My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

The Proclamation by the Roman Church
of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception
and the Dogma of the Bodily Assumption
of the Mother of God
By Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky
[Athor: of Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by a Bull of Pope IX in 1854. The definition of this dogma says that the Most Holy Virgin Mary at the moment of her conception was cleansed of ancestral ("original") sin. According to the Roman teaching, the burden of the sin of our first ancestors consists in the removal from mankind of a supernatural gift of grace. But here arose a theological question if mankind had been deprived of the gift of grace, then how is one to understand the words of the Archangel addressed to Mary: "Rejoice, thou that are FULL OF GRACE, the Lord is with thee. BLESSED art thou among women…Thou has found Grace with God" (Luke 1:28, 30)? One could only conclude that the Most Holy Virgin Mary had been removed from the general law of the "deprivation of grace" and of the guilt of the sin of Adam. And since her life wa holy from birth, consequently she received, in the form of an exception, a supernatural GIFT, a grace of sanctity, even before her birth, that is, at her conception. Such a deduction was made by the Latin theologians. They called this removal a "PRIVILEGE" of the Mother of God. One must note that the acknowledgment of this dogma was preceded in the West by a long period of theological dispute, which lasted from the 12th century, when this teaching appeared, until the 17th century, when it was spread by Jesuits in the Roman Catholic world.

In 1950, the so-called Jubilee Year, the Roman Pope Pius XII triumphantly proclaimed a second dogma, the dogma of the Assumption of the Mother of God with her body into heaven. Dogmatically this teaching was deduced in Roman theology from the Roman dogma of the Immaculate Conception and is a further logical deduction from the Roman teaching on original sin. If the Mother of God was removed from the general law of original sin, this means that she was given from her very conception supernatural gifts: righteousness and immortality, such as our first ancestors had before the fall into sin, and she shoςςuld not have been subject to the law of bodily death. Therefore, if the Mother of God died, then, in the view of the Roman theologians, she accepted death voluntarily so as to emulate her Son; but death had no dominion over her. The Orthodox Church does not accept the Latin system of arguments concerning original sin. In particular, the Orthodox Church, confessing the perfect personal immaculateness and perfect sanctity of the Mother of God, whom the Lord Jesus Christ by His Birth from her made to be more Honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim–HAS NOT SEEN AND DOES NOT SEE ANY GROUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IN THE SENSE OF THE Roman Catholic interpretation, although it does Venerate the conception of the Mother of God, as it does also the conception of the Holy Prophet and Forerunner John.

PRACTICE OF INDULGENCES

The Roman Catholic tradition of indulgences is centuries old and teaches that Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saints have more merits than are necessary, and that these merits can be transferred to others to help with their salvation. Because of differences in the theology of salvation, indulgences for THE REMISSION OF TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT OF SIN currently do not exist in Eastern Orthodoxy, but until the 20th century there existed in some place a practice of absolution certificates (Greek: συγχωροχάρτια).
The Eastern Orthodox Church believes one can be absolved from sins by the Mystery (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession.

DEVIATIONS IN THE PREPARATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

In all the passages of Holy Scripture where the BREAD of the Eucharist is mentioned, the bread is called ARTOS in Greek (John 6; the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke; in the Apostle Paul and the Acts of the Apostles). ARTOS usually signifies WHEAT BREAD WHICH HAS RISEN THROUGH THE USE OF LEAVEN ("unleavened" is expressed in Greek by the adjective AZYMOS). It is known that in Apostolic times–that is, from the very beginnings, from its institution–the Eucharist was performed during the whole year, weekly, when the Jews DID NOT prepare unleavened bread; this means THAT IS WAS PERFORMED, EVEN IN THE JEWISH-CHRISTIAN communities, WITH LEAVENED BREAD. ALL THE MORE MAY THIS BE SAID OF THE COMMUNITIES OF CONVERTS FROM PAGANISM, TO WHOM THE LAW REGARDING UNLEAVENED BREAD WAS ENTIRELY FOREIGN. In the Church of the first Christians the material for the Mystery (Sacrament) of the Eucharist, as is well known, was usually taken from the offerings of the people, who, without any doubt, BROUGHT TO CHURCH FROM THEIR HOMES THE USUAL, LEAVENED BREAD; IT WAS ALSO MEANT TO BE USED, AT THE SAME TIME, FOR THE LOVE-FEASTS (AGAPE) AND FOR HELPING THE POOR.

Church historians say that churches in the East and West both used LEAVENED BREAD until the 7th century. In 1054, when a Great Schism arose, the Western Church (Roman Catholic) accepted only unleavened bread. The tradition of using leavened bread, RISEN BREAD, symbolizes the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The term ‘TRANSUBSTANTIATION’ comes from medieval Latin scholasticism: following the Aristotelian philosophical categories, "transubstantiation’ is a change of the "substance" or underlying reality of the Holy Gifts without changing the "accidents" or appearance of bread and wine. Orthodox theology, however, does NOT try to "define" this Mystery in terms of philosophical categories, and thus prefers the simple word "CHANGE."

THE MANDATORY CELIBACY FOR PRIESTS AND DEACONS

For a bishop there exists the obligation of celibacy. In the first centuries of Christianity such a demand was NOT OBLIGATORY, but even in Apostolic times it was allowed for bishops to avoid marriage for the sake OF THE ASCETIC STRUGGLE OF CONTINENCE. This custom became strengthened, and the Sixth Ecumenical Council made it a CANON. As regards Priests and Deacons, the Church REGARDED THAT SUCH A BURDEN SHOULD NOT B LAID UPON THEM AS OBLIGATORY, and that the ancient canon should be followed which FORBIDS CLERGY, AFTER RECEIVING ORDINATION, TO ENTER INTO MARRIAGE, but which allows to the Mystery of Priesthood persons who are already bound by marriage, even regarding this as natural and normal. A second marriage, as well as having a wife who has been married before, are hindrance to ordination.

In the Roman Church in the 4th to 6th centuries, CELIBACY BEGAN TO BE INTRODUCED LIKEWISE FOR PRIESTS AND DEACONS. This INNOVATION WAS REJECTED BY THE SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, but this prohibition was not heeded by the Roman Popes.

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

With sincere in our Lord’s Glorious Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN DOGMATIC
THEOLOGY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

The dogmatic labor of the Church has always been directed towards THE CONFIRMATION IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE FAITHFUL OF THE TRUTHS OF THE FAITH WHICH HAVE BEEN CONFESSED BY THE CHURCH FROM THE BEGINNING. This labor consists of indicating which way of thinking is the one that follows the Ecumnical Tradtion. The Church’s labor instructing in the faith has been, IN BATTLING AGAINST HERESIES:

a) TO FIND PRECISE FORM FOR THE EXPRESSION OF THE TRUTHS OF THE FAITH AS
HANDED DOWN FROM ANTIQUITY,

b) TO CONFIRM THE CORRECTNESS OF THE CHURCH’S TEACHING, FOUNDING IT ON
THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AND SACRED TRADITION WAS AND REMAINS THE STANDARD
OF THE FULLNESS AND WHOLENESS OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW.

The aim of dogmatic theology as a branch of learning is to set forth, with firm foundation and proof, the Orthodox Christian teaching which has been handed down. Certain complete works of dogmatic theology set forth the thinking of the Holy Fathers of the Church.

The course of dogmatic theology is divided into two basic parts" into the teaching (1) about God in Himself and (2) about God in His MANIFESTATION of Himself as Creator, Providence, Savior of the world, and Perfecter of the destiny of the world.

THE DOGMA OF FAITH

The first word of our Christian Symbol of Faith (the Creed) is "I BELIEVE." All of our Christian confession is based UPON FAITH. God is the first object of Christian BELIEF. Thus, our Christian acknowledgment of the existence of God is founded NOT upon rational grounds, NOT on proofs taken from reason or received form the experience of our outward senses, but UPON AN INWARD, HIGHER CONVICTION WHICH HAS A MORAL FOUNDATION.

In the Christian understanding, to believe in God SIGNIFIES NOT ONLY TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD with the mind, but also TO STRIVE TOWARDS HIM WITH THE HEART.

We BELIEVE that which is inaccessible to outward experience, to scientific investigation, to being received by our outward organs of sense. Christian faith is A MYSTICAL REVELATION IN THE HUMAN SOUL. It is broader, more powerful, closer to reality than thought. It is more complex than separate feelings. It contains within itself the feelings of LOVE, FEAR, VENERATION, REVERENCE, AND HUMILITY. (Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

THE ORTHODOX CONFESSION OF FAITH, THE SYMBOL OF FAITH OR CREED

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten,
begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten,
not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us
men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the
Scripture, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall
come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with
the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission
of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Orthodox Christians recite the Creed or Symbol of faith in every Divine Liturgy. The Creed was written and finalized by the Church in 325 A.D.and 381 A.D. to defend and preserve the true faith from heresies that had erupted in Christendom regarding the nature of the Son of God and the Holy Spirit.

The word CREED comes from the Latin credo which means "I believe." The Holy Orthodox Church refers to the Creed as THE SYMBOL OF FAITH, meaning that it literally brings together and expresses the confession of faith. The Nicene Creed, also known as the "Orthodox Creed", is the statement of faith for the Orthodox Church and is considered the definitive statement of Christian orthodoxy. The Creed was created at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 A.D. to address the Arian controversy, which threatened the Church’s unity and the authentic faith. The Creed was expanded at the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in 381 A.D. to include the Holy Spirit.

To be an Orthodox Christian is to affirm the Orthodox Christian faith–not merely in words, but in living the true faith in deed. By confessing the Creed together, Orthodox Chrsitians, reveal their common faith, a faith no matter how many centuries pass by the faith remains the same. Therefore, there is never any confusion of what we believe as Orthodox Christians. The Synods have forbidden for any one to either add or subtract anything from the Creed. The Creed reveals the dogmas of the Holy Orthodox Church that were formally drawn up by the Church as a whole. The TRUTH can never be changed but remains the same always.

DOGMATIC, LITURGICAL, GOVERNANCE, TRADITION DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN ORTHODOXY AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM

THE FILIOQUE (Latin: "and of the Son"), is an ADDITION TO THE NICENE CREED. This phrase (clause) changes the nature of the Holy Spirit’s
PROCESSION, stating that He PROCEEDS ETERNAL FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON, rather than from the Father only. Rome officially declared this false doctrine at the Second Council of Lyons.

The ancient Orthodox teaching of the personal attributes of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit was DISTORTED in the Latin Church by the creation of a teaching of the procession, outside of time and from all eternity, of the Holy Spirit from the Father "and the Son”– the Filioque. It became established in the West as obligatory in the 9th century. The Latin dogma of the Filioque is a substantial and important DEVIATION from Orthodox truth. Apart from the dogmatic side, by introducing A NEW DOGMA the Roman Church violated the decree of the THIRD and subsequent Ecumenical Councils (4th centuries), which FORBADE THE INTRODUCTION OF ANY KIND OF CHANGE INTO THE NICAEAN SYMBOL OF FAITH. It also violates the perfect balance of Trinitarian theology.

PAPAL INFALLIBILITY teaches that the pope cannot err in questions of faith and morals when speaking EX CATHEDRA ("from the throne"; this does not make the pope sinless or perfect). This dogma DID NOT EXIST prior to the First Vatican Council (1870). Orthodox Hierarchs can be deposed, including Ecumenical Patriarchs on a number of occasions, without presupposing the collapse of the entire Christian Church.

ABSOLUTE DIVINE SIMPLICITY

Another difference between the Orthodox and Catholic understanding of God is ABSOLUTE DIVINE SIMPLICITY. Catholicism claims the ESSENCE OF GOD (who He is in Himself) is identical to the attributes of God (what is said about Him). Absolute Divine simplicity classifies God philosophically as a "substance," and it insists that God’s ONENESS is an undifferentiated singularity, with no facets, aspects, or distinctions. This makes the Roman Catholic version of God far less approachable or near to us, because He is only Himself. We cannot experience Him in any tangible, realistic way.

The Orthodox faith, on the other hand, teaches that God is both UNKNOWABLE ESSENCE AND KNOWABLE ENERGIES, following the teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas and the ancient Church Holy Fathers (i.e. Saint Basil the Great). We will never know Him in His essence, but we can know Him through His ENERGIES, most particularly Grace.
Ultimately, this Latin doctrine betrays Rome’s desire to define God’s nature rather than to simply experience God as He revealed Himself to us. We experience God concretely as Three Persons, not as a nature.

CREATED GRACE

Because of Catholicism’s doctrine of absolute divine simplicity, problems arise in the understanding of both the PRESENCE OF GOD in the believer and the effects that occur because of His presence. Unlike the Orthodox, WHO BELIEVE GRACE IS UNCREATED, Catholics believe grace is both uncreated AND CREATED. In Orthodox doctrine, Divine grace is UNCREATED and therefore represents God Himself — His energies. The believer is SANCTIFIED though SYNERGY WITH GOD AND His ENERGIES

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic dogma that says the Theotokos was conceived WITHOUT THE STAIN OF ANCESTRAL ("ORIGINAL") sin (per St. Augustine). This, therefore, is what made it possible for her to assent to Christ’s Incarnation. While the Orthodox agree Mary’s womb was sanctified to prepare for Christ, we believe this took place at the Annunciation. In the eyes of the Orthodox, this dogma actually demeans the Theotokos. As Saint John Maximovitch wrote, "This teaching denies all her virtues. After all, if Mary, even in the womb of her mother, when she could not even desire anything good or evil, was preserved by God’s grace from every impurity, and then by that grace was preserved from sin even after her birth.

PURGATORY

Another difference between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches is about WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE. According to Catholicism, the "saved" go to PURGATORY when they depart this life. In the most basic terms, PURGATORY IS A PLACE OF TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT, which allows those who "die in God’s grace and friendship" to "achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven." In other words, even after you are saved and God has forgiven your sins, after death you must still make SATISFACTION FOR THEM.

The Orthodox Church DOES NOT believe in purgatory. While we agree with the idea that we experience a "waiting time" between now and the Final Judgment, we object to the Catholic satisfaction model, which states that God REQUIRES PAYMENT EVEN AFTER HE FORGIVES OUR SINS. Within the Orthodox theological paradigm, there is either FORGIVENESS or PUNISHMENT, NOT BOTH.

PAPAL SUPREMACY is the teaching that the Pope of Rome HAS IMMEDIATE, SUPREME, UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION OVER EVERY CHRISTIAN. In effect, HE IS THE PHYSICAL HEAD OF THE CHURCH. No one, not even an Ecumenical Council, can supposedly overturn the ruling of a Pope. Rejection of this dogma endangers YOUR SALVATION. In other words, if you do not SUBMIT TO THE POPE, YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED (Pastor aeternus, Vatican I, 1870). The Orthodox certainly acknowledge that Peter occupied a special place among the Holy Apostles AS THE FIRST AMONG EQUALS. But WE DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY CLAIMS OF SUPREMACY, BECAUSE THESE CLAIMS HAVE NO BASIS IN HOLY SCRIPTURE OR IN THE WRITINGS OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH OR HOLY TRADITION. Additionally, Holy Scripture NEVER REFERS TO PETER AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH IN ANY SENSE. RATHER, WE SEE THAT CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH (Ephesians 1:22; 5:33, Colossians 1:18). And thus has NO NEED for "A VICAR). (Source: Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church, Beaver Falls,PA).

DEFINITION OF HERESY: Following one’s own choice or opinion instead of Divine Truth preserved by
the Church, SO AS TO CAUSE DIVISION AMONG CHRISTIANS. HERESY, is a system of thought
which contradicts TRUE DOCTRINE. IT IS FALSE TEACHING, WHICH ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS MUST
RESIST (Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1) [Orthodox Study Bible, p. 800)

(To be continued)

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

With sincere agape in His Glorious and Divine Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

Man can choose Wisdom or Foolishness, Light or Darkness, Good or Evil.

“Then I saw that wisdom excels
foolishness
As light excels darkness.
The wise man’s eyes are in his head,
But the senseless man walks in
darkness;” [Ecclesiastes 2:13-14].

When Jesus was tempted by the devil He said to him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus reverses Israel’s dallying with temptation in the wilderness. The Israelites were tested, 40 years in the wilderness,during which they were disloyal and disobedient. So God humbled them by letting them go hungry, then feeding them with manna, all TO HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR DEPENDENCE UPON Him [Deuteronomy 8:2-3]. Jesus is tested with hunger for 40 days, but He DOES NOT SIN. Jesus’ answers to Satan are from Deuteronomy, and all of them call for loyalty to God: WE ARE TO LIVE BY THAT WHICH GOD COMMANDS. Contrary to the opinions of His detractors, in His Messiahship Jesus actually FULFILLS THE LAW. HE IS LOYAL AND OBEDIENT SON WHO TRIUMPHS OVER TEMPTATION.

The Holy Apostle Paul assures us Christ knows everything. Most of this is “hidden” to us, so we must seek Christ alone Who is God’s Wisdom. The incarnate Christ IS FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN–HE FULFILLS HUMAN NATURE AND ALL LEVELS OF BEING SUBMIT TO HIM. We need no one else but Christ. We go directly to Him, for He is the Sovereign power, “the head” over Angelic beings. We are made “complete in Him, Who is the head of all principality and power” [Colossians 2:10].

Glaring humanity for over 2,000 years or more, stands the Son of God Jesus Christ, the answer to everything mankind could ever want or seek. Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth and the very Savior of the world. He is the perfect God and the perfect Man. He is full of wisdom and knowledge and He knows man for He is the Creator and God. By coming to earth and taking the form of a man He has renewed him and saved him through His Sacrifice on the Cross and through His Glorious Resurrection. The Holy Apostle says, “And He is before all things, and in Him, all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness, should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His Cross” [Colossians 1:17-20].

Saint Paul says clearly that Christ IS HIMSELF THE FULLNESS. Jesus is EVERYTHING, GOD IN ALL FULLNESS, AND IN HIS HUMAN NATURE, RESURRECTED AND ASCENDED Jesus Christ ends the alienation between God and the creation, bringing creation as a sacrament into a living UNION WITH GOD. As Christ has supreme and Life-Giving Authority over the NEW CREATION, where LIFE IS ETERNAL. But now He is Head through the body, “the Church”. The Church, then, is THE SOURCE OF THE RESTORATION AND FULFILLMENT OF CREATION IN CHRIST. Who then, other than Our Lord Jesus Christ, has indeed, the power to transform humanity and restore communion with Him?

Humanity’s woes would end instantly if humanity would believe in Jesus Christ as its Lord, God, and Savior. The world would not become a place free of evil, hatred, wars, injustice, greed, corruption of all kinds, disease, enmity, discord, idolatry, heresy, and man’s passions and pride. We neglect to understand that this was, is, and always will be God’s world. After all He is the Creator, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What mankind has been experiencing is the result of man’s alienation from God, the Source of All Life. It is because man, due to his immense ego, arrogance, and pride, has sought to replace Him with himself. Human history reveals clearly and accurately the result of man’s action and behavior over the many centuries, Man refuses to obey God, he refuses to repent, he refuses to change, he rejects the Son of God and Savior, he refuses to cease all wars, he refuses to love his Divine Creator and instead has chosen to rebel against Him as did Satan. Everything that God created was “very good.” God “made everything beautiful in its time, and He indeed put eternity in their hearts in such a way that man may not find out the work of God made from the beginning to the end” [Ecclesiastes 3:11-12]. Man’s hatred for God drives him to attempt to change all that. God created man in His image and likeness and wicked man now seeks to destroy it.

Evil desires man’s death. Man has, so it seems, joined forces with the evil one. He is a total fool who has been deceived by his new evil master to believe that he is in charge of his destiny and the destiny of the world. The devil himself attempted to tempt Christ when “the devil took Him up on an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” [Matthew 4:8-10]. Foolish man, however, decided, some time ago, to embrace and accept the devil’s offer rather than to answer him as our Savior Jesus Christ did. And we wonder why the world is in such chaos and devastation? Man is behaving brazenly and lies with boldness. The more frequent word used to describe the contemporary man today is, insane.

Man lacks wisdom. Wisdom that is found in “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” [Matthew 4:4).  God teaches us not to love ease and comfort, material things, things which are perishable, but to willingly accept the struggle necessary to purify us from evil.  We must not subordinate our souls to the passions of the body but to choose those things which are beneficial to our souls.  The Holy Apostle James writes, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” [James 1:5]. “Wisdom” is the practical and spiritual knowledge required for godly living, comes to those who “ask of God,” in prayer. One who possesses wisdom has the ability to discern good from evil and to adhere to the commandments of God faithful and obediently.

“God appeared to Solomon that night and said to him, ‘Tell Me what you want Me to give you.” Solomon replied, “Give me wisdom and understanding, so that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can judge this great people of Yours? [2 Chronicles 1:7-10]. The Almighty God gave Solomon wisdom and “riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings before him possessed, nor shall
any after him possess. In our Holy Orthodox Church wisdom is a gift from God and an experience of God. It is a virtue that is different from knowledge, and is more difficult to quantify. In our Holy Church Divine Wisdom is understood as the Divine Logos/Word Who became incarnate as Jesus Christ. The wide man is the one who sees clearly and deeply into the mysteries of God.

In the Holy Scripture, the Spirit of the Lord is called “the spirit of Wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2). It is this Spirit that the Lord gives to those who believe in Him. In our Holy Orthodox Church, as Saint Paul writes, Divine Wisdom is given to the spiritual person. The wise man, who possesses the Spirit of God, can show forth the “knowledge of salvation to His people…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” [Luke 1:77-79]. The opposite of Divine Wisdom is sinful foolishness which brings man to calamity, sorrow, ruin, and death” (Proverbs 10-14). In the spiritual life of the Church, it is the wise men and women, the spiritual masters and saintly teachers, who have gained Divine Wisdom and so are made competent to direct and guide the destiny of men’s immortal souls. The Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Church were people who God granted Divine Wisdom to guide the faithful and to defend the Orthodox Christian Faith.

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

With sincere agape in the Glorious and Divine Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

THE HOLY CHURCH IS THE ARK OF SALVATION

As Orthodox Christianity continues the divine celebration of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ we recall the Biblical account of Noah and the Ark told in the Old Testament. As Noah preached righteousness, suffered unjustly, and rescued those who were with him, so also does our Risen Lord Christ. Christ descended to those in darkness and death that Light might shine on them and that He might deliver them from eternal death. The Great Flood is an Old Testament mystery of the salvation of the human race. Noah was saved from a godless society–not so much saved from the water, as through the water, from evil. For through the water of BAPTISMs the Resurrected Christ, having taken His place in Heaven itself, gives us a clean conscience. The Holy Apostle Peter says, "There is also antitype which now saves us–BAPTISM not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST" [1 Peter 3:21].

Noah was known as a man of faith. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. The Holy Apostle Paul describes how faith works in his epistle to the Hebrews. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" [Hebrews 11:1]. This of course is not a definition of faith as it is a description of how it works, especially during hard times. "Things hoped for" and "not seen" is a vision of the future,have encouraged people of God throughout history: the invisible is often more real than the visible.

"Thus the Lord God looked upon the earth and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh corrupted their way on the earth. Then God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with unrighteousness through them, behold I will destroy them with the earth…Whatever is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My COVENANT WITH YOU AND YOU INTO THE ARK–YOU, YOUR SONS, YOUR WIFE AND YOUR SONS WIVES WITH YOU…THUS NOAH DID ACCORDING TO ALL THE LORD GOD COMMANDED HIM, SO HE DID…THEN THE LORD GOD SHUT HIM IN THE ARK…" [Genesis  6:12-7;16]. "The earth was corrupt…and filled with unrighteousness" because of man’s WILLFUL REFUSAL TO BECOME RIGHTEOUS THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Their unrighteousness was their own fault (through them") for they had every opportunity to repent.

According to Orthodox Tradition the Ark was a type of the Theotokos [Mother of God] with Christ and the Church in her womb. The flood waters were a type of Baptism, in which we are saved [1 Peter 3:18-22]. The Lord God closed the door of the Ark, for He is the Judge and determines who is in and who is out. The people on the outside were going their usual manner of life–buying, selling, eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage–BUT THEY WERE INDIFFERENT TO GOD AND HIS GRACE. The Great Flood caught them unawares, but it was too late for them to respond. So it will be on the Great Day of Judgment. "God remembered Noah" and SAVED HIM FROM THE FLOODWATERS. Noah was saved because God remembered him. This remembrance IS SALVATION.

The Church is frequently depicted as a ship, a New Ark of salvation. The depiction of the Church as a ship is an old metaphor and with Christ AT THE HELM holding the RUDDER, THE RUDDER IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IS THE BOOK WHICH CONTAINS THE HOLY CANONS WHICH DIRECTS THE CHURCH IN THE PROPER MODE OF CONDUCT AND CONFESSION OF FAITH. At the bow of the ship are Saints Peter and Paul are lifting the anchor which is shaped in a three pronged end, signifying belief in the Holy Trinity. Behind them are the Holy Fathersof the Church, Saint John Chyrsostom, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Athanasios of Alexandria, and Saint Nicholas of Myra, with multitude of other Holy Fathers, and Mothers, Martyrs, etc. are surrounding an altar. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove hovering above the ship. At the top right, the destination of the ship is depicted as a white city (presumably the New Jerusalem). Inside the Ark is the Most Holy and Ever-Virgin Mary, and in front of her are the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This all symbolizes the bosom of the Holy Church, both Triumphant and Militant (i.e., in Heaven and on earth).

On the bottom of the icon the enemies of Christ and His Church; that is, ALL WHO HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST HER AND PERSECUTED HER, FOR IF ONE FIGHTS AGAINST THE CHURCH, HE IS FIGHTING AGAINST CHRIST HIMSELF. From left to right, Antichrist is depicted as a king on his horse and behind him is an old man with a crown on his head, signifying Israel with the star of David on his crown, holding a bag of gold. He has his arm around the harlot of the Apocalypse, with her cup in her hand. Below the Antichrist are those who will fight for him. Antichrist is going to come from Jewish lineage, and will reign in Jerusalem and will want all to submit to him. Those who do not will be persecuted. This is the symbolism of those who are under the caption called Antichrist and his Minions.

Next to him to the right is a dreadful looking beast, which is called New Age. New Age is a revival of PAGANISM presented with NEW PACKAGING. IT ENCOMPASSES THE OCCULT, WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NO REVERENCE FOR CHRIST. Also depicted is the Pope, with a long, hooked rod, trying to pull down the bow, either to capsize the boat or REDIRECT IT IN A DIRECTION CONTRARY TO THE DIRECTION THAT CHRIST IS STEERING THE ARK. When the present day papacy came into being around the year 1054, the Pope proclaimed himself AS THE VICAR OF CHRIST AND ALSO CHRIST ON EARTH, THUS FIGHTING AGAINST THE TRUE CHRIST. Next to him are other heretics who threatened the unity of the Church over the centuries.

Salvation is within the Orthodox Church and everyone who is onboard will be saved. The New Ark of Christ, the Holy Church cannot be destroyed or sunk by her enemies and heretics. Jesus said, "I will build My CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT" [Matthew 16:18]. The Church rests upon the true confession of faith, the true Rock and foundation of the Church is, of course, Christ Himself. The Church rests upon this Rock by her UNCHANGING FAITH, HER CONFESSION. With this faith as the FOUNDATION, "the gates of Hades," the power of death, are powerless against her. The Church is the body of Christ, the Divine-human ORGANISM, and to her comes the call of Jesus for the WHOLE OF MANKIND TO ABIDE WITH HIM AND IN HIM [Ephesians 1:23].

"The New Testament Church is the new planting of God, the Garden of God, the Vineyard of God. The Lord Jesus Christ, by His earthly life, His death on the Cross and His Resurrection, introduced into humanity NEW GRACE-GIVING POWERS, a New Life which is capable of great fruitfulness. These powers we have in the Holy Church which is His Body. The Church of Christ RECEIVED ITS EXISTENCE WITH THE COMING TO EARTH OF THE Son of God, "when the fullness of the time was come" (Galatians 4:4), and with HIS BRINGING OF SALVATION TO THE WORLD.

"The beginning of its existence in its COMPLETE FORM AND SIGNIFICANCE, WITH THE FULLNESS OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, was the DAY OF PENTECOST, after the Holy Ascension of the Lord. On this day, after the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Holy Apostles, in Jerusalem there were baptized three thousand men. And, further, the Lord each day added those being saved to the Church. The name "church" which belongs to every Christian community, even of a single house or family, indicates THE UNITY OF THIS PART WITH THE WHOLE, WITH THE BODY OF THE WHOLE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

"Being "the body of Christ," the Church "increaseth with the increase of God" (Colossians 2:19). Comparing the Church with a building, the Holy Apostle teaches that its building is not completed, but continues: "All the building fitly framed together unto a holy temple in the Lord" [Ephesians 2;21]. Through the Church is accomplished "the dispensation of the fullness of times" foreordained by the Father, so that "He might gather in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth" (Ephesians 1:10).

"The CHURCH IS OUR SPIRITUAL HOME. As with one’s own home–and even more than that–A CHRISTIAN’S THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS ARE CLOSELY BOUND WITH THE CHURCH. IN IT HE MUST, AS LONG AS HE LIVE ON EARTH, WORK OUT HIS SALVATION, AND MAKE USE OF THE GRACE-GIVEN MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION GIVEN HIM BY IT. IT PREPARES ITS CHILDREN FOR THE HEAVENLY HOMELAND.

As to how, by Grace of God, spiritual rebirth and spiritual growth occur in a man, in what sequence these usually occur, who hindrances must be overcome by him on the way of salvation, how he must combine his own indispensable labors with the Grace-given help of God–special branches of theological and spiritual learning are devoted to all these matters. These are called "moral theology" and "ascetic theology." The Lord Jesus Christ is the "Founder" of the Church. Christ is also the Foundation of the Church, its CORNERSTONE: "Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" [I Corinthians 3:11]. He also is its HEAD. God the Father "gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all" [Ephesians 1:22-23]. As all the members of our body comprise a full and living organism which depends upon its head, so also the Church is A SPIRITUAL ORGANISM IN WHICH THERE IS NO PLACE WHERE THE POWERS OF CHRIST DO NOT ACT. It IS "FULL OF CHRIST" (Saint Theophan the Recluse).

Christ Himself is the INVISIBLE Chie Bishop of the Church. The Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer, an Apostolic Father, calls the Lord the "Invisible Bishop" (Greek: EPISKOPOS AORATOS). Christ is the High-Priest of His Church, as the Apostle Paul explains in the Epistle to the (Hebrews 7:23-25).

The Orthodox Church of Christ REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE YET ANOTHER HEAD OF THE CHURCH IN THE FORM OF A "Vicar of Christ on earth," a title given in the Roman Catholic church to the Bishop of Rome. Such a title does NOT correspond either to the word of God or to the universal Church consciousness and tradition; IT TEARS AWAY THE CHURCH ON EARTH FROM IMMEDIATE UNITY WITH THE HEAVENLY CHURCH. A VICAR IS ASSIGNED DURING THE ABSENCE OF THE ONE REPLACED, BUT CHRIST IS INVISIBLY PRESENT IN HIS CHURCH ALWAYS.

The REJECTION by the ancient Church of the view of the Bishop of Rome as the Head of the Church and Vicar of Christ upon earth is expressed in the writings of those who were active in the Ecumenical Councils. The Ninth Article of the Symbol of Faith (The Creed) indicates the four basic signs of the Church: "We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church." These attributes are called ESSENTIAL, that is, WITHOUT WHICH THE CHURCH WOULD NOT BE THE CHURCH. [Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

This holy Ark, the Church of Christ, is the only means of salvation. The purpose of the ship or Ark, just in the case of Noah, is to "keep us alive." Noah and his family entered the Ark, which typifies SALVATION. Noah was saved because GOD REMEMBERED HIM. The floodwaters brought death but it also brought cleansing of all evil and sin that had prevailed in the world. There are no other means of getting across to the other side because there is only one Ark of Salvation and the only way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, all the righteous men and women of God who possess all the spiritual requirements to be passengers on this holy Ark will indeed come to rest in His Heavenly Kingdom. Remain inside our Holy Orthodox Church and obedient to Christ’s commandments and "well-pleasing to God" [Genesis 6:9].

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

With sincere agape in His Glorious Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

“Do NOT love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him. For all that is in the
world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–
IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD. And the world is
PASSING AWAY, AND THE LUST OF IT; BUT HE WHO DOES THE
WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER” [1 John 2:15-17].

“If the world hates you, YOU KNOW THAT IT HATED Me before it
hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own.
YET BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I CHOSE YOU
OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATES YOU”
[John 15:18-19].

In the Holy Scriptures and in the spiritual tradition of the Orthodox Church, the expression, “the world” has two different meanings. In the first, “the world” is the expression of all of God’s creation. As such it is the product of God’s goodness and the object of His agape.” And according to the Holy Scripture, God creates the world and all that is in it. He creates the heavens and the earth as the declaration of His glory” [Psalm 19:1]. He creates all living things, crowned by the formation of man in His own image and likeness. According to the Scriptural record, God called His creation “good…very good” [Genesis 1:12, 18, 25, 31]. And according to the holy Gospel, Christ has come as the “Savior of the world” [Luke 2:11; John 4:42].

“For God so loved the world that He gave only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not so condemn the world, but that THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM [John 3:16-17].

In addition to this positive Scriptural understanding of “the world,” there is also a negative use of the expression which has caused confusion about the proper understanding of Christian faith and life. This negative use of the term “the world” presented not as God’s object of love, but as creation in rebellion against God. Thus Christ spoke:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are NOT of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” [John 15:18-19; James 4:4]. Regarding “the world” we learn that while union with Christ brings love, joy, peace, it also brings the world’s hatred and persecution. The citizens of the world who hate Christians, do so because they do not know the Father. A person cannot say he loves God but not God’s Son, for those who hate Christ also hate God the Father. hatred for Jesus Christ is without legitimate cause for He brings God’s love and Truth to the world.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” [John 16:33]. Despite persecution and suffering, Christians can maintain the peace and joy of Jesus Christ who has “overcome the world,” of darkness through His saving work. Christians are also at war against the flesh (Gr. σάρξ, σάρκα) and not the body. By “the flesh” Saint Paul does not mean the body. The “flesh” (sarka) here is a general term for evil actions, the depraved will, the earthly mind, slothful and careless soul–things that are under one’s control, not part of human nature. The “flesh” is crucified with Christ. It is not human nature that is mortified, but its evil passions and deeds i.e. “adultery, fornication, jealousies, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries,..” [Galatians 5:19-21].

“When you hear that it is necessary to withdraw from the world…to purify yourself from what is of the world, you must understand the term world. “World” is a collective name embracing what are called PASSIONS. When we speak of passions collectively, we call them the world… the world IS CARNAL LIFE and minding of the flesh” [Saint  Isaac the Syrian]. Therefore when a Christian declares war on the flesh it means a war against a carnal life and minding of the flesh. We may live in the world but NOT be of the world. The battle against the flesh is a life-long battle and a very difficult one but it can be done by putting Christ first. To be “worldly” means to conform to the world of sensuality and the passions. Instead the Christian is to strive to live a life in Christ, to be godly and grow spiritually by the grace of the Holy Spirit. To live a virtuous life of love, kindness and compassion. “The FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” [Galatians 5:22-23]. The difference between two life-styles is crystal clear when one compares them.

However, man is spiritually weak and constantly gives in to the worldly wicked temptations. The spiritual remedy, of course, is to have a true spiritual discipline of prayer, fasting, and a sacramental life. Our evil adversary and dedicated enemy uses these vices to undermine our every effort by discouraging us, tempting us, through our logismoi (evil thoughts), and by bribing us with sensual pleasure and instant gratification. The Orthodox Christian who studies the Lives of the Saints learns how to combat all these evil enticements. He or she, however, must be totally committed and act with genuine conviction. Our faith in Christ must be sincere and we must work in synergy with Him to accomplish our spiritual goal. Nothing can be accomplished without Him.

Never allow yourself to be ruled by pride and conceit but to always act with humility and authentic piety. Anything superficial and hypocritical brings only failure, injury, pain and sadness. It is foolish for anyone to attempt to deceive the Almighty when we know that nothing is hidden before Him. The Holy Apostle Paul says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but ALL THINGS ARE NAKED AND OPEN TO THE EYES OF HIM TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT” [Hebrews 4:13]. Nothing is able to escape the discernment of Christ, the Logos/Word of God. “God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” [Luke 16:15]. God is definitely a mystery to us but we are not a mystery to Him. Those Christians who have turned their back on riches and worldly honors and forsaken earthly good altogether for the cause of the Kingdom of God will reap abundant rewards from God.

Knowing and understanding how extremely important is our Merciful God in the life of every person every effort must be made to maintain communion with Him. It is only in Him that we find meaning, fulfillment, joy, peace, and love. A person feels a profound emptiness and despair without Him in our lives. It is therefore necessary that Christian parents pass on to their children the faith in God. In Orthodox Christian tradition the home is the kat’ oikon ecclesia or little church. The Christian home is not just a place where we sleep, eat, and have a roof over our head but a special holy space. It is a place of prayer, a blessed place by the local Orthodox priest and a dwelling where God, the Mother of God, Angels and Saints of our Faith are present. The Christian family is not only a group of people who have a biological connection but live as individuals and independent of each other. A Christian family is a Christ centered family and everything in the Christian home revolves around Him and consider themselves as His devout servants. What is evident in a Christian home is the love of God, love and respect for one’s parents, and where the children receive their first catechism. It is in that sacred place where children learn how to pray, how to worship, how to live a virtuous life, and how to treat their fellow man with kindness and love. The home is a Christian school where the children are educated to be responsible citizens who through their Christian faith will be able to make many good contributions and make a positive difference in the world. Christian children are taught by their parents by example who live humbly, with dignity, with integrity, with courage, and unquestionable faith in Christ our Lord and Savior.

Young people today have been the target of wicked powers who seek their destruction. These evil powers have been able tragically to undermine every institution in society. Long time ago the home, the Church, and the School worked together to form good and decent future leaders that would improve conditions in the world. Citizens who had good Christian values, principles and morals. However, these evil forces have been able to practically destroy the home and family, to exclude the Christian Church and make it irrelevant, and as far as the school to dilute true education to the point that children are not prepared to enter society. Many of these young men and women feel lost, confused, afraid, and believe that their future has been stolen from them. It is by the grace of God that countless of them are discovering our Lord Jesus Christ and find hope, comfort, love and joy in their lives. Thank God!

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

With sincere agape in His Holy and Glorious Resurrection,
The sincere agape in His Divine and Sacred Diakonia,
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

THE CATHOLIC CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE CHURCH

The Orthodox Church of Christ is the Body of Christ, a spiritual ORGANISM whose Head is Christ. It has a single spirit, A SINGLE COMMON FAITH, A SINGLE AND COMMON CATHOLIC CONSCIOUSNESS, GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT and its reasonings are based on the concrete, definite foundations of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Apostolic Tradition. This catholic consciousness is always with the Church, but, in a more definite fashion, this consciousness IS EXPRESSED IN THE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS OF THE CHURCH. From profound Christian antiquity, local councils of separate Orthodox Churches gathered twice a year, in accordance with the 37th Canon of the Holy Apostles. Likewise, often in the history of the Church there were councils of regional bishops representing a wider area than individual Churches, and, finally, councils of bishops of the whole Orthodox Church of both East and West. Such ECUMENICAL COUNCILS THE CHURCH recognizes as SEVEN IN NUMBER. The Ecunical Councils FORMULATED PRECISELY AND CONFIRMED A NUMBER OF THE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS OF THE Orthodox Christian Faith, DEFENDING THE ANCIENT TEACHING OF THE CHURCH AGAINST THE DISTORTIONS OF HERETICS. The Ecumenical Councils likewise FORMULATED LAWS AND RULES GOVERNING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHRISTIAN CHURCH LIFE, WHICH ARE CALLED THE CHURCH HOLY CANONS, AND REQUIRED THE UNIVERSAL AND UNIFORM OBSERVANCE OF THEM. Finally, the Ecumenical Councils CONFIRMED THE DOGMATIC DECREES OF A NUMBER OF LOCAL CHURCH COUNCILS, AND ALSO THE DOGMATIC STATEMENTS COMPOSED BY CERTAIN HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH–for example, THE CONFESSION OF FAITH of Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neo-Caesarea, the canons of Saint Basil the Great, and so forth.

When in the history of the Church it happened that councils of bishops permitted heretical views to be expressed in their decrees, the catholic consciousness of the Church was disturbed and was NOT pacified until AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN TRUTH WAS RESTORED AND CONFIRMED BY MEANS OF ANOTHER COUNCIL. One must remember that the councils of the Church made their dogmatic decrees:

a) after a careful, thorough and complete examination of all those places in Sacred Scripture which touch
on a given question,
b) thus testifying that the Ecunemical Church has undestood the cited passages of Sacred Scripture in
precisely this way. In this way the decrees of the councils concerning faith express "THE HARMONY OF
THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AND THE CATHOLIC TRADITION OF THE CHURCH. For this reason "THESE
DECREES BECAME THEMSELVES, IN THEIR TURN, AN AUTHENTIC, INVIOLABLE, AUTHORITATIVE,
ECUMENICAL AND SACRED TRADITION OF THE CHURCH, FOUNDED UPON THE FACTS OF SACRED
SCRIPTURE AND APOSTOLIC TRADITION.

Of course, many truths of the faith are so immediately clear from Sacred Scripture that they were not subjected to heretical reinterpretations; therefore, concerning them there are no specific decrees of councils. Other truths, however, were confirmed by councils. Among all the dogmatic decrees of councils, the Ecumenical themselves acknowledge as PRIMARY AND FUNDAMENTAL THE NICAEO-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN SYMBOL OF FAITH (CREED), and THEY FORBADE ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER IN IT, NOT ONLY IN ITS IDEAS, BUT ALSO IN ITS WORDS, EITHER BY ADDITION OR SUBTRACTION (Decree of the Third Ecumenical Council, repeated by the FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH COUNCILS).

The Decrees regarding faith which were made by a number of local councils, and also certain expositions of the faith by the Holy Fathers of the Church, are acknowledged as A GUIDE FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH AND ARE NUMBERED IN THE SECOND CANON OF THE SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (in Trullo).

DOGMAS AND HOLY CANONS

In Ecclesiastical terminology DOGMAS ARE THE TRUTHS OF CHRISTIAN TEACHING, THE TRUTHS OF FAITH, AND CANONS ARE THE PRESCRIPTIONS RELATING TO CHURCH ORDER, CHURCH GOVERNMENT, THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CHURCH HIERARCHY AND CLERGY AND OF EVERY CHRISTIAN, WHICH FLOW FROM THE MORAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE EVANGELICAL AND APOSTOLIC TEACHING. CANON IS A GREEK WORD WHICH LITERALLY MEANS "A STRAIGHT ROD, A MEASURE OF PRECISE DIRECTION."

THE HOLY SECOND ECUMENICAL SYNOD

The Emperor summoned this Synod. It commenced on the 9th of May and the sessions lasted until the 9th of July, in the year 381. Earlier, in 380, he had issued an Edict DECLARING ORTHODOXY THE TRUE FAITH. Arianism (heresy) was condemned the following year at the First Synod of Constantinople. The assembly was held primarily against Makedonio, who had died before 364. He blasphemously declared that the Holy Spirit WAS A CREATURE, CONSTRUCTED OR CREATED BY THE Son. The Makedonians or PNEVMATOMACHOI ("Fighters of the Spirit", therefore, RAILED AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Holy Fathers at this Synod CORRECTED THE GLORIFICATION AND ADORATION OF THE HOLY TRINITY WHICH HAD BEEN ALTERED BY THE ARIANS, WHO USED TO SAY, "Glory be to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit." The Holy Fathers also renewed the Doctrine of the earlier Nicene Synod. Hence, in order that it might be made manifest that th Second Ecumenical held in Constantinople professed THE SAME BELIEVES AS THE FIRST ECUMENICAL SYNOD HELD IN NICEA, IT DID NOT DRAW UP A CREED OF ITS OWN. The Holy Fathers at Constantinople, however, simply made a small change in the Creed adopted by the Nicene Synod. They appended thee clause "of Whose Kingdom there shall be no end." They also developed the meaning of Article 8 in reference to the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, they supplied that which was wanting in the remaining four articles to the end. It is now the identical Symbol of the Faith or Creed WHICH IS RECITED BY ALL ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS. [Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and The Great Synaxristes of the Orthodox Church]

Please note: All Orthodox Christians must remain vigilant and alert, more so today, than perhaps at any other time, due to the numerous threats against the Church. The dangers are not always visible and external or public but are those enemies within the Church who use stealth to become invisible until they are ready to strike or reveal and implement their sinister agenda. There are those who defy the decisions of the Ecumenical Synods, in other words the dogmas of the Church, others who have decided to completely ignore the Holy Canons of the Church, and still others, the Holy Tradition of the Church. Some go as far as to reject the truth revealed by the Holy Scripture. All this constitutes apostasy and heresy. These enemies of the Orthodox Church seek to level and compromise the only Authentic Church of Christ. To create the same chaos, division and confusion within our Church as we see in other Christian confessions such as Aglican, Roman Catholic and certain major Protestant denominations, i.e., Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Baptists, etc. These evil people and anarchists by declaring war against the Church, they wage war against the GodMan, the Founder and Head of the Church, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD JESUS CHRIST. We all know, however, the outcome of this battle, and who will triumph, and who will be condemned to eternal damnation.

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

With sincere agape in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

On the 21st of May, the holy Church Commemorates
the holy and glorious God-crowned Emperors and
Equals-to-the-Apostles CONSTANTINE and HELEN.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul,
having received the call not from men, Thine Apostle among kings
entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always
in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of
man.

Kontakion Hymn. Third Tone

On this day Saint Constantine and blessed Helen, his mother,
have revealed the Cross, the Wood worthy of all veneration. For
the Jews, it is dishonour; but faithful rulers have it as a weapon
vanquishing their opponents. For our sake hath it been shown
forth as a great ensign, dread and most awesome in war.

Constantine the Great and Ever-Memorable first Emperors of the Christians, the Byzantine autocrat and builder of Constantinople, was born at Naissus, present-day Nis of Dardania in the area that now belongs in today’s Serbia and Croatia, 274 A.D. His father, Flavius Constantius, drawn from an Illyrian background, was then a general of the Roman Government. Afterward, he was proclaimed Caesar of hte Westernmost part of the Empire, that is Britannia, Galatia (Gaul), Spain, and other territories. On account of Constantius’ pale countenance he was surnamed Chlorus. The mother of Saint Constantine was the most pious and holy Empress Helen (Helena), who, together with her son, is commemorated this day. The blessed Helen hailed from Bithynia of Asia Minor. She was born in a city called Drepanum which had the honor to be renamed Helenopolis (Helenoupolis), later, by the Great Constantine. On Constantine’s mothers’ side, he was a nephew of Emperor Claudius II (268-270 A.D.).

A daughter was born, 255 A.D. to an innkeeper at Drepanum of Bithynia on the Nikomedian Gulf. Her name was Helen. She was believed to be of humble parentage. She bore her poverty with dignity. Saint Ambrose referred to her as innkeeper. As she grew, the slender, blond lass helped her pagan parents attend to the needs of travelers who halted to find rest and refreshment at the establishment in Naissus. In June of 271 A.D., a twenty-three year old military tribune, named Flavius Constantius, entered Naissus. He was tall, thin, well-built, of fair complexion. His arrival, together with his troops, animated the villagers. The distinguished Tribune would stay at the inn for several days. Sixteen-year old Helen and her parents took care of their guests. Constantius fell in love with the gracious girl and asked for her hand in marriage. Constantin was born in 272 A.D., in (according to some authorities) Naissus of Dardani, a city on the Hellespond. Helen raised him alone, as Constantius moved up the ranks in the legion commanded by Diocles. Flavius Constantius arranged for tutors to teach both mother and son.

In 306 A.D. when his father died, he was proclaimed successor to his father’s throne. In 312 A.D., on learning that Maxentius and Maximinus had joined forces against him, he marched into Italy, where, while at the head of his troops, he SAW IN THE SKY AFTER MIDDAY BENEATH THE SUN, A RADIANT PILLAR IN THE FORM OF A CROSS WITH THE WORDS: “EN TOUTO NIKA” (BY THIS SHALL YOU CONQUER”). The following night, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST APPEARED TO HIM IN A DREAM AND DECLARED TO HIM THE POWER OF THE CROSS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE. When he arose in the morning, he immediately ordered that A LABARUM be made (which is a banner of victory over the enemy) IN THE FORM OF A CROSS, and he inscribed on it the Name of Jesus Christ. On the 28th of October, he attacked and mightily conquered Maxentius, who drowned in the Tiber River while fleeting. The following day, Constantine entered Rome in triumph and was proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate, while Licinius, his brother-in-law, ruled in the East. But out of malice, Licinius later persecuted the Christians. Constantine fought him once and again, and utterly destroyed him in 324 A.D, and in this manner he became Monarch over the West and the East. Under him and BECAUSE OF HIM ALL THE PERSECUTION AGAINST CHRISTIANS CEASED. CHRISTIANITY TRIUMPHED AND IDOLATRY WAS OVERTHROWN. In 325 A.D. he gathered the First Ecumenical Synod (Council) in Nicaea, which he himself personally addressed. In 324 A.D. in the ancient city of Byzantium, he laid the foundation s of the new capital of his realm, and solemnly inaugurated it on May 11th 330 A.D., naming it after himself CONSTANTINOPLE,; since the throne of the imperial rule was transferred from Rome, it was named NEW ROME, the inhabitants of its domain were called ROMANS, and it was considered the continuation of the Roman Empire. Falling ill near Nicomedia, HE REQUESTED DIVINE BAPTISM, according to Church Historian Eusebius (The Life of Constantine, Book IV, 61-62), and also according to Socrates and Sozomen, and when he had been deemed worthy of the Holy Mysteries, he reposed in 337 A.D., on May 21st or 22nd, the day of Pentecost, having lived sixty-five years, of which he ruled for thirty-one years. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and were deposed in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which had been built by him.

As for his holy mother Saint Helen, after her son had made the Faith of Christ triumphant throughout the Roman Empire, she undertook a journey to Jerusalem and found the Holy Cross on which our Lord was crucified. After this, Saint Helen, in her zeal to glorify Christ, ERECTED CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM AT THE SITE OF THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION, IN BETHLEHEM AT THE CAVE WHERE OUR SAVIOUR WAS BORN, ANOTHER ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES WHENCE HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, and many others throughout the Holy Land, Cyprus, and elsewhere. She was proclaimed AUGUSTA, her image was stamped upon golden coins, and two cities were named Helenopolis after her in bithynia and in Palestine. Having been thus glorified for her piety, she departed to the Lord being about eighty years old, according to some in the year 330 A.D., accoding to others, in 336 A.D. [Source: The Great Horologion]

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

With sincere agape in Christ’s Holy Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!!

CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY AND SECULAR SPIRITUALISM

Orthodox understanding of Spirituality

"Spirituality in the Orthodox Church means the everyday activity of life in communion with God. The term spirituality refers not merely to the activity of man’s spirit alone, his mind, heart and soul, but it refers as well TO THE WHOLE MAN’S LIFE AS INSPIRED AND GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Every thought must be spiritual, every word, every deed, every activity of the body, every action of the person. This means that all that a person thinks, says and does must be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit so that the will of God the Father might be accomplished as revealed and taught by Jesus Christ the Son of God."

"…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" [1 Corinthians 10:31].

"In Orthodox spirituality, the faithful fight to detach themselves from the old man and be clothed in the "new" man, the New Adam, Christ: "You have put away the old man with all his doings, and have put on the new man, which has become new in knowledge after the image of his maker" [Col. 3:9-10]. It is a struggle of "crucifying" the inferior, inward person "those who are Christ’s have put to death on the cross the flesh with its passions and its evil desires" [Gal. 5:24]. This spirituality is not a moralistic and moralizing perception, a convention and external compliance, but a true change and "good alteration", with an eschatological character, thus making it ontological. "This was the very purpose of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, to CHANGE AND ALTER AND RENEW NATURE, AND TO CREATE AFRESH THIS SOUL THAT WAS OVERTURNED BY PASSIONS THROUGH THE TRANSGRESSION, MINGLING IT WITH His own Spirit, the Spirit of Godhead. New mind, and new soul, and new eyes, new ears, a new spiritual tongue, and in short new men altogether – this was what He came to make of those who believe Him" [Saint Macarius the Egyptian].

Church is the place of true spirituality, where the Divine PRESENCE exists. With its educational power, the faithful are given the opportunity to tasted the luscious fruit granted by the Holy Spirit, the succulent fruit of spiritual salvation, thus gaining entrance to the Kingdom of God: "But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS AGAPE, JOY, PEACE, A QUIET MIND, KIND ACTS (ACTS OF LOVE), WELL-DOING, FAITH, GENTLE BEHAVIOR, CONTROL OVER DESIRES (PASSIONS): AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW" [Galatians 5:22-23]. This is exactly what our Saints accomplished, they reached THEOSIS (DEIFICATION) BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THROUGH LABOR AND ABIDANCE OF His Law. They are "THE MEN OF GOD WHO ARE COMPLETE" [2  Timothy 3:17).  The following Church hymn summarizes  Orthodox spirituality in its entirety:  "Yesterday,  O Christ, I was buried with Thee, and today I arise with Thy arising.  Yesterday I was crucified with thee.  Glorify me, O Savior, with Thee in Thy Kingdom" [Paschal Canon, Troparion of the 3rd ode].

Authentic Christian spirituality does NOT exist as a separate entity; rather, it illuminates the whole of our lives and permeates everything that we do. That is genuine spirituality. That is what true Christianity is all about. Christianity is not a religion but a Divine Revelation. True spirituality exists only within the Holy Orthodox Church where the Holy Spirit grants His grace to the faithful children of God through the divine Mysteries (Sacraments) and true worship. Salvation includes being "washed" in Holy Baptism, "sanctified" through the giving of the Holy Spirit in the holy oil of Chrismation, and "Justified" through our faith. "Such were some of you" shows that in Christ we can be set free from the very worst of sins." One cannot speak or claim to be spiritual who is a heretic, a blasphemer, who does not reject evil, disobedient to Christ’s commandments, who does not live in righteousness, or has contempt of Christ’s Divine Gospel and who is not baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The holy Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the GOOD DOCTRINE which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL THINGS, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of acceptance. For in this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because WE TRUST IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN, ESPECIALLY OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE. These things I command and teach" [1 Timothy 4-11].

Saint Paul in 1 Timothy 4:2 speaks of a "conscience seared with a hot iron" which describes the reality that repeated willful sin blunts our sensitivity to GOOD and EVIL. This is a grim warning to all Christians to REJECT EVIL in all forms and thereby maintain a humble and honest heart toward God. A true spiritual person is able to control his/her passions not because the material world is evil, but because WE ARE CORRUPT AND TEND TO SIN. Willful disobedience, an unthankful disposition, and uncontrolled desires are evil. The follower of Christ is one who walks in the light "But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes" [1 Timothy 2:9-11].

We are constantly harassed by charlatans who claim to be spiritual and who have a direct connection to God. However, the holy Apostle Peter warns us and says, "But there were also FALSE PROPHETS among the people, even as there will be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who will secretly in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord Who bought them, and bring on themselves SWIFT DESTRUCTION. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By their covetousness they will EXPLOIT YOU WITH DECEPTIVE WORDS; FOR A LONG TIME THEIR JUDGMENT HAS NOT BEEN IDLE, AND THEIR DESTRUCTION DOES NOT SLUMBER" [2 Peter 2:1-3]. The holy Apostle Peter reveals his concern of "false teachers" who are unholy and teach heresy. They are arrogant, flamboyant, convincing to innocent people and who are greedy and deny accountability in their lives. Divorced from Apostolic Doctrine concerning Jesus Christ, they hold their own "private interpretations, " misconstruing doctrines about the Second Coming and the ultimate Authority of Christ over us. Being DECEIVERS, they teach as though they possess true apostolicity.

The heart of Orthodox spirituality has its roots in Monasticism. The Monastic movement gained strength in the 4th century. Although it was more of a continuation of his ascetic life, teachings, and of everything he exemplified. Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner is often referred to as the first monk. His ascetic life with its prophetic insistence on repentance (metanoia) and the presence of God’s Kingdom, served as a wonderful model for the first monks, and desert Fathers. A life in which every energy is concentrated on being obedient to the Living God was considered an Angelic vocation. Our Church refers to the Monastic life as the Angelic life. A holy life, a life of unceasing prayer, of fasting, of repentance, and complete obedience to Christ’s commandments, and a life of worship. Orthodox spirituality, which encompasses A WHOLE WAY OF LIFE, STEMS FROM A DESIRE TO RESTORE THE COMMUNION WITH OUR ALMIGHTY GOD THAT WE LOST AFTER THE FALL,

There are those among us that cannot discern between what is true Christian spirituality and spiritualism. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines SPIRITUALISM as "a belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living through a medium."

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

With sincere in Our Risen Lord, God and Savior JESUS CHRIST,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

On the 17th of May, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
Saints NEKTARIOS and THEOPHANES of Ioannina,
Builders of the Varlaam Monastery at METEORA.

Saints Nektarios and Theophanes of Ioannina, our Venerable holy Fathers, were builders of the prodigious Monastery of Varlaam, the rock forest at Meteora, Epiros, Greece. They were brothers according to the flesh, who were born during the second half of the 15th century. They were the scions of a distinguished and prominent family, the Apsarades (Apsaras) of Ioannina, who held positions in Ioannina from Byzantine times. The parents and three sisters of the Saints followed the Monastic life and dedicated both their lives and wealth to God.

Nektarios and Theophanes were the first members of the family to renounce the world. This took place in 1495. Due to their wisdom, prudence and education, they did not embark thoughtlessly upon a Monastic Life. They CHOSE TO SUBMIT, with all their soul and thoughts, to the commands of the discreet and holy Geronda (Elder) Savvas who came from a noble family Ioannina and who taught the brothers all the facets of the Monastic Life. Nektarios and Theophanes remained hemits on the island in the midst of Lake Ioannina (also known as Pamvotis), in what is now known as the Isle of Kyra Frosinis. They dwelt and struggled in ASCETICISM with Geronda Savvas for ten years till his translation to the Lord 1505.

The holy brothers Nektarios and Theophanes repaired to the Monastery of Dionysiou, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. At this Monastery, they found the former Patriarch of Sontantinople, Niphon II. The holy Niphon joyfully welcomed the brothers, after bearing their difficulties. In the year 1511 they departed Leke Ioannina and set off for Meteora of Thessaly. With the blessing of the KATHEGOUMENOS (Leader) of the respected and imperial Monastery, they dwelt as eagles parched ato one of the most precipitous rock formations. The holy brothers strove seven harsh years in that HESYCHASTERION (Hermitage), all the while guided by God.

Until the end of their earthly sojourn, the holy fathers never relented in their labors and struggles; thus, God counted them worthy of many gifts. However, the time of Saint Theophanes’ earthly sojourn came to a close when he departed on Saturday, the 17th of May, in the year 1544. His brother; Saint Nektarios, reposed in Christ on the 7th of April, in the year of our Lord 1550. These holy fathers are honored by our Mother, the Holy Church.

Through their holy intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy on us and save our souls. Amen. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

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

With sincere agape in Our Risen Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

HISTORY OF THE IVERON MONASTERY

Holy Tradition tells how the Ever-Virgin Mary Theotokos departed Palestine, but a violent sea storm forced her vessel off course. The Theotokos, together with Christ’s beloved Disciple, John, and others, who reverently accompanied them, set sail for Cyprus and Saint Lazarus. The year was A.D. 52, It happened that, after a time at sea, a violent sea storm raged and the sailing vessel was forced off course. By Divine intervention, as the storm abated, they found themselves outside the port of Klemes (Klementos) on Athos. At that time, Athos was inhabited by pagan tribes. Agapios the Cretan writes that when the ship carrying the Ever-Virgin Mary approached Athos, a statue of Jupiter (Zeus), at the top of the Mountain, fell shattered to pieces in a thunderous noise.

It is said that they came ashore close to the present Monastery of Iveron. There, the Holy Virgin rested for a while and, overwhelmed by the beauty of the place, she asked her Son to give her the Mountain, despite the fact that the inhabitants were pagans. A voice was then heard saying, "Let this place be thine inheritance and garden, a paradise and a haven of salvation for those seeking to be saved." Thus, Athos was CONSECRATED AS THE INHERITANCE AND GARDEN OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, it immediately acquired the name HAGION OROS OR HOLY MOUNTAIN, BECAUSE OUR LADY THE THEOTOKOS CHOSE THIS MOUNTAIN AND PLACED IT UNDER HER PERSONAL PROTECTION. Upon asking and receiving Athos as a heavenly gift, in that moment, the ground shook and the pagan statues in all the temples fell prostrate and broke into pieces. Then, even the trees of the peninsula bent forward, as though offering veneration to the Theotokos who had reached the port of Klemes.

On the peninsula there was also a great temple and shrine to Apollo. Diabolic works such as fortune telling, divining, and witchcraft took place here. All the pagans greatly honored this place as one chosen by the gods. In fact, people from all over the world gathered there to worship. Therein, they would receive answers to their questions from the diviners. Therefore, when the Mother of God entered port and all their idols collapsed, shouting, confusion, and uproar were heard from the idols inhabiting Athos. Cries could be heard, saying, "Men of Apollo, get ye all to the harbor of Klemes and welcome Mary, the Mother of the Great God Jesus!" Thus, all the demons inhabiting the idols, forced against their will, could not resist the power of God, and they proclaimed the truth.

Consequently, all the inhabitants of Athos hastened from all parts to the port. Once there, they welcomed the Theotokos. Meeting her with honor, they escorted the Theotokos, Saint John, and all their fellow passengers to the common hall (called the Synagogeion), a kind of meeting house or assembly room). They then asked her, "What God didst thou hear and what is His name?" Opening her divine lips, she explained, in detail, to the people everything about Christ. The natives diligently posed questions concerning the mystery of Providence in the Divine Incarnation. They even wondered at how she, a Hebrew woman, explained everything to them in the Greek language. As a result of all the excellent and supernatural occurrences attendant with her arrival, they believed. Upon being catechised by her teaching, they accepted the Christian Faith. They then fell down to the ground and worshipped the God Who was born of her and showed great respect to the Virgini who bore Him in the flesh. The Mother of God also worked many miracles on the Holy Mountain. After they were baptized, she appointed a leader and teacher for the newly-illumined from among them that were in her traveling party.

Most pleased with the place, she prayed for it and said, "My Son and my God, bless this place, this lot of mine. Poor Thy mercy upon it and keep it free from harm till the end of this world, together with them that dwell therein for Thy Holy Name and mine. And, through their little fatigue and through the struggle of repentance, may their sins be forgiven! Fill their lives with every good and necessity in this age, and with eternal life in the future age. Glorify this place above every other place and show Thy miraculous power in every way. Fill it with men from every nation under the sky, who are called by Thy name and extend their habitation in it from end to end. Exempt them from everlasting punishment. Deliver them from every temptation. Rescue them from visible and invisible enemies and from every heresy. Fortify them in right worship (Orthodoxy).

After praying for the new flock on the Holy Mountain, the Theotokos and those with her, entered the ship with joy and set sail for Cyprus, she found the holy Lazarus in great sorrow, for he feared that her delay had been caused by a storm. He was unaware that Divine Providence had brought her to Mount Athos. However, her arrival speedily changed his sadness into joy.

Tradition goes on to inform us that, later, this same haven was visited by Clement, Bishop of Jerurusalem. He preached Christianity and founded a small cloister, calling it after his name. In the 7th century, the place was completely ruined by pirates, but rebuilt by Emperor Constantine Pogonatos. It was this site where the Georgian courtier and Byzantine dignitary John Tornikios founded the Iberian Monastery. After the 10th century, the Iberians increased in number gradually. For many years, the monastery was the spiritual center of Iberia.

In 1356, it was established by the Athonite Protos Arsenios and by the Patriarch Kallistos I of Constantinople that the Greek language was to be spoken, since the Greek monks outnumbered the Iberians. In the 14th century, a number of the monasteries were annexed to Iveron Monastery lying within its bounds. After armies of hte UNIONISTS (WITH THE PAPACY) and, in the early fourteenth century, the Gatalan mercenaries devastated Iveron, the Palaiologoi Emperors, Serbian ruler Stefan IV Dushan, and especially Gorganis, ruler of Georgia, and their heirs, from the 15th century onward, contributed to the restoration of Iveron Monastery.

In the 18th century, Iveron Monastery flourished. In 1821, during the Greek Revolution, it made many loans to poor monasteries. There was a serious fire in 1845 that was followed by one in 1865 that reduced the holy monastery to ashes. Presently, the Katholikon with frescoes painted by various iconographers of the 16th and 19th centuries. The most acclaimed is that of PORTAITISSA, because of the Wonderworking holy icon of the Theotokos. In addition to the katholikon, the are 16 small chapels within the enclosure. Outside the monastery are 11 kathismata, 13 kellia in the direction of Karyes, another three toward Philotheou, and ten more in or near Karyes.

The great Monastery of Iveron lies a the mouth of a large mountain torrent, amid verdant landscape. In the Typikon of Monomachos (1045), the Iveron Monastery occupied the third place in the Athonite hierarchy. It has held this place ever since the 11th century. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

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

With sincere agape in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior JESUS CHRIST,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George