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.

GOD’S SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who has blessed us with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN
THE HEAVENLY PLACE IN CHRIST, just as He chose us in
Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before Him in love” [Ephesians 1:3-4].

Indeed, God blesses His creation unceasingly and with unconditional love. We too are His creation and therefore we are blessed by Him. We are in existence as a result of His Divine blessing and He bestows upon us His spiritual blessings which is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. God blesses and so is “blessed.” Everything good comes from God and everything should be drawn back to God’s initiative, especially that of the Father but also from that of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

His blessings to us humans abound. Man’s response to His abundant blessings bestowed upon him ought to be, “Sing praises to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His Holy Name” [Psalm 30[29]. How often does one offer praises and thanksgiving to our Loving and All-Merciful God? Shouldn’t everyone acknowledge His generous and countless gifts to us day and night? And yet, most are remiss. Most neglect to take the time to express not only in words but in actions how grateful they are to God. In ancient Greece, the Greek of course, had come to feel both the duty of gratitude and the sin of ingratitude. Shouldn’t one express gratitude to someone who is kind to him or her?

Our Lord Jesus Christ cleansed ten lepers and after they were cleansed “one of them returned, and gave with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet GIVING HIM THANKS” [Luke 17:15-16]. And “So Jesus said, “Were there not ten, cleansed? But where are the nine?” [v. 17]. Our Lord has no need of anything that we have to offer, however, it is the righteous thing to offer thanks to Him Who has so showered us with His countless gifts. The nine lepers showed themselves ungrateful and did not return from the path of their own foolishness to give glory to God Who cleansed them and saved them.

One of the causes of ingratitude is one’s spiritual blindness. Man tends to be overwhelmed by his/her life’s obstacles, concerns, and problems and neglects to see the abundance of blessings in his/her life. The blessings always out weigh the problems of life. God knows everything about us, He knows our struggles, He knows our strengths and weaknesses, and knows what we need and He will provide it to us. But we must have confidence in Him and trust Him. We all depend on His Divine Wisdom for everything.

It is foolish for us to believe that He is unaware of our situation and to surrender to pessimism and faithlessness. We should feel His presence in the abundance of His blessings to us. When we acknowledge this fact to ourselves we will find the courage and strength to overcome all the negative experiences in our lives. Saint John Chrysostom reminds and exhorts us to offer “Glory be to God for all things!” Every experience in our lives is beneficial, both good and bad. The person’s personal struggle makes him/her stronger and more resolute. Saint Paul writes: “Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God Who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us in whom we trust that He will still deliver us”[2 Corinthians 1:9-10]. We are never abandoned by God but He will allow us to even suffer, if by these means, we will triumph and strengthen our faith in Him.

How does one prove his capabilities if not through testing? We are constantly challenged and tested to see how good we are intellectually, physically, mentally or psychologically, and spiritually before anyone assumes any kind of responsibility. Testing is necessary and important to make sure that one qualifies for any job or profession. One prepares himself to be the best that he can be by going through rigorous training whether be an athlete, physician, soldier, teacher, priest, firefighter, scientist, a government official, pilot, engineer, architect, a student, etc. However, without the proper testing the wrong people may take charge and bring about a disaster. Our whole life is one of preparation, examination, and achievement. The Christians test of faith is when he/she is facing persecution, suffering, and death. To reach the joy and blessing of Eternal Life in Christ, one will first experience all the earthly afflictions common to all. After all, our temporal life is unpredictable and can be one of trial and tribulation.

The sights of the Orthodox Christian must always be set on Christ. He first suffered for our sake and sacrificed His life on the Cross to save all of mankind. He, through His Glorious Resurrection triumphed over death and evil. The Christian too, by His grace, can also triumph over all adversity and painful challenges of this world. As our Lord Christ fearlessly faced His tormentors, death, and hell, so we, through Him, can confidently face our adversaries–and bring Christ’s Light to them. My father, of blessed memory, always said that life is “a viopale” [Gr. βιοπάλη] meaning life can be compared to a wrestling match or a struggle for a living. Any human being can attest to the fact that one finds that life is a constant struggle and that it is unavoidable. The holy Apostle Paul says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18].

God’s abundant blessings bring us hope and the confidence to continue our good fight here on earth. It is unthinkable to ever forget or ignore His Life-Giving gifts to us. A person of faith remains hopeful and optimistic knowing Who it is Who watches over him/her. We are humble indeed by life and the unpleasant experiences which we face, however, humility is the foundation of virtue and sanctity. Face all difficulties head on and remain steadfast in your faith. Be thankful to God for all things and bless His Holy Name. Amen.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving
By Saint Basil the Great

I thank Thee, Lord, and I glorify Thee, for showing to me, the unworthy one,
Thine great and unbounded love for mankind. While I on my own account
betray myself each day to the devil because of my carelessness and
negligence. Thou protected me and saved me and snatched me away from
the snares. I thank Thee and glorify Thee, Lord, for giving me the will to repent
for my sins and for granting me many opportunities and occasions to turn away
from sin and return to Thee. I thank and glorify Thee, Lord, because, while I am
weak in soul, Thou supported me in my weakness and did not allow me to be drawn
away into sin and to fail; rather, Thou extended Thy helping hand immediately from
above and secured me again beside Thee. Amen.

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

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

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

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

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (Part II0

The Divine Services

Saint John wished to bring about a spiritual revival, and encouraged the faithful to attend the Divine Liturgy. Although the Liturgy had been shortened already by Saint Basil the Great, still the people complained that it was too long, and they stayed away. Saint John, filled with grace, abbreviated the service even further. What abriddements were made is not definitely known, but they were of some consequence must be assumed, otherwise why was his name placed in conjunction with the Greek Liturgy? Possibly the Antiochene Liturgy formed some kind of outline for him. Constantinople had just finished recuperating from the Arian occupation, leaving the city with no bishop. Nectarios, a court official with little theological training, seems to have continued with what he found in place. Other scholars suggest that when Saint Gregory the Theologian occupied the throne, he had already introduced Saint Basil’s Liturgy, and that is what Chrysostom shortened. The Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, as we know it today, developed somewhat over the centuries. The oldest text is now in the Vatican Library, and that one was in use between the years 788 and 797 A.D.

Whenever the Saint liturgized he beheld the Holy Spirit Who DESCENDED UPON THE PRECIOUS AND HOLY GIFTS WITH A SIGN, WHICH ONLY HIS PURE AND BLAMELESS SOUL BEHELD. Once when he was liturgizing with a certain Deacon, that same one was gazing long into the gynaeceum, which was that part of the church reserved for women, where one beautiful woman was a stumbling block for him. The Saint perceived this because he observed that the Holy Spirit had not Descended, as was customary. The Saint then dismissed the Deacon from the service, and then Saint John beheld the Spirit. After this occurrence, so that it might not happen at another time, he commanded the construction of a lattice for the gynaeceum (γυναικωνίτης). A place set apart for women. The women could look out toward the holy vema, but the clergy would not be able to see the women.

A Warning about the Spectacles

There were times when the crowds preferred the theater and the hippodrome to attendance at church. It was Great Wednesday, just before the Great Feast of Pascha. A severe storm hit the city. The frightened populace hastened to the churches, where prayers were offered up for their deliverance.

By Great Friday the storm that visited them was already old news and forgotten in the minds of many. Not a few were excited about the upcoming shows that Friday and Saturday in the circus and theater. Saint John was both grieved and vexed at how many of his congregation quickly forgot the visitation of God earlier that week; instead of preparing themselves for Pascha, they were ready to run to the spectacles. Many of the people received the wise counsels of their Prelate, and attended church for Great Friday and Great Saturday, refusing to patronize the spectacles.

Saint John often spoke of the stage, admonishing the people, "For when you go up to the theater, and sit feasting your eyes upon the naked limbs of women, for the time indeed you are delighted, but afterward, you have nourished thence a mighty fever. When you see women exhibited thus…and behold spectacles and hear songs of irregular loves…tell me, how will you be able to continue chaste afterward with these narratives, these spectacles, these songs filling your soul, and dreams of this sort henceforth succeeding? For it is the nature of the soul for the most part to raise visions of such things, as it wishes for and desires in the daytime. Now this whore goes with you, although not openly and visibly, but in your heart, and in your conscience. There she kindles the Babylonians furnace, in which the peace of your home, the purity of your heart, the happiness of your marriage, will be burnt up!

"Therefore I make it known and announce in a loud voice: If anyone after this sermon and admonition, runs to the sinful outrages of the theater, I shall not allow such a one to pass the threshold of this church, to partake of the Holy Mysteries, to approach the Holy Table. I will do as the shepherds do, who separate the mangy sheep from the flock, lest they contaminate others…If I have to be disagreeable and troublesome to you, it is in order that some day I may be able to answer without reproach before the Dread Judgment Seat of God."

The Bishop was not immune to pessimism when he saw little improvement. "See, every day I cry myself hoarse. ‘Stay away from the theater!’ and many laugh at me. A thousand times have I warned you, ‘Stop cursing and your dishonest dealings!’ But not one listens to me." He once asked the congregation, "How many, do you think, shall be saved, out of this our city? You will perhaps take it amiss, when I say this, but nevertheless I must say it: Among so many thousands one can scarcely find a hundred who will work out their salvation, and even of these I doubt!"

Saint John Cleans His Own House

As the new bishop, he began with his reforms in his own household. He studied the accounts of his palace carefully. He was pitiless with all extravagance and cut them out of the disbursements. His predecessor Nactarios entertained on a grand scale. Dubious efficiency was found in the episcopal kitchen. Items were entered that were never purchased, and those that were entered appeared in the record ten times over. Saint John interpreted these shoddy bookkeeping practices as theft of the property of the poor. The great banquets held by Nectarios were abolished, since Saint John considered such sumptuous living as robbing the temple. Those that were accustomed to the parties and fine dining found all this very disagreeable to their palate and life-style. They accused the bishop of lacking hospitality, especially in Constantinople, a city whose entertainment of guests was widely acclaimed. But Saint John was not one to sit at a richly laid table, in the midst of clamorous visitors, and play the cultivated host.

High society could not understand this monk on a bishop’s throne. Saint John ate alone, which behavior was regarded by his opponents as evidence of a wish to carouse and gorge unseen. But bishop John did offer modest hospitality and boarding for traveling ecclesiastics. Rich banquets and receptions ceased. He did not give any official or private dinners in his palace. He also turned down all dinner invitations. He preferred to eat alone. He often worked late into the night and would miss the usual time to sup. He was unpopular in smart society, but the money that he saved was used for the hospital which was attached to his see.

Saint John’s Reforms

After the renovations of his living quarters, "John devoted himself first to the REFORMATION OF THE CLERGY." says Sozomen. Believing that it was consistent with duty, he reproved and amended their ways and diet and every procedure of their manifold transactions. He ALSO EJECTED SOME OF THE CLERGY FROM THE CHURCH. He wished TO ROOT OUT WORLDLINESS, SELF-INDULGENCE, AND AVARICE. The bishop carried out an extensive purge in which he removed many clergymen for a variety of canonical violations, and because they had impediments in their ordinations.

Many were offended at the conduct of various bishops. Some acquired their offices through SIMONY. Some enriched their relatives through the Church property or wasted it in other ways. Some interfered in the Dioceses of others and were consecrated there. Two deacons were found guilty: one of adultery, the other of murder. Therefore Bishop John expelled them. Others were expelled for other valid canonical reasons. On another occasion three deacons stole Saint John’s Omophorion. Saint John said later, "Those sort of clerics are dishonorable, wicked men, who are capable of anything."

Saint John also did not wish to see monks living with consecrated women and housekeepers, the SYNEISAKTAI (living together), unless the woman were the monk’s mother, sister, or aunt, or other such person, above reproach. He wished the monks to live with monks and the virgins to live with virgins, in a communal life.

"…I speak not otherwise than it is, but as I find it in my own actual experience. I DO NOT THINK THAT ARE MANY AMONG BISHOPS THAT SHALL BE SAVED, BUT MANY MORE THAT PERISH. And the reason is that it is an affair that requires a great mind. Many are the exigencies which throw a man out of his natural temper; and he had need of a thousand eyes on all sides. Do you not see hwa a number of qualifications the bishop must have? To be apt to teach, patient, HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD IN DOCTRINE [1 Timothy 3:2-9; Titus 1:7-9]. What trouble and pains does this require! And then, others do wrong, and he bears all the blame. To pass over everything else: If one soul depart unbaptized, does not this subvert all his own prospect of salvation? The loss of one soul carries with it a penalty which no language can represent…Do not tell me that the presbyter is at fault or the deacon. The guilt of all these comes perforce upon the head of those who orained them."

Saint John’s love for his flock as a true father is acknowledged when he tells them, "For where is our hope, if you do not make progress? …I seem to have wings when I hear anything good of you…This one thing is the burden of my prayers, that I long for your advancement. But that in which I strive with all is this, that I love you, that I am wrapped up in you, that you are my all, father, mother, brethren, children. Think not then that anything that has been said was said in a hostile spirit, nay, it is for your amendment." [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

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

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

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

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

On the 13th of November, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
Our Father Among the Saints JOHN CHRYSOSTOMOS,
Archbishop of Constantinople.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

Grace shining forth from thy mouth like a beacon hath Illumined
the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of uncovetous-
ness, and shown us the heights of humility; but whilst instructing
us by thy words, O Father John Chrysostomos, intercede with the
Logos/Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Second Tone

From the Heavens hast thou received Divine grace, and by thy lips
thou dost teach all to worship the One God in Trinity, O John
Chrysostomos, all-blessed righteous one, Rightly do we acclaim thee,
for thou art a teacher revealing things divine.

The greatest and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347 A.D.; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said "John, had not the Christians stolen him from us." With such a training, and with such gifts as he had by nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a rhetorician. But through the good example of his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Meletius of Antioch, by whom he was ordained reader about the year 370 A.D., he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. From the year 374 to 381 A.D. he lived the Monastic life in the hermitages that were near Antioch. His extreme asceticism undermined his health, compelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Meletius ordained him Deacon about the year 381 A.D. Saint Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 A.D. Bishop Flavian ordained John Presbyter of the Church of Antioch. Upon his elevation to the Priesthood his career as a public preacher began, and his exceptional oratorical gifts were made manifest through his many sermons and commentaries. They area distinguished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease with which rich imagery and scriptural allusions are multiplied; by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God’s Providence; and, not least of all, by their earnestness and moral force, which issue from the heart of a blameless and guileless man who lived first what he preached to others. Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nectarios as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398 A.D., by Theophilos, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy .

At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor; Arcadius was a man of weak character, and much under the influence of his wife Evdoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom’s unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Evdoxia; through Theophilus’ plottings and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403 A.D. The people were in an uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened the Empress Evdoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in September of 403 A.D. and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 A.D. he was exiled to Caucasus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held. Saint John’s enemies, dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in this, and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter sufferings for the aged bishop, both because of the harshness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana in Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Basiliscus,
who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407 A.D. His last words were "GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS." His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirty-one years later by the Emperor Theodosios the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Evdoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven, this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.

Saint John was surnamed Chrysostomos ("Golden-mouth") because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the Divine Scripture and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saint Matthew and John, the Acts of the Apostles, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles (letters). Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honor. Besides his feast today and on January 27th, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30th, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian.

It should be noted that, because September 14th is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Saint’s memory has been transferred to this day, November 13th. [Source: The Great Horologion).

(To be continued)

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

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

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

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

THE HOLY CELESTIAL HIERARCHIES (Part II)

When Adam and Eve were cast out from Paradise and the Lord God "caused him to dwell over against the garden of Delight, He stationed the Cherubs and the fiery sword that turns about to keep the way of the true of life" [Genesis 3:24]. In the Psalter there are many references to Angels, as well as in the prophetical writings and the Book of Job, "When the stars were made, all My Angels praised Me with a loud voice" [Job 38:7].

The Prophet Isaiah writes: "I saw the Lord sitting on a high and exalted Throne, and the house was full of His Glory. And Seraphs stood round about Him. Each one had six wings, and with two, they covered their face, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.. And one cried to the other, and they said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.’ And there was sent to me one of the Seraphs, and he had in his hand a coal, which he had taken off the altar with the tongs: and he touched my mouth, and said, ‘Behold, this has touched thy lips, and will take away thine iniquities, and will purge off thy sins’" [Isaiah 6:1-7].
18
The Prophet Ezekiel beheld the Cherubim in his vision of the temple, and wrote: "I looked, and, behold, over the firmament that was above the head of the Cherub there was a likeness of a Throne over them, as a sapphire stone. And he said to the man clothed with the long robe, ‘Go in between the wheels that are under the Cherubs, and fill thy hand with coals of fire form between the Cherubs, and scatter them over the city…’ [Ezekiel 10:1-5, 8-13, 18-22].

We read in the Epistle (Letter) of Saint Peter of Jesus "Who went into heaven and is at the Right of God, and Angels and Authorities and Powers have been made subject to Him" [1 Peter 3:22], and in the Epistle of Saint Paul that in Christ "were all things created, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Authorities. All things through Him and to Him have been created. And He is before all things, and in Him all things have come into existence" [Colossians 1:16-17].

Saint Dionysios the Areopagite writes that these "holy powers" possess…an unshakeable courage in all its godlike energies, which abandons all laziness, and softness during the reception of the divine illuminations granted to it, and is powerfully uplifted to an assimilation with God… It looks undeviatingly to that transcendent Power which is the source of all power.

Saint Paul writes that the much-variegate wisdom of God is made known to the Principalities and to the Authorities in the heavenlies through the Church, according to the purpose of the ages which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord [Ephesians 3:10]. Saint John Chrysostom writes, as though speaking to the Apostle Paul: "To mankind it was not revealed. And art thou enlightening Angels and Archangels and Principalities and Authorities? Yes, say he, For it was hid in God, even in God Who created all things. And dost thou venture to say this? Yes, says he. But whence has this become manifest to the Angels? Through the Church. Again he says, not simply the manifold, but the much-variegated wisdom of God, that is, ‘the multiplied and varied.’ What then is this? Did not Angels know it? Not at all; for if Principalities knew it not, much less could Angels ever have known it. What then? Did not even Archangels know it? But who was to reveal it? When we were taught it, then were they also through us. For hearken to the words of the Angel to Joseph [cf. Matthew 1:21].

The Names of the Archangels

In the Sacred Scripture, we find the names of some of the Archangels. Archangel Michael, whose name signifies "Who is like unto God?" may be found in Daniel 10:13, 12:1; Jude 1:9; and Revelation 12:7. Archangel Gabriel, whose name signifies "Man of God," may be found in Daniel 8:16, 9:21, and Luke 1:19-26. In the Deutero-canonical books, the Archangel Raphael, whose name signifies "God heals," may be found in Tobit 3:17, 12:15. Archangel Uriel, whose name signifies "The Fire of God", or Archangel Jeremiel, whose name signifies "The highness or mercy of God," may be found in 2 Esdras 4:36. Archangel Salathiel, who signifies "Prayer to God," or Archangel Phaltiel or Psaltiel [Syriac], may be found in 2 Esdras 5:16. Apart from these names, although pious tradition lists two other Archangels, they are not listed in Holy Scripture: Jehudiel, whose name signifies, "The Praise of God”; and Barachiel, whose name signifies "The blessing of God." The roster of the Archangels, showing these alternative names, abounds. It is generally agreed, however, that there are seven.

Concerning the Fallen Angels

The devil (also known as Satan or "the enemy") was created as a mighty and beautiful Archangel, one of the most perfect and radiant. He was given the name Lucifer meaning "light-bearer." Saint John of Damascos writes: "Lucifer was not made wicked in nature but was good, and made for good ends, and received from his Creator no trace whatever of evil in himself. But he did not sustain the brightness and the honor which the Creator had bestowed on him. Of his free choice, he was changed from what was in harmony to what was at variance with his nature, and became roused against God Who created him. He was determined to rise in rebellion against God; thus, he was the first to depart from good and become evil. For evil IS NOTHING ELSE THAN ABSENCE OF GOODNESS, JUST AS DARKNESS ALSO IS ABSENCE OF LIGHT. FOR GOODNESS IS THE LIGHT OF THE MIND, AND, SIMILARLY, EVIL IS THE DARKNESS OF THE MIND…Now along with him an innumerable hosts of Angels, subject to him, were torn away, followed him, and shared in his fall. Therefore, being of the same nature as the Angels, THEY BECAME WICKED, TURNING AWAY AT THEIR OWN FREE CHOICE FROM GOOD TO EVIL."

Hence, Lucifer boasted with PRIDE that he would set his throne on the clouds of heaven and become EQUAL TO THE ALMIGHTY, even as Isaiah writes: "How has Lucifer, that rose in the morning, fallen from heaven! He that sent orders to all the nations is crushed to the earth. But thou saidst in thy heart, "Note, further, that what in the case of man is death is a fall in the case of angels. For after the fall THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF REPENTANCE FOR THEM, JUST AS AFTER DEATH THERE IS FOR MEN NO REPENTANCE."

Appearances in the Old Testament

Michael, the most Glorious and Radiant Chief-Commander of the bodiless powers, and the other Archangels and Angels, have performed numerous benevolent deeds and rendered great assistance to the race of man, as e shall see demonstrated in both the Old Testament and in the new period of the grace of the Gospel. In some instances, however, we shall see that the Angel of the Lord is the Logos/Word Himself.

Angels in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the Archangel Gabriel announces the birth of Saint John the Baptist to his father, the Righteous Zacharias [Luke 1:19]. This Archangel also announced the Nativity of the Christ, Jesus, to the Holy Virgin Mary [Luke 1:26-28]. He also appeared to the Righteous Joseph in a dream and told him not to fear to take Mary his wife and that she shall bring forth a Son Whom he was to name Jesus [Matthew 1:20-21]. An Angel also appeared to Joseph to take the Child and His Mother into Egypt [Matthew 2:13]. At the Nativity of Christ, an Angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, announcing the newborn Babe [Luke 2:9-12]. Then a multitude of the Heavenly Host were praising God, and saying, "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL AMONG MEN ” [Luke 2:14]. An Angel rolled away the stone from Christ’s tomb [Matthew 28:2] and announced the Resurrection to the women [Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6]. As the Disciples looked on, a cloud took Jesus up from under at His Ascension, and two men or Angels stood by them in white raiment, saying, "Men, Galilaeans, why do ye stand looking into the heaven? This Jesus, the One Who was taken up from you into the heaven, so shall He come in the manner ye beheld Him going into the heaven" [Acts 1:9-11].

The holy Apostles were arrested, but an Angel of the Lord during the night opened the doors of the prison and led them out, telling them to take a stand in the Temple and to be speaking to the people all the words of this life [Acts 5:19-20].

The Angels and the Second Coming

The Angels shall be ministers of Christ at the Resurrection of the dead. Their participation and ministration are strongly attested by the New Testament. In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Jesus announces that "they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send forth His Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost parts of the heavens unto their extremities [Matthew 24:30-31]. Saint Paul wties: "We say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we the living, the one remaining over until the coming of the Lord, in no wise shall precede those who fell asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an Archangel, and with a trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ rise first. Then we the living, the ones remaining over, shall be carried off together with them in the clouds to a meeting of the Lord in the air, and SO SHALL WE ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD" [1 Thessalonians 4:15-17]. The Angels shall also be present at the Final or Last Judgment, even as it is written: "Whenever the Son of Man should come in His Glory, and all the Holy Angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the Throne of His Glory.

Miracles of the Chief-Commander of the Bodiless Host,
the Archangel Michael, in Byzantine Times

In the period after the New Testament, there are also accounts of the Archangel Michael’s cures and Wonders. Therefore, on this day, we call up him as the Protector of our lives, and celebrate his honored feast with the remembrance of some of his marvels. [Source:  The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

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

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

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

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

CONCERNING ANGELS: SERAPHIM, CHERUBIM, THRONES, DOMINIONS,
AUTHORITIES, POWERS, PRINCIPALITIES, ARCHANGELS, AND ANGELS

Concerning Angels, Saint John of Damascos writes: "God is Himself the Maker and Creator of the Angels; for He brought them out of nothing into being and created them after His own image. They are an incorporeal race, a sort of spirit or immaterial fire, even as the divine David says that ‘His Angels are spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire’ [Psalm 103:6]. By this, he has described their lightness and the ardor, heat, keenness, and sharpness wit which they hunger for God and to serve Him. He also has disclosed how they are borne to the regions above and are quite delivered from all material thought.

"An Angel, then, is AN INTELLIGENT ESSENCE, IN PERPETUAL MOTION, WITH FREE WILL, INCORPOREAL, MINISTERING TO GOD, HAVING OBTAINED BY GRACE AN IMMORTAL NATURE. The Creator alone knows the form and limitation of the Angelic essence; but all that we can understand is that it is INCORPOREAL and IMMATERIAL. For all that is compared with God, Who alone incomparable, we find to be dense and material. For in reality only the Deity IS IMMATERIAL and INCORPOREAL.

"The Angel’s nature then IS RATIONAL, AND INTELLIGENT, AND ENDOWED WITH FREE WILL, CHANGEABLE IN WILL, OR FICKLE. For all that is created is changeable, and only that which is uncreated is unchangeable. Also, all that is rational is endowed with free will. As the Angel is, then, rational and intelligent, this being is endowed with free will: and as this being is created, it is changeable, having power either to abide or progress in goodness, or to turn toward evil. They are not susceptible of repentance because they are incorporeal. For it is owing to the weakness of his body that man comes to have repentance.

"They are immortal, not by nature but by grace. For all that has had beginning comes also to its natural end. But God ALONE IS ETERNAL, OR RATHER, HE IS ABOVE THE ETERNAL: FOR HE, THE CREATOR OF TIMES, IS NOT UNDER THE DOMINION OF TIME, BUT ABOVE TIME. They are secondary intelligent lights derived from that first light WHICH IS WITHOUT BEGINNING, for they have the power of illumination; they have no need of tongue or hearing, but without uttering words they communicated to each other their own thoughts and counsels.

"Through the Logos/Word, therefore, all the Angels were created, and through the sanctification by the Holy Spirit were they brought to perfection, sharing each in proportion to his worth and rank in brightness and grace. They are circumscribed: for when they are in the heavens, they are not on the earth. When they are sent by God down to the earth, they do not remain in the heavens. THey are not hemmed in by walls and doors, and bars and seals, for they are quite unlimited. Unlimited, I repeat, for it is not as they really are that they reveal themselves to the worthy men to whom God wishes them to appear, but in changed form which the beholders ARE CAPABLE OF SEEING. For that alone is naturally and strictly unlimited which is uncreated. For every created thing is limited by God Who created it.

"Furthermore, apart from the essence, they receive the sanctification from the Spirit. Through Divine grace, they prophesy. They have no need of marriage for they are immortal. Seeing that they are minds, they are in mental places, and are not circumscribed after the fashion of a body. For they have not a bodily form by nature, nor are they extended in three dimensions. But to whatever post they may be assigned, there they are present, after the manner of a mind, and they energize, but they cannot be present and energize in various places at the same time. Whether they are equals in essence or differ from one another we know not. God, their Creator, Who knows all things, alone knows. But THEY DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER IN BRIGHTNESS AND POSITION, WHETHER IT IS THAT THEIR POSITION IS DEPENDENT ON THEIR BRIGHTNESS, OR THEIR BRIGHTNESS ON THEIR POSITION. THEY ALSO IMPART BRIGHTNESS TO ONE ANOTHER, BECAUSE THEY EXCEL ONE ANOTHER IN RANK AND NATURE; CLEARLY, THE HIGHER SHARE THEIR BRIGHTNESS AND KNOWLEDGE WITH THE LOWER.

"They are mighty and prompt to fulfill the will of the Deity, and their nature is endowed with such celerity that, wherever the Divinie glance bids them, there they are straightway found. They are THE GUARDIANS OF THE DIVISIONS OF THE EARTH. THEY ARE SET OVER NATIONS AND REGIONS, ALLOTTED TO THEM BY THEIR CREATOR. THEY GOVERN ALL OUR AFFAIRS AND BRING US SUCCOR. THE REASON SURELY IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SET OVER US BY THE DIVINE WILL AND COMMAND AND ARE EVER IN THE VICINITY OF GOD.

"With difficulty they are moved to evil, yet they are not absolutely immoveable. But now they are altogether immoveable, not by nature but by grace and by their nearness to the Only Good. They behold God according to their capacity, and this is their food. They are above us, for they are incorporeal, and are free of all bodily passion, yet are not passionless: for the Deity alone is passionless. They are different forms at the bidding of their Master, God, and thus REVEAL THEMSELVES TO MEN AND UNVEIL THE DIVINE MYSTERIES TO THEM. They have heaven for their dwelling place, and have one duty, TO SING GOD’S PRAISES AND CARRY OUT HIS DIVINE WILL.

"Moreover, as that most holy, and sacred, and gifted theologian, Dionysios the Areopagite, says, ‘All theology, that is to say, the holy Scripture, has NINE DIFFERENT NAMES FOR THE HEAVENLY ESSENCES. These essences, that divine nature in sacred things, DIVIDES INTO THREE GROUPS, EACH CONTAINING THREE. And the first group, he says, consists of those who are in God’s presence and are said to be directly and immediately one with Him, namely, THE SERAPHIM WITH THEIR SIX WINGS, THE MANY-EYED CHERUBIM, AND THOSE THAT SIT IN THE HOLIEST THRONES. The Second Group is that of the DOMINIONS, AND THE POWERS, AND THE AUTHORITIES; AND the THIRD, AND LAST, IS THAT OF PRINCIPALITIES AND ARCHANGELS AND ANGELS.

"Those who say that the Angels are creators of any kind of essence whatever are the mouth of their father, the devil. For since they are created, they are NOT creators. But He Who creates and provides for and maintains all things is God, Who ALONE IS UNCREATED AND IS PRAISED AND GLORIFIED IN THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT." [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

(To be continued)

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

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

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

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

THE LIFE AND MIRACLES OF SAINT NEKTARIOS

After the falling asleep of the Saint, a certain maiden, Constantina Makris, from Kokla of Thebes, in 1922, sought deliverance from an unclean spirit that had been tormenting her since she was a very young girl. Her parents heard of the Wonderworking and healing power of the Saint, so they came with fervent faith, together with their suffering daughter, to the island of Aegina in order to venerate his tomb. O Thy Wonders, Christ King, Who glorifies those who glorify Him! Constantina venerated the Saint’s tomb and stayed a few days at the Women’s Monastery. She received the restoration of her much-desired health, glorifying and praising the Wonder-worker Saint Nektarios. Constantina then made the decision to remain at the Monastery and dedicate herself to God as a nun. She was tonsured with the name Kikilia (Cecilia).

Another maiden, left orphaned at an early age, went to live with her aunt, Anna Yannikios. Suddenly, in January of 1925, she became possessed by an unclean spirit that tormented her dreadfully. Whenever the mischievous demon heard the name of Nektarios, he convulsed his victim. The relatives of the maiden were unable to witness the tyranny to which she was subjected. It was in May, the day of Pentecost, that they decided to bring her to the tomb of the Saint and seek a cure. Upon arriving at the Monastery, the demon violently convulsed and oppressed the maiden, so that it became necessary for the nuns to bind her with ropes and bring her to the tomb by the pine. Only eyewitnesses could testify adequately to the malevolence of the enemy that dominated this poor maiden. The tomb of the Saint then began vibrating! After the passage of considerable time, the wicked spirit left the maiden free. The maiden then decided to consecrate herself to God. She became a nun at the Monastery and was tonsured with the name Metrodora. She also donated a silver vigil lamp to the glory of the Saint in commemoration of her deliverance.

A certain woman, named Stella Mavrakis, the aunt of Hercules Mavrakis, of the first grade in elementary school, gave the following account. It was 1952 when her nephew, Hercules, being six years old, was enrolled in the Public School Number Nine in Hania, Crete. In the month of May, he was playing outside his home at Vryson 29. He ate his dinner that night and lay down to sleep in perfect health. In the morning, his mother, Marina Mavrakis, tried to awaken him for school, but she found him paralyzed. She immediately called the physician, Constantine Hiotakis, who diagnosed the patient with acute cerebral tuberculosis (tuberculous meningitis). He offered no hope of a cure or survival, saying that what remained of the child’s life was a matter of hours. Against the parents; wishes, the physician made a surgical puncture (paracentesis) in the spine. ‘The examination of the fluid revealed the physician’s diagnosis to be correct. The aunt recalled the excellent fame of Saint Nektarios, who was acclaimed even in Crete. She then remembered that there was a local family that possessed an icon of the Wonder-worker. She paid them a visit and entreated them with tears that they lend her the holy icon of the Saint, so that she might make the sign of the Cross with it over her nephew. At the very moment that the aunt was asking for the holy icon, the nephew suddenly shouted to his grandmother and mother, "Cease weeping, and I shall become well. I was told this by Saint Nektarios." They both asked, "But when, my child, and how did he tell you?" The boy answered, "The Saint came here. He appeared to me to be an old man with a long beard. He patted me on the cheek and said to me, "Tell your grandmother and your mother not to cry. I shall make you well. Do not listen to the doctor. Your aunt, even now, went and is bringing…" It was then that the aunt entered with the holy icon. Before the aunt stepped on the stairs leading to his room, young Hercules shouted, "My aunt Stella is bringing Saint Nektarios!" When the aunt entered the room, she wondered how the lad knew of this and asked her nephew. He exclaimed, "The Saint told me!" She then approached with the holy icon, and with it made a sign of the Cross over Hercules. He then recounted to his aunt what he had seen. The holy icon was then placed inside the boy’s nightshirt, on his chest. After he was blessed by the holy icon, his formerly motionless hands began to move slowly. He brought them up to the little icon and took hold of it in his hands and embraced it. He then inclined his head to the right and fell into a doze. They allowed him to rest, as they burned incense in his room and performed a Supplicatory Canon to the Saint, which they found in a booklet. After two hours, he came to himself and shouted, "I am well!" They hastened to his bedside and drew back the covers. He was moving all his limbs. Thus, Hercules Mavrakis rejoiced in good health through the help of Saint Nektarios.

After the festal days of Pascha, the steamship Corinthia came into harbor at Aegina. On board was John Kriaris, a member of the crew, with his wife Katherine. They resided in Athens. He was making a pilgrimage to the Saint’s Monastery in order to venerate his holy relics. He had received a great benefaction from the Saint and wished to make a gift of a small golden steamship fashioned in commemoration of a miraculous event. He gave the account as follows: In March of 1956, the steamship was off Italian waters when there occurred a rupture in that portion of the ship’s hull behind the sternpost. The crisis had the crew on their feet. Kriaris, knowing they were in peril of sinking, invoked with profound faith the divine and speedy intervention of Saint Nektarios that he might save the crew and the ship’s hull. He who is a ready helper, our sympathetic Saint, appeared to the ship’s captain and calmed him, saying, "Nothing shall befall either the crew or the ship, for I shall help you." Then, in a supernatural manner he improvised a cover for the hull which held and delivered them out of peril. In spite of the bad weather, they put in at the nearest Italian harbor, intact and unharmed, where they had the rupture repaired. With tears, the men were giving glory and offering their gratitude to Saint Nektarios, who rescued them from drowning.

These are only very few of the countless miracles of Saint Nektarios. Well documented are cases of deliverance from demon possession, sterility and barrenness, and dangerous circumstances. His cancer for all parts of the body are renowned. He also has been invoked for deafness, stammering, fractures, polio, arthritis, fever, hemorrhaging, stones, and the prostatitis from which he himself suffered in his lifetime. Meningitis, migraines, ulcers, gangrene, and tuberculosis, flee before Saint Nektarios, for whom absolutely nothing is incurable. Countless miracles have been reported in Australia, Canada, England, Europe, South Africa, and the United States. The Saint even now, as when he was alive, is indefatigable in his working benefactions for those in need and suffering, always to the glory of God.

Thus, we beg the intercession of the hierarch and Wonder-worker Saint Nektarios, who has much boldness before Christ, to preserve and protect Orthodox Christians from the inroads of heresy, from which, in his lifetime, he strenuously sought to safeguard the faithful. We, therefore, glorify this true lover of virtue, who appeared in recent times, as a Wonder-worker of all kinds of diseases and a deliverance in every situation and a champion for those in need, and beg his intercessions before our Master Jesus Christ. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church]

Through the intercessions of Thy Saints,
O Christ God, have mercy on us . Amen.

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

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

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

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

On the 9th of November, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
Saint NEKTARIOS, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and builder of the
Holy Monastery, of the Holy Trinity.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Nektarios. First Tone

The offspring of Selyvria and the guardian of Aegina, the true friend
of virtue who didst appear in the last years, O Nektarios, we faithful
honor thee as a godly servant of Christ, for thou pourest forth helaings
of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ Who hath
Him Who worketh bealings for all through thee.

Kontakion Hymn of Saint Nektarios. Plagal of Fourth Tone

Come, let us all laud Orthodoxy’s newly-shining star and the divine
and newly-builded bulwark of the Church; and in joyfulness of heart,
let us sing his praises. By the working of the Spirit was the glorified,
and doth pour forth the abundant grace of wondrous cures upon them
that cry: Rejoice, O Father Nektarios.

The Holy Orthodox Church of Christ shall not cease showing forth Saints until the completion of the age. This is undeniable proof that she is the depository of truth and holy Traditions, which she observes and preserves free from adulteration, as a precious and sacred trust, and as "a fountain of water springing into eternal life [John 4:14]. This waters and bedews her pious children. The Holy Church, therefore, rejoices and speaks exultantly of those Saints who have shone forth in ancient times with their multitudinous achievements, virtues, and awesome wonders…We ought to be following their example and imitating their faith, "observing attentively," says the divine Paul, who tread the heavens, "the end of their conduct; for Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and to the ages. Thus, let us cease being carried about by various and strange teachings [cf. Hebrews 13:7-8].

Such a newly-appeared star in the firmament of the Church and a Saint among the Saints is the renowned Wonder-worker and illustrious hierarch, Saint Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis in Egypt. He is the special boast of godly Orthodox Christians, the sweetest nectar of the life of virtue, which gives joy and gladness, through its sanctifying grace, to reverent hearts, rendering them precious vessels of the Holy Spirit. Saint Nektarios is such a repository of grace, for he attained the heights of humility and the deep abysses of love. As he is a giant in virtue and one preeminent in working miracles, we ardently beg his protection and intercession before God.

The God-bearing hierarch, Saint Nektarios, was born in Selyvria of Thrace. He was born to the pious Demos and Maria Kephalas, on the 1st of October, 1846, being the fifth of six children. In holy Baptism he was named Anastasios. His father worked hard to provide for his family, laboring at times as a farmer and other times at sea. At that time Orthodoxy was enslaved by the Ottomans. The Saint’s mother and grandmother exercised caution around the Turks, but always maintained hope for a better future. He was prudent and wise, and proved an obedient son to his parents, who nurtured him in the instruction and admonition of the Lord [Ephesians 6:4], together with all things reverent according to Christ. From his childhood, he avoided hurtful and evil pastimes, games, and associations. His soul, like a sponge, soaked up the streams of his parent’s good guidance and instructions.

After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labor, he became a monk on the island of Chios in 1876, receiving the Monastic name of Lazaros; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained Deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarios. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria. Nektarios went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronios ordained him Priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Savvas, and in August of the same year in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarios showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God’s house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarios was in Athens. Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.

On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarios was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in Eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarios’ swift ascent through the degrees of Ecclesiastical Office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronios that Nektarios had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarios, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronios relieved Metropolitan Nektarios of his duties; in July of the sme year, he commanded Nektarios to leave Egypt.

Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Evoia; then, in 1894, he was appointed Dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons, his unwearying labors to educate fitting men for the Priesthood, his generous almsdeeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his Women’s Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet Dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his monastery and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked Wonders (Miracles) in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarios is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world. [Source: The Great Horologion]

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

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

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

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

THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD

“In the year king Uzziah died, I SAW THE LORD SITTING ON A THRONE,
HIGH AND LIFTED UP. THE HOUSE WAS FULL OF HIS GLORY. Around
Him stood Seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his
face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried
to another and said, ‘HOLY HOLY, HOLY is the Lord of Hosts; the whole
earth is full of His Glory” [Isaiah 6:1-3].

“…the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God…I looked, and
behold, a sweeping wind came from the north, and a great cloud was
in it, with a surrounding brightness and fire flashing forth from it…
In the midst, there was as it were the likeness of four living creatures.
This was their appearance, and the likeness of a man upon them.
Each had four faces, and each had four wings…There were sparks like
gleaming brass and their wings were light…I looked and behold, there
was one wheel on the earth next to each living creature with its four
faces…when the living creatures went, the wheels went with them…
The behold, a voice came from above the firmament, above their head…
Upon the likeness of the Throne there was as it were the appearance
of a man above…[Ezekiel 1:1-27].

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the
first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John,
saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud
voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men,
and He will dwell with them and they shall be His people. God Himself
will be with them and be their God…Then He Who sat on the Throne said,
‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these
words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, “It is done! I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End…
“…And He showed me a pure river of water of fire, clear as crystal,
proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb… And there shall
be no more curse, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in
it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face and His
name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They
need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them Light.
And they shall reign forever and ever” [Revelation 21:1-22:5].

When we read these passages, we note an abundance of mystical, apocalyptic images. But the strong similarities between these passages suggests an inspired consistency of reporting on the visions. The living creatures, the light , the cherubic beings, the throne, and the glory of the Lord all work together to unveil a Kingdom of celestial Majesty and splendor.

While confessing with Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Paul that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9), we nonetheless find, taking the Scriptures AS A WHOLE, that certain things can be said about the Eternal Kingdom.

1. “The saints who inhabit God’s Kingdom live in active fulfillment of His Eternal plan.” In the Kingdom, humanity becomes all it is meant to be. There is nothing of all in Scripture to suggest that Eternal Life means people passively afloat on huge white clouds strumming harps unto the ages of ages.

Originally created to inhabit Paradise, our first parents chose to sin against God and were expelled from the Garden. The Kingdom of God was closed to mankind [Genesis 3:24]. But God in His love called His creation back to Himself, speaking to us through the law and the Prophets and ultimately through His Incarnate Son. Through new life in Jesus Christ, we are brought back by God’s mercy into the new creation. His Everlasting Kingdom. As kings and priests we will reign with Him forever [Revelation 1:6].

2. “We experience a foretaste of the Kingdom in the Church.” The very first words of the Divine Liturgy spoken by the priest are, “BLESSED IS THE KINGDOM OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW AND EVER AND UNTO AGES OF AGES.” The Church at worship enters or ASCENDS TO THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM. For it in the Church that we are seated “together in the heavenly place in Christ Jesus” [Ephesians 2:6] and are raised to “WHERE CHRIST IS SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” [Colossians 3:1].

In worship we join the heavenly Hosts–the Saints and the Angels–in giving praise to our God. As the body of Christ, we participate with the “GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES” [Hebrews 12:1] surrounding us as we come to “Throne of God” [Hebrews 12:2]. We come liturgically “TO THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, TO AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN WHO ARE REGISTERED IN HEAVEN, TO GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL” [Hebrews 12:22-23]. With this heavenly vision, the Orthodox Church each Lord’s Day REMEMBERS NOT ONLY THOSE IN THE PARISH BUT “ALL THOSE WHO IN FAITH GONE ON BEFORE US TO THEIR REST.”

3, “Knowing of the Kingdom motivates us to live in complete devotion to Christ.” In this life, we have A FORETASTE OF THE KINGDOM that inspires us to seek its fullness. In Saint Paul’s words, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face” [1 Corinthians 13:12]. WORSHIP IS NOT A SOLITARY ACT. RATHER IT IS THE Bride of Christ, the ONE CHURCH–THOSE ON EARTH JOINING WITH THOSE IN HEAVEN–GIVING THANKS TO OUR GOD AND KING, WHO HAS MADE US CITIZENS OF HIS MAGNIFICENT DOMAIN.

The holy Apostle John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as he is pure” [1 John 3:2-3]. [Source:The Orthodox Study Bible]

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

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

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

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

"On this DAY we commemorate…"

Old Testament:
"Then God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there
was light. God saw the light; it was good; and
God divided the Light from Darkness. God
called the Light DAY; the Darkness he called
Night; and there was evening and morning,
ONE DAY" [Genesis 1:5].

"This is the DAY of the Lord made;
Let us greatly rejoice, and be glad
therein" [Psalm 117(118):24.