On 26th of September, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the Translation of the Holy APOSTLE and EVANGELIST JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN

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

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

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Second Tone

O APOSTLE, beloved of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a
defenseless people. He that allowed thee to recline on His
breast, receiveth thee bowing in intercession. Implore Him,
O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of the heathen,
and ask for us His peace and great mercy.

Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone

WHO can tell thy mighty works, O virgin Saint? For thou pourest
forth miracles, and art a source of healings, and thou dost intercede
for our souls, as the Theologian and the friend of Christ.

This Holy Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Savior’s Mother, as it were another son to her caring for her and serving her, looking after her right up to her falling-asleep. After this, he and his disciple Prochorus, preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. By his inspired preaching and miracles, he brought many pagans to Christianity and undermined the foundations of paganism. The angry pagans When bound him and sent him to Rome to be condemned by the Roman Emperor. Second Persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 A.D., during the reign of the pagan Roman emperor Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the Greek island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Apocalypse (Revelation). Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his Three Catholic Epistles (Letters). In all, he lived some 95 years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100 A.D. He was called THEOLOGIAN because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and Eternal Birth of the Son and Logos/Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an EAGLE–A SYMBOL OF THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, as Saint Irenaeus says–IS DEPICTED IN HIS ICON, FOR THIS WAS ONE OF THE FOUR SYMBOLIC LIVING CREATURES THAT THE PROPHET EZEKIEL SAW [Ezekiel 1:10]. Saint Mark was given the symbol of the King, Lion; Luke the lowly Servant, Ox; Matthew the Angel, and John the Eagle. When his disciples later opened his grave, they found that his body was not there. Every year, on May 8th, a fine, fragrant dust endowed with healing power rose from his grave. After a long and fruitful life of labour upon earth, this beloved disciple of Christ and pillar of the Church entered into the joy of the Lord, to peace and Eternal rejoicing.

The EAGLE is Saint John’s symbol, an inspirational motif for the SOARING MAJESTY of his Gospel. In the very first lines of his Gospel, he soars up to the contemplation of the eternal generation of the Logos/Word. The same inimitable spirit of charity reigns through all his writings.

As he bears the title "Theologian," he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Logos/Word of the Father. For this reason, an eagle- a symbol of the gift of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus explains, is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the Four symbolic creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw.

"John, then the (last of the Evangelists}" says, Saint Clement of Alexandria, "seeing that the bodily features had been brought to light in the Gospel, and being urged by the disciples and divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, composed a spiritual Gospel."

He wrote THREE EPISTLES. His First is addressed TO ALL CHRISTIANS (Catholic), especially his converts, whom he urges to purity and holiness of life and cautions against crafty seducers. Another one was directed to a local church while the third, to Gaius, a covetous entertainer of Christians.

Saint LUKE was an Antiochian by birth, a physician by trade, an artist by avocation, and a disciple and companion of Saint Paul by conversion. He was unmarried and included among the Seventy Disciples. Together with Saint Cleopas, he saw the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). He ended his life in martyrdom, according to Saint Gregory the Theologian.

His emblem is the CALF, the Third symbolic beast mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), which is A SYMBOL OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICIAL AND PRIESTLY OFFICE, as Saint Irenaeus says. His Gospel begins with the priestly service of Zachariah. He was the only non-Jew among the Evangelists. He wrote his Gospel in Greek and then wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He dedicated both works to Theophilos, who was the governor of Achaia, Greece.

His eyewitness Gospel emphasizes the universality of Christ’s Message, that SALVATION BELONGS TO ALL NATIONS. Illustrating this point, hiisis the only Gospel to tell the story of the "Good Samaritan." Likewise, he is the only one to record Christ’s Ascension into heaven as he reveals His Divine Nature FULLY GOD, YET FULLY MAN. His Gospel is also the only one to give a full account of the Annunciation to the Blessed Ever-Virgin, her visit to Elizabeth and her journeys to Jerusalem.

According to Holy Tradition, he depicted (painted) the first icon of the Most Holy Virgin and Theotokos, carrying the Pre-Eternal Infant, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in her arms. After that Saint Luke painted the images of the Holy Apostles, Ss. Peter and Paul. He is therefore regarded as the founder of Christian iconography or hagiography.

In his icon, he is depicted with an OX next to him, A SYMBOL OF CHRIST’S PRIESTLY OFFICE. Saint Luke’s expression displays wonderful attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit in his heart.

Saint MARK was a Gentile from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. It was in his house in the Upper Room where the Passover was held and where the disciples used to assemble together: Having come to the Faith of Christ, he followed Saint Peter to Rome. He later traveled to Egypt, preaching the Gospel and establishing the first church there in Alexandria. The idolaters, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he gave up his soul.

His Gospel was written ten years after the Ascension of Christ. It is likened to A LION because his Gospel begins with the phrase: "A voice of one crying in the wilderness" [Mark 1:3]. Mark is preeminently the Gospel of service with the Lord Jesus Christ set forth as the Servant obedient unto death. The Servant character of the Lord Jesus is seen throughout the book and is clearly stated in Mark 10:45. A particular emphasis is given to the miracles which Christ performed. Christ is seen primarily as a Worker rather than a Teacher.

Saint Mark wrote primarily for the Gentiles who were not familiar with the Old Testament prophecies. Therefore, he uses only a few Old Testament references. His Gospel is known for its brevity and its vividness. In the icon, he is depicted with A LION next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Prophet Ezekiel, and a symbol OF CHRIST’S ROYAL OFFICE, as Saint Irenaeus of Lyons writes. Saint Mark’s expression displays wonderful attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit in his heart.

Saint MATTHEW the Evangelist has been represented by the figure of A MAN { Ez, 1:10; Revelation 4:7) because his Gospel begins with the Genealogy of Christ. His icon is to be found in one of the four circles connected to the arches of the dome of the Church. Saint Matthews Gospel vividly asserts that Jesus Christ is the real Messiah, foretold by the Prophets, and that there is no other (Matthew 11:3). The Evangelist present the Savior’s life, teaching 26-27).s and deeds using three divisions which represent the three aspects of the Messiah’s service as PROPHET and LAW-GIVER (ch. 5-7), as Lord over the world both visible and invisible, and finally as High-Priest offered as Sacrifice for the sins OF ALL MANKIND, [ch. 26-27).


   There is a distinct correlation between Genesis, the first book of the  Old Testament, and  the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the first book of the New Testament.  Genesis opens with the generations of the heavens, earth and man while Saint Matthew opens with the Generations of the Incarnate God through Whom there will be new heavens and a new earth.  Sin appears at the outset in Genesis, and its course is traced onward.  Salvation is presented at the outset in Matthew, and its marvels are recounted.  While in Genesis,  a nation is founded, in Matthew,  a Church is predicted and  the  foundation for it is laid.

   His Gospel is  the bridge between Judaism and Christianity, whereby he presents Christ as the Mediator of the New Covenant.  In the icon, the likeness of A MAN, one of the symbolic creatures mentioned in Ezekiel 1:10, A SYMBOL, ACCORDING TO Saint Irenaeus, of our Saviour's Incarnation, is portrayed next to Saint Matthew.  Saint Matthew's expression displays wonderful attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit in his heart.





 [Resources: The Great Horologion, The Prologue from Ochrid and Holy Virgin Mary Coptic 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

ON THE WORLD AND FAMILY

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 World and Family
By Elder Ephraim

The world attracts the youth like a magnet; worldly things have great power over the newly enlightened soul that just started to find its bearings and see its purpose in life and the duty calling him. "Friendship with the world is enmity with God. Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." The Holy Apostle James (Iakovos) writes: "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know THAT FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" [James 4:4]. God has stored up pleasures for eternity, for both He and our soul are Eternal. There is no comparison between the pleasures of the world and the pure pleasures of God.

The pleasures of the world are obtained with toil and expenses, and after their momentary enjoyment, they are followed by various consequences, so that they are incorrectly called pleasures. The pleasures of God, however, DO NOT HAVE CONSEQUENCES, BECAUSE SPIRITUAL PLEASURES DOWN HERE ON EARTH ARE THE FIRSTFRUITS OF AN ETERNAL SERIES OF PLEASURES AND DELIGHTS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Whereas on the contrary, one who has been corrupted by the pleasures of the world is compelled to undergo Eternal Damnation along with the first instigator of corruption, the devil.

The time of our life, my child, has been given to us as a sum of money so that each of us may trade for his salvation, and depending on the trade we deal in we shall become either rich or poor. If we take advantage of the "money" of time by trading to increase OUR SPIRITUAL WEALTH, then we shall truly be skilled traders, and we shall hear the blessed voice: "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! YOU WERE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE YOU RULER OVER MANY THINGS. ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR LORD" [Matthew 25:23].

At the end of our life, an exact account will be demanded of each one of us; how and where we spent the money of time, and woe to us if we have squandered it in movie theaters, in entertainments, in debauchery, in futile dreams, in carnal pleasures. Then what defense will our tied tongue be able to utter, and how will we be able to lift up our eyes and see our Christ, when He enumerates the countless benefactions which His boundless love profusely poured upon us?

Now that we have time, now that the money of time has not yet been spent completely and we still have it at our disposal, let us reflect sensibly on the vagrant world which seeks to rob us. Let us push it away like a putrid dead dog, and with that money let us run to buy precious works which, when tried by fire, will become very bright–GIFTS WORTHY OF OUR HOLY GOD, FIT TO BE USED AS A DECORATION IN THE HOLY JERUSALEM OF HEAVEN. We should not purchase chaff, that is, punishable works of darkness, for we shall go down with them into the Eternal fire and damnation, where the multitude of people who embezzled God’s gifts will reap whatever they sowed? Sow good works WITH TEARS, AND THEN IN A TIME OF VISITATION YOU WILL REAP THE SHEAVES OF ENJOYING ETERNAL LIFE!

It is from God that you are being tested, because He IS TRAINING YOU FOR BATTLE; He is drilling you, just like the soldiers who are trained through severe labors in their drills. There, first they learn the theory of warfare, and then at the sound of the trumpet in ttache real war, since they have already been trained, they rush into the battle with the inner assurance that they know how to fight, and THEY ARE READY TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES FOR THEIR CAUSE AND BELIEF.

You are also in a similar situation; since you have been called to become soldiers of Christ and to fight against His enemy, He TRAINS YOU IN ORDER TO ASCERTAIN YOUR LOVE TOWARDS Him: "Who is it that loves Me but he who keeps My commandments?" [John 14:21]. Take courage, my children; REMAIN LOYAL AND DEDICATED TO HIM WHO HAS LOVED YOU WITH PERFECT LOVE.

Before a battle begins, the Generals boost the soldiers’ spirit by singing various battle hymns and relating various battle hymns and relating various stories of heroic deeds to kindle their sense of self-sacrifice. This tactic gives them great strength and bravery in the battle about to be fought.

Likewise, we too should contemplate, as the Saints did, the struggles of the Martyrs and of the holy men and women of God: how they lived ascetically, how they renounced the world and everyone, and how nothing prevented them from following the path that leads to Jesus. This CONTEMPLATION will greatly strengthen your good disposition and intention, for there have been many who were unaware of the concealed traps, with the result that their souls succumbed to temptation and thus they fell from the hope of Eternal Life.

Contemplate the love of our Jesus; the love of Jesus will overpower every other natural love. The more we renounce, the more love of God we shall enjoy. [Resource: Counsels from the Holy Mountain]

___________
"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

SAINT SILOUAN OF ATHOS Part II

This fiery path was not short. For fifteen years Father Silouan continued to weep in his heart, suffering as the grace of God was weakened by the swings of changing human nature. This continued until he gained the power to ward off what had previously struck him hard with a single movement of his mind, not expressed outwardly.

SOLITUDE ON THE OLD MOUNTAIN RUSIK

As the visitations of grace grew in strength and duration, Silouan’s gratitude to God also grew in his soul: "O Lord, how can I thank You for this new, inscrutable mercy; to the ignorant and to the sinner You are revealing Your mysteries. The world is perishing in the fetters of despair, and to me, the last and worst of all, You reveal Eternal Life. Lord, I cannot keep this to myself, let the whole world know You."

Gradually his prayer becomes filled with sorrow for the world that does not know God. "To pray for people is to shed blood," the Elder, taught by the Holy Spirit to love Christ, once said. "The world is still standing through prayer. When prayer falters, THE WORLD WILL PERISH." Seeking for silence and solitude, he besought his Egoumenos (Abbot) to give him a blessing to go to the Old Rusic hermitage (Stary Rusik).

This hermitage is located in the mountains, about 250 meters above sea level, East of the Monastery and within an hour and ten minutes’ walk. The fasting discipline there was stricter than in the monastery. This place was deserted and silent, which is why the monks desiring more solitude for the "NOETIC DOING" of the JESUS PRAYER sought to go there. In the southeast of the fraternal house there still stands the now dilapidated KALIVA (hut) built by Saint Silouan. It is a simple hut, now called "THE MONK’S HUT" by the Athonite monks.

According to the accounts of the Venerable’s disciple, Father Sophrony (Sakharov), Saint Silouan spent his time on Athos not only in prayer, but also "mowing hay, chopping trees, and preparing firewood for the winter." In the short breaks between prayers and obedience, the Geronda (Elder) looked at the clouds, the sea, the mountains, the forest and any single tree with a great sense of beauty. He stopped to contemplate the visible beauty and the word of God in it.

One of the peculiarities of monastic prayer on the Holy Mountain is the Vigil in the second half of the night and vigilant all-night prayer on the most important feast days. Venerable Silouan was physically strong and slept intermittently from an hour and a half to two hours a day. In 1911 he was tonsured into THE GREAT SCHEMA. The Great Schema is the highest rank of monasticism and the final state of a monk’s spiritual development. It is also a distinctive vestment worn only by the highest degree of monastics in Orthodox Christianity, emblematic of their monastic habit. Each successive grade is given a portion of the habit, the full habit being worn only by those in the highest grade.

Since ancient times Monks have spoken of the Great Schema as the culmination of Monkhood, wherein the Monk loves God with a perfect love in accordance with the Holy Gospel command, WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND [Matthew 22:37].

It is not known how long he stayed in the Old Rusik and when, with the blessing of his Geronda, he returned to the coenobitic monastery. Here the Venerable Silouan was entrusted with the duties of the monastery steward. There were about 200 monks under his command. He was a man of remarkably soft heart, tender love, extraordinary sensitivity and responsiveness to all sorrow and suffering. After going around the workshops, the Geronda (Elder) would go to his cell to weep "FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD." The constant, deep spiritual weeping of his heart, aching for his workers, was growing to Adam’s lament for the whole perishing world. "The Lord has pity on everyone," the Venerable once said, filled with the Spirit of Christ.

To the north of the Transfiguration building there were houses with cells occupied by the brethren working in the tannery, locksmith, blacksmith and other worksh41ops located there. Itis believed that Saint Silouan also lived here, on the second floor. Ater the 1930’s and until his death, the Geronda worked in the monastery food store.

Atter the Revolution of 1917 (especially in the 1920’s and 1930’s) the Monastery experienced significant financial difficulties. However, it was at this time that a remarkable spiritual flower blossomed in the monastery – the Venerable Silouan, who ascended to the height of dispassion and pure love of God and neighbor. In 1930, Saint Silouan met the 34-year old monk Sophrony (Sakharov) and became his Spiritual Father and confidant. In 1932 Father Sophrony became a hierodeacon, and in 1941 a hieromonk. Before his death, Venerable Siluan passed on to Father Sophrony his writings, which became the basis of Father Sophrony’s most famous work, the book titled Saint Silouan the Athonite.

The book Saint Silouan the Athonite in many respects contributed to the glorification of the Venerable Silouan of Athos in 1987-1988. Despite the small amount of information about the Saint’s visible life, Father Sophrony was able to portray the spiritual image of the Elder Siluan, a theologian as a witness for God and a "knower of God."
the
Elder Siluan reposed at 2 A.M. on September 24, 1938 in the Monastery hospital. After the peaceful death of Saint Silouan, miracles began to occur from his holy relics. The modern-day Saint, Elder Siluan, sometimes called "THE OLIVE BRANCH FROM THE ROOT OF THE RUSSIAN LAND," was glorified as a Venerable fifty years after his death. One can venerate the holy relics of the Saint to the intercession Church of the Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos. September 24, the day of the Saint’s repose, is now celebrated at Saint Panteleimon Monastery as a PANIGIRI (celebration) (one of the monastery’s main feasts). A solemn all-night vigil is performed, lasting about 10 hours.

A prayer to Saint Silouan:

O Venerable Father Silouan, now you live in heaven and see the
Lord, whom your soul has come to love while you were still on
earth. We ask you to pray for us, so that we too may love the
Lord and bring repentance, in which He is pleased. Amen.

On the 24th of September Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the Holy First Martyr THECLA, the Equal to the Holy Apostles

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 24th of September Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Holy Martyr THECLA, the Equal to the Holy Apostles.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Forth Tone

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

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

O GLORIOUS virgin, thou was entrusted with an apostolate, while
shining brightly with virginal beauty and adorned with crowns of
martyrdom. And, O Thecla, thou also didst subdue the bull’s fury
and change the fire to dew by thine entreaties, O first contestant
among all womankind.

THECLA was born in Iconium of eminent pagan parents. She was betrothed at the age of eighteen to a young man, at the time that the Apostle Paul came to Iconium with Barnabas to preach the Gospel. Listening to Saint Paul for three days and nights, Thecla turned utterly to the Christian faith and vowed to live in virginity. Her mother, seeing that she shunned her betrothed and thought no more of marriage, first talked to her and then beat her and starved her. Finally, she gave her over to the judges and demanded, wicked mother that she was, that Thecla be burned. The judge threw her into the flames, but God preserved her unharmed. Thecla then became a follower of the Holy Apostle Paul, and went with him to Antioch. Attracted by Thecla’s beauty, an elder of the city attempted to violate her by force, but Thecla tore herself out of his grasp. The elder denounced her to the governor as a Christian who was averse to marriage. The governor condemned her to death and threw her to the wild beasts, but the animals would not touch the body of this holy virgin. Amazed at this, the governor asked: ‘Who are you, and what is the power that you have in you, that nothing can do you harm?’ Thecla replied: ‘I am a servant of the Living God." The the governor let her go free, and she began to preach the Gospel and succeeded in bringing many to the True Faith, among whom was an eminent and honored widow, Tryphena, After this, Saint Thecla, with the blessing of the Holy Apostle Paul, withdrew to a solitary place near Seleucia. She lived a long time there is asceticism, healing the sick with miraculous power and in this way bringing many to Christianity. The doctors in Seleucia were jealous of her and sent some young men to assault her, hoping that, in losing her virginity, she would also lose her miraculous power. Saint Thecla fled from these insolent young men and, when she saw that they would catch her, prayed to God for help in front of a rock, and the rock opened and hid the hol maiden and bride of Christ. This rock was her hiding place and her tomb. Saint John Chrysostomos says of this wonderful Christian heroine and Saint: ‘I seem to see this blessed virgin going to Christ with virginity in one hand and martyrdom in the other. [Resource: The Prologue from Ochrid]

ALSO

SAINT SILOUAN THE ATHONITE

Rejoice, of father Silouan,
inextinguishable burning of love
thy prayer for the world!"
[Akathist hymn to St. Silouan

of Athos]

God’s chosen one, conquering the hearts of academics and students, housewives and all professionals, theologians and church neophytes… Today he is known to the entire Orthodox world. Human souls humble themselves before his holiness, forgetting everything earthly and becoming filled with peace, joy and prayer. The simplicity of his communion with the Lord and his evangelical, child-like faith touch hearts. Behind it, however, there is a half-century’s worth of ascetic labour.

Russian Saint Panteleimon Monastery
on Mount Athos

Childhood and Youth of Saint Silouan

The Venerable Silouan of Athos, a new witness for God and a true man of prayer for the whole world, "who in the twentieth century glorified Mount Athos and showed in it an Angelic life" was born in Russia in 1866. He was born into the family of the peasant Ivan Antonov who lived in the village of Shovskoe in Lebedyansky District of Tambov Province. The family was large: father, mother, five sons and two daughters. The baby was baptized in the village church of the Nativity of Christ and name Simeon.

Simeon’s parents were engaged in hard peasant labor, but their life was relatively secure. They were hospitable and often provided food and shelter to those in need. From infancy, Simeon was brought up in the Orthodox Faith. Already as a schema monk on the Holy Mount Athos, Silouan used to recall how pious a man his father was: "I have never achieved the measure of my father. He was completely illiterate, yet he was a meek and wise man. I wish I could have an Elder like him; he was never irritated and always had a calm attitude."

Simeon did not have the opportunity to study muchl after only two years of school, he began to help the family with household chores. He grew up and became a strong and physically fit man. Feeling a burning love for God, Simeon began to pray fervently and with tears. Soon he decided to become a monk. However, he postponed his decision to go to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, not daring to disobey his father, who told him to complete his military service first. He served in the Royal Life Guards Sapper Battalion under the command of General Serebryakov in Saint Petersburg. In the army everyone loved Simeon as a diligent soldier. He was of a quiet nature and good conduct, and his comrades knew him as a loyal friend.

At the end of the military service, the future Saint went to the Righteous John of Kronstadt for a blessing to go to Mount Athos. Unable to speak with Father John in person, Simeon left him a note. It said, "Father, I desire to become a monk; pray that the world does not delay me." AFter the army service, Simeon stayed at home for only one week and went to the Holy Mountain.

In Autumn 1892, Simeon Ivanovich Antonov arrived at Mount Athos. He was greeted by the large and small crosses crowning the green domes of the bell tower, churches and roofs of the Russian Monastery of Saint Panteleimon, "a place of stillness, mystery and asceticism" and a witness to the high ascetic deeds of souls striving for God. This is where Simeon began his path as a novice. He later wrote, "Believing in God is one thing, knowing Him is another."

At that time, Saint Panteleimon ‘s Monastery on Mount Athos had about 2,000 monks. At the end of the 19th century, there were five large and thirteen small churches there. All the numerous monastery buildings and outbuildings practically formed an entire city. Hundreds of pilgrims were constantly arriving from Russia and spending long periods of time in monastic residences. {Orthodox Christians visit a monastery, a place of unceasing prayer, repentance, stillness, worship, and meditation) as pilgrims and not as tourists.] This gave the novices plenty of work to do. Simeon’s first labor OBEDIENCE was work at the Monastery mill. Also, the novice Simeon spent entire days alone, carrying fifty-kilogram sacks to the third floor of the mill and pouring grain into the milestones.

Saint Elijah’s Church "on the Millstones."

Here, during Vespers in the mill Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah, to the right of the holy doors, where the holy icon of the Savior is located, the novice saw the living Christ. The Lord miraculously appeared to the young novice, filling his whole being and his very body with fiery grace of the Holy Spirit. At that moment, Simeon was made aware with all his being that his sins were forgiven. After that, a new stage began in the spiritual life of the young novice Simeon. The surrounding world was magnificent, the people were pleasant, and nature was inexpressibly beautiful. The body became lighter, the strength increased, the word of God was pleasing to the soul, and the nightly vigils in the church and especially the private prayers in the cell became sweeter. His soul, filled with joy, felt pity for all people and prayed for the whole world.

Some time after, while Brother Simeon was serving in the Monastery refectory, he had a similar visitation of Divine Grace. It happened in the morning on a Feast-Day, after the All-Night Vigil in church. In 1896, four years after entering the Monastery, Simeon was tonsured into a small Schema with the name Silouan.

"KEEP YOUR MIND IN HELL AND DESPAIR NOT" Saint Silouan.

From the day of the Lord’s appearance to him, Monk Silouan waged a fierce struggle against his passions, striving to preserve purity of mind and heart. On one of such painful nights, when, despite all his efforts, it was impossible to pray properly, Silouan, rising from his stool to bow, saw before himself a figure of a demon, standing in front of the icons and waiting for a bow to him. Father Silouan sat on his stool again and cried out to God with anguish in his heart, "Lord, You see my desire to pray to You with a pure mind, but the demons stand in my way. Teach me, what should I do to keep them at bay?
The answer from God was, "The proud always suffer from demons." "Lord" Silouan prayed, "teach me what must I do to humble my soul?" Then the Lord said to him, "Keep your mind in hell and despair not."

After this revelation, Monk Silouan firmly embarked on a spiritual path. From that day on, his favourite saying was: "Soon I shall die, and my wretched soul shall descend into cramped black hell, and there I shall languish alone and cry for the Lord, " Where are You, the Light of my soul? I cannot live without You." [Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist]

{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

THE GENERAL ECONOMY OF SALVATION ACCORDING TO THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH

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 General Economy of Salvation According to the
Holy Orthodox Christian Church.

A. The Condition of the World before the Coming of the Savior

In the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament, and in particular in the Psalms of David, the chosen Hebrew people, as the representative OF ALL MANKIND, is presented as “THE PLANTING OF GOD,” as the VINEYARD OF GOD (see Isaiah 5:7, 61:3). The image of garden, having the same meaning, is given also in the Gospel. A vineyard or garden MUST BEAR FRUITS. Preserving and guarding His planting, the Lord expects FRUITS FROM IT. But what should be done with a fruit garden when it bears NO FRUITS, and what is more, IS INFECTED WITH A DISEASE? Should it be looked after if it does NOT justify its purpose?

“The ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE” [Matthew 3:10]. Thus did Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner warn and accuse the Hebrew people before the Coming of the Messiah [Lord]. The Lord speaks of the same thing, and gives to His Disciples the Parable of the fig tree. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down, why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But IF NOT, AFTER THAT YOU CAN CUT IT DOWN” [Luke 13:6-9].

Like this fig tree, THE HUMAN RACE WAS FRUITLESS. Once already it has been exterminated by the flood. Now it would have been doomed–it would have doomed itself–to the loss of Eternal Life, to the general loss of the Kingdom of God, because it had lost all value as not having fulfilled its purpose and as drowning in evil.

“Does not the potter have power over the day, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, ENDURED WITH MUCH LONG-SUFFERING THE VESSELS OF WRATH PREPARED FOR DESTRUCTION, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the VESSELS OF MERCY, WHICH HE HAD PREPARED BEFOREHAND FOR GLORY” [Romans 9:21-23].

Mankind, in the person of its best representatives, acknowledged ITS UNFULFILLED DEBT, the heavy debt of numerous preceding generations and of its own age. IT WAS A DEBT UNABLE TO PAY. This feeling of guilt in its purest form was present in the Jewish people. Mankind tried to erase its sins by means of sacrifices, which expressed the giving over to God of the best part of what was in man’s possessions, in the possession of his family, as a gift to God. But these sacrifices WERE NOT CAPABLE OF REGENERATING MEN.

Let us quote here the words of the holy righteous Saint John of Kronstadt, from his sermon on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord: “Let us enter into the meaning of the mystery of the Cross… The world, that is, THE HUMAN RACE, would have been given over to Eternal Death, to Eternal torments, according to the UNCHANGING, MOST STRICT JUSTICE OF GOD, IF THE Son of God had NOT BECOME, OUT OF HIS LIMITLESS GOODNESS, A VOLUNTARY INTERMEDIARY AND REDEEMER OF MANKIND, WHICH WAS CRIMINAL, DEFILED AND CORRUPTED BY SIN. For, by the deception of the serpent, THE MURDERER OF MEN, it was cast down into a frightful abyss of lawlessness and perdition… However, so that men might be capable of this reconciliation and redemption from above, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE SON OF GOD TO DESCEND INTO THE WORLD, TO TAKE UPON HIMSELF A HUMAN SOUL AND BODY, AND BECOME THE GOD-MAN, IN ORDER THAT IN HIS OWN PERSON, IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, HE MIGHT FULFILL ALL THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WHICH HAS BEEN BRAZENLY VIOLATED BY ALL MANNER OF HUMAN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS; IN ORDER THAT HE MIGHT FULFILL THE WHOLE LAW OF GOD, EVEN TO THE LEAST IOTA, AND BECOME THE GREATEST OF RIGHTEOUS MEN FOR THE WHOLE OF UNRIGHTEOUS MANKIND, AND TEACH MANKIND RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH REPENTANCE FOR ALL ITS UNRIGHTEOUSNESS AND SHOW FORTH THE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE. This He fulfilled, NOT being guilty of a single sin, and was THE ONLY PERFECT MAN, IN HYPOSTATICAL UNION WITH THE DIVINITY” (Sermon of the Feast of the Exaltation: “The Meaning of the Mystery of the Cross”).

Saint Gregory Palamas writes: “Before Christ we all shared the same ancestral curse and condemnation poured out on all of us from our single Forefather as if it had sprung from the root of the human race and was the common lot of our nature. Each person’s individual action attracted either reproof or praise from God, but NO ONE COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SHARED CURSE AND CONDEMNATION, OR THE EVIL INHERITANCE THAT HAD BEEN PASSED DOWN TO HIM AND THROUGH HIM WOULD PASS TO HIS DESCENDANTS.” As we have seen, this inheritance entailed A CORRUPTED HUMAN RACE, BRINGING ABOUT THE DEATH OF BOTH THE SOUL AND THE BODY. “But Christ came,” says Saint Gregory, “SETTING HUMAN NATURE FREE AND CHANGING THE COMMON CURSE INTO A SHARED BLESSING” [Homilies, vol 1, p. 52]. [Resource: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

_________
“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

THE GLORIFICATION OF SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE HOLY TRADITION OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

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 Glorification of Saints According to the Holy Tradition
of the Orthodox Church.

"As for the saints who are on the earth,
They are EXCELLENT ONES, in whom
is all my delight" [Psalm 16:3].

"To the Church of God which is at Corinth,
to those who are SANCTIFIED in Christ Jesus,
CALLED TO BE SAINTS, with all who in every
place call on the name of Jesus Christ our
Lord, both theirs and ours" [1 Corinthians 1:2].

"so that He may establish your hearts BLAMELESS
IN HOLINESS before our God and Father at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ WITH ALL HIS
SAINTS" [1 Thessalonians 3:13].

"Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the DEATH OF HIS SAINTS" [Psalm 116:15].

"When He comes, in that Day, TO BE GLORIFIED
IN HIS SAINTS and to be admired among all those
who believe, because our testimony among you
was believed" (2 Thessalonians 1:10].

"He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some
evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; FOR THE
PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the Body of Christ: till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ" [Ephesians 4:11-13].

The "Sanctified in Christ" and "saints" those set apart to God. Baptized into Christ, united with Him, "the church of God" who by His mercy is one with the faithful everywhere.

In the Old Testament there was NO VENERATION of the bodies of the righteous, for the righteous themselves were still awaiting their deliverance. Then also the flesh (of the dead) in itself was considered UNCLEAN. In the New Testament, after the Incarnation of the Savior, there was AN ELEVATION OF THE BODY AS THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Lord Himself, the Logos/Word of God, was incarnate and took upon Himself a human body. Christians are called to this that NOT ONLY THEIR SOULS BUT ALSO THEIR BODIES, SANCTIFIED BY HOLY BAPTISM, SANCTIFIED BY THE RECEPTION OF THE Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ, might become TRUE TEMPLES OF THE Holy Spirit. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you?" [1 Corinthians 6:19]. And therefore the bodies of Christians WHO HAVE LIVED A RIGHTEOUS LIFE, OR WHO HAVE BECOME HOLY THROUGH RECEIVING A MARTYR’S DEATH, ARE WORTHY OF SPECIAL VENERATION AND HONOR.

The Holy Church in all times, following Sacred Tradition, has shown HONOR to HOLY RELICS. This honor has been expressed (a) IN THE REVERENT COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF THE REMAINS OF THE SAINTS OF GOD, as is known from accounts even of the 2 century, and then from the testimonies of later times; (b) IN THE SOLEMN UNCOVERING AND TRANSLATION OF HOLY RELICS; (c) IN THE BUILDING OVER THEM OF CHURCHES AND ALTARS; (d) IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEASTS IN MEMORY OF THEIR UNCOVERING OR TRANSLATION; (e) IN PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY TOMBS, AND IN ADORING THEM; (f) IN THE CONSTANT RULE OF THE CHURCH TO PLACE RELICS OF HOLY MARTYRS AT THE DEDICATION OF ALTARS, OR TO PLACE HOLY RELICS IN THE HOLY ANTIMENSION UPON WHICH IS PERFORMED THE DIVINE LITURGY.

This very natural honor given to the holy relics and other remains of the saints of God has a firm foundation in the fact that God Himself has deigned to honor and glorify them by innumerable signs and miracles– something for which THERE IS TESTIMONY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COURSE OF THE CHURCH HISTORY. [Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

What makes the saints holy is that they possess the highest spiritual purity and righteousness. The Church is holy through its Head, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is holy, further, through the presence in it of God the Holy Spirit and His Grace-creating gifts, communicated in the Mysteries (Sacraments) and other sacred rites of the Orthodox Church. It is als holy through its tie with the Heavenly Church.

The very "body of the Church" is holy: "If the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches" [Romans 11:16]. Those who believe in Christ are "temple of God," "temples of the Holy Spirit" [1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19]. In the True Church there have always been and there always are people of the great spiritual purity and with special gifts of Grace–MARTYRS, VIRGINS, ASCETICS, MONKS AND NUNS, HIERARCHS, RIGHTEOUS ONES, BLESSED ONES. The Church has an uncounted choir of departed ones of all times and peoples. It has manifestations of the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, both visible and invisible from the eyes of the world.

The Church IS HOLY BY ITS CALLING, OR ITS PURPOSE. It is holy also by ITS FRUITS: "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have YOUR FRUIT TO HOLINESS, AND THE END OF EVERLASTING LIFE" [Romans 6:22]. Slavery to God, initiated in baptism, IS TRUE FREEDOM. The "FRUIT" of baptism IS "HOLINESS," OR SANCTIFICATION, AND IT ENDS IN "EVERLASTING LIFE." [Romans 6;22]. SALVATION IS A PROCESS OF TRANSFIGURATION FROM SINNER TO SAINT. We are saved through baptism, and we are being saved, that is, being transformed by the UNCREATED GRACE OF GOD TO BE LIKE Him, in anticipation of Eternal Life.

The opinion that the Church consists only of righteous and holy people without sin DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE DIRECT TEACHING OF CHRIST AND HIS HOLY APOSTLES. Our Savior compares His Church with a field on which THE WHEAT THAT GROWS TOGETHER WITH THE TARES, AND AGAIN, WITH A NET WHICH DRAWS OUT OF THE WATER BOTH GOOD FISH AND BAD. In the Church THERE ARE BOTH GOOD SERVANTS AND BAD ONES [Matthew 18:23-35], wise virgins and foolish (Matthew 25:1-13).

For those who find it difficult or challenging to understand the significance and necessity of holiness we must turn to the Holy Apostle Paul who writes, "But nothing UNCLEAN CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD" [Ephesians 5:5]; Revelation 21:27). God is Light, and there is NO DARKNESS IN Him, and those WHO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD MUST THEMSELVES BE SONS OF THE Light. Therefore, entrance into it NECESSARILY REQUIRES PURITY OF SOUL, A GARMENT OF "HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD" [Hebrews 12:14].

The GLORIFICATION of Saints in the Holy Orthodox Church is A RECOGNITION THAT GOD’S HOLINESS IS MANIFESTED IN THE CHURCH THROUGH THESE GRACE-FILLED MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE LIVES WERE PLEASING TO GOD. Very early on, the Holy Church recognized the Righteous ancestors of Christ (Forefathers), those who predicted His Coming (Prophets), and those who proclaimed the Divine Gospel (Holy Apostles and Evangelists). Then those who risked their lives and shed their blood to bear witness to Christ (Holy Martyrs and Confessors), were also recognized by the Church as Saints. There was no special canonization process, but their holy relics were treasured and the annual anniversaries of their MARTYRDOMS WERE WHO FOLLOWED CHRIST THROUGH SELF-DENIAL, were numbered among the Saints. BISHOPS AND PRIESTS who proclaimed the True Faith and fought AGAINST HERESY WERE ADDED TO THE LIST. Finally, those in other walks of life who MANIFESTED HOLINESS were recognized as Saints.

While the GLORIFICATION of a Saint may be initiated because of miracles, IT IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY FOR CANONIZATION. The Roman Catholic tradition requires THREE VERIFIED MIRACLES in order to recognize someone as a Saint; the Orthodox Church DOES NOT REQUIRE THIS. What is required IS A VIRTUOUS LIFE OF OBVIOUS HOLINESS. And a Saint’s writings and preaching MUST BE "FULLY ORTHODOX," in agreement with the PURE FAITH THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM CHRIST AND THE HOLY APOSTLES AND TAUGHT BY THE HOLY FATHERS AND THE ECUMENICAL SYNODS.

Can the Church "MAKE" a Saint? The answer is NO! ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT. WE GLORIFY THOSE WHOM GOD HIMSELF HAS GLORIFIED, SEEING IN THEIR LIVES TRUE LOVE FOR GOD AND THEIR NEIGHBORS. The Church merely recognizes that such a person has cooperated with God’s Grace to the extent that his or her HOLINESS IS BEYOND DOUBT.

Are Saints "ELECTED" by special panels or by majority vote? Again, the answer is NO! Long before an official inquiry into a person’s life is made, that person IS VENERATED BY THE PEOPLE who pray for his or her soul or who ask him or her for INTERCESSION. Then a request is made, usually through the Diocesan Bishop, for the Church to recognize that person as a Saint. A Canonization Commission is formed to research the life of the person who is being considered fo glorification and to submit a report to the Holy Synod stating the reasons why the person should or should not be recognized as a Saint. Then the Holy Synod decides to number that person among the Saints and have icons painted and liturgical services composed.

The formal Rite of GLORIFICATION begins with a final Memorial Service for the person about to be canonized, after which Vespers and Matins with special hymns to the Saint are chanted and the Saint’s icon is unveiled. The Saint’s life is published and the date of his or her commemoration is established. The other Orthodox Churches are notified of the glorification so that they can place the new Saint’s name on their calendars.

Through the prayers of all the Saints, may we be encouraged to follow their example of VIRTUE AND HOLINESS. AMEN. [Resourc: Orthodox Church in America, Father Joseph Frawley).

___________
"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 Geoge

Orthodox Christianity Commemorates the Holy Martyrs Vera, Nada, and Lubov (Faith, Hope and Agape), and their mother SOPHIA on September 17th

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 17th of September Commemorates the Holy Martyrs Vera, Nada, and
Lubov (FAITH, HOPE AND AGAPE), (or in Greek Pistis, Elpis, and Agape) and their mother SOPHIA.

Kontakion Hymn of the Holy Martyrs. First Tone

SINCE Faith and Hope and Agape were in truth sacred branches of
Venerable Sophia, the namesake of wisdom, by grace they have

shown all men taht Greek wisdom is foolishness, and in contest
they proved to be prizewinning victors; wherefore, they received
a crown that never shall perish from Christ God, the Lord of All.

They lived and suffered in Rome in the time of the pagan Roman emperor Hadrian. The wise Sophia (as her name–Sophia, indicates) was left a widow and, as a Christian, steeped herself and her daughters in the Christian faith. At the time that Hadrian’s persecuting hand stretched out over the virtuous house of Sophia, Vera was TWELVE, Nada TEN and Agape NINE. The four of them were brought before the emperor, with their arms entwined ‘like a woven wreath’, humbly but firmly confessing their faith in Christ the Lord and refusing to offer sacrifice to the goddess Artemis. At the moment of their passion, the mother urged her valiant daughters to endure to the end: ‘YOUR HEAVENLY LOVER, JESUS CHRIST, IS ETERNAL HEALTH, INEXPRESSIBLE BEAUTY AND LIFE ETERNAL. When your bodies are slain by torture, He will clothe you in incorruption and the wounds on your bodies will shine in heaven like the stars.’ The torturers inflicted harsh torture on Vera, Nada and Agape one by one. They BEAT THEM, THEY STABBED THEM AND THEY THREW THEM INTO FIRE AND BOILING PITCH, AND FINALLY BEHEADED THEM ONE AFTER THE OTHER. Sophia took the dead bodies of her daughters out of the town and buried them, and stayed by their grave, in prayer for three days, and nights, then gave her soul to God, hastening to the heavenly company where the blessed souls of her daughters awaited her. [Resource: The Prologue from Ochrid]

__________
"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

ON THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS

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 Precious and Life-Giving Cross
By Saint Gregory Palamas

THE CROSS OF CHRIST was mysteriously proclaimed in advance and foreshadowed from generations of old and no one was ever reconciled withGod except by the power of the Cross. After our First Parents transgressed against God through the tree in Paradise, sin came to life, but we died, submitting, even before physical death, TO THE DEATH OF THE SOUL, ITS SEPARATION FROM GOD. After the transgression we lived in sin and according to the flesh. Sin "is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" [Romans 8:7-8].

As the Holy Apostle Paul says, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh" [Galatians 5:17]. God, however, is Spirit, ABSOLUTE GOODNESS AND VIRTUE, and our own spirit is after His image and likeness, although sin has made it good for nothing. So how could anyone at all be spiritually renewed and reconciled with God, unless sin and life according to the flesh had been abolished? The Cross of Christ IS THIS ABOLITION OF SIN. One of our God-bearing Fathers was asked by an unbeliever if he really believed in Christ crucified. "Yes," he replied, "I BELIEVE IN HIM WHO CRUCIFIED SIN," God Himself has borne witness that there were many who were His friends before and after the law, when the Coss had not yet been revealed. David, the King and Prophet, says, as if there were definitely friends of God in his day, "How precious also are thy friends unto me, O God!" [Psalm 139:17]. I shall not show you, if you listen attentively for the love of God, how it was that people were called friends of God before the Cross.

Although the man of sin, the son of lawlessness[cf 2 Thessalonians 2:3], by which I mean Antichrist, has not yet come, the theologian whom Christ loved says, "Even now, Beloved, there is antichrist" [cf 1 John 2:18]. In the same way; the Cross existed in the time of our ancestors, even before it was accomplished. The Great Paul teaches us absolutely clearly that Antichrist is among us, even though he has not yet come, saying, "HIS MYSTERY DOTH ALREADY WORK IN YOU" [cf 2 Thessalonians 2:7]. In exactly the same way Christ’s Cross was among our forefathers before it came into being, because its mystery was working in them.

To follow Christ means TO LIVE ACCORDING TO HIS GOSPELAND TO GIVE PROOF OF EVERY VIRTUE AND OF TRUE PIETY. The fact that anyone wishing to follow Him MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS MEANS HE MUST NOT SPARE HIMSELF WHEN THE MOMENT COMES, BUT BE READY TO DIE A DISHONOURABLE DEATH FOR THE SAKE OF VIRTUE AND THE TRUTH OF HOLY DOCTRINES.

Where earthly kings require those who follow them to be prepared to die for them, the Lord gave Himself over to death for our sake and COMMANDS US TO BE READY TO DIE NOT FOR HIS SAKE, BUT FOR OURS. To make it clear that it is for our own sake, he adds, "For whosoever will save his soul shall lose it; but WHOEVER SHALL LOSE HIS SOUL FOR MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL’S, THE SAME SHALL SAVE IT" [Mark 8:35]. What does this mean, that anyone who wants to save it shall lose it, and anyone who loses it shall save it? Man is TWOFOLD, consisting of OUTWARD MAN, the body, and our INWARD MAN, the soul. When our outward man gives himself over to death, he loses his soul, being separated from it. But when someone loses his soul for Christ and the Gospel, HE CLEARLY SAVES AN GAINS IT, BECAUSE HE HAS PROCURED FOR IT ETERNA LIFE IN HEAVEN.

Saint Paul who boasts in the Cross, determined not to know anything, save the Lord Jesus, and Him crucified [cf 1 Corinthians 2:2]. What does he say? The Cross means CRUCIFYING THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES [cf. Galatians 5:24]. Do you think he is referring only to the passions of sensual pleasure and gluttony? In that case he would not have written to the Corinthians, "Since there is among you strife and divisions are ye not carnal and walk as men?" [1 Corinthians 3:3]. Consequently, anyone WHO LOVES GLORY OR MONEY OR SIMPLY WANTS TO IMPOSE HIS OWN WILL IN HIS EAGERNESS TO PREVAIL, IS CARNAL AND WALKS AS MEN, SINCE SUCH THINGS ARE THE SOURCE OF DIVISIONS.

Listen to the Holy Apostle Peter, the leader of the Christ’s Apostles, who says, "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that he should follow his steps" [1 Peter 2:21]. Then you should consider the fact that when someone really learns how much he owes the Master, and is unable to repay in full, he modestly offers as much as he can and freely chooses to. As for the remaining DEBT, he HUMBLES HIMSELF BEFORE THE LORD AND, ATTRACTING HIS COMPASSION THROUGH THIS HUMILITY HE MAKES UP FOR THE SHORTFALL. If someone observes his thought reaching out towards riches and wealth, he must realize that this fleshly thought separates him from Christ crucified within him.

How can you begin to take this thought up to the height of the Cross? Having put your hope in Christ Who provides for all creation and nurtures it, keep away from all unjust gains, and do not be too attached even to honest income. Put it to good use and let the poor share in it as much as possible…Do you see the thought of fornication forcefully stirred up within? Be aware that you have not yet crucified yourself. Flee from looking inquisitively at women, from unseemly familiarity with them and inappropriate conversation. Reduce the fuel which feeds this passion by giving up excessive drinking, drunkenness, eating your fill and sleeping too much. To the renunciation of these evils add humble mindedness, and call upon God with a contrite heart for help against this passion.

Saint Paul says, "We preach," "Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block," because they do not believe IN THE SAVING PASSION, "and unto the Greeks foolishness," as they value transitory things above all else because of their complete disbelief in God’s promises, "bur unto them that are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of Gods" [1 Corinthians 1:23].

This is the wisdom and power of God: TO BE VICTORIOUS THROUGH WEAKNESS, EXALTED THROUGH HUMILITY, RICH THROUGH POVERTY. Not only the word and the mystery of the Cross are Divine and to be reverenced, but so also IS ITS SIGN. For it is a holy Saving and Venerable Seal, able to hallow and perfect all the good, marvelous and indescribable things which God has done for the human race. It can take away the curse and condemnation, destroy corruption and death, bestow Eternal Life and Blessing. IT IS THE WOOD OF SALVATION, THE REGAL SCEPTRE, THE DIVINE TROPHY OF VICTORY OVER VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE ENEMIES, EVEN THOUGH THE HERETICS’ FOLLOWERS ARE INSANELY DISPLEASED.

Where did Christ despoil and drive completely away the principalities and powers of the evil spirits, which had taken a hold on our nature since the time of the tree of disobedience? Where did He Triumph over them and put them to shame, so that we could be set free? Where was the middle wall of partition broken down and our enmity towards God abolished and put to death? By what means were we RECONCILED WITH GOD AND HOW DID WE HEAR THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE WITH HIM? Surely, it was ON THE CROSS AND BY MEANS OF THE CROSS. Let those who doubt listen to what the Holy Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians, "FOR CHRIST IS OUR PEACE, WHO HATH BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION BETWEEN US, FOR TO MAKE IN HIMSELF OF TWAIN ONE NEW MAN, SO MAKING PEACE; AND THAT HE MIGHT RECONCILE BOTH UNTO GOD AND IN OE ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, HAVING SLAIN THE ENMITY THEREBY" [Ephesians 2:14-16].

Let us fear Him Who examines hearts and minds. Let us appease the lord of vengeance. Let us long with the full assurance of faith for that vision promised to the pure of heart, and may we do everything to attain it, for it is accompanied by Eternal Life, UNFADING GOODNESS, INEXHAUSTIBLE RICHES, UNCHANGING AND UNENDING DELIGHT, GLORY AND KINGDOM.

May we all attain to these things in Christ, the King of the Ages, to Whom alone belong all glory, honor, and worship, with His Father without beginning and the All-Holy, Good and Life-Creating Spirit, unto endless ages. Amen. [Resource: The Homilies]

_________
"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


On the 16th of September, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the Holy and Great EPHEMIA EUPHEMIA

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 16th of September, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Holy and Great EPHEMIA [EUPHEMIA].

Apolytikion [Dismissal] Hymn of the Holy Martyr. Fourth Tone

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

Kontakion Hymn of the Martyr. Fourth Tone

THOU strovest valiantly in thy sacred contest; and even after death,
thou makest us hol with streams of healings, O all-famed Ephemia. For
this cause we venerate thy most holy dormition and with faith we stand
before thine all-venerable relics, that we be freed from illness of the soul
and also draw forth the grace of thy miracles.
+



Born in Chalcedon, her father was the Senator Philophronus and her mother’s name was Theodorisia, both devout Christians. Ephemia was a girl beautiful in both body and soul. When the Proconsul, Priscus, celebrated a festival of sacrifice to Ares in Chalcedon, forty-nine Christians absented themselves from the festivities and hid themselves. But they were discovered and brought before Priscus, holy Ephemia being among them. When the furious Priscus asked them why they had not carried out the imperial command, they replied: ‘Both the Emperor’s commands and yours must be obeyed if they are not contrary to the God of heaven. If they are, they must NOT only NOT be obeyed; they must be RESISTED.’ Then Priscus put them to various tortures for nineteen days, from day to day. On the twelfth day, he held Ephemia apart from the others and began to flatter her beauty, hoping to bring her thus to idolatry. When all his flattery proved fruitless, he ordered that she be tortured. First, she had her thrown into a fiery furnace, but she was preserved by God’s power. Seeing this, two soldiers, Victor and Sosthenes, came to faith in Christ, for which they were thrown to the wild beasts and thus finished their earthly course with glory. After that, Ephemia was thrown into a pit filled with water and all kinds of poisonous reptiles, but she made THE SIGN OF THE CROSS over the water as she went into the pit, and remained unharmed. She was finally thrown to the wild beasts and with a prayer of thanksgiving, gave her soul into God’s hands. Her parents buried her body. She suffered in the year 303 A.D., and entered into Eternal joy.

In 451 A.D., during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Synod was convoked in Chalcedon against Eftyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Holy Fathers of the Church who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Ephemia’s holy relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found THE TOME OF THE HERETICS UNDER THE FEET OF THE HOLY MARTYR, AND THAT OF THE ORTHODOX IN HER RIGHT HAND. [The Prologue from Ochrid and The Great Horologion]

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

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



THE ORTHODOX TRADITION AND SYMBOLISM OF MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

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

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST1 HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE ORTHODOX TRADITION AND SYMBOLISM OF
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.

The sign of the Cross has been used by the Christians since the time of the Holy Apostles. It is a pious act, which the Orthodox Christians make in the following manner:

The thumb, the index and the middle finger of the right hand are joined together, while the remaining two fingers are bent and touching the palm of the hand. At first the forehead is touched, then the breast, then the right shoulder and finally the left shoulder. Besides the impression which the sign of the cross makes on the senses, it reminds us of the spiritual meanings.

The three fingers joined together symbolize the ONENESS OF GOD IN THE THREE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The two fingers, bent to the palm of the hand, signify the UNION OF THE TWO NATURES IN CHRIST, THE Divine and the Human. The touch of the FOREHEAD signifies THAT GOD IS IN OUR HEAD (IN OUR MIND) AND SANCTIFIES IT, the touch of the BREAST (or STOMACH) signifies THAT GOD IS IN OUR HEART ( and our feelings or emotions) AND SANCTIFIES both our heart and feelings, the touch of the SHOULDERS signifies THAT GOD IS IN OUR LIMBS DIRECTING THEM AS He wills. In other words, by the sign of the Cross we DEDICATE TO THE SERVICE OF GOD ALL THE POWER OF OUR MIND, HEART, AND SOUL. We are led to this service of God by means of THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, because it reminds us of Christ’s death on the Cross, to which "God gave His Only-Begotten Son" OUT OF HIS AGAPE (LOVE) TO THE WORLD [John 3:16].

The sign of the Cross on our bodies is also a prayer for God’s blessing upon ourselves and others. It has often proved a protection against evil, whether in one’s inner thoughts or outward actions, WHEN MADE IN TRUE FAITH IN ITS POWER. Therefore, we rightly make it when we start and close our prayers; when we enter the Church, when we kiss (venerate) holy icons of Saints; when the name of the Persons of the Holy Trinity, the name of the Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos, and of the Saints are pronounced during the divinie Services; when sacred instances occur during the Divine Liturgy; when we start and finish our meals; and on many other occasions.

Its frequent repetition when we are mindful of its significance, can become tous A SOURCE AND FOUNTAIN OF EVERY BLESSING. As the instrument Christ chose to bring about His Ever-Memorable and Life-Creating death, the Cross holds a unique place in the heart of every Orthodox Christian believer. We comprehend that this holy symbol, once a barbaric way of torture and capital punishment, now reminds us of Christ’s Great Victory over death. Orthodox Christians make the sign of the Cross because it affirms what we believe about our Savior Christ as the Incarnate Son of God and all that He did for us. It is an outward manifestation that illustrates our understanding of God in Trinity and our belief in the Two Natures of Christ [perfect God and perfect man]. It is, in essence, an open confession of faith.

When making the sign of the Cross one must do it reverently and with conviction, faith,humility, piety, reflection, and love for the One Who was crucified to save us. There is absolutely no reason to do it in a hurry and without any respect or meaning. When making the sign of the Cross we invite and invoke the grace of the Precious and Holy Cross onto ourselves and seek the Divine powers of the Cross of Christ to protect, guide, strengthen and enlighten us. The Cross is the ‘wounding of the devil’, the "protector of the ecumene (world). and the ‘beauty of the Church.’

The first mention of Christians making the sign of the Cross dates back to the second century. In the early Church, sources explain that the sign of the Cross was only made upon the forehead with only one finger, until the fourth century. About this time, Christians then began to use two fingers to make the sign of the Cross, each finger representing one of the Natures of Christ. This was as a result of the heresy of Monophysitism, which rejected the Synod of Chalcedon 451 A.D. and claimed that Christ had only one Divine Nature. Around the 9th century, the practice of three fingers became prevalent in most of the Orthodox East and West. This practice was common before the Schism of 1054 between East and West. By the 12th century, most Churches in the East (with the exception of the Russian Orthodox Church, which accepted the practice in the 1600’s) .

How to make the sign of the Cross:

Join the thumb, index, and middle
fingers of your right hand.
Place the other two fingers of your
right hand down against the palm.
Take the hand and touch your joined
fingertips to your forehead.
Then bring your fingers down to
your stomach (abdomen).
Mover your fingertips to touch the
front of your right shoulder.
And
finally, touch your fingertips to the
front of your left shoulder.

As one can see that the Orthodox Christians identifies himself/herself by making the sign of the Cross and revealing the dogma of the Two Natures of Christ (Perfect God and Perfect Man), and on God the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) of the Church to others who may not adhere to it or of those who have fallen into heresy or heresies. It is also a reminder to every Orthodox Christian that it is the Cross of Christ that saves and that He Who says to us, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW Me" [Mark 8:34]. Carrying one’s cross (a symbol of suffering), and obedience to Christ. By saying "let him deny himself, and take up his cross," Jesus means His followers should seperate themselves from their sins and from the inclination of their hearts toward evil" [Gene 8:21], crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires [Galatians 5:24]. Discipleship is costly: it requires giving up all claim to everything the world holds dear. Our Savior says very clearly: "And whoever DOES NOT, BEAR HIS CROSS AND COME AFTER ME CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE" [Luke 14:27]. To be a disciple is to count the cost, and pay it.

Orthodox Christian parents must teach their children the meaning of making the Sign of the Cross, and to encourage them to do it as often as possible for every occasion and/or event. Also, parish priests should also teach the catechumens and converts to the Faith to make the sign of the Cross, to venerate the holy icons and to light candles as they enter the local church or any Orthodox church. The Holy Tradition is not optional and everyone in the Orthodox Church must know that the faithful are not to pick and choose what they like or don’t. In other words the Orthodox Christian does NOT have the authority to be SELECTIVE or to give his/her own interpretation or to practice some traditions and ignore the rest. One is a true Orthodox Christian or not. I am saying this because a recent convert informed me that she accepted everything about the Orthodox Church but that she had a serious problem with the doctrine of the Theotokos and her Ever-Virginity. We are NOT Protestant!

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

___________
"Glory