon

The Church chants with awe, "I behold a strange and most glorious mystery." The hymn describes the cave as heaven, the Virgin as a Cherubic Throne, and the manger as a noble space for Christ. The hymn at Vespers describes the simplicity of the story of Christ’s Birth, which reveals the depth of God’s love for mankind. Eternal God: a little Child. The hymn describes the wonder of the birth of Christ, where a virgin becomes a mother and gives birth to God. They mystery of Christ’s Birth is also known as the Mystery of Incarnation. It refers to the mystery of God the Son descending from heaven and taking on flesh and a rational soul from the Holy Virgin Mary.

Nativity Icon
Explained
by Father Jeremy

CENTER

In the center is the infant Christ lying in a manger. The Virgin Mary (Theotokos) is beside Him, and an ox and an ass are behind Him. Christ being born in a cave is not in not in the Holy Bible, but it is an ancient tradition, dating back to the first and second centuries. He is dressed in burial clothes to foreshadow His death. His location in a cave also foreshadows the grave in which He would be buried and where He would resurrect.

When Aadam and Eve were first created, they were clothed in the glory of God. That was their natural state. But when they fell into sin, they lost this clothing of glory and became aware of their nakedness. Clothed in animals skins (which represent death), they went to exile outside of the Garden. Christ likewise condescended from His state of glory to become one of us, which in some sense meant He was exiling Himself form heaven. He wrapped Himself in the mortal flesh’s sin and death, as Scripture states, "God made Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ" [2 Corinthians 5:21).

BOTTOM LEFT

Unlike most icons that feature both Christ and the Virgin Mary, she is not looking at Him. Instead, she is looking at her betrothed, Joseph, interceding for him. The Protoevangelium tells us that after the birth of Jesus, he walked out of the cave, battling doubts. The old man next to him is supposed to be the devil who is, of course, filling his mind with all sorts of doubts and angry thoughts.

We may sing "What Child is This?" but Joseph’s questions was "Whose child is this?" since he knew he was certainly not the father. Yet Joseph has a halo, which indicates his sanctity.

Sometimes when God shows up in our lives, it raises questions and doubts. God bestows His grace upon us, but then He seems to withdraw a little bit, allowing difficulties to test and deepen our faith. We may wonder why things happen the way they do. But if we persevere, then things will
gradually become clear.

TOP AND MIDDLE

At the very top is a blue shape sometimes called a mandorla. It signifies the presence and the glory of God. It beams from the heavens, pointing to the Christ Child, which shows His descent from heaven to the earth. On the left, the three kings (magi) are travelling from afar, following the star in the sky. Angels appear in the heavens above and tell the good news to the shepherds (on the right) in the field so that they can see this Divine Child born in the little town of Bethlehem.

I sometimes wonder if the shepherds and Angelic Chorus appeared after Jesus’ birth more for Joseph’s sake than anything else. These divine interventions affirmed the dream that God granted Joseph and helped him to trust God. Our Church’s hymns mention this struggle and Joseph’s victory over doubts.

"Joseph when he beheld the greatness of this
Wonder, thought that he saw a mortal wrapped as
a babe in swaddling clothes, but
from all that came to pass he understood that it
was the true God, who grants the world great
mercy." (Vespers of the Forefeast of the Nativity
of Christ)

May we be comforted in the fact that our Savior has come into this world to heal every messy, doubting, sinful part of us. There is nothing a repentant heart has done will permanently push God away from it. And there is nothing that you have done that He has not already helped someone else through, someone else what is considered a Saint.

BOTTOM RIGHT

The women at the bottom right are midwives who display that the Son of God was truly born as a human, and did not merely appear to be human as some early heretics claimed. There is a fountain that they are about to wash the Christ Child in because He had, in some sense, an ordinary, messy birth.

FURTHER DEVELOPING THE SYMBOLISM

The ox and ass are two of the most ancient symbols that appear in nativity icons and sculptures. In the ancient Church, the OX symbolized the Jews, for it was a clean, kosher animal that they could eat. It could also be easily trained to pull a plow and assist in various ways. The Jews had the Law of Moses and it helped keep them (or at least, a remnant) clean and obedient to God.

The ASS, on the other hand, is a stubborn and wilder animal. It is unclean and not kosher, therefore, it represents the Gentiles who did not have the Law of Moses to guide them away from their pursuit of indecent and immoral behavior.

In Christ, these two seemingly opposed groups came together to form one people. As the Holy Bible says, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2::14).

MEETING IN THE CENTER

Above are the Angels, below are the shepherds, midwives, and people. To the left are the three wise men, the three kings, the magi who travel a great distance bearing expensive gifts. To the right are simple, poor, uneducated shepherds, In the center is Christ, Who brings all of these different people together in Himself. He united heaven and earth, rich and poor, wise and simple, educated and uneducated, locals and foreigners, obedient and rebellious men, the confident and doubters, all these find their place in Christ.

THE CAVE AND THE HEART

Christ was the mystery hidden throughout all ages — just as His Coming in the cave was hidden from most people. But the glory of this mystery is Christ in you (cf. Colossians 1:26-27). In this way, the cave became an icon of every heart that opens itself to Christ.

Caves, with all of their mystery and darkness, hidden chambers, and secret places, are truly a reflection of the dark, mysterious heart within earth one of us. But like the cave Christ entered on Christmas day, our hearts can become the dwelling place of His majestic glory. Like the ox and ass, we have both clean and unclean thing in our hearts – the things that are good and not so good. We have the devil whispering doubts or evil things to us. But we also have the Theotokos praying for us.

All the distractions in our lives pull us outside of our hearts. Because of that, we have terrible self-awareness. But when we enter into our hearts, we find that Christ is there. But what does that mean?

Imagine Joseph getting up and waling away from the devil, saying, "I’m tired of listening to you and your lies." He prays to God to help him, he gets up and walks to the cave where Christ and the Mother of God are. That is the beginning of descending into the heart. Of finding the mystery hidden from all eternity, dwelling within our hearts as He once dwelt in a cave near the little town of Bethlehem.

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

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

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

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

On December 6th, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates Our Father
Among the Saints NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER, Bishop of Myra of
Lycia.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith,
an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause,
thou hast achieved hte heights by humility, riches by poverty. O
Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our
souls be saved.

Kontakion Hymn. Third Tone

Thou, O righteous Nicholas, in Myra truly wast shown forth as a
sacred minister fulfilling Christ’s holy Gospel; for thou didst lay
down thy life for thy flock and people and, O Saint, didst save the
innocent from unjust death. Wherefore, thou was sanctified as
a great initiate of the Divine grace of God.
+

The Saint, famed throughout the entire world today, was the only son of his eminent and wealthy parents, Theophanes and Nona, citizens of Patara in Lycia. They dedicated to God the only son He gave them. Saint Nicholas was instructed in the spiritual life by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara, and became a monk at ‘New Sion,’ a Monastery founded by his uncle. On the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed all the property he inherited to the poor and kept nothing back for himself. As a Priest in Patara, he was known for his charitable works, fulfilling the Lord’s words: "LET NOT THY LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT THY RIGHT HAND DOETH" [Matthew 6:3]. When he embraced a life of solitude and silence, thinking to live in that way until his death, A VOICE FROM ON HIGH CAME TO HIM: ‘Nicholas, set about your work among the people if you desire to receive a crown from Me." Immediately after that, by God’s Wondrous Providence, he was chosen as Archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise and fearless, Nicholas was a true shepherd to his flock. He was cast into prison during the persecution of the pagan Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian, but even there continued to instruct the people in the Law of God. He was present at the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea in 325 A.D., and, in his zeal, struck the heretic Arius with his hand. For this act, he was removed from the Synod and from his episcopal duties, until some of the chief hierarchs had A VISION OF OUR LORD CHRIST AND HIS MOST HOLY MOTHER SHOWING THEIR SYMPATHY WITH NICHOLAS.

This wonderful Saint was A DEFENDER OF THE TRUTH OF GOD, and was ever a spirited Champion of justice among the people. On two occasions, he saved three men from underved sentences of death. Merciful, trustworthy and loving right; he walked among the people like an Angel of God. People considered him a Saint even during his lifetime, and invoked his aid when in torment or distress. He would appear both in dreams and in reality to those who called upon him for help, responding speedily to them, whether close at hand or far away. His face would shine with light as Moses’ did aforetime, and his mere presence among people would bring solace, peace and goodwill. In old age, he sickened of a slight illness, and wont to his rest in the Lord after a life full of labor and fruitful toil. He now enjoys Eternal happiness in the Kingdom of heaven, continuing to help the faithful on earth by his miracles, and to spread the glory of God. He entered into rest on December 6th, 343 A.D.

FOR CONSIDERATION

On holy icons of Saint Nicholas, our Lord and Savior will often be seen on one side with the Gospels in hand, and the Most Holy Mother of God, the Theotokos on the other with an Episcopal Stole in hers. This has a twofold historical significance: IT DENOTES, FIRSTLY, NICHOLAS’S CALLING TO EPISCOPAL OFFICE, AND SECONDLY HIS VINDICATION AND REINSTATEMENT FOLLOWING FOR HIS CLASH WITH THE HERETIC ARIUS. Saint Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, writes: "One night, Saint Nicholas saw our Savior in glory, standing by him and holding out to him the Gospels adorned with gold and pearls, and the Mother of God standing on his other side and placing a pallium on his shoulders. Shortly after his vision, John, the then Archbishop of Myra, died, and Saint Nicholas was installed as Archbishop of that city. That was the first occasion. The second occurred at the time of the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea. Unable to put a stop by argument to the senseless blasphemer heretic Arius in the face. The Holy Fathers banned Nicholas from the Synod and stripped him of all marks of his Episcopal rank. The very night, several of the Fathers had the same vision: how the Lord stood on one side of Nicholas with the Gospels and the Mother of God on the other with a PALLIUM, offering to the Saint those marks of rank that had been stripped from him. Seeing this, the Holy Fathers were amazed, and quickly returned to Saint Nicholas that which they had taken from him. They began from that time to respect him as a great man, and to interpret his action against heretic Arius not as some senseless rage, but as the EXPRESSION OF GREAT ZEAL FOR GOD’S TRUTH.

A MORE DETAILED ACCOUNT ON THE LIFE OF SAINT NICHOLAS, THE WONDERWORKER

Through his countless miracles on behalf of the poor, the abandoned, of those suffering injustice and of all who call upon his fatherly protection, he has to this day shown himself "A GOOD STEWARD OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD" ]1 Peter 4:10].

On three occasions he secretly lef gold enough for the marriage portions of three maidens whom their debt-ridden father intended to give up to prostitution. When the man eventually discovered his good deed, Saint Nicholas made him promise, as he valued his salvation, to tell no one of it. God recompensed him through the charismata (gifts) and miracles for which he became renowned in the sight of men. On pilgrimage to the Holy Places he twice by his prayer calmed the winds that imperiled the ship he was sailing in.

He saved the city of Myra from famine by appearing to the master of a vessel laden with corn, and telling him to discharge his cargo at the harbor there. Later the man of God saved the lives of three Roman officers unjustly accused of conspiracy, by appearing in a dream to the Emperor Constantine the Great and to the perfidious Prefect Avlavius. Full of gratitude to the Saint for their deliverance, the three soldiers became monks.

On many other occasions after his death as well as during his lifetime, Saint Nicholas has miraculously assisted ships in distress and people making voyages, and so is venerated as the protector of all who sail the seas. Thus, one day during a gale, he appeared at the helm of a ship in distress and brought it safely to port; and on another occasion, he rescued a passenger who fell overboard crying, "Saint Nicholas, help me!" and at once found himself at home surrounded by his astounded family.

His holy relics, placed in a church built in his honor at Myra, were venerated by crowds of pilgrims every year. One day the Devil, unable to tolerate the glory that shone from Saint Nicholas’ tomb, took the form of a poor old woman and accosted some pilgrims who were leaving for the city of Myra, lamenting that she was not able herself to travel, and entrusting them with a flask of oil for the lamps that burned perpetually before the shrine. During the voyage, Nicholas appeared to the ship’s captain and told him to throw the oil into the sea. No sooner had he done so than the surface of the water caught fire and swirled aout in blazing eddies to the terror of the passengers, who gave thanks to God for having saved the sanctuary through his Saint. In 1087, after Myra had fallen to the Saracens, the holy relics of Saint Nicholas were transferred to Bari in south of Italy, accompanied by many miracles, and there they are venerated to this day. [Resources: The Prologue from Ochrid]

Saint Nicholas, with Saint George, is one of the Saints most beloved by Orthodox Christians. The churches dedicated to him are as countless as places and the faithful named after him. He is especially revered by the Russian Orthodox faithful as the PROTECTOR OF CROPS, and Roman Catholic Christians as the protector and patron of schoolchildren and of young people in general.

Over the years, sadl, the person and life of Saint Nicholas have been distorted and misrepresented by a materialistic society. The true person of this magnificent Saint of the Church has been turned into a symbol of consumerism and over-indulgence. It is a sin and is most offensive to all Orthodox Christians who revere the Saint, throughout the world. Orthodox children should be taught by their parents the truth about the life and works of Saint Nicholas and encourage them to seek his help and intercessions.

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

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

M

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.

“REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY” [Exodus 20:8] says God Almighty.

“Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days
you shall labor and do all your work, but the SEVENTH DAY
IS THE SABBATH OF THE LORD YOUR GOD. IN IT YOU
SHALL DO NO WORK… THEREFORE, THE LORD BLESSED
THE SABBATH DAY AND HALLOWED IT” [Exodus 20:8-11].

The Fourth Commandment among these was dedicated to reminding God’s people to observe the Sabbath. It says, “Remember the Sabbath, the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the Seventh Day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. The Lord’s Day (Ημέρα Κυρίου η Κυριακή), the first day of the week, which Christians observe as a day of worship and rest. It is also A MEMORIAL OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

Orthodox Christians observe the Lord’s Day by attending religious divine services, such as the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday mornings. They also write hymns and odes about the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christians distinguish between the Sabbath (Saturday) and the Lord’s Day (Sunday 20:8). Both days play a special role for Orthodox faithful.

In the first centuries, Sunday became a day of religious services to honor the Resurrection of Christ. Early Christians believed that Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension renewed creation, making Sunday similar to the first day of creation. Many parishes and monasteries will serve the Divine Liturgy both Saturday morning and Sunday morning.

In the Fourth Commandment, our Lord commended the Hebrews to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” In some Protestant circles, this has caused quite a stir. Many of them insist Christians should only worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) and NOT on the Eighth Day (Sunday). Others assert that Christians no longer need to observe the Sabbath, claiming the Law no longer binds us.

The institution of the Sabbath occurred when the Lord delivered the Ten Commandments to the Hebrew people, who observed the Sabbath to remember the Lord’s resting on the seventh day after making heaven and earth (Exodus 20:8; Genesis 2:1-3). The Lord called the Hebrews to “remember to keep, and hallow or sanctify, the Sabbath by resting from almost every kind of work. He provided them this sacred time to CONTEMPLATE HIS AWESOME WORK IN CREATION AND THEIR MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT. This was one of the main ways “God ordained to reinforce the people’s covenant with Him [Exodus 31:12-17).

Every Orthodox Christian must participate in the Divine worship of the Church. No one should be passive but all believers must fulfilled this holy obligation of Church life and involve communion with Almighty God and to willingly serve Him. Again we are reminded of the words of Christ who said, “if two or three are gathered together in His name, He is present in the midst of them.” According to our Faith the prayers of the Holy Angels and the Saints are united to the prayers of the faithful standing in Church. At the Divine Liturgy the officiating priest offers the following prayer: “O Master and Lord our God, Who has appointed in heaven orders and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the service of Thy glory; grant that with our entrance there may be an entrance of Holy Angels, serving with us and glorifying Thy Goodness.”

It is difficult to know how many of the faithful attending the Divine Liturgy actually actually know that not only is the Angelic host, the Theotokos and Saints are present but our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is present. The priest inaudibly prays: “Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God from the Holy Dwelling Place, and from the Throne of Glory of Thy Kingdom, and come to sanctify us, Thou WHO SITTEST ON HIGH WITH THE FATHER, AND ARE HERE INVISIBLY PRESENT WITH US. And do Thou deign by Thy Mighty hand to give to us of Thy IMMACULATE BODY AND OF THY PRECIOUS BLOOD, AND THROUGH US TO ALL THE PEOPLE.”

What is more important for the genuine and true follower of Christ then to be at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday and to be in God’s presence? It is there and by Him that we are forgiven and healed and restored when we approach Him “WITH THE FEAR OF GOD, WITH FAITH AND WITH LOVE.” The lukewarm Christian is the one who finds all kinds of excuses to justify his/her absence from worship. Not only is it offensive to our Creator but we also deprive ourselves from receiving His grace and the forgiveness of our sins and transgressions. How very foolish are they who ignore and resist to obey God’s Commandments? The other question is, if the person who claims to be a Christian is not willing to dedicate one hour of his/her time a week to the Lord, why would he/she want to spend an eternity with Him?

In our Holy Orthodox Tradition we understand the Church as a “hospital” where the faithful come to receive spiritual healing from sins which have injured our souls and bodies and have inflicted us with spiritual illness that needs to be treated through the Mysteries (Sacraments) like confession and holy communion. The Physician of our souls and bodies is none other than our Savior Jesus Christ Whose love for the penitent is unconditional. It is very similar to how a physical ailment is treated in our local hospital, essentially, the Church is a special place where the believer finds spiritual care and healing. When one understands and believes what the Holy Orthodox Church teaches and enters it seeking healing and does it with humility, contrition, and faith, that person will be made well. One arrives in Church hurt, in agony and pain, full of sores and injuries, and leaves it completely restored and in good health physically and spiritually. No one believer ever leaves the Church as he or she enters it, empty handed, and untouched by the grace of God. Of course, the Church, indeed, serves as a hospital, and as in the case of an ordinary hospital in the Church we can meet doctors, nurses, recovering patients, sick people, and seriously infirmed people. Sometimes we can even find those who are dying. Saint John Chrysostomos writes: “The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, BUT GRANTS REMISSION OF SINS.”

We. Orthodox Christians, believe that the Holy Church takes a broken person’s life and restores it in all its dimensions, renews it, transforms it, and sanctifies it. It is wise for us to recall the Parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:25-37]. Due to the man’s mistakes, wrong decisions, and even betrayal and deception from those he trusted he falls among thieves, that is, the devil and the hostile powers, and is left half dead. Our Lord Christ found the badly injured man practically unconscious. Symbolically, the Good Samaritan is Christ Himself, the wounded man is humanity set upon by demons, and the inn is the Church. The Parable says, “So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on OIL and WINE, the holy sacraments, and carried him to the “inn” (His Holy Church), to be fully healed through the care of the innkeeper (priest). Those Orthodox Christians who walk in the Church willingly are those who consider themselves as patients who need His healing touch. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” [Matthew 9:12), the sick being the sinners.   Therefore the Church’s mission is therapeutic in nature.

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL

Holy Angel, companion of my soul and my
whole life, do not abandon me nor depart
from me because of my weakness and sin.

Do not allow the wicked demon to overcome
me by the oppression of this mortal body.
Restrain and strengthen me and guide me in
the way of salvation.

O Holy Angel of God, guardian and protector
of my wretched soul and body, forgive me
everything in which I have grieved you all
the days of my life, and in which I have sinned
in the day just past,

Protect me during the coming night and keep
me from every influence of the enemy, that
I may not anger God in any sin. Intercede
for me to the Lord that He may strengthen me
in His fear and make me worthy to be a servant
of His Goodness. Amen.

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O
Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on
us and save us. Amen.

___________
“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 ROAD LEADING TO THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE ROAD TO OUR SALVATION

“What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, Who for our sake
has appeared on earth as man? Every creature made by Thee
offers Thee thanks. The Angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens
a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth,
its cave; the wilderness, the manger; and we offer Thee a
Virgin Mother, O Pre-eternal God, have mercy upon us.”
[Vespers Sticheron of the Nativity by Anatolios]

When we, Orthodox Christians, examine closely our liturgical tradition, we discover to our delight, that all our mystical divine services and feast day celebrations lead the Orthodox faithful to our Lord, God, and Savior. The sacred hymns and the scriptural readings, prayers, fasting, Mysteries (Sacraments), ceremonies and rituals, etc. are means of revealing to the individual believer the reason for the specific spiritual preparation required of us. Our Holy Church is deliberately teaching us not only how we should worship God and how often but to truly understand that everything leads to Christ our Redeemer and His promise to inherit the Kingdom of heaven. One goal or objective and one destination, that of His Kingdom.

We all appreciate our rich liturgical tradition and we are edified by it, however, its purpose is not simply to please us or our senses but to deliver a specific message to us. Through our mystical divine services we are inspired not only to come to know Christ, but to also live Christ daily. To strengthen our personal or individual relationship with Him, to become one with Him. The Holy Apostle says it best, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” [Galatians 2:20]. It signifies a total transformation where a believer’s old self, marked by sin, is considered “dead” and replaced by the life of Christ dwelling within them, leading to a life guided by Christ’s love and actions rather than personal desires or passions; essentially, a complete surrender to Christ’s presence and a new identity in Him. Through our faith in Him we strive to unite with Him, Christ’s life becomes our life through our personal faith and Holy Baptism.

“I have been crucified with Christ” means our sinful “passions and desires” have been crucified. This is not the crucifixion of human nature, but of “the flesh” [Gk. ‘σάρκα], the corruption into which humanity has fallen. We understand that the crucifixion must be willingly and freely accepted, just as Christ freely accepted His death. Living “in the flesh” is contrasted with living “in the faith.” Just as living “in the flesh” involves the whole person, body and soul, so living “in the faith” involves the whole person.

Everything that our Orthodox Church teaches, our worship, our sacraments, our celebrations and/or ceremonies, our feast and holy days, are offered to the faithful not to induce the people to attend the services conducted but to unite them to Christ. There is the tendency,however, to want to please the believers and to offer them a momentary “spiritual” gratification through the overall performance of the service conducted, i.e., the beautiful place of worship, the chanting of the cantors or choir, the fragrance of the burning incense, the pleasing voice of the priest and his colorful vestments, etc. but that defeats the primary purpose of being there which is to meet Christ the Savior. To feel His presence! Jesus says it clearly, “When two or three are gathered together in My name, I AM THERE IN THE MIDST OF THEM” [Matthew 18:20]. God is with us! He is present! We are there for Him! To see Him, To meet with Him, to worship Him, to glorify Him, to please Him. Jesus is with His followers even when they are gathered in a small group, as long as they are united in faith and prayer. The verse referred to, emphasizes the importance of coming together, of communal worship and the power of prayer when done together.

The Orthodox faithful are assembled together not only to worship but to participate in the Mystery (Sacrament) of the Eucharist. The Eucharist in which the bread and wine of offering are changed by the Holy Spirit, and then the believers receive communion of them for a most intimate union with Christ and eternal life. To receive communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord is the essential, necessary, saving, and consoling obligation of every Christian. This is evident from the words of our Savior which He uttered when giving the promise regarding the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” [John 6:53-54]. Christ’s body was crucified and His blood shed on the Cross. We receive the benefits of Christ’s Sacrifice by coming to Him in faith, and by communion with Him: we “eat” His “flesh” and “drink His blood.” Saint John Chrysostomos teaches we must not understand the sacrament carnally, that is, according to the laws of physical nature, but SPIRITUALLY, perceiving a true but MYSTICAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST.

Just before the Divine Liturgy commences we offer the Great Doxology:

Glory to Thee, Who has shown us the light!
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good
will to men.
We praise Thee, we bless
Thee, we worship Thee,
we glorify Thee, we give
thanks to Thee for Thy great glory:

O Lord, heavenly King,
God the Father Almighty;
O Lord, the Only-begotten Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father,
that takest away the sins
of the world, have mercy on us.

Thou that takest away the sins of
the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest on the right hand
of the Father, have mercy on us.

For Thou alone are Holy,
Thou alone art Lord, Jesus Christ,
In the glory of God the Father. Amen.

For every day will I bless Thee,
and praise Thy name forever and
ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this
day without sin.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord,,
God of our fathers,
and praised and glorified is
Thy Name forever. Amen.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be
upon us, as we have set our hope
in Thee.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
teach me Thy statutes,
Blessed art Thou, O Master,
teach me Thy commandments.

Blessed art Thou, O Holy One,
enlighten me with Thy
precepts.

O Lord, Thou hast been our refuge
from generation to generation.
I said: Lord, have mercy on me!
Heal my soul, for I have sinned
against Thee!

O Lord, I flee unto Thee!
Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou
art my God.
For with Thee is the fountain of life,
and in Thy Light
shall we see light.

Continue Thy mercy unto
those who know Thee.

Holy God, Holy Mighty,
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. [3]

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty,
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

[Then the Divine Liturgy begins immediately]

_______
“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.
a
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOME – KAT’ OIKON EKKLESIA

“TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOME” [Luke 19:9].

According to our Orthodox Christian tradition a new home is blessed by the local parish priest when the foundation is laid signifying the spiritual foundation of the dwelling place. Every year, following the celebration of Theophany, the home and family is blessed annually with the Holy Water blessed at the divine service of the Theophany at their parish church. Therefore, the house is treated with reverence since it is blessed and it is now a sacred space or place where the Orthodox family resides and is protected by the grace of God. The Orthodox Christian family, parents and children, are baptized Christians, who practice the Faith daily and are obedient to the commandments of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His holy Gospel. It is now a Christ center family since He is always present and guides, protects, and inspires all in the home. This dwelling place is no longer just a house but it is truly a Christian home, spiritually cleansed since all evil is driven away and where God dwells therein. There is love, respect, harmony, peaceful home environment and co-existence. God reigns in the home and in their lives.

Holy icons, crosses, and other Christian symbols are seen throughout the home, i.e., on the wall where the dining table is and where the members of the family eat together, in the bedrooms holy icons or crosses over each bed, and, also, the special icon corner where there are holy icons of the Theotokos and Christ, Saints and Holy Angels. A vigil light is placed on a kind of shelf, holy water, flowers from the various holy days, and the incense burner (themiato). All the holy Christian symbols are to assure the family members of God’s constant presence and to remind them to pray and glorify Him unceasingly.

Our Orthodox Christian tradition provides the faithful with prayers for every need. There are morning and evening prayers, there are prayers for meals before and after, prayers that are said privately as well as prayers that are offered as a family. All these prayers are found in Orthodox Prayer books, prayers directed directly to our Savior Christ, the Theotokos, the Holy Angels, and Saints. In addition the Orthodox family prepares spiritually to receive Holy Communion through the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession, fasting, and prayer. Worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) and major holy days is NOT optional for the Orthodox family. It is assumed, however, that all Orthodox parents possess correct knowledge of the faith and tradition and are prepared to answer the questions that their children may have. Of course, along with the information and spiritual guidance, to help them to form strong Christian character with Christian values and for their children to live with dignity, to behave respectfully and to treat all others with love and compassion. One fundamental and most important spiritual tool is for every member of the family to have their own prayer book and of course a holy bible. The Orthodox Study Study Bible is very useful for beginners since it contains commentary to better understand a difficult passage. It is imperative that they use the Holy Scripture for their spiritual growth and make it part of their everyday living. It is unthinkable for one to go through this life professing to be Christian and to never open the Holy Bible or not have a personal relationship with Christ our Savior and God.

Every Orthodox family should be active and supporting members of their local church. It is understood that when we say ‘church’ we do not mean the temple [ναός] of worship but all Orthodox Christian faithful, “THE BODY OF CHRIST.” We believe that when we receive the Divine Eucharist together, we become one with Christ and one with one another, and, therefore, we become the BODY OF CHRIST. Both our own family as well as that of the Church community is united in Christian agape and respect. One has to truly admit that there is a battle taking place in society and the world, to control not only the minds, but the hearts, of the people but especially the children. The children are constantly exposed to secular norms, ideology, narratives, promiscuity, materialism, permissiveness, and radical ideas and unnatural life-styles. It is for them to be confused, intimidated by their peers, frightened or threatened by their teachers, isolated or alienated by their friends, and bullied to conform to their ideology. In order for the Christian young people to survive in this secular world, all young Christians must have a strong Christian faith, a consistent prayer life, and strong values and sound discernment.

It is of the utmost importance that they grow and develop in a traditional Orthodox home. Public schools, colleges and universities have become dangerous places in recent years. Christian parents must be vigilant and alert of what is taught in their child’s school and take the necessary measures to protect their child from being harmed. The Christian home should be both a school where children learn the basics and a religious center where they learn our Orthodox fundamental beliefs. They learn about discipline, responsibility, giving of themselves, the importance of expressing gratitude to those who care for them, the nobility of hard work, and how to avoid arrogance and instead be a humble person.

The Christian home cannot be reduced to a place where people share a common space but there is no love, respect, concern for each other, and going different directions. The family must always be united and bonded by the love that one bears for each other. It is not about rights, demands and money. A nation’s strength and success is measured by the success and strength of the family. The Orthodox family prays, “O Master Who loves mankind, unto you we COMMIT our whole life and our hope.”

Of all the hours of the daily cycle of prayers, perhaps the most conducive time for most Orthodox Christians is the evening. The entire family is usually able to be together, not only for the common evening meal but also for the evening prayers before sleep. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the “kat’ oikon ekklesia” (“home church”) to assemble for the purpose of common family prayer, for the study of Holy Scripture (New Testament), and generally, for a general discussion pertaining to spiritual life. One way that the various family members can contribute to this effort is for the mother to prepare the vigil lamp, for the father to prepare the censor or incense burner, for each child to choose and read a specific passage from the Holy Bible or read the life of the day’s Saint. The Lives of the Saints, Martyrs, Confessors, and Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Church is a spiritual treasure trough for the believer. Of course there is flexibility on how each family should observe all the above. What is important is to engage in some religious or spiritual activity within the Orthodox Christian home. Otherwise if nothing spiritual takes place in the Christian home then, what is the difference between your home and your neighbor’s who may not believe in anything?

I advise all of you and I recommend respectfully to turn to the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament to help you learn how to pray. It is called the Prayer Book of the Church. The Psalms can also be seen as a dialogue between the Church, the Body of Christ, and Christ her Head. The psalms are used in Our Holy Orthodox Church in the liturgical tradition of the Church, Orthros (Matins), Esperinos (Vespers) and many other divine services. There are 151 psalms from which to choose from. The Orthodox Study Bible contains both the Old and New Testaments.

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[A Prayer for Forgiveness]

O Lord our God, if I have sinned in anything
this day, in word, or deed, or thought, forgive me
all, for You are Good, and You love mankind. Grant me
peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from the
assault and attack of the evil one. Rouse me at the
proper time to glorify You, for Blessed are You, together
with Your Only-begotten Son, and Your All-Holy Spirit,
now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

_________
“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.

"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE" A RELEVANT MESSAGE
FOR ALL YOUNG ADULTS TODAY.

The above famous quotation from William Shakespear, a line from Hamlet and final advice to his son Laertes. This advice is very relevant for today’s young men and women, especially those who are studying at the universities which have failed them. Universities who do not offer quality education and to prepare them for the future. American universities that instead indoctrinate them to possess ideologies that are contrary to traditional values and to higher goals and aspirations. Universities whose tuition is among the highest in the country and institutions of higher learning who have left the students unprepared for the world which they will eventually must face and function in and in some cases totally confused and lost. Furthermore, these same students have not the ability to think for themselves or even understand who they are as individuals.

"To thine own self be true" is a most appropriate message for "self" is most important. They need to know that the Almighty God has created them unique and has enriched them with many talents and strengths not only for themselves but to help others and the society which they live in. "To thine own self be true" does not only apply to oneself and eventually be true to all others. If you are not loyal to others, you are not being loyal to oneself. If you are not honest with yourself how can you be honest to others? Having a good character is necessary, and so is, to be a person of integrity with strong values and principles.

Needless to say, a Christian young man and woman must not be convinced by unbelievers that there is no God. To be indoctrinated to believe that the only person that matters is one’s self and no one else. The young Christian, is a person of faith, of prayer, of noble aspirations and the willingness to serve one’s fellow citizens. He or she is a person who is inspired by the grace of the Holy Spirit given to him or her on the day of baptism. A person with the gift of discernment who is able to know right from wrong and one who lives a godly life taught to them by the greatest Teacher of all, Jesus Christ. Therefore, Christians of all ages and status must "be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" [2 Peter 3:14]. They are believers who place enormous importance on the salvation of their souls.

Scholarship, although has its significance, it does not save or bestow fulfilment to one’s life. Fulfillment is derived only by adhering to the commandments of God in our life. It is He Who gives meaning to our life and without Him there is only a feeling of emptiness and worthlessness. Education is most important, provided that it is quality and genuine education. No one, however, must be deceived that it is as important as growing "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" [2 Peter 3:18]. One, however, can be a scholar with a Ph.D., and be a devout and practicing Orthodox Christian. I must caution you, however, that there is some danger in possessing such a degree that at times it leads to a feeling of superiority and pride. The sin of pride is considered to be an obstacle to one’s salvation.

You, as young Christian men and women, will eventually decide what will comprise your priorities in life. You ought not allow others to decide what your priorities are for you. Everyone desires to have a good profession, a profession with a future and one which will provide one with a good income and benefits. But even when one acquires all that it does not guarantee a happy and successful life. What is necessary to make our life meaningful "is 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 1:5-7].

If we claim to be Christians we must begin to think, feel and act as Christians. There are many young Christian men and women that are Christians in name only. In what used to be a Christian Europe, now, those who profess Christianity there say that Christianity for them is not something that they believe in, or practice, but is a part of their national heritage. Unfortunately, there are numerous young adult Christians that hardly attend church services, receive the sacraments, have any kind of prayer or spiritual life. Happily, recently I have come across a number of Christian university age men and women that have rediscovered their Orthodox Christian faith and are flocking to the local Greek Orthodox monasteries and attending the divine services there. I am so thankful that they have their way back to Christ and pray that others will emulate their good example. It is NEVER TOO LATE!

Mankind should realize, once and for all, that nothing in life is as important as our faith and dependence to God. Christ Himself says to us, "you can do nothing without Me" [John 15:5]. That is, nothing which is properly motivated and gives glory to God. Our actions as Christians must always give glory to God since everything that we do in life is for the sake of Christ and NOT for our own aggrandizement and satisfaction. We must not be lukewarm Christians whose life is in reality hollow and without any substance. These people are actually imposters pretending to be Christians but actually they are not because they lack faith and commitment to Christ. May God have mercy on them!

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Make us worthy, O Lord
to be kept without sin this evening.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
And praised and glorified is Your Name unto the ages. Amen.
Lord, let Your mercy be upon us,
Even as we have placed our hope in You.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your commandments;
Blessed are You, O Master, make me prudent by Your Commandments;
Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me with Your Commandments;
Lord, Your mercy endures forever.
Do not overlook the creation of Your own hands.
To You belong praise, hymns and glory,
To the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

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

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

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

On the 30th of November, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Holy and Glorious and All-famed APOSTLE ANDREW, the First
Called.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

As for the first-called of the Apostles, and brother of their leader, O
Andrew, entreat the Master of all that peace be granted to the world
and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone

Let us acclaim the namesake of courage, that herald of things divine,
the first-called of the Savior’s disciples, and the kinsman of Peter;
for as he formerly cried out to him, so the henow to us: Come, we have
found the Desired One.

ANDREW, the First-Called Holy Apostle of Christ, was the son of a Jew named Jonah and the brother of the holy preeminent Apostle Peter. He was a native of the Galilean town of Bethsaida. Disdaining the vanity of this world and preferring virginity to matrimony, he declined to enter into wedlock; and, hearing that the Holy Forerunner John was preaching repentance by the River Jordan, he left everything, went to him, and became his disciple. Andrew beheld the Holy Forerunner while he was pointing to Jesus as He passed by and saying, "BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD" [John 1:36].

Saint Andrew, together with another disciple of the Forerunner John (whom many consider to have been the Evangelist John), left the Forerunner and Baptist John and followed after Christ. He sought out his brother Simon Peter and said to him, "WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH" [John 1:41] and (which is, interpreted, the CHRIST), and brought him to Jesus. Afterward, when he was fishing with Peter off the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus called to them, saying: "COME AFTER ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN" [Matthew 4:19]. Andrew, immediately leaving his nets when he heard the Lord’s SUMMONS, followed after Christ with his brother Peter [Matthew 4:20]. Andrew is known as the First-Called, BECAUSE HE BECAME A FOLLOWER and DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ before any of the other Apostles.

After the Lord’s VOLUNTARY PASSION and HIS RESURRECTION, the Holy Andrew, with the rest of the Holy Apostles, received the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, there appeared to the disciples TONGUES, AS IF OF FIRE, BEING DISTRIBUTED UPON EACH ONE OF THEM [Acts 2:3]. When the countries were divided among them, it fell to him by lot to spread the Holy Gospel in Bithynia, the Propontos, Chalcedon, Byzantium, Thrace, and Macedonia, all the way to the BLACK SEA and THE RIVER DANUBE, as well as Thessaly, Hellas, Achaia, Amisos, Trebizond, Herakleia, and Amastris. Saint Andrew passed through these lands and cities, preaching the Christian Faith. In each city, he had to endure much affliction and pain; but, fortified by the Omnipotent help of God,, he joyfully bore all such tribulations for Christ’s sake.

The Holy Andrew undertook Apostolic labors and endured pangs in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. He passed on through Pontos, the seaboard of the Black Sea. Scythia, and hte Cheronese. By God’s Providence, he reached the RIVER DNIEPER in the land of Russia, and halting upon the shore beneath the HILLS OF KIEV, he lay down to rest. When he arose from sleep in the morning, he said to his disciples who had accompanied him, "BELIEVE ME: ON THESE HILLS THE GRACE OF GOD WILL SHINE FORTH. There will be a great city here, and the Lord will raise MANY CHURCHES IN THIS PLACE AND ENLIGHTEN ALL OF THE RUSSIAN LAND WITH HOLY BAPTISM. And ascending the hills, the Saint BLESSED THEM AND SET UP A CROSS, PROPHESYING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DWELT THERE WOULD RECEIVE THE FAITH FROM THE APOSTOLIC SEE HE HAD ESTABLISHED IN BYZANTIUM.

Passing through the Russian cities, which lay to the North, where Novgorod the Great now stands, he went on to visit Rome. Then he made his way to the Greek land of Epirus and eventually arrived in Thrace, firmly establishing the Christians in the Faith and ORDAINING BISHOPS and leaders for them. After passing through many lands, he reached the Peloponnesos, and, entering the Achaian city of Patra, he lodged with a certain man by the name Sosios. He raised him up from his bed of sickness, and afterward he converted the whole city of Patras to Christ.

At that time, Maximilla, the wife of the Proconsul Aegeates, fell prey to a grievous affliction of the eyes. Though she visited every physician, she remained ill. Aegeates, observing his wife’s decline, fell into despair. One of his household, however, remembered the Holy Apostle; for he himself had received healing at his hands earlier. Thus, he hastened and besought the Apostle’s help for his master’s wife. The Saint then came and placed his hand upon her, and her health was restored immediately, and she rose up from her couch. When Aegeates beheld this miracle, he went and brought forth a great sum of money and laid it at the feet of the Saint. The Holy Apostle, however, refused the money. He desired only the REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF ACHAIA AND PATRAS, and thus he declined to accept recompense. He said to Aegeates: "Our Teacher has said, "FREELY YOU RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE" [Matthew 10:8]. He then taught him many other things before he departed.

Many of the sick hastened to him and fell at his feet; and he healed them all. Some were blind, and, through the imposition of his hands, their eyes were opened; others suffered from leprosy and other horrible diseases, and he cleansed and cured them. Moreover, as many as believed, he baptized them in the sea, in the name of the All-Holy Trinity. The Christians themselves demolished the pagan temples and smashed the idols therein. In time, a magnificent church was erected. All hastened there to listen to the Saint’s sweet teachings, as he expounded to them the meaning of the Holy Scriptures and the Sacred Prophecies, demonstrating that Christ is the One God, Who came down from the heavens and became incarnate of the Holy Theotokos (Mother of God) and Ever-virgin Mary, FOR THE SALVATION OF THE HUMAN RACE.

Shortly thereafter, the Proconsul Aegeates was summoned to Rome to appear before Caesar to submit a report of his administration and to receive further orders. Now, Stratocles, his brother, was a man of wisdom who was a mathematician in Athens. In Aegeates’ absence he journeyed to Patras to act as administrator. Traveling with him was a trusted servant whom he loved as a brother. But at this time, the servant suffered a violent epileptic seizure. The greatly distressed Stratocles began to weep because no physician was able to cure him. When his sister-in-law Maximilla learned of this, she invited him to her home and said, "Brother-in-law, it is impossible to heal your servant, We have here in the city a foreign doctor, by the name of Adnrew, who heals every sickness, and charges no fee. The wise and learned Stratocles then summoned the Saint and as soon as the Holy Apostle entered the house–behold the miracle! –the demons departed and the servant recovered his health. When Stratocles beheld this miracle and disavowed his former religion, glorified the True God and he and Maximilla became Christians. They were baptized by the Holy Apostle Andrew and kept close to the Saint, desiring to hear his every word and teaching on the Christian Faith.

It was not long before Aegeates returned from Rome, however, Maximilla wished to avoid all association with him, but it was impossible for her to keep her secret that she converted to Christianity. Certain eunuchs and others told Aegeates, "From the day you departed for Rome until this present moment, she has not taken her regular meals, but has kept a strict fast… She utters blasphemies against our deities, prefering to worship the Christ preached by the stranger Andrew." He immediately ordered his guard to arrest the Saint, while he considered what manner of death he should inflict upon him.

At midnight, Stratocles and Maximilla went to prison, where the holy one was kept. As soon as they entered the cell they fell at the Saint’s feet imploring him to strengthen them and support them in the True Faith of Christ. The Holy Apostle exhorted them at length and afterward, he ordained Stratocles as Bishop of Old Patras. He then blessed them and sent them on their way in peace. The Proconsul, blinded with anger ordered that the Holy Apostle Andrew be crucified on a cross, his hands and feet bound. He, at first, did not wish him affixed by nails, lest he should die in but a short time, for he thought that by hanging him bound, he might subject him to greater tortures.

When the servants of the tyrant brought him to the place of crucifixion, the people assembled, crying out, ‘Wherein has this righteous man and friend of God sinned? Why are they leading him to crucifixion? Saint Andrew besought the people not to hinder his suffering. At the crucifixion site he removed his clothing and gave it to the torturers. They lifted him up on the cross, nailing and binding his hands and feet with cords; and thus they crucified him head-downward and suspended him. After some time Saint Andrew prayed to the Lord Christ, saying, "…Receive me, O Good Teacher, and do not permit me to be taken down from the cross, before Thou receivest my spirit!"

When he said this, a light like lightning from heaven illumined him in the sight of all, and shined round about him, so that the eye of corrupt man was unable to look upon him. This heavenly light shone round him for the space of half an hour, and when the light departed, the Holy Apostle surrendered his spirit and departed, amid brilliant light, to stand before the Lord.

Maximilla, a woman of noble lineage, who lived a virtuous and holy life, when Saint Andrew surrendered his spirit to the Lord, took down his body with great honor. She anointed his body with costly ointments and laid it in the tomb in which she herself had intended to be interred. When many years had passed, the holy relics of the Holy Apostle Andre were translated by he Martyr Artemios to Constantinople, commemorated by the Holy Church on the 29th of October, at the command of the holy Emperor Constantine the Great, and enshrined with those of the Holy Evangelist Luke and Saint Timothy, the disciple of the Holy Apostle Paul, in the most splendid Church of the Apostles, within the sacred table of oblation.

Through the prayers of Thine Apostles, O Christ God, do Thou
establish Thy faithful servants in Orthodoxy, and save us all. Amen. [Resources:  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,

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

BECOMING A MONK IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

What is a monk?

Speaking from their own personal experiences, different Saints have found different ways to define what a monk is. Abba [Father] Zacharias stated: "He is a monk who forces himself in everything." Saint John of Sinai explained: "A monk is one who holds only to the commands of God in every time and place and matter. A monk is one who constantly constraints himself his nature and unceasingly watches over his senses. A monk is he who keeps his body in chastity, his mouth pure and his mind illumined. A monk is a mourning soul that both asleep and awake is unceasingly occupied with the remembrance of death." Likewise, Saint Efthymios the Great taught: "Brethren, strive for what brought you out here, and do not neglect your own salvation. You must at all times stay sober and awake. As Holy Scripture says, "Keep awake, and pray not to enter into temptation" [Matthew 26:41]. …[Monks] must always await and ponder the hour of death and the dead dread day of judgment, fear the threat of eternal fire and desire the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven. Saint Nilus of Ancyra wrote: "It is said that a monk is an altar on which and from which pure prayers are offered to the Most High God." Similarly, Saint Maximos the Confessor stated: "A monk is a man who has freed his intellect from attachment to material things and by means of self-control, love, psalmody and prayer cleaves to God."

Saint Paisios Velichkovsky gave the following definition of a monk:

"What is a monk? A monk is a fulfiller of the commandments of Christ, a perfect Christian, an imitator
of an a participant in the Passion of Christ, a daily martyr, a voluntary dead man who willingly dies in
spiritual struggles. A monk is a pillar of patience, a depth of humility, a fount of tears, a treasury of purity,
one who laughs at all that is considered splendid, sweet, glorious, and attractive in this world. A monk is
a soul that is pained, constantly meditating on the memory of death, boht in wakefulness and in sleep. A monk is one who constantly forces nature, and who guards his feelings without weakening. A monk is of
the order and condition of the fleshless ones, though preserved in material body, having in mind at all times,
in every place, and in every work, only what is Divine."

Saint Nektarios of Aegina described the monastic life as follows:

"A monk’s way of life consists of ceaselessly seeking God’s countenance, yearning for Him, possessing a strong love for Him,
and perpetually hastening toward Him. The monk offers his heart as a sacrifice to Him alone–an offering that is holy, pure, and
perfected in love. Truly, he does not live for himself, but for the Lord, and the Lord visits him mystically; He mystically reveals
HImself to the eyes of the soul of the monk who is devoted to Him, and such a monk receives the betrothal of the grace of the
future vision of the Lord’s countenance."

Several Saints emphasize the necessity of withdrawing from the world in order to be a monk. For example, Saint Isaac the Syrian said: "A monk is he who remains outside the world and is ever supplicating God to receive future blessings." And Saint Efstathios of Thessaloniki wrote: " A monk is primarily he who has formed (or rather renewed) his heart in solitude and understood all the works of God. This deep understanding is a manifestation of his theoretical training and virtuous life."

Saint Efstathios also gave the following advice to a monk to remind him of his calling:

"Bear in mind that you are an Angel of light even though you are wearing black. You have been appointed to stand
beside the True Light. You are now a close friend of God Himself and have vowed to acquire various virtues. Therefore,
you have a great obligation, O magnificent monk, so do not delay in fulfilling your duty.
A monk holds a torch from the Father of Lights, and from there he radiates light that shines and illumines, if not the
whole world as the Apostlesdid, then at least many places of the earth. This emit light that warns of an enemy onslaught, or
as lighthouses they show where rocks lie beneath the surface so that people avoid dangerous reefs, and they do other salvific
things."

Saint Symeon the Theologian declared that a monk is he who has withdrawn "truly from the world and the things in it" and has ascended "perceptibly to a height of spiritual theoria through the working of the Commandments," and "he clearly perceives the transformation that
has taken place within him." Elsewhere he added the following lofty characteristics OF A TRUE MONK:

"The monk is one who is not mixed with the world and always converses with God alone. Seeing he is seen,
loving he is loved, and he becomes a light mysteriously shining.
The one who is ONE WITH GOD is no longer alone, even if he lives alone or inhabits
the desert or even a cave. But if he has not found Him, has not known Him, and has not
received fully the Logos/Word become flesh, he is not a monk, absolutely not!
THE REAL MONK AND SOLITARIES ARE THOSE WHO ARE ALONE WITH GOD AND ARE IN GOD, detached from
every type of discursive reasoning, who see only God IN A MIND EMPTY OF THOUGHT, SECURED IN LIGHT AN
ARROW IN THE WALL OR A STAR IN HEAVEN, OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER WHICH I CANNOT EXPRESS."

Saint John Chrysostomos declared that a monk IS SUPERIOR TO A KING.

"Unlike the king, the monk displays self-control. Too often a king is a slave to his passions. His desire for
glory and wealth leads him to warfare. His love of luxurious living leads him to feast on rich food and drink
and to adornment in gems and gold and fine clothing. By contrast, THE MONK ENTERS BATTLES ONLY TO
OVERCOME THE WICKED FORCES IN THE WORLD. HE DRESSES SIMPLY, EATS LIGHTLY, AND DRINKS WATER WITH
MORE PLEASURE THAN THOSE WHO DRINK FINE WINE…
If you want to examine the warfare conducted by each, you will find the one fighting and resisting and defeating demons
and being crowned by Christ… but the king is [merely] fighting barbarians. Just as demons are much more fearsome than
men, likewise he who resists and defeats them is much more illustrious. And if you want to determine the motivation of each
for fighting, you will find them greatly unequal. One fights the demons for the sake of piety and the worship of God… whereas
the other fights barbarians for the sake of seizing places or mountains or money."

THE NOVITIATE

Whom to Accept

There are THREE CATEGORIES of people living in a monastery: POSTULANTS (υποψήφιοι), NOVICES (δόκιμοι). and MONKS (μοναχοί). A postulant is simply a layman who has been given permission to stay at the monastery for an extended visit because he is considering monasticism.
Elder Aimilianos recommended: "It is a good thing for postulants to visit the monastery often for a number of days or longer periods over a length of time before coming to reside there [permanently]. After the seriousness of his intent to become a monk has become clear to himself and to the Abbot (Egoumenos) (which is typically after one to six months), the Egoumenos can clothe him as a NOVICE. Only after being a novice FOR SEVERAL YEARS CAN HE BE TONSURED A MONK. The Charter of the Holy Mountain states: "In order to be tonsured a monk, one must have undergone A TRIAL FOR ONE TO THREE YEARS AND BE EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD." [Resources:  The Angelic Life.  A Vision of Orthodox Monasticism]

_________
"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