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 MARTYRDOM OF SAINT KATHERINE THE GREAT MARTYR

Now Faustina, the Emperor’s consort, desired to meet the holy Katherine, because she admired her, having heard of her virtue and courage, but more so because of a dream she had at that time. Her heart longed for the martyr, and she could not sleep until she met her. She seized an opportunity when the Emperor was absent on a certain mission, having gone to a village for several days.

Present at that time was Porphyrios, the great military commander and counselor of the Emperor, a man of good will and trustworthy. The Empress confided her feelings to him in secret, saying, "A night or so ago, I beheld in a vision the holy Katherine sitting among many youths and virgins who were arrayed in white garments. She shone so brightly that I could not look upon her. She then called to her and placed a golden wreath on my head, saying, "The Lord Christ has sent thee this wreath." Therefore, I am desirous to see her and am unable to find rest. I pray thee, find a way that I might see her!" Porphyrios replied, "I will fulfill thy wish, O lady."

At night, Porphyrios and the Empress went to the prison at the head of two hundred soldiers. They bribed the guard and opened the gates. Entering the dungeon, the Empress saw the much longed-for face of the martyr and the divine grace which shone about her. She was amazed at her blooming freshness. Then she bowed down to Katherine, saying, "Fortunate and blessed am I, for I have finally beheld thy countenance. Like a thirsty hart, I have greatly desired to see thy noble person and yearned to hear thy sweet-sounding words. Now that I have been counted worthy to do so, I will not grieve if I should lose my life or kingdom. I call thee blessed, thou who art to be envied, for thou hast followed such a Master Who has given thee so many gifts and grace."

The holy Katherine answered, "Blessed art thou also, O Empress! For I see the crown that the holy Angels have set upon thy head, which thou will receive in three days, for a few sufferings which thou will undergo, and then thou will be with the True King and reign unto the ages." "Be of good cheer, for thou will have Christ in thy heart as a helper, that thou not be harmed by the tortures. Thou shall only temporarily experience suffering here, whilst there thou shalt rejoice and be glad forever!"

Porphyrios asked, "What reward does Christ offer to those who believe in Him? For I too desire to become His soldier." The martyr replied, "Hast thou neither read nor heard of hte books of the Christians?" Porphyrios replied, "From my youth, I have spent my time in the wars, therefore, I have no time for other things." The blessed one continued, "No tongue can describe the rewards that the beneficent God Who loves mankind has prepared for those who love Him and keep His Commandments." Thereupon, Porphyrios was overjoyed, and believed in Christ, together with his two hundred soldiers.

At dawn, the Emperor, sitting on the throne, ordered that the Saint be brought to him. She was taken to the palace, her spiritual countenance shining so brightly that even the bystanders were dazzled by the light of her beauty. The Emperor assumed that one of the guards had given her food, for she had not lost her strength or energy, though she had been imprisoned for so many days, He was of a mind to punish the guards. Saint Katherine did not wish to punish those who were not responsible, so she disclosed the truth and said, "No one gave me sustenance, O Emperor, for Christ provided for me, as He does for all His servants."

While Saint Katherine and the Emperor were exchanging words, a certain Prefect named Hursasaden, a sadistic man, tried to win the Emperor’s favor. Out of his perverted heart, he proposed, "I, O Emperor, have invented an instrument of torture wherewith either thou shlat win over this maiden, or she shall exprience an atrocious death. Thou shouldest order the construction of four wooden wheels attached to an axle, from which steel blades and other sharp spikes protrude. Two of the wheels will rotate to the right, and two to the left. The maiden would be placed below, bound, at its center, so that when the wheels turn, her body will be completely mutilated. However, first exhibit the wheels turning, so as to instill terror in her, that she may do as she is ordered; if not, let her receive an evil death." The idea pleased the Emperor, and he ordered the plan into effect.

In three days’ time, the awful apparatus was readied. When they brought the holy Katherine forth, they turned the wheels with a mighty force so as to frighten her. The Emperor said, "Behold, by this instrument thou shalt receive a bitter death, if thou dost not worship the gods!" She replied, "Many times already I have told you my opinion. Therefore, waste no more time, but do as thou desirest!" The Emperor then ordered that they cast the Saint , bound, before the wheels and rotate them violently, so that with rapid passes thereof she might suffer a bitter death. But, by the intervention of the grace and will of God, it did not come to pass in this way. An Angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and aided the holy Katherine, who was instantly loose from the bonds and rendered whole and uninjured. The wheels spun away on their own, striking many of the unbelievers, witnessing this terrible sight; and they cried, "Great is the God of the Christians!" The Emperor raged with a blind fury, and at once sought to devise a new ay to torture Saint Katherine.

Learning of this, the Empress came out of her chamber and censured her husband publicly. When the Emperor heard this reproach, he became enraged that he went into a frenzy, raving like a wild beast. He abandoned the Saint for the moment and turned upon Faustina. Forgetting the nature of their relationship, he ordered his men to cut off her breasts with certain implements. Soon after he ordered that they strike off her head with a sword. She accepted this decision readily, and said to the Saint with gladness, "Handmaiden of the True God, do thou utter a prayer on my behalf!
Saint Katherine said, "Go thou in peace, that thou mayest reign with God eternally." Thus, the blessed Faustina was beheaded on the 22nd of November by order of her husband. Porphyrios, the General, went at night with his company and buried her precious relics.

At daybreak, the tyrant hastened to punish those responsible. Porphyrios appeared before him with his companions, saying, "We too are Christians and soldiers of the Great God." The Emperor could not accept these words and, sighing from the very depth of his heart, uttered, "Alas, I am ruined! I have even lost the illustrious Porphyrios!" Unable to bear this, he ordered them all beheaded. It was the 24th of November when they gave up the spirit and were laid to rest.

On the morrow, they brought Katherine to the judgment hall, and the Emperor issued the order that she be beheaded outside the city limits. The soldiers took the Saint and marched to the site of execution. A large crowd followed them, weeping bitterly at the loss of such a beautiful and wise maiden. The Saint said to them, "Cease your needless lamentation! Instead, you should rejoice, for I behold my Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, my Maker and Savior, Who is the adornment and crown of the martyrs. I hear Him calling me into Paradise to reign with Him and to rejoice unto life everlasting. Weep not for me, but for yourselves; for you shall go into the unquenchable fire for your unbelief, where you shall sorrow and burn forever."

On their arrival at the site of execution, the Saint offered a prayed: "My Lord Jesus Christ and God, I thank Thee that Thou hast secured my feet on the rock of patience…Stretch out Thy Sacred hand, which was nailed to the Cross for our sake, and receive my soul, which is separated from the body,out of love for Thee…May Thy works be praised by all and Thou mayest be glorified with Thine Unoriginate Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto endless ages. Amen." After uttering this prayer, she told the executioners to carry out the sentence. He raised his sword and cut off her precious and holy head on the 25th of November, in about the year 305 A.D. Thereupon, at that hour, her revered and precious relics were devoutly translated by holy Angels, they were translated on the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai, which now bears her name.

Saint Katherine’s holy Relics and Monastery: Centuries later, guided by a dream, monks of the Monastery of Holy Transfiguration in Sinai, erected by Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century found her precious body. They brought her down from the mountain and placed her in a golden casket in the church. The sweet fragrance of her sacred remains is today a continuous miracle. The Sinai Monastery became widely known, particularly in Europe, when Saint Symeon Metaphrastes, in the 10th century, recorded her Life. Saint Simeon brought the Saint’s holy relics to Rouen and Treves, in France. Her fame spread so rapidly in Europe that the Monastery came to be known as the Monastery of Saint Katherine. Europeans donated generous gifts to Sinai, including estates that were donated to the monastery. Moreover, her martyric account was also carried Westward by returning Crusaders. Thus, she became accepted in Europe as a favorite and major Saint.

Since early times, the Saint’s holy relics have been laid in a marble chest. This reliquary is mentioned in an itinerary dated 1231. In later years (1688), the royal family of Russia sent a silver casket, a gift of the Tzars of Russia, as recorded by Cyrillic inscriptions. However, the holy relics remained in the old marble chest, under a marble baldachin. Two richly engraved silver caskets contain her precious skull and her ringed hand. The ring was given to her in a vision whereupon the Theotokos in this vision "took the hand of the maiden, and said, "My Child, giver her a ring as a token of Thy betrothal to her, so as to deem her worthy of Thy Kingdom." The Master Christ then gave her a beautiful ring, saying, "Behold, this day I take thee as My unsullied bride forever. Diligently preserve this troth inviolate, taking no man to thyself!" And with these words the vision came to an end. Katherine arose; and, verily, a ring was on her right finger! At that moment, her heart was enraptured with the divine love of our Lord Christ." [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.

On the 25th of November, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the holy and glorious Great-Martyr KATHERINE of Alexandria,
together with the 150 ORATORS who died by fire, the Empress
FAUSTINA who was slain by the sword, and PORPHYRIOS with
200 SOLDIERS who were slain by the sword.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Katherine. Plagal of First Tone

LET us praise the all-lauded and noble bride of Christ, the godly
Katherine, the guardian of Sinai and its defence, who is also our
support and succour and our help; for with the Holy Spirit’s sword
she hath silenced brilliantly the clever among the godless; and being
crowned as a Martyr, she now doth ask great mercy for us all.

Kontakion Hymn of Saint Katherine. Second Tone

ROUSE up now a choir, O ye that love the Martyred Saints, august
and inspired, acclaiming the supremely-wise Martyr Katherine,
who hath proclaimed and preached of Christ in the stadium and hath
trampled the serpent down and spat on the knowledge of the eloquent.

KATHERINE, the Glorious Great Martyr of Christ, came from the Metropolis of Alexandria. She struggled during the reigns of the ungodly Emperor Maximian (306-308 A.D.), Maxentius (308-312 A.D.), and Maximinus (308-314 A.D.). The blessed one’s life and martyrdom is so marvelous, sweet, and compunctious that each soul who reads it with care and attention will greatly rejoice and be refreshed by the fruit garnered therefrom.

This ever-memorable daughter of the earthly ruler of Alexandria, Constas (Kestou), was tall in stature, incomparably beautiful, and exceedingly kind. She was instructed in the wisdom of the Greeks, learning all the works of the poets and philosophers, including Homer, Virgil, Aristotle, and Plato. Not only was she well-versed in philosophy, but she also knew the medical writings of Asklepios, Hippocrates, and Galen. Indeed, the maiden was a master of all the nuances of many languages, surpassing all others in rhetoric and logic. All who saw and heard Katherine marvelled at her scholarship. Many of the wealthy and leading men of the Senate besought Katherine’s mother for her daughter’s hand in marriage.

Her mother was a Christian, but a secret one because of the great persecutions brought about by the followers of Maximian. Both the maiden’s relatives and mother counseled her to marry, so that her father’s estate should not fall to another, thus cutting her off altogether. But Katherine, on account of her many philosophical studies, cherished her virginity and protested, giving many excuses; for she had no wish whatsoever to wed. However, when she saw that they troubled her greatly over the matter, she proposed the following–actually to divert them–so as not to be further importuned: "Present unto me a young man who is like unto me in the four virtues in which you claim that I am peerless among women, and I will take him as my husband; for I will not condescend to be yoked to one who is unworthy or inferior. Therefore, search here and abroad for one who is equal to me in rank, wealth, wisdom, and beauty–if such an individual exists. Yes, if he is deficient in any of these areas, he is unsuitable."

Now they knew that it would be quite impossible to find such a qualified suitor. They suggest the son of the Roman Emperor, and other possible candidates of exalted rank and even greater wealth, but they were inferior to her in the categories of erudition and appearance. She stubbornly persisted in her refusal to contract a marriage with an illiterate man. However, her mother had a most holy confessor who was in hiding outside the city limits. She took her daughter to visit the elder to seek his counsel. The ascetic, perceiving Katherine’s modesty and proper deportment, gave close attention to her judicious and well-spoken words. He resolved to bring her to the knowledge of Christ, the Heavenly King, and said: "I am acquainted with a unique Man Who incomparably transcends all those attributes thou has mentioned and countless others. His comeliness eclipses the radiance of the sun; His wisdom governs those things boht perceptible by the senses and the intelligence; the world of His treasures is distributed to the ends of the earth, yet never diminishes, but rather increases; His nobility is indescribable, infinite, inconceivable, and incomprehensible.

The Venerable elder (geronda) expounded on this and many other salutary virtues. Nwo the maiden presumed all the while tha he referred to an earthly prince; whereupon, her expression changed, and she questioned him in detail if all the commendations and praises were indeed true concerning this Man. He reinforced his praises further, extolling His other attributes. The maiden asked, "Whose Son is this Man Whom thou dost laud?" He asserted "He has no father on earth; but He was born of a noble and holy grace-filled virgin in a manner surpassing our understanding and transcending the nature of generation; she was deemed worthy by her sublime sanctity to abide both in soul and body, being taken up into the highest heavens, wherein our Lady is venerated by the Holy Angels as Queen of all creation." Further interested, Katherine continued, "Is it possible to see the Youth?" The old man responded, "If thou wilt do as I say, thou shalt be deemed worthy to behold the radiant splendor of His splendid countenance!" The ascetic gave her an icon depicting the Most Holy Theotokos holding the Divine Child. He then called Katherine’s attention to it, and said, "This is the Ever-virgin Mother of the One Whose Wonders I have extolled. Take this sacred image and close the door of the bedchamber; pray all night with profound reverence to her whose name is Mary. Implore her to condescend to reveal her Son; and, I believe, if thou wilt pray with faith, she will hearken and show thee Him Whom thy soul desires."

The iniquitous Emperor,obsessed for the lifeless pagan gods, issued a decree that without delay, that all people were to render tribute to the supreme gods, in a fitting manner…Each one will offer according to his resources. Whoever disregards this edict and dares to worship any other gods, will be subject to disciplinary action and punishment. Katherine, devout and beautiful, witnessed the shipwreck of souls who were compelled to commit sacrilege, thereby escaping temporal dath, only to betray their souls to everlasting condemnation.

The all-beautiful Katherine approached the Emperor, first bowing, and then boldly and fearlessly declaring, "O Emperor, thou shouldest be the first to know that thou are deceived in worshipping perishable and lifeless idols as gods. It is an absolute disgrace to be so manifestly blind, as fools, to the truth, in thy worship of such abominations. The licentious Emperor was greatly angered and remained speechless for hours, for he was at a loss how to counter her words. "I am the daughter of King Constas. My name is Katherine, I have been instructed in all scientific knowledge and literary works, including rhetoric, philosophy, geometry, and the rest. Nevertheless, I consider all of this vain and unprofitable, and have become the bride of the Master Christ, for as it is written by the Prophet Isaiah, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will hide the understanding of the prudent.’ The Emperor was astonished by her knowledge and beauty and felt that he was speaking with one of the goddesses whom he revered, only in human form.

The Emperor, noting her free manner, and speech, did not wish to debate her, fearing defeat and shame by her arguments. He made the following pretext: "It is not appropriate for the Emperor to debate with a woman; nevertheless, I will bring together my rhetoricians." One hundred and fifty elite and scholarly men, who had keen minds and were seasoned orators, responded and assembled. The Emperor spoke to them and said: "Approach her as a worthy opponent and exercise diligence and careful attention. If you overcome her, I will bestow great gifts upon you. However, if you do not succeed, expect untold shame and a painful demise!"

The guards brought the Saint forward. Many, by then, had filled the amphitheater to see and hear the outcome. Yet, before they commenced, the Archangel Michael appeared to Katherine, encouraging her, and saying, "O child of the Lord, be not afraid, for the Lord will add more wisdom to thine own, to vanquish the one hundred and fifty philosophers, and not only they, but many others also will come to believe through they testimony and will receive martyr’s crowns."

The Saint was eloquent and convincing in her arguments and defeated the one hundred and fifty orators. Overwhelmed, the philosophers were rendered speechless. The Emperor directed them to refute the martyr in bebutal but they all declined, saying, "We cannot oppose the truth, in view of the fact that our superior has been defeated." The Emperor’ anger was inflamed, and ordered that a fire be kindled in the midst of the city and the orators be cast therein." As they heard this, they fell at the feet of the Saint, begging that the Lord might forgive them. The Saint was elated and addressed them, "You are blessed and fortunate, for you have left darkness and come to the light of the truth…" With these words Saint Katherine encouraged them, sealing them individually on the forehead with the sign of the Cross, and sent them to their martyrdom in thanksgiving and rejoicing. The soldiers cast them into the flames, jubilant as they were, one the 17th of November.

The Emperor now concentrated all his attention on the holy Katherine, He ordered that she be stripped of the royal manle and lashed without pity with whips of rawhide. After this, they scourged her about the stomach and back for two hours. Her virginal body, once fair, became lacerated and unsightly from the welts. So much blood flowed that the ground was dyed red. Yet, the holy one withstood all with much courage, to the amazement of the bystanders. After sunset, the savage beast ordered that she be cast into prison and not be given food or water for twelve days, until he might devise a method to put her to death. [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.

THE HISTORY OF MANKIND IS ONE OF VIOLENCE

The Holy Scripture condemns violence as sinful and an offense against God and humanity. Our Lord God Jesus Christ says, "To him who strikes you on the one cheek offer the other also" [Luke 6:29]. Christians are also called to love their enemies and love each other. Our Faith also teaches non-violence, as our Lord Christ says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God" [Matthew 5:9]. Being Himself the Source of Peace, the Son of God found no price sufficient but that of shedding His own blood. In doing so, Christ reveals Himself to us as the RECONCILER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE [Isaiah 9:6; Ephesian 2:14, 16]. The Holy Spirit gives peace, the sign of God’s presence, to those who meditate on Christ and imitate Him. Peace brings communion with God and concord with all of creation, the sign of our sanctity. Thus, "peacemakers" share God’s peace with those around them, participating in the work of God’s Son and becoming by God’s grace "sons of God" themselves. Christian were persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, suffered, but they did not persecute their enemies.

The first recorded violent action in the Old Testament and the murder of Abel. "Now Cain talked with Abel, his brother and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother and killed him." [Genesis 4:8]. It was a crime of anger and hatred that led him to murder his brother. We also see a rebellion taking place in heaven. According to Our Holy Orthodox Church, Lucifer’s rebellion in heaven is described as a spiritual fall from grace where a once-perfect Angel, known as Lucifer, chose to rebel against God’s will out of pride, leading to his expulsion from heaven and becoming Satan, the devil, along with other Angels who followed him. There was a violent battle among the Angels and Archangel Michael with his Angels prevailed and the evil angels were condemned to eternal hell. Saint John of Damascus tells us, "Lucifer was not made wicked in nature but was good, and made for good ends, and received from his Creator no trace whatever of evil in himself."

Mankind’s history is tratically filled with violence. For thousands of years man has waged war against others and over the centuries has improved the instruments of death and destruction. From rocks, spears and arrows, to currently, nuclear missiles and bombs which are powerful enough to annihilate the human race from the face of the earth. Countless innocent people have been killed needlessly over the centuries due to regional, as well as world wars. It seems that mankind has not yet learned to settle differences peacefully. Wars are never the solution to disputes or controversies among nations, that is very clear.

However, there are many different kinds of violent human behaviors in the world. There can be violence at home, in marriage, at workplaces, schools, hospitals, abortion clinics, public institutions, streets, sidewalks, highways etc. The average person is constantly alert for fear of someone assaulting him or her. Therefore violence is, unfortunately, now a fact of life. However, violence breeds more violence. One of the most tragic, cruel, hideous, grotesque, immoral, criminal, and sinful human acts in aborting children, millions of them throughout the world. Another name for it, is infanticide. Specifically is partial term abortion where doctors dismember a child while still in the mother’s womb. There is no greater violence inflicted upon a human being than to murder a child up to the time of his/her birth and in some cases even after the birth. Unthinkable is also that this perpetrated violence on the innocents is the fact that this is done ‘legally’ with the consent of the governments of the world. If one was to do something similar to an animal he or she would be imprisoned for at least three years and charged with cruelty to animals. Many of these countries’ populations were considered to be Christian for centuries and yet their parliaments and governments now, not only allow it to happen, but even encourage it and justify it. Is there no fear of God at all?

Another sinister and abhorrent act introduced to the world is transgenderism and evil experiments on innocent children. It is the mutilation of children against parental consent and approval but with the approval and support of school teachers, doctors, children’s hospitals, politicians, and governments. How insane is this? It is unbelievable that in this 21st century such a horrific, inhumane, and satanic practice would take place before the whole world. As far as anyone knows this has never happened before, even under the communists and Nazis. This is no less than blasphemy against God Himself who created only two genders, "male and female."

Under Communism and Nazism millions of innocent citizens of different countries in Europe were placed in concentration camps where the people; men, women, and children, were tortured, abused, starved, used for horrific ‘scientific’ experiments and ancinarated in ovens. All those hideous acts are Satanic, evil men who conducted evil acts. The evil one is not only our adversary and enemy but hates humanity and seeks to destroy it. And these people who are responsible for the suffering of so many others are the evil one’s evil instruments. Tragically some people have become very callous, heartless, desensitized, and totally indifferent to what is taking place around them. It reminds one of the proverb of the three wise monkeys who "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil." The proverb and the image are often used to refer to a lack of moral responsibility on the part of people who refuse to acknowledge the wrong, the cruelty, injustice, impropriety, looking the other way or acting ignorant.

The Almighty God and Judge, the Righteous God, the God of agape, sees the cruelty of man inflicted upon his fellow man. Furthermore, we also know, and believe, that there is a Judgment Day, and everyone is accountable to Him for everything we have done in this life. There is the Book of Life in Revelation which is used in the Holy Bible to describe the Day of Judgment, when God judges people based on their actions in life. The Book of Life is a book that contains the names of those who will enter Heaven.

Adam and Eve were created out of God’s love and were created to become beings of love. Human beings who were created in the image and likeness of God with the potential to be good and reflect His love in their lives and the world which He created for them. God said, "Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of heaven, over the cattle, and over the earth, and over every creeping thing that moves on the earth" [Genesis 1:26]. Everything God made, including man, IS "VERY GOOD" because God is good. Nothing He made is therefore evil in itself. So, then, human nature is good in itself. But sin is a free choice of man’s will, and is contrary both to God’s nature and to human nature.

Violence and evil must cease to exist and the best, and only way, to accomplish it, is for humanity to turn back to its Creator and God. People need to believe in God and invite Him into their lives. We believe that no matter what has done in the past, what he is doing at this present time or what he may do in the future, God is always in control of His created world and universe, and He can and will restore anything and everything that man has corrupted or destroyed in an instant. Man’s foolishness and disobedience and sin injures God’s priceless gift to him, man’s soul. Our Lord God is able and willing to heal man’s soul as long as man is willing to repent. It is through repentance that man is reconciled to God. In the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, Jesus says, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" [Matthew 4:17]. "The Kingdom of Heaven" is present wherever Christ is. There is no reason for people of faith to ever fall into despair or hopelessness knowing that there is no Greater Power other that of the Almighty God to preserve and protect His Creation.

May God intervene and help us!

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+In the Name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord and Master of my life, cast away
from me the spirit of laziness, idle
curiosity, love of power and vain talk.

But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of
moderation, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my
own faults and not to judge my brothers
and sisters.

For You are Blessed forever. Amen
[Prayer of Saint Ephraim]

_______
"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 VALUE OF THE VIRTUE OF RESPECT

"Furthermore, we have had human fathers
who corrected us, AND WE PAID THEM RESPECT.
Shall we not much more readilybe n subjection to
the Father of spirits and live?

The Holy Apostle Paul clearly points out the significance of respect. If the loving discipline of our "human" fathers brought us to respect them, how much more deserving of respect is the discipline of "the Father of spirits", our Creator whose breath gives us life [Genesis 1:26-27]. Indeed, "respect" is widely considered a virtue (Gr. arete), meaning it is a positive character trait that involves treating others with consideration, dignity, and appreciation, making it a desirable quality in ethical behavior. Also, respect means recognizing the worth of someone or something and treating them accordingly, often including listening attentively valuing their opinions, and not causing harm. Respect is fundamental for building healthy relationships, as it fosters trust, understanding, and positve interactions. It is the core value encouraging individuals to treat other with respect regardless of their differences.

Saint John of Kronstadt wrote: "Do not despise any man… Do not despise any man, however poor he may be, but behave with full respect and kindness to every well-intentioned man, especially to the poor, as to our memers worthy of compassion — or, rather, to members of Christ — otherwise you will cruelly wound your soul." Saint Paisios said, "When there is a respect for small things, there will be an even greater respect towards the bigger things. When there is no respect for small thinigs, then neither will there be for the bigger ones. This is how the Fathers maintained Tradition."

No civilized society can function properly if its citizens do not treat each other with respect. Where there is no respct, there is no harmony or peace. Disregard of others brings conflict and injury. Society needs peaceful co-existence and cooperation among the people. If a society is to progress in any way or fashion it must promote respect among its adherents. Respect strengthens not only relationships but the work place, no matter if it is a church, school, business, government, family or even the military. Respect builds up trust among people and it creates a friendly environment. It also it shows appreaciation and acknowledgment of someone’s accomplishment no matter what it is i.e., the work of an artist, the author of a good book, the discovery of a scientist, the ministry of a priest, the governing talent of a politician, the accomplishment of a devoted teacher, etc. By respecting the outcome of someone’s work it encourates not only that individual but others to emulate his or her accomplishment.

We are taught from very young to respect God, our Church, and everything sacred, our parents, to respect our priests, to respect human life, to respect our teachers and all people regardless of their poor or rich, young or old, police officers, our friends, our simbligs, and in general all people without exception. How can we not respect human life, especially as Christians, when we believe that human life is uniquely created by God in the "image and likeness of God." Human lifes as such deserves deep respect and individual human beings are to be treated in accordance with their inhertent human dignity.

The reality in our contemporary world is that the virtue of respect has been diminished in its importance. It is seems that the virtue of respect is not taught or ephasized at home, at church or at school any longer. Children need parental guidance, and too, for parents to also be an example of what it means to have self-respect and respect for eachother, seniors and for their fellow citizens. I recall when I was a young man riding on a bus and when an older man or lady came on board a young person sitting would immediately offer their sit to the older man or to the lady out of respect. Or a person would go out of the way to help someone to carry groceries or to help them cross the street. It was out of both, courtesy and respect. These, of course, are small examples, however, it was wonderful to witness it personally.

The world today has changed dramatically and all the wonderul values, attiquet, courtesy, respect, consideration, and kindness have become scarcer to find. We need to revive all these beautiful practices and traditions to make our society more pleasant and a happier place. The world needs to become more refine, more thoughtful, and gentler. There is no doubt in my mind that a respectful person, is also a humble person, who cares about the people that suroud him or her. That, when he or she give of themselves to others it is from the heart and very genuine.

As Orthodox Christians we learn to treat people awlays with respect. We are, by beinf a good examle, make a difference in the world that we live in through our faith, Christian values, respect, honesty, goodness, and virtues and love for our fellow man. We all agree that none of us are perfect and neither is our world, however, we can, if we want to, make it much better. Although we consider respect a virtue, there are still a number of other virtes i.e., faith, hope, knowledge, wisdom, honesty, humility, obedience, patience, courage, faithfulness, self-control, kindness and gratitude. Along with virtues are a number of passions. Passions are the uncontrolled desires that come from our bodily needs. They subordinate our soul to our self will. They rise up because we have turned away from God and only concentrate on our immediate earthly needs. The seven passions are glutony, lust, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, and pride. Everyone of these passions lead us to commit sin but by the grace of God and repentane we can overcome all of 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.

Lord, Our God, If I have sinned this day in any way,
By word, deed or thought,
Forgive me everything as a Good and Loving God.
Grant me a peaceful and undisturbed sleep;
Deliver me from every attack and influence of the evil one.
Raise me up at the appropriate time to glorify You,
For You are Blessed, together with Your Only-begotten Son,
And Your All-Holy Spirit,
Now and forever and to the 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.

APPROACH: "WITH THE FEAR OF GOD, FAITH, AND LOVE" [Divine Liturgy]

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk says, "Without living faith and the fear of God it is impossible to live in a godly way… The fear of God will guard you and correct you everywhere and in all things, and will turn you away from every evil deed, and confirm you in every good deed. Thus day by day you will become better." And Saint John Chrysostom writes: "Let us then, rouse ourselves up and be filled with awe… that we may not, by approaching thoughtlessly and carelessly heap fire upon our heads… For this table is the sinews of our soul, the bond of our mind, the foundation of our confidence, our hope, our salvation, our light, our life."

The Divine Scripture says, "Fear God, and keep His commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil" [Ecclesiastes 12:13-14] The Holy Apostle Peter is clear and direct, "Fear God" [1 Peter 2:17]. And our Lord Jesus Christ Himself warned us, "I tell you my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear Him" [Luke 12:4-5].

"With the fear of God, with faith, and love, draw near" the officiating priest calls the faithful to consume the Holy Body and Precious Blood of our Lord, God and Savior, at the Divine Liturgy. The Orthodox Christian believes that partaking of the Holy Body and Precious Blood of the Lord unites us not only with Christ but unites us with each other. Our "communion of the Blood of Christ [and] of the Body of Christ" [1 Corinthians 10:16] unites us all. "Because there is one Bread , we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one Bread" [1 Corinthians 10:17].

For the Orthodox Christian there is no other way to approach the Holy Eucharist. However, for anyone who is seeking God in his or her life and does not know how to approach God either in prayer or worship, the above mentioned approach is very appropriate, "with the fear of God, with faith, and love." There are some Christians who wish to get near to God but who are reluctant because of the fear that they may offend Him with the use of the wrong approach. The true believer comes forward with the fear of God, the faith and the love, which constitute "the mode" or "manner" with which to communicate." At a minimum we should approach with humility, a pure heart, obedience, and as His unworthy servant. None of us are even worthy to be near Him or raise our eyes toward Him just as the Publican in the Gospel who prayed saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner" [Luke 18:13]. It was, therefore, the tax collector who is justified because of his humility. Psalm 51 reminds us, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart–These, O God, You will not despise" [Psalm 51:17].

We approach and pray to God believing always that He is our Heavenly Father and we are all His children. Our "Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" [Matthew 6:8) says our Lord Jesus Christ.  He knows who we really are, and He knows our motives, as well as our deeds.  He is not impressed with what other people think of us, or even with our own opinion of ourselves.  The true spirit of prayer involves an intimate, personal relationship with God and leads to the vision of His glory [1 Corinthians 2:9]. Furthermore, when we pray, we do not lecture God or make demands, but we are humble. And remember it is not repetition per se, but VAIN repetition which Jesus condemns. Our greatest example of how we should pray of course, is the Lord’s Prayer for there is no greater model for prayer.

People at times are foolish to believe that we humans are somehow a mystery to God. Our Almighty God is Omniscient. "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Himi" [Hebrews 4:13]. There are no mysteries for God, including us humans. Therefore we must be open, honest and truthful in our prayers and not to attempt to misrepresent ourselves to Him or to ‘hide’ who we are and our failure to abide by His commandments. Any real and lasting relationship is based on honesty otherwise it will inevitably die. God gives us, His creatures, as many good things as each of us can receive according to our nature and condition. "God is like a mother bird who, having seen her baby fall out of the nest, flies down herself to raise it up, and when she sees it in danger of being devoured by a serpent, with a pitiful cry she flies around it and all the other baby birds, not capable of being indifferent to the loss of a single one of them" (Saint Clement of Alexandria). "God loves us more than a father or a mother or a friend, or anyone else can love, and even more than we can love ourselves, because He is concerned more for our salvation than even for His own glory. A testimony of this is the fact that He sent into the world for suffering and death (in human flesh) His Only-begotten Son, solely in order to reveal to us the path of salvation and eternal life" (Saint John Chrysostom).

If man often does NOT understand the whole power of God’s Goodness, this occurs because man concentrates his thoughts and desires too much on his earthly well-being. But God’s Providence unites the giving to us of temporal, earthly goods together with the call to acquire for oneself, for one’s soul and eternal good things. [Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie Eleison

+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O spotless, immaculate, chaste, undefiled,
O pure Virgin, our Lady and Bride of God,
You have united God the Logos with mankind
Through your wondrous conception,
And the outcast nature of our race
You have joined to heaven.
You are the only hope of the hopeless,
The help of those in trouble,
The ever ready assistance to those who turn to you,
And the refuge of all pious Christians.
Abhor me not, the sinner, the accursed,
Who, through sinful thoughts, and words, and acts,
Have altogether turned myself into an unworthy servant –
But as the Mother of God Who loves mankind,
Have compassion on me the sinner and prodigal,
And accept my supplication being offered toyou with unclean lips.
Using your boldness as a mother,
Entreat your Son, our Lord and Master,
That He may open even to me the compassion of His loving kindness,
And, overlooking my innumerable faults,
May return me to repentance,
And make me into an approved doer of His commandments.
Stand by me always as one who is merciful, compassionate
and a lover of the good,
Be for me, in this life, a fervent protectress and a helper,
To defend me from the assaults of adversaries
And to guide me toward salvation.
And, at the time of my departure from this life,
Take care of my wretched soul
And drive far away from it the dark countenance of evil demons.
And at the fearful day of judgment
Deliver me from the eternal torment (of being separated from God)
And lead me froth as an heir of the ineffable glory
Of your Son and our God.
May this indeed be my fate, O my Lady, Most Holy Theotokos,
Through your mediation and your protection,
And by the grace and love for mankind of your Only-begotten Son,
To Whom is due all glory, honor, and worship,
Together with His Father Who is without beginning,
And His All-Holy, Good and Life-Creating 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 21st of November, Our Holy Orthodox Church
Commemorates the Entrance of the EVER-VIRGIN MARY
into the Temple.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

TODAY is the prelude of God’s good will and the heralding of the
salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented
openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great
voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfilment of the Creator ‘s
dispensation.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

THE sacred treasury of God’s holy glory, the greatly precious bridal
chamber and Virgin, the Savior’s Most Pure Temple, free of stain
and undefiled, into the House of the Lord on this day is brought
forward and bringeth with herself the grace of the Most Divine Spirit;
her do God’s Angels hymn with songs of praise, for she is truly the
Heavenly Tabernacle.
+

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah [Jeremiah 38:31-32].
In the hymns at Vespers (Esperinos] of the feast, we chant: "Thou , O Virgin Mother
of God, art she whom the Prophets proclaimed. Thou art the glory of the Apostles
and the pride of Martyrs, the restoration of all who dwell on earth:
for through thee we are reconciled to God."

The Holy Feast of the Entrance of the Ever-virgin Mary into the Temple is not among the most ancient festivals of the Church. Nonetheless, it must have been instituted earlier than the 7th century, since Saint Andrew of Crete (660-740 A.D.) had known about it. Saint Tarasios (806 A.D.), the Patriarch introduced it at Constantinople a century later. The festival blossomed froth from the Holy Tradition of the Church, which made use of the Apocryphal source, the PROTOEVANGELIUM, in order to emphasize the fulfillment of the economy of the Creator and the self-consecration of the chosen Virgin to a life in the service of God. The Church breaks the silence of the Canonical Gospels that we may behold the incomprehensible ways of Providence which prepared Mary, the RECEPTACLE OF THE LOGOS/WORD and the Mother predetermined before the ages. She who was preached by the Prophets is now introduced into the Holy of Holies, like a hidden treasure of the glory of God. God has Sanctified all things by her entry and has made godlike the fallen nature of mortal men.

THE VIRGIN MARY’S PARENTS, THE RIGHTEOUS IOACHIM AND ANNA

The Righteous Ioachim and Anna, the Virgin’s parents, had been married for fifty years when they produced their much-desired offspring. Moreover, the elderly couple fully intended to dedicate and consecrate their offspring, male or female, to the Temple and service of God. Thus, when the child reached two years of age, Ioachim said to Anna, "Let us take her up to the temple of the Lord, that we may pay the vow that we have made, lest the Lord should depart from us or, perchance, the Lord send us someone to warn us that we have been too long in paying our vow because our ‘offering’ has not yet been received." But Anna said, "Let us wait for her third year, so that our daughter might not be at a loss to know her father, and also that she might not look for us." Therefore, Ioachim conceded and said, "So let us wait."

Much of both the poetic imagery and iconography of this feast, which are used liturgically, are derived from the following passage of the Protoevangelium: "When the child reached her third birthday, Ioachim said, "Let us invite the daughters of the Hebrews that are virgins. Let each maiden take a lamp and stand with the lamps burning, that the child might not turn back and then her mind would be set against the temple of the Lord.’"

THE ENTRACE INTO THE TEMPLE

Thus, her parents departed their home and went up to the Temple with an escort of young maidens. Upon arriving, they then put off Mary’s traveling clothes and arrayed her with garments that were nearer and cleaner–indeed, clothes befitting a queen. Now there were fifteen steps at the Temple that led from the Court of the Women to that of the men. The significance of the number fifteen, to the Jews, was that it corresponded to the 15 Psalm of Degrees [Psalm 119-133]. The Temple had been built on a mountain, so that the Altar of burnt offering could not be reached except by steps. On one of these steps, they placed the little maiden Mary. Then the whole company ascended into the Temple of the Lord; the maidens bearing lamps and singing psalms. And Mary, without anyone leading her or lifting her, ascended the steps one after the other.

The Virgin’s father, Ioachim, was bright with joy and kept feast with Anna. Now Anna, truly blessed by God’s grace, led with gladness, into the Temple of the Lord, the pure and Ever-virgin who is full of grace. And Anna called the young maidens to go before her, lamps in hand. "Go, child," she said, "to Him Who gave thee unto me; be unto Him an offering and a sweet-smelling incense. Go into the place that none may enter: Learn its mysteries and prepare thyself to become the pleasing and beautiful dwelling-place of Jesus Who grants the world great mercy."

Entering the Temple with virginal joy, she is compared to that area of the Temple known as the Holy of Holies. Thus, in hymns we can hear Saint Adrew of Crete chant, "Thy wise parents, O undefiled one, brought thee, who art the ‘Holy of Holies,’ as an offering to the house of the Lord, there to be reared in holiness and made ready to become His Mother."

As the holy icon of the feast depicts, the Righteous Ioachim and Anna, rejoicing in spirit, offered their daughter in the Temple of the Law that she might make her dwelling therein. "The virgins that follow after her shall be brought unto the King, those near her shall be brought unto Thee. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be brought into the Temple of the King [Psalm 44:14=15].

THE VIRGIN GROWING UP IN THE TEMPLE

Saint John Maximovitch (1896-1966] writes that Mary was settled in the quarters for virgins which existed in the Temple. She spent so much time in prayer in the Holy of Holies that one might say that she lived in it. She desired to fulfill the Commandment of God, "Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am Holy" [Leviticus 19:2].

Thus, she became more and more perfect in the work of God. Far from the turmoil of everyday life, the All-Holy one meditated and nourished her soul on Holy Scripture day and night. She ate once daily and occupied herself with prayer and wool work. When the older virgins rested from the praises of God, she did not rest. None exceeded her in the praises and vigils of God, and no one was more learned in the wisdom of the law of God. No one was more lowly in humility, more elegant in singing, and more perfect in all virtue.

Saint Ambrose comments, in Concerning the Ever-virginity of the Virgin Mary, that she was adorned with all virtue and manifested an example of an extraordinary pure life. Being submissive and obedient to all, she offended no one and was cordial to all. She never spoke a crude word and id not allow any unclean thought. Mary blessed God without interruption and, lest perchance even in greeting others she should cease from her praises to the Lord, she even answered then, praising God, in her salutation, saying: "Thanks be to God" or "Glory be to God."

The young Mary gave herself up entirely to God and repulsed from herself every impulse to sin, yet still she felt the weakness of human nature more powerfully than others. Therefore, she greatly desired the coming of the Savior.

Saint Gregory of Palamas praises Mary in superlative terms, writing: "Today a new world and a wonderful Paradise have appeared. In it and from it a new Adam is born to reform the old Adam and renew the whole world… God has kept this Virgin for Himself before all ages. He chose her from among all generations and bestowed on her grace higher than that given to all others, making her, before her wondrous childbirth, the Saint of saints, giving her the honor of His own house in the Holy of Holies… Wishing to created an image of absolute beauty and to manifest clearly, to Angels and to men, the power of His art, God made Mary truly ALL BEAUTIFUL… He made of her A BLEND OF ALL DIVINE, ANGELIC, AND HUMAN PERFECTION, A SUBLIME BEAUTY EMBELISHING THE TWO WORLDS, RISING FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN AND SURPASSING EVEN THIS LATTER."

Saint Joseph the Hymnographer writes: "The Holy Spirit wholly sanctified thee in the temple, therefore thou has become the fair spouse of the Father and Mother of the Son. [Resources: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

Through the intercession of the Theotokos,
O Christ God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

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 ALL-HOLY THEOTOKOS
(Saint Gregory of Neocaesaria)

All-holy Mother of God, we humans cannot offer to You the hymn and the praise that is
appropriate to You, for Your proper praise is superior to any human melody. From You
God Himself received flesh and was born as a human being. The totality of nature in
heaven and on earth offers to You its boundless respect. For You have become an Angelic
Throne of Cherubim. As a reflection of light, You shine brightly in the imperceptible world
and in all the ends of heaven and earth and in the whole universe, where the Unoriginate
Father is praised, Whose power always overshadowed You; where the Son is worshipped,
the Son to Whom You gave birth; where the Holy Spirit is glorified, the Spirit which enacted
in Your womb the birth of the Great King. Through You, who are full of grace, the Holy and
consubstantial Trinity is revealed in the world to become known by human beings. We pray
to You and beseech You, Most Blessed Theotokos, to make us also worthy of Your perfect
grace that we too may partake of it with You in Christ Jesus, our Lord, in Whom the glory
and the power abides unto the ages of ages. Amen.

An Extemporaneous Prayer of
Doxology to the Theotokos

O Mary, Mother of God, we too send up a doxology and a hymn of praise to You, who are
the Most Revered Treasure of the whole world, the ever-burning lamp, the crown of virginity,
the scepter of Orthodox Christianity, the space in which He Who is altogether Uncontainable
was contained within You, who are both Mother and Virgin. You are the person for whom
heaven rejoices, the Angels delight. Through You, O Theotokos, man, who had fallen into the
depths of the abyss, is now able to once again rise to heaven. Through You all of the nations
can be guided to salvation. Through You the Only begotten Son of God and our Savior
Jesus Christ has shown a great light upon us who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O Virgin Mary and Mother of God, who are full of grace, intercede for us now and ever and
unto 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.

Prayer for Theosis (Deification)

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner
man, that Christ MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH
FAITH" [Ephesians 3:17].

Orthodox Christian spirituality is much more profound in its essence and it demands a greater effort, and perhaps an entire life, to obtain it. The ultimate goal of all spiritual activity is union with God, to become one with Christ. The whole Trinity is involved in our theosis (deification): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In Orthodox theology, theosis (deification) refers to the process of becoming like God, or "deification," where humans participate in the divine life through UNION WITH CHRIST, essentially achieving a state of communion with God by acquiring divine characteristics through grace, while maintaining the distinct separation between the created and the uncreated nature of God. It is considered the central concept of Orthodox salvation and is made possible through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

While "theosis" might sound like humans become God themselves, Orthodox Christian theology clarifies that we only participate in the divine energies, NOT the Divine Essence, which remains entirely distinct and inaccessible to humans. Jesus Christ, by His Incarnation is the perfect example of theosis, as He UNITED FULLY DIVINE AND FULLY HUMAN NATURES, demonstrating how humans can be united with God. Theosis (deification) is achieved through the grace of God, given through the Mysteries (Sacraments), especially BAPTISM, and nurtured through PRAYER, VIRTUOUS LIVING, AND COMMUNION WITH CHURCH.

Deification (Theosis) is not a passive state but an ongoing process of spiritual transformation, where individuals strive to develop godly qualities like LOVE, COMPASSION, AND HUMILITY. The Holy Spirit is seen as the ACTIVE AGENT in the process of theosis, DWELLING WITHIN BELIEVERS AND GUIDING THEM TOWARD UNION WITH GOD. Saint Athanasios the Great emphasized the concept of the Incarnation as the foundation for theosis, stating that God became man so that humans could become divine.

The Holy Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians writes, "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the INNER MAN, that Christ MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width, and length, and height–to know the love of God which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD" [Ephesians 3:14-19].

How do we "comprehend" and "know"? It is something other than a scientific fact or intellectual awareness. It is an apocalypse (revelation), A DIVINE GIFT which illuminates and transforms our intellect; and a preciprical encounter, a personal bond with the personal God, Who reveals Himself to us through COMMUNION WITH HIM. This revelation and personal communion, this faith, is best known "with all the saints," that is, in personal communion with the corporate Church; and through an experience of THE GREAT GIFT OF GRACE, "THE LOVE OF CHRIST." Theological knowledge is first personal and experiential, and then thought out and verbalized. A theologian witnesses to what he knows through experience. The goal of theosis (deification), "that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" is accomplished by THE WORKING TOGETHER, THE SYNERGISM, OF OUR FAITH WITH GOD’S "POWER" AND Spirit "in us ."

There is indeed a great deal more to one’s spirituality than simply going through some pious acts mechanically or superficially. Saint Paul exhorts us, "i..beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE" [Ephesians 4:1-3].

Those outside the Orthodox Church, and many who are not connected with any organized Christian body search for some kind of spiritual life themselves without any Christian knowledge and guidance. I am confident that they truly desire to include God in their lives and seek His aid through prayer. However, although this effort is very commendable and worthwhile, without the support and guidance of the Church their struggle becomes very difficult. It is therefore recommended that they look into the Orthodox Church and become active members of it. By becoming a member of the Church one becomes a member of the body of Christ. Saint Paul says, "There is only one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" [Ephesians 4:4-6]. Here is the manifold unity of the Church. Christian morality is not based upon ideas but UPON A LIVING REALITY: THE LIFE OF THE HOLY TRINITY IN THE CHURCH.

There are those who treat the Christian faith simplistically with the intent of becoming a Christian without great demands placed upon themselves. A kind of an "instant Christian." A person who is "a free spirit," who applies and interprets Christianity his/her own way. That person is not a true Christian but an imposter. One who genuinely is interested in becoming a Christian must adhere to the authentic and unadulterated teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church. The process of Christian growth requires our free-will commitment to walk in "righteousness and holiness." A child of the Light can no longer act as a child of darkness. A change of life-style is possible because of Christ, the original "New man." So Christ must be "learned" and relationship with Him must "be renewed." Further, Christ must be "put on," a clothing metaphor, an allusion relationship and the Baptismal robe. While spiritual grace makes a person heavenly, righteousness is both a gift and a goal, a present reality to be striven for.

No one should trivialize the Christian faith but especially people who profess to be Christian. There are sadly enough people who consider themselves to be Christian but endorse unchristian teachings, immoral behavior, unnatural life-styles, bizarre and strange attitudes, dress and conduct or relationships that reveal spiritual illness. The authentic and genuine Christian is not confused of what it means to be and live as a Christian. The way we live affects our relationship not only with God but also with each other–for in Christ we are "members of one another." The moral standard for the new humanity is the life appropriate to a child of God. For example, Saint Paul emphasizes that Christians must avoid sexaual immorality, not just the act but thinking and talking about it also; and greed, which treats things as if they were gods. Ungodly thoughts as well as behavior can keep believers out of the Kingdom.

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+In the name of the Father and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Christ our God
At all times and at every hour, in heaven and on earth,
You are worshipped and glorified;
You are long-suffering, most merciful, most compassionate,
You love the righteous and have mercy upon the sinners;
You call every one to salvation
through the promise of future blessings;
Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour
And direct our life toward Your commandments.
Sanctify our souls; make our bodies chaste;
Correct our thoughts; purify our intention;
And deliver us from every grief and pain that comes from evil.
Encompass us by Your Holy Angels,
So that guarded and guided by them
We may attain to the unity of the faith
And to the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory,
For You are Blessed unto 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