On the 23rd of August, the Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates the Holy Hieromartyr IRENAEUS, Bishop of Lyons.

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 23rd of August, the Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Holy Hieromartyr IRENAEUS, Bishop of Lyons in Gaul.

The Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor about the year 130 A.D., and in his youth was a disciple of Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Saint Irenaeus was sent to Lyons in Gaul, to be a fellow laborer of Pothinas, Bishop of Lyons, who had also been a disciple of Saint Polycarp. After the Martyrdom of Saint Pothinus, Saint Irenaeus succeeded him as Bishop of Lyons. Beside the assaults of paganism, Irenaeus found himself compelled to do battle with many Gnostic heresies, against which he wrote his greatest work, A Refutation and Overthrow of Knowledge Falsely So Called. He was also a peace-maker within the Church. When Victor, Bishop of Rome, was prepared to excommunicate the Christians of Asia Minor for following a different tradition of celebrating Pascha, Irenaeus persuaded him to moderate his zeal, and mediated peace. He made Lyons an illustrious bastion of Orthodoxy and a school of piety, and sealed his confession with martyrdom about the year 202 A.D., during the reign of Septimius Severus. He is not to be confused with Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Sirmium, also celebrated today, who was beheaded and cast into a river in 304 A.D. under Diocletian.

The Church as the Sole Depository of Apostolic Doctrine

We close with these words in which he states that the Truth is to be found nowhere else but in the Orthodox Church, THE SOLE DEPOSITORY OF APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE. This is especially pertinent to Protestants, WHO CANNOT TRACE THEIR ORIGIN TO THE APOSTLES. Thy do not have the Priesthood which has been in the Church since Apostolic times. They have, however, some 45,000 sects. They have not preserved the Mysteries (Sacraments) of Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Eucharist, Ordination, Unction, as established by the Apostles and early Church Fathers. They do not obey the Gospel by honoring the Mother of God. They do not pray to the Saints. They do not Venerate the icons.

They think that if they call on the Lord, that their faith ALONE will save them. But our Savior said that “Not everyone who saith to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but the one who doeth the will of My Father in the heavens [Matthew 7:21]. Saint Paul said, “By grace are ye saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, the gift if of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” But then he said immediately thereafter, “For we are His work, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, in order that we should walk in them” [Ephesians 2:8-10]. In the Revelation of Jesus Christ [Revelation 1:1], Saint John says, “I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the Throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things having been written in the books, according to their works. And the seas gave up the dead, those in her; and Death and Hades gave up the dead, those in them; and they were judged, each according to their works” [Revelation 20: 12-13].

According to Saint Irenaeus, FOR SALVATION, IT IS NECESSARY TO BE A MEMBER OF CHRIST’S CHURCH, THAT IS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THAT VISIBLE COMMUNITY FOUND BY CHRIST. There is “ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM [Ephesians 4:5]. “Christ is the head of the body, the Church” [Colossians 1:18], not of many bodies. “For even as the body IS ONE, and hath many members, and all the members of THE ONE BODY, being many, ARE ONE BODY, SO ALSO IS THE CHRIST. FOR ALSO BY ONE SPIRIT WERE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY [1 Corinthians 12:12-13]. “We were baptized into one body. The Spirit does NOT DWELL IN 45,000 Denominations that “scatter” [cf. Matthew 12:30]. The Protestant sects TRACE THEIR HISTORY BACK ONLY TO MARTIN LUTHER, A SCHISMATIC FROM THE HERETICAL PAPACY, OR SOME PHILOSOPHER THEOLOGIAN, OR EVEN TO Henry VIII of the Anglican denomination, established between 1632 and 1634, with the monarch as the official head of the sect. Luther admitted that he needed to add words to the biblical text to support even his most basic dogmas. Did the whole Church lose the Gospel and did the Faith cease from the earth for fourteen hundred years, only to be resuscitated and recreated by the sudden awakening of one man in Germany in 1515? But the Church of the Living God has always been THE PILLAR AND STAY OF THE TRUTH [1 Timothy 3:15], and the “GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HER [Matthew 16:18].

Our Savior said that THERE SHALL BE ONE FLOCK AND ONE SHEPHERD [John 10:16]. It is not possible to accept the Protestant theory that the Church IS COMPOSED OF A SCATTERED SHEAF, OF FAITHS, UNGATHERED AND UNBOUND, WHICH MAN, OWING TO THE FAILURE OF CHRIST AND GOD THE FATHER TO BE ABLE TO DO SO, MUST GATHER AND BIND HIMSELF. But Saint Paul speaks of the body of Christ, the Faith, and Baptism AS ONE, IN THE SAME SENSE AS HE CALLS GOD ONE, THE LORD ONE, THE SPIRIT ONE–NOT THAT THERE ARE MANY GODS, BUT ONE UNDIVIDED–JUST SO THE Faith and Church ARE ONE, NOT MANY DISCORDANT SEPARATED churches of faiths. The Holy Spirit CANNOT DWELL WITH THOSE WHO SCATTER OR TEACH DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES SET FORTH FROM THE BEGINNING. The True Church of Christ HAS HAD AN UNBROKEN CONTINUITY: “to Him be the glory of the Church in Christ Jesus, in all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen [Ephesians 3:21]. (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

“BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION” Acts 2:40

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 Apostle Peter said to them,
“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying,
‘BE SAVED FROM THIS PERVERSE GENERATION.’ [Acts 2:40].

PERVERSE: turned away from what is right or good: CORRUPT [The 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary]

The Holy Apostle Peter’s exhortation “Be saved from this perverse generation” is most fitting in this 21st century. Why do you ask? Perhaps because there is a multitude of corruption in every facet in life. Corruption and perversion is nothing new to the secular and unbelieving world throughout the centuries. Many of the great empires in the history of mankind have fallen from within, from decadence, perversion, immorality, lawlessness, cruelty, faithlessness, dishonor, greed, arrogance, quarrelsomeness, division, evil passions, and wickedness.

One must agree on the similar conditions of today. We are witnessing the decline of civilization right before our eyes. When we think of the greatness of the Roman Empire and how it fell, and eventually how it was destroyed from within. However, this has become common with most of the empires in human history. Man tends, unfortunately, to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Especially, when humanity loses civility, faith in God, and even his own humanity, the result and consequences are the same. Should not mankind learn from its dreadful wrongs and rebelliousness. Is it because of forgetfulness or because the human race has been stupefied or indoctrinated? Undoubtedly people have lost discernment and are no longer following the straight path.

In every generation, and in every century one will find people who remain steadfast in their faith in God, morality, honor, dignity, regard and compassion for their fellow man, who promote peace, who believe in integrity, who are godly and humble, who walk in good paths, who are wise, who are of sound mind and heart, who help the poor, and the weak, who are people of principle and conviction, who are generous and willing to share their good fortune with others, who believe in the truth and guard against evil. These are the people who keep humanity and the world from total annihilation.

I am certain you recall the Old Testament account of Sodom and Gomorrah and how Abraham intercedes for the two cities before the Lord. “Abraham drew near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the ungodly? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city, would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous in it? Then the Lord said ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I WILL SPARE ALL THE PLACE FOR THEIR SAKES.’ …But suppose there were five less than fifty righteous, would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?’ He replied, ‘If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.’ Abraham continued pleasing the Lord and said, suppose there should be forty, thirty, twenty, ten, would You destroy the city? So He said, ‘I would not destroy it for the sake of the ten.’ [Genesis 18:23-32]. We all know that the city was so morally depraved that Lot (Abaham’s nephew) was the only righteous person in the entire place. Abraham’s intercession delivered and saved him. Therefore, our situation is not hopeless, for we are confident that there are at least ten righteous people in the world and hopefully the Almighty God will have mercy on us.

Our Merciful and All-Loving God desires to save humanity and not to destroy it. We also see in the above mentioned biblical account the importance of INTERCESSION. In our Orthodox Christian Sacred Tradition we are taught how the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary intercedes for the human race to her Son and God Jesus Christ to have mercy on us. We believe that her intercession saves those who truly repent of their sinful ways and seek forgiveness and salvation. It is also our spiritual practice to seek the intercessions of the righteous men and women of our Church, of the Holy and God-inspired Fathers and Mothers, of the holy and victorious Martyrs, of the holy Confessors, of the glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John, most Famous Apostles, of the holy and righteous ancestors Ioachim and Anna and of all the Saints. Just as we pray and supplicate our God for those who are suffering, who are grieving, for the poor, for our friends and relatives here and now, the holy and righteous people of God continue to pray and intercede for our redemption and healing, in heaven.

The fate of the world depends on us. The Lord’s emphasis is on watchfulness and the practice of virtue. As long as mankind does not heed His guidance the world will witness calamities and tribulation in the near future brought about by our perverse lifestyles and disobedience. We have been warned again and again by our Heavenly Father to cease living as a faithless generation. What is happening today is an abomination. His warning is clear that we should not follow false gods and messiahs. There is only One True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Orthodox Chrristian must instead concentrate in spiritual readiness and preparedness for no one knows the Coming of Christ, the Bridegroom. The key is watchfulness and being ready for the Second Coming will entail a sudden revelation of judgment. “One will be taken to heaven, and the “other left” for eternal condemnation. This separation of the saints from the wicked will occur at “the Coming of the Son of Man” and NOT, as some teach today, at a certain time before His Second Coming.

Parents of all backgrounds PROTECT AND SAVE YOUR CHILDREN FROM THE PRESENT EVIL FORCES. THEY SEEK THEIR EXPLOITATION, THEIR CORRUPTION, AND DESTRUCTION. BE ALWAYS AWARE, VIGILANT AND KEEP THEM CLOSE TO YOU AND TO OUR SAVIOR GOD AND TO OUR HOLY AND ETERNAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH!

_____________
“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

WHAT MAKES THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH OF CHRIST?

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.

What makes the Orthodox Christian Church the Authentic
Church of Christ?

The answer is the Symbol of Faith or the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. The Orthodox faithful confess it individually as well as collectively at every Divine Liturgy. It says:

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and
earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ: the Only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light; True God
of the True God; begotten, not created; of one essence with the
Father; through 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;

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and
was buried;

And He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures;

He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the
Father;

And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the
dead; His Kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life. Who proceeds
from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is
worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the Prophets.

In One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to
come. Amen.

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. Such Ecumenical Councils the Church RECOGNIZED AS SEVEN IN NUMBER. The Ecumenical 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. Also, THE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS (SYNODS) CONFIRMED THE DOGMATIC DECREES OF A NUMBER OF LOCAL COUNCILS, AND ALSO THE DOGMATIC STATEMENTS COMPOSED BY CERTAIN HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH.

Among all the dogmatic decrees of councils, the Ecumenical Councils themselves acknowledge as primary and fundamental the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Symbol of Faith, AND 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 catholic consciousness of the Church, where it concerns the teaching of faith, is also expressed in the Orthodox Divine services which have been handed down tous by the Ecumenical Church…The CONTENT OF THE ORTHODOX DIVINE SERVICES IS THE CULMINATING EXPRESSION OF THE TEACHING OF the Holy Apostles and Holy Fathers of the Church, both in the spheres of dogma and of morals. This is splendidly expressed in the hymn (the kontakion) which is sung on the day of the commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils: "The preaching of the Apostles and the dogmas of the Fathers have IMPRINTED UPON THE CHURCH A SINGLE FAITH WHICH, BEARING THE GARMENT OF TRUTH WOVEN OF THE THEOLOGY FROM ABOVE, RIGHTLY DISPENSETH AND GLORIFIETH THE GREAT MYSTERY OF PIETY."

From the first days of her existence, the Holy Church of Christ has ceaselessly been concerned that her children, her members, should stand firm in the PURE TRUTH. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth, " writes the Holy Apostle John the Theologian. The True path of faith, which has always been carefully PRESERVED IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, from old was called "STRAIGHT, RIGHT," in Greek, ORTHOS–that is, "ORTHODOXY. "Catholic," meaning "UNIVERSAL" is the name applied to the New Testament Epistles (those of James, Peter, Jude and John) which were addressed not to individual or local churches (as are all the Epistles of Saint Paul, but to the WHOLE Church or to believers in general.

Orthodox Christians have given their lives to preserve and protect the integrity and purity of the Faith throughout 2,000-year history of the Church of Christ. The threats and dangers have increased over the centuries from enemies from within and without the Church. Heresies are on the abundance in our current century and still growing. The goal of heresy is the destruction of Christianity altogether by both political and secular atheistic elements within our society and our world. The persecutions against the Church of Christ have increased in number. The demands to dilute the Truth and to compromise and prostitute the Church is extremely strong and insidious. Orthodox Christians must remain vigilant and alert always and must not give even an inch to our enemies. There are those within the Church and in authority who have convinced themselves that the Orthodox Church must be changed with the times and from "a relics" of the past to become more modernized and updated to conform to an immoral and unbelieving, perverse society as the heterodox have done. To destroy Orthodoxy brick by brick from within and let anarchy and confusion reign instead. This is of course demonic and outright satanic! The Church IS CHRIST HIMSELF. This WILL NEVER HAPPEN! FOR OUR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOR WILL NEVER ALLOW IT. "Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her that He might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT HER TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT THAT SHE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH…BUT NOURISHES AND CHRISHES IT, AS THE LORD DOES THE CHURCH" [Ephesians 5:25-29]. Jesus also said, "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT" (Matthew 16:18).

____________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things1"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

+ Father George

THE KINGDOM OF GOD [Part II)

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 KINGDOM OF GOD [Part II)


"JESUS ANSWERED, "My Kingdom is not of this world.  If My
Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that
I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My 
KINGDOM IS NOT FROM HERE" [John 18:36].

Saint Theophylact comments on the above biblical passage and says, "The Lord ‘s response, "My kingdom is not of this world," corrects Pilate of two misconceptions: Christ is not a mere man, like all others on earth–He is the Son of God, and God Himself; and, He is not fomenting revolt. "Because My kingdom is not of this world" have no fear. I am not some new, upstart insurgent. "If it were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be handed over." But He did not deny that His kingdom is IN this world, and HERE. He is the king in this world: He governs it; He takes care of it; He traverses it as He wills. But His Sovereignty is not FROM this world: IT IS FROM HEAVEN AND FROM BEFORE THE AGES. Nor was it established FROM HENCE, that is, from here below on earth. He rules here; yet His DOMINION, BEING IMPERISHABLE, NEITHER DERIVES ITS EXISTENCE, NOR IS SUSTAINED, FROM HERE BELOW."

"For, behold, the Kingdom of God IS WITHIN YOU" Luke 17:21]. Saint Theophylact explains, "This Kingdom is not worldly, but an other-worldly Kingdom… It has no no fixed date: instead, the Kingdom ofGod IS ALWAYS PRESENT FOR HIM WHO DESIRES AND WILLS IT. When a man’s disposition and way of life are like that of an Angel, most assuredly THIS IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD. For God indeed is said to rule as King when nothing worldly meddles in the governing of our souls and when in every respect WE LIVE NOT OF THIS WORLD. This manner of life WE HAVE WITHIN US, that is to say, WE HAVE IT WITHIN US WHEN WE DESIRE AND WILL IT. We do not need to wait a long time, or until our departure from this life: INSTEAD, FAITH AND A GOD PLEASING LIFE WHICH ACCOMPANIES FAITH ARE VERY NEAR US. "The world is near you, i your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach). Faith is NOT a distant accomplishment but "is near," having a vision of Christ as present and easily accessible. Faith TRANSFORMS THE WHOLE PERSON; THE SOUL (HEART) WORKING WIT THE BODY (MOUTH) MAKES IT REAL. TRUE FAITH IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL EQUALLY; AS EVEN THE Old Testament Prophets teach. Saint Theophylact says, "To have faith, and, together with faith, to walk in a manner WORTHY OF OUR CALLING, IS INDEED SOMETHING WITHIN US.

The Pharisees, then, mocking the Lord for preaching about the Kingdom, which NO ONE HAD PREACHED BEFORE. But the Lord shows that they are ignorant of that which is WITHIN THEM, although those who so desire may easily understand it. "Now, while I am among you, it is entirely within your ability to have the Kingdom of God, BY BELIEVING IN ME AND BY CHOOSING TO LIVE ACCORDING TO MY COMMANDMENTS," He tells His disciples. "For you (the disciples) also the Kingdom of God IS PRESENT, WHILE I AM WITH YOU. It is present with you not only in that you have believed in Me and followed Me, but also in that you now live free of any cares while I am here to watch over you and to provide for you."

As Orthodox Christians we should know that the chief thing is that those who attain the future blessed life and become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (2 Peter 1:4) will be participants in that most PERFECT LIFE, WHOSE SOURCE IS IN GOD ALONE. In particular, the future members of the Kingdom of God will be vouchsafed, LIKE THE ANGELS, TO "SEE GOD" (Matthew 5:8), TO BEHOLD HIS GLORY NOT AS THROUGH A DARK GLASS, NOT BY MEANS OF CONJECTURES, BUT FACE TO FACE. And not only will they behold this glory, but THEY THEMSELVES WILL BE "PARTAKERS" OF IT. SHINING LIKE "THE SUN IN THE kINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER" [Matthew 13:43], being "fellow heirs" with Christ, sitting with Christ on a Throne and sharing with Him the Royal Grandeur [Revelation 3:21], Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:11-12].

The ultimate state of man’s deification (theosis): A STATE, HOWEVER, WHICH IS NOT STATIC BUT WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED BY A NEVER-ENDING PROGRESS TOWARD GOD. By the words "partakers of the Divine Nature," we are NOT of course to understand that we can become God by nature, BUT RATHER THAT WE CAN PARTAKE OF GOD’S NATURE THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN His grace [Energies]. Having said this, our attention and recollection turns to the hymn which we chant following the Mystery of Baptism: "AS MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, HAVE PUT ON CHRIST. ALLELUIA." This divine hymn reveals our true relationship to Christ God. No Orthodox Christian should ever deviate from this Christian teaching. Indeed, we "have put on Christ," and not for a day but for always. Especially if we desire to attain the Kingdom of Glory, His Eternal Kingdom. We also remember the most meaningful Communion Prayers offered at the Divine Liturgy just before we are to receive the Holy Body and Precious Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ such as:

You have enticed me with yearning, O Christ, and have changed me by Your
Divine Love; consume my sins, with immaterial fire, and deem me worthy to
be filled with delight in You, that leaping for joy, O Good One, I may magnify
Your two Comings.

Into the splendor of Your saints, how shall I the unworthy enter? For I dare
to enter into the Bridal Chamber, my garment will convict me, for it is not a
wedding garment; and being bound up I shall be cast out by the Angels.
Cleanse the filth of my soul and save me O Lord Who loves mankind.

O Master, Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, let not these holy
Gifts be to my judgment because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing
and sanctification of both soul and body, and for a pledge of the life and
Kingdom to come. It is good for me to cling to God, and to place in the Lord
the hope of my salvation.
[Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

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

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

+ Father George

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

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 KINGDOM OF GOD

"But SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and His
Righteousness, and all these things shall be
added to you" [Matthew 6:33].

THE KINGDOM OF GOD is the central theme of the Divine Teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. "The Almighty God calls everyone to Eternal Life in Him, in His Kingdom, and this means in His Holiness. But into the Kingdom of God NOTHING UNCLEAN CAN ENTER. The Lord cleanses us by His chastisements, as by Providential acts which forewarn and correct for the sake of His love towards His creation. For we must undergo the judgment of justice, a judgment which for us is terrible: how can we enter the Kingdom of Holiness and Light, and how would we feel there, being unclean, dark, and not having in ourselves any seeds of holiness, not having in ourselves andy kind of positive spiritual or moral value?"

Jesus Christ is our Lord, God and Savior Who preached "the gospel of the Kingdom of God: The Good News of the Royal Reign of God revealed decisively through the Person, words, and works of Jesus Christ, THE FULLNESS OF THE FAITH IN CHRIST. Our Lord says, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" [Mark 1:15]. To repent (μετανοώ) denotes the turn one’s life around, a necessary part of true faith and the experience of the Kingdom as a present reality. The Kingdom is yet to come, but it is also "at hand," already here. It is inaugurated but not yet "FULFILLED", Christ’s first word, like that of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist, because repentance (metanoia) is necessary to enter and continue in His New Way of Life. Repentance is man’s turning from himself to Gdo. "The Kingdom of Heaven" is synonymous with the "the Kingdom of God." Repentance, which always accompanies belief, IS A TOTAL ABOUT FACE. It is a radical change of one’s spirit, mind,a nd heart, A COMPLETE REORIENTATION OF THE WHOLE OF ONE’S LIFE AND BEING. It is the necessary first step on "the way of the Lord ” and is followed by the confession of sins, the decisive act of baptism and an actual change in one’s life, the "fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8).

Saint John Chrysostom exhorts us in the following words: "If the Kingdom of Heaven is open to us and a reward is shown to us in the future life, then it is not worthy of investigating why the righteous endure sorrows here while the evil live in comfort. If a reward is waiting there for everyone, according to their just deserts, why should we be disturbed by present events, whether they are fortunate or unfortunate? By these misfortunes God exercises those who are submissive to Him as manful warriors; and the weaker, negligent ones, and those unable to bear anything difficult. He exhorts ahead of time to perform good deeds." And in fact, we ourselves often see that the best teachers and upbringers are the experiences and misfortunes which men undergo.“

A depiction of the life of the saints in heaven is given in the Apocalypse (Revelation). Saint John the Theologian saw around the Throne of God in the heavens "four and twenty seats" and on them elders clothed in white garments and having crowns of gold on their heads (Revelation 4:4). He saw under the heavenly altar "the souls of them that were slain for the Logos/Word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (Revelation 6:9); and yet again he saw a "great multitude… of all nations, and kindreds, and people," standing before the Throne and before the Lamb and crying out: "SALVATION TO OUR GOD WHO SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB" (Revelation 7:9-10).

The bright mansions of the Heavenly Home are called in Sacred Scripture "the city of the Living God," "Mount Zion," the "Heavenly Jerusalem," "the Church of the firstborn written in heaven."

And thus the Great Kingdom of Christ has been opened in heaven. Into it have entered the souls of all the righteous and pious people of the Old Testament, those of whom the Apostle has said, "These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise (until the coming to earth of the Son of God, and the General Salvation), "that they without us should not be made perfect," that is, attain the joy and blessedness of the Heavenly Church of Christ (Hebrews 11:39). Into this Kingdom in the New Testament there entered the first ones who believed in Christ, the Apostles, first Martyrs, Confessors, and thus until the end of the world the Heavenly Home will be filled–the Jerusalem on high, the granary of God–UNTIL IT SHALL COME TO ITS PERFECT FULLNESS.

When they shall be gathered together and shall comprise the full Body of Christ, then also the higher world, the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the Church of the Firstborn, will be filled up, and the body of the Queen of God, the Church, which is the Body of Christ God, will be revealed as 10:entirely full and perfect" (Saint Symeon the New Theologian, Homily 45).

With the end of this age and the transformation of the world into a new and better world, there is revealed the Eternal Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Glory. Then will come to an end the Kingdom of Grace, the existence of the Church on earth, the Militant Church; it will enter into this Kingdom of Glory and will merge with the heavenly Church (see I Corintians 15:24-26, 28). These words concerning the end of the Kingdom of Christ must be understood as the FULFILLMENT OF THE SON’S MISSION, which He accepted from the Father, and which consists of the conducting of mankind to God through the Church. Then the Son will reign in the Kingdom of Glory together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and "of His Kingdom there shall be no end," as the Archangel announced to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:33), and as we read in the Symbol of Faith (Creed): "And His Kingdom will have no end." Saint Cyril of Jerusalem says to this: "For will not He Who reigned before overthrowing his enemies, reign all the more after He has conquered them?" (Catechetical Lectures).

Death will have no power in the Kingdom of Glory. "The last enemy that shall be destroyed IS DEATH… Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:26, 54). "There SHALL BE TIME NO LONGER" (Revelation 10:6). The Eternal Blessed Life is presented vividly in the twenty-first chapter of Revelation: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea" (Revelation 21:1). In the future Kingdom EVERYTHING WILL BE SPIRITUALIZED, IMMORTAL, AND HOLY. (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

(To be continued)

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

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

+ Father George

The New-Hieromartyr DEMETRIOS the New of Samarina in Epirus, Greece (1808)

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

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

On the 17th of August, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
New-Hieromartyr DEMETRIOS the New of Samarina in Epirus,
Greece (1808)

DEMETRIOS, the Venerable priest, who excelled and gained the valorous prize of a newly-appeared Martyr of Christ, was born at the end of the eighteenth century. He hailed from a village of Epirus, Greece, named Samarina. Samarina is a village in the Grevena prefecture of the Macedonia West region of Greece. Demetrios was resolved to leave this village of economic growth and culture, because of his love for the Monastic life. He forsook all the pleasures and delights of the world, taking up the yoke of the Lord. He went forth and entered a monastery of the region and became a monk. The product of his toils in the spiritual life and of each and every divine ascent guided and led both body and soul to become an elect vessel of enlightenment and a receptacle of Divine grace. Moved by the Divine Spirit and filled full with Apostolic zeal, he emerged from his monastery. He went about here and there, passing through the cities and villages of Thessaly, (Thessaly is a region of Northern Greece south of Macedonia, lying between upland Epirus and Aegean Sea.) preaching the word of the Faith. He taught the faithful to have patience and perseverance in every affliction and tribulation. He taught them in this manner during that era of bondage and unintermittent bitter trials. Recent circumstances created a multitude of perils that encompassed the Orthodox Christians, by reason of an insurrection preached by the then Papa Efthymios Vlahava, who, from 1807 until 1809, was a leader of the liberation of the Greeks against the God-permitted rule of the Christ-hating Hagarenes.

The blessed Demetrios distinguished himself in labors for the Gospel. He was teaching the Orthodox the great mystery of piety and how they ought to be conducting themselves in the house of God, which is the Church of the Living God–pillar and stay of the Truth. He was reported and apprehended by the Hagarenes or Ottoman Turks and Moslims. He was then dragged before the tyrant Ali Pasha (1741-1822) of Tepelene or of Ioannina (Yiannina), an Albanian pasha of the Western part of Rumelia, the Ottoman Empire’s European territory. It was before him that Father Demetrios confessed bravely his Christian calling. He declared the nature of his Apostolic rounds. He explained the purpose of his preaching, which was to uphold the piety of the Orthodox Christian faithful, to comfort them in their tribulations, and to avoid the heterodox–but to obey the laws of the authorities.

Ali Pasha asked Father Demetrios, "By announcing the Kingdom of Christ, thou art encouraging the Christians to hope in the fall of the sultan." Father Demetrios answered, "The Savior told us that His Kingdom is NOT of this world. But if we endure, we shall also reign with Him. Now I believe that which Christ taught. I also believe that He shall reign to the ages of the ages, and that His Kingdom shall not end." Filled with suspicions and dissatisfied with the responses of the priest, he ordered the severest tortures to commence. Father Demetrios was spread out on the floor. After they beat the face of Father Demetrios, Ali Pasha directed that pointed reeds were to be forced under the fingernails and toenails of the Orthodox priest. Concurrently, other executioners were piercing and borin through his arms with nails. The Venerable Martyr remained steadfast regarding only the words of the Lord, to Whom he directed his mental gaze: "The one who endureth to the end, this one shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22).

The tyrant, still wanting for the priest to give answer–or rather the names of so called fellow conspirators an uncovering of a plot that he suspected against the authorities. Ali Pasha ordered that an iron ring, like a chain headband, was to be set upon the brow of the priest monk. In successive intervals, the chain was being tightened each time Father Demetrios was questioned regarding accomplices and gave no response. Father Demetrios kept silent, while the took chain was tightened to the next link. Following these heavy scenes, the gloriously triumphant contestant was consigned to a dark and dismal prison cell. In the morning of the following day, he was removed from his prison cell. He was suspended upside down, hanging from his feet. Underneath him, that is, just below his head, the Muslims were stoking a fire fueled with resinous pine wood. As the blood rushed to the martyr’s head and acrid smoke inhalation choked him, the flames burned his scalp. The torturers, fearing that the prisoner might expire too soon, quickly cut him down in order to allay the pangs and that he might catch his breath. There followed many more horrific tortures of the Saint and holy Martyr.

But all of these harsh punishments proved inadequate. The invincible confessor of the Faith was now to be submitted to the final martyrdom. The tyrant ordered that the Christian was to be placed within a wall. Only his head would be free. He was to remain immured within the wall until he surrendered his soul. Hence, while he was walled up, being allowed only to breathe, they waited until death overtook Father Demetrios. Both before and during his martyrdom, he succeeded in bolstering the distraught flock that lived during the Ottoman enslavement. His repose took place in these latter gloomy years of servitude, that is, 1808. The Venerable and Righteous Martyr Demetrios the New fought the good fight of piety and finished in triumph, to the glory of the Most Glorious Name of the Savior Christ.

The Venerable and Righteous Martyr was immediately honored as a Saint. He was glorified as a Wonder-worker, performing a host of miracles for those invoking his name with faith. May Saint Demetriios, who is now rejoicing with the Angelic Choirs and the Righteous and the Martyrs, intercede unceasingly for us who celebrate his sacred memory! 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

“For You are my hope, O Lord God…” Psalm 71:5

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.

"FOR YOU ARE MY HOPE, O LORD GOD…" [Psalm 71:5].

The holy Apostle Paul says, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and REJOICES IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. And not only that, but WE ALSO GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS, KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE; AND PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER; AND CHARACTER, HOPE. Now hope DOES NOT DISAPPOINT, BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD HAS BEEN POURED OUT IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WAS GIVEN TO US" [Romans 5:1-5].

The Greek word pistis [πίστις] can be translate both "faith" and "faithfulness." Faith is the conviction that something is true; faithfulness is loyalty and obedience to God. Faith, therefore, is far more than possessing mental belief. Since neither faith nor righteousness originates in us but in our All-Merciful God, true faith transforms our lives, making us Godlike, bearing the fruit of the Spirit. While hope is more than optimism; it is settled confidence about things to come–so secure that we can patiently wait through much suffering. Saint Paul writes: "For we were sae in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance" {Romans 8:24-25).

When we hope, what we are saying is that we have hope in God. Hope is not an abstract concept or something imaginary. In order for one to have hope in God he or she should be willing to totally have faith and trust in Him. Trust that God knows best what is profitable to us, that He knows everything about us and what we need. He knows our past, present, and future. It is a common human fallacy to expect an immediate answer or help from Him, but He does not adhere to our expectations and desires or time limitations. Time, unlike us, means absolutely nothing to God. God is timeless, and what we consider a long time of waiting for an answer from Him; for God, it is but a second of our time. At other times, even God’s silence is a kind of an answer to us. It could also mean that He wants to see how sincere our faith in Him is and to test our patience and humility.

God does not show favoritism and He cannot be either bribed, threatened, or deceived by us. He is not a human being! He is the Almighty God and Creator of All! We are all His children and His only desire is to save us from evil, death and even ourselves. Our understanding of Him is limited and much of the time distorted and wrong. How can one understand God when we cannot understand ourselves or others like us. When one is seeking or supplicating Him for something it must be done with a pure heart and genuine love. I am referring to prayer of course. No matter how urgent the situation that we find ourselves in, we ought to know as Orthodox Christians that we cannot presure God to comply with our will. Do you not remember that we were taught by Christ how to pray to Him in the Lord’s Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". We do not control the actions of God or the timing of His answer to us. However, in the meantime the Christian must continue with his or her life and not fold one’s hands and do nothing but wait. Life should be lived and nothing should hinder your efforts to provide for yourself and your families. Life is too precious and at the same time brief.

No one should ever doubt God’s love for us. His love is not a frail and imperfect human love. Our hope is founded on His infinite and unconditional love for all people. None of us is deserving of God’s love and yet He was willing to die for us on the Cross to save us. To those who for any reason are persecuted the holy Fathers state that "since it is through tribulation that we must enter the Kingdom of God, Saint Paul teaches that we should rejoice in them. For suffering is the measure of how much hope we have, and it testifies to the fact that we deserve the crown we shall inherit." They, the holy Fathers, say the following: "Hope does not let us down, even though we are considered by evil people to be stupid and naive, because we believe in things which are impossible in this world. For we have in us the pledge of God’s love through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us."

"Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience" (Roman 8:23-270). Saint John Chrysostom says, "What Paul means is that we are not to expect everything to be given to us in this life, but we are to have hope as well. For the only thing we brought to God ws our faith in the promises of what was to come, and it was in this way that we were saved. If we lose this hope, we lose the one thing which we have contributed to our salvation." It is unthinkable for any Christian to ever lose hope in our God. Saint Cyprian writes: "Patient waiting is necessary that we may fulfill what we have begun to be and, through God’s help, that we may obtain what we hope for and believe."

Saint Bede spoke about the metaphor of the egg. "The certainty of our hope is prefigured by the egg. No offspring is as yet discernible in the egg, but the birth of the bird to come is hoped for. The faithful do not yet look upon the glory of the fatherland on high in which they believe at the present time, but they await its coming in hope." Christians are safe in the love of God and have nothing to fear from anyone. When Christians reflect on the fact that God has already sacrificed His Son for them, they can hardly doubt that he will look after them in the future as well. Nobody can attack the Christian, nor even the devil, because Christ has chosen us, he has died for us, and now he intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father.

It is to our advantage spiritually to maintain our hope with patience and confidence. We must, however, be vigilant for the evil one will tempt us so that we lose hope in God. We must not give in to his evil temptations but to instead pray that God will strengthen our faith and hope. As Orthodox Christians we have countless examples of Christians who suffered but never lost faith or hope. Saint Athanasius writes, "For we ought to walk by the standard of the saints and the fathers, and imitate them." Without faith and hope, the Christian becomes diffensless and vulnerable to evil temptations and thoughts. Our enemy and adversary, the devil, waits patiently for the opportunity to make you his victim. Be always alert and pray to the Almighty and Merciful God to give you strength, patience, and discernment.

______________
"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

“In Thee All Creation Rejoices, O Thou Who Art Full of Grace”

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

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

"In Thee All Creation Rejoices, O Thou Who Art Full of Grace."

You are the sweetness of Angels,
The gladness of the afflicted ones,
A protection of all Christians,
O Virgin Mother of our Lord;
Grant me now help and save me
From eternal torments.
+

I have you as Mediator
Before God Who loves mankind;
May He not question my action
Before the hosts of Angels,
I ask of you, O Virgin,
Hasten now quickly to my aid.
+
You are a Tower adorned with gold,
A city surrounded by twelve walls,
A shining Throne touched by the sun,
A Royal Seat for the King,
O unexplainable Wonder
How do you nurse the Master?
[Small Paraklesis]






Saint John Maximovitch writes, "No persecution against those who Venerate the Mother of God and all that is bound up with the memory of Her could lessen the love of Christians for their Intercessor. The rule was established that every series of hymns in the Divine services should end with a hymn or verse in honor of the Mother of God (the so-called "THEOTOKIA"). Many times, in the year Christians in all corners of the world gather in church, as before they gathered together, to praise Her, to thank Her for the benefactions She has shown, and to beg mercy.

But could the adversary of Christins, the devil, who "goeth about roaring like a lion, seeking whom he may devour" [1 Peter 5:8), remain an indifferent spectator to the glory of the Immaculate One?  Could he acknowledge himself as defeated, and cease to wage warfare against the Truth through men who do his will?  And so, when all the universe resounded with the Good News of the Faith of Christ, when everywhere the name of the Most Holy One was invoked, when the earth was filled with churches, when the houses of Christians were adorned with holy Icons depicting Her–then there appeared and began to spread a new false teaching about the Mother of God.  This false teaching is dangerous in that many cannot immediately understand to what degree it undermines the True Veneration of the Mother of God."


The Garden of Gethsemane, the Sacred Abode of the Theotokos

   The tomb in the Garden of Gethsemane is east of Jerusalem, across the Kedron Valley.  Finally, the holy Apostles with all the multitude of the Christians reached the Garden.  When they laid down the bier with the Most Precious body, again the Christians began to weep.  All bewailed their orphanhood at the loss of such a treasure.  In giving the last kiss, the Christians prostrated themselves before the body of the Theotokos.  Kissing it, they shed copious tears, so that only toward evening.could the Most Honorable body be placed in the new tomb.  Her sacred relics were interred with the greatest honor, while chanting and weeping took place.  When the holy Apostles stepped before her bier to bid her farewell, each according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they uttered psalms of triumph and thanksgiving and chanted prayers.

Descent into Hades

   The soul of the Theotokos was then received into the hands of her Son.  Panagia (The All-Holy) then asked her Son if she could visit Hades to see where He Himself had gone to deliver the Forefathers.  The radiant Angels escorted the soul of the Theotokos to this region.  Saint John of Damascus makes mention of this in a hymn from the Office of Orthros (Matins) during the feast, chanting, "A strange wonder it ws to see the living heaven of the Ruler of all discend into the hollows of the earth."  Elsewhere, we hear, "Rejoice, O thou who didst trample upon the all-destructive Hades!  Rejoice, thou who didst open the gates of Paradise to the Christian race who ever blesses thee!"

Icons of the Feast of the Dormition

   Icons of the Feast of the Dormition (Koimisis) depict Christ in glory, surrounded by A MANDORLA, looking at the body of His Mother stretched on a litter, which is a richly draped bier.  The Virgini is clad in her red and blue garments.  We see Christ holding, in His arms, a small figure of a child clothed in white and crowned with a halo; it is the all-luminous soul of Mary, represented as a newborn infant, that He has just taken to Himself.

   By the end of the eleventh century, the dormition scene had begun to appear in representations of the Orthodox Church cycle of feasts, which adorn the walls and vaults of Byzantine churches.  Some of the earliest wall paintings of this feast may be seen above the entrance of the Monastery of Daphne and the Perivlepto of Mystra, which date from the fourteen century.  As in so much of Christian art, the iconography of the dormition is based upon literary sources, of which the most important is the Greek apocryphal text of the fourth or fifth century, entitled, "The Discourse of Saint John the Theologian Concerning the Dormition (Keemeesis) of the Holy Mother of God."

"In the falling asleep, death was without corruption."

   It must be remembered that it is NOT the assumption that the Holy Orthodox Church observes on the 15th of August, but THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION (KEEMEESIS OR KOIMISIS) OR "FALLING ALSEEP" OF the Holy Virgin.  This Most Sacred (feast marks the falling asleep of the Mother of God, which was followed by the TRANSLATION (METASTASIS) OF HER SACRED BODY THREE DAYS LATER INTO HEAVEN.  This feast, therefore, marks her soul being commended into her Son's hands and the short sojourn of her body in the tomb.  Death IS NOT THE ANNIHILATION OF OUR EXISTENCE, BUT A PASSAGE FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN.

The Theotokos is Bodily Translated on the Third Day
The holy Apostle Thomas

   While Thomas was enlightening the lands of India by preching the Gospel, the honored dormition of the Mother of God took place.  All the holy Apostles had been caught up from various lands on the clouds of heaven, and were transported to Gethsemane, to the bier of the All-Blessed Virgin.  By God's special arrangement, Thomas was not brought there.  This was permitted by the will of God, that the faithful might be assured that the Mother of God WAS BODILY TRANSLATED INTO THE HEAVENS.  For just as they were more greatly assured of the Resurrection of Christ THROUGH THE DISBELIEF OF THOMAS, Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, through the delay of Thomas.

   On the third day after the burial, Thomas was suddenly caught up in a cloud in India.  He was transported to a place in the air above the tomb of the Virgin.  From that vantage point, HE BEHELD THE TRANSLATION (METASTASIS) OF HER BODY INTO THE HEAVENS, AND CRIED OUT TO HER, "Whither goest thou, O All-Holy One?"  And, REMOVING HER CINCTURE, SHE GAVE IT TO THOMAS, SAYING, "RECEIVE THIS, MY FRIEND," And then she was gone.

   Thereafter, he descended to find the other Disciples keeping watch over the sepulcher of the Theotokos.  He sad down beside them, with the cincture in his hand, greatly saddened that he had not been there when she reposed, as had been the other Apostles.  Hence, he said, "We are all Disciples of the Master.  We all preach the same thing.  We are all servants of one Lord, Jesus Christ.  How, then, is it that you were counted worthy to behold the repose of His Mother, and I was not?  Am I not an Apostle?  Can it be that God is not pleased with my preaching?  I beseech you, my fellow disciples, Open the tomb, that I also may look upon her remains, and embrace them, and bid her farewell!"

   Taking pity on him, the Apostles then did as Thomas requested and opened the tomb that he might at least behold and venerate the sacred relics.  The holy Apostles then rolled away the stone and opened the tomb.  All were aghast when they discovered that her remains had vanished, not realizing that just moments before she had been bodily transported to Paradise.  All that remained were the burial clothes, which emitted a wonderful grangrance.  Thus they stood in amazement and then each of them kissed the burial clothes which were lying in the tomb.  They then prayed to the Lord that He would reveal to them where the body of the Theotokos had been transported.

The cincture of the Virgin

   Now let us speak about the significance of the keepsake that the Theotokos entrusted with the Apostle Thomas.  In biblical times, the cincture or girdle was made of leather or cloth.  It is significant that the Virgin left her cloth cincture to the Apostle Thomas and, subsequently, to the Church.  The girdle, placed around the middle of the loins, wherein is the set of desire, signifies THE MORTIFICATION OF CARNAL DESIRES.  We know that the immaculate Virgin Mary subdued the passions/  We chant during the service of the Deposition of the Cincture of the Theotokos (Commemorated on the 31st of August) "that thy cincture as the garment of thy virginity and bridehood, is truly shown to be a most honorable wedding chamber, O Theotokos."  Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (812-886) understood that the precious relic of the Virgin's cincture. or belt WAS LEFT TO US SO AS A SURETY OF HER MEDIATION AND ASSISTANCE TO ORTHODOX STRUGGLERS FOR PURITY AND CHASTITY.

"Rejoice, O joyful one, who in thy dormition has not forsaken us!"

   Together then with Saint Theophanes the Poet, let us chant, "Forget not, O Lady, thy ties of kinship with those who 
commemorate in faith the Feast of thine All-Holy Dormition."

   Saint John of Damascus, in his second sermon, sums up this momentous day:  "Today the spotless Virgin, untouched by earthly affections, and all heavenly in her thoughts, was not dissolved in earth, but truly entering heaven, dwells in the heavenly tabernacles.  Who would be wrong to call her heaven?  She meets death without fear, who conceived death's destroyer, if indeed wd may call her holy and vivifying departure by the name death.  For how could she, WHO BROUGHT LIFE TO ALL, be under the dominion of death?  But she obeys the law of her own Son, and inherits this chastisement as a daughter of the first Adam, since her Son, Who IS THE LIFE, DID NOT REFUSE IT.  As the Mother of the Living God, she goes through death to Him.  For if God said, 'Behold, Adam hath become as one of Us, TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL, and now lest at any time he should stretch forth his hand and take of the Tree of Life and eat, even he will live unto the age' [Genesis 3:22], how shall she, who received the Life Himself, WITHOUT BEGINNING OR END, OR FINITE VICISSITUDES, NOT LIVE FOREVER?

"All the company of the saints exclaimed at her ascension, "Thou hast fulfilled our predictions. Thou hast purchased our present joy for us. Through thee we have broken the chains of death. Come to us, divine and Life-Giving Receptacle. Come, our desire, thou who hast gained us our Desire." (Saint John of Damascus, "Sermon 2, on the Dormition of the Virgin")

________________
"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

“Let us Honor and Magnify in song the THEOTOKOS and the Mother of Light”

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.

"Let us Honor and Magnify in song the THEOTOKOS and
the Mother of Light." [Matins]

The THEOTOKOS Returns to her Home

The THEOTOKOS desired to behold the holy Apostles who were then scattered throughout the world preaching the Gospel. So when Our Lady knelt and offered her petition and thanksgiving to her Creator, her prayer was accompanied by a wonderful manifestation: the olive trees growing on the Mount of Olives BOWED WITH THE THEOTOKOS AS THOUGH THEY WERE ANIMATE. When Theotokos knelt, THE TREES BEND DOWN; when she arose, the trees straightened themselves out again. Thus, even trees REVERED and HONORED the Lady and Mistress of the cosmos.

The THEOTOKOS Returns Home

After completing her prayer on the Mount of Olives, the Theotokos returned to her home. Then by the invisible power of God, the Theotokos (Mother of God) shone forth with the Glory of God. Her lovely face, which always shone with the grace of God–more so than the face of Moses who spoke to God on Sinai–BECAME MORE RADIANT WITH INDESCRIBABLE GLORY. The Theotokos then prepared for her repose. She told the matter to the Beloved Disciple John, who had taken her into his home as his own mother. She also showed him THE FLOWERING BRANCH FROM PARADISE and told him to carry it before her bier. "The plant of chastity, the fragrant myrrh… O John the Apostle, who hast lain on the bosom of the Master and made the word to fall on the world like rain, thou hast guarded the Virgin as the apple of thine eye."

Both Saints Sophronios (566-638 A.D.) and Symeon Mataphrastes (1000) say, without any hesitation, that the Saint John the Theologian and Evangelist never left the Virgin, but as a true son he served her and gave her shelter in his home till her repose. Occasionally, he visited for a very short time the surrounding areas, but he did this with her consent and blessing; and then he would return to her in Jerusalem. In his absence, the Theotokos was served by her stepson, Saint Iakovos (James), the brother of the Lord, who never left his Diocese of Jerusalem.

The Virgin then disclosed her pending repose to the rest of the household and virgins: Mary Magdalene, Sepphora, Abigail, and Jael that dwelt withe her; and they bewailed their orphanhood. But she consoled them saying that she would intercede for them and all the world. She then ordered that her bed and room should be decorated, and that incense and as many lamps as possible were to be lit therein. She then changed her clothes. Simply put, all necessary preparations for her burial were made.

The Faithful Gather

Saint John the Theologian, at once, sent for the Lord’s brother, Iakovos (James) the First Bishop of Jerusalem. Saint John also sent for all their relatives and neighbors, informing them of the imminent REPOSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD. Saint Iakovos (St. James the Apostle), too, also informed all the Christians, both them that were in Jerusalem and in the surrounding towns and villages. Thus, a great multitude of the faithful gathered around the Theotokos.

Then, in the hearing of all, the Most Holy Theotokos told all those who had gathered of the message brought to her by the Archangel Gabriel concerning her TRANSLATION (METASTASIS) INTO THE HEAVENS. The confirmation , she then showed them the date palm branch from Paradise which, LIKE A RAY OF THE SUN, SHONE WITH THE LIGHT OF HEAVENLY GLORY. Upon uttering these words, the faithful could not restrain their tears. The whole house was then filled with weeping and lamentation. All implored the Merciful Lady, as the COMMON MOTHER OF ALL, nor to leave them as orphans. The Theotokos, however, asked them NOT TO WEEP FOR HER, BUT TO REJOICE AT HER REPOSE. She said that she would be able to pray to her Son with greater boldness after her death, for she would BE STANDING NEARER TO THE THRONE OF GOD AND GAZING FACE TO FACE UPON HER SON AND GOD AND WOULD CONVERSE WITH HIM. She promised that she would never leave them orphans after her departure, but that she would visit the whole world and attend to its needs and help those in trouble. These comforting words dried their tears and brought solace to their sorrow.

The THEOTOKOS then made a will concerning her two garments. She desired that they be given to TWO POOR WIDOWS WHO HAD FAITHFULLY SERVED HER AND RECEIVED THEIR MAINTENANCE FROM HER. With regard to her pure body, the Mother of God made her will known that it should be buried on the Mount of Olives, not far from Jerusalem, in the Garden of Gethsemane. There also were interred her parents, the Righteous Ioachim and Anna, and her spouse, Saint Joseph. The tombs lay in the Valley of Jehosaphat between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.

The Choir of Apostles is most Wondrously
brought together from the ends of the world

While the THEOTOKOS was making these arrangements, all of a sudden a noise was heard similar to a clap of thunder. A cloud then encircled the home of Saint John the Theologian. By the command of God, Angels had seized the Apostles that were scattered to the ends of the world and brought them on clouds to Jerusalem. All, save the Apostle Thomas, were then TRANSPORTED TO MOUNT SION, BEFORE THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHERE THE THEOTOKOS DWELT. Some are of the opinion that Saint John the Theologian had also been caught up in a cloud like the others; NO DOUBT IT WAS FROM SOME PLACE CLOSE BY.

Therefore, on seeing one another, the holy Apostles rejoiced, but at the same time they wondered and said, "Why has the Lord gathered us together in this place?" Saint John the Theologian then went out to them and greeted them with joyful tears. He then informed them of the speedy departure of the Most Holy Mother of God. Then the holy Apostles understood that the Lord had gathered them from the various parts of the world to be present at the Blessed end of His Immaculate Mothter, and for the honorable burial of her body, as is meet. Nevertheless, her departure from among them brought intense sorrow to their hearts.

Entering the house, they beheld the Theotokos wearing a joyful countenance, sitting upon her bed. Then "Reaching thine immaculate body, the Source of Life, they (the Apostles) saluted it with mighty honor." The holy Apostles then greeted the Mother of Life with these words: "Blessed art thou of the Lord Who made heaven and earth!" The immaculate Lady replied, "Peace to you, brethren, chosen by the Lord Himself!" Then she asked, "How did you arrive here?" The holy Apostles revealed how, by the power of the Spirit of God, each of them was caught up from the place where he had been preaching the Gospel. Then when the Theotokos learned that Peter came from Rome, Mark from Alexandria, Matthew form a boat, and the others from diverse situations, she glorified God Who had hearkened to her prayer and fulfilled the desire of her heart to behold the holy Apostles at the hour of her death.

Why should we wonder at this miraculous occurrence of their transferral? We have read of this when the Prophet Abbakoum carried food to Daniel, who was in the lion’s den in Babylon, and quickly returned to Judaea or in the case of the Apostle Philip who, after baptizing the eunuch from Ethiopia, the Spirit caught him and brought him to Azotus.

After, with great joy, she said to them all, "Stay awhile, my children, that I may bid thee farewell. For, today, I shall go to my Son, my Beloved. The Archangel Gabriel who announced the conception of my Son to me, again came and gave me this palm branch, saying, "Rejoice, O God-birthgiver, and know that after three days thou shalt be TRANSLATED (Metastasis) from earth to the heavens." And, thus, I thank my Son and God for gathering you all here that I may behold you." Upon hearing this, they all wept.

She then said, "Watch and pray with me, that when the Lord comes to receive my soul, He may find you watchin." Then all promised to do so. They prayed the whole night, with psalms and chants. Then the beloved Disciple John said, "My Lady Mother of God and my Mother, thy Beloved Son had left thee as a consolation. And now shall thou leave us?" In all the world what will be humble Apostles have as our consolation? Who will teach us and who will guide us? What else shall we hae on earth to encourage us if thou shouldest leave us?" This, too, caused the Theotokos to weep, and she said, "Do not sorrow, my children, for you make me sad when I see you cry so. Although I shall be going to my Son, O friends of my Son, yet I will not be apart from you, nor from them that call upon me. Nay, I shall be AN INTERCESSOR AND MEDIATRESS FOR ALL THE CHRISTIANS BEFORE BY BELOVED SON. Therefore, do not weep, O friends and Disciples of my Son and God. Do not darkened my joy by your sorrow and mourning. Much rather, rejoice with me, for I am going away to my Son and God. My body, which I have myself prepared for burial, commit to the earth in Gethsemane. Afterward, return again to the preaching of the Gospel appointed to you. If the Lord SHOULD WILL IT, YOU SHALL SEE ME AFTER MY DEPARTURE.

The Theotokos delivers her soul, full of Light

It was the Lord’s Day, and the 15th of the month of August, when that Blessed Hour that all were awaiting drew near. It was the Third Hour of the day (nine o’clock in the morning). In the room a number of lamps were burning. The holy Apostles were offering praise to God. Upon a beautifully adorned bed, the Theotokos was lying and preparing herself for her Blessed end when her Beloved Son and Lord would come to her. She then greeted each Apostle with a blessing.

She then stretched her hands heavenward and prayed, saying, "I revere, praise, and glorify Thy much to be praised name, O Lord, because Thou hast looked upon the low estate of Thy slave. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call be Blessed. After this prayer, she said to the Apostles, "Cast incense and pray, because Christ is coming with a host of Angels. And, behold, Christ IS AT HAND, SITTING ON A THRONE OF CHERUBIM! When they had prayed, there was THUNDER FROM HEAVEN AND THERE CAME A FEARFUL VOICE, AS IF OF CHARIOTS. B EHOLD, A MULTITUDE OF A HOST OF ANGELS AND POWERS, AND A VOICE, AS IF OF THE SON OF MAN WAS HEARD!

Then there shone in the room AN INEFFABLE LIGHT OF DIVINE GLORY WHICH DIMMED THE LAMPS. THOSE THAT WERE GRANTED THIS VISION WERE STUCK AWESTRICKEN. Many beheld the roof of the apartment open and the glory of the Lord DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN. IT WAS CHRIST THE KING OF GLORY WITH HOSTS OF ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS, AND ALL THE HEAVENLY POWERS. ALSO, WITH THEM WERE THE HOLY FATHERS AND PROPHETS, THOSE WHO PROPHESIED OF OLD CONCERNING THE PURE VIRGIN. TOGETHER WITH THEM, THERE ALSO APPROACHED CHRIST’S IMMACULATE MOTHER ALL THE RIGHTEOUS SOULS.

Saint John of Damascus also mentions that some of the most famous and Righteous Prophets of the Old Testament were in attendance. The text of Pseudo-John, in describing the events, records that the Theotokos’ mother, Anna, and her cousin Elisabeth appeared with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David and all the Choirs of Saints, singing praising and venerating the body the Mother of the Lord.

"May it be to me according to Thy word!"

At the sight of the approach of her Son, the Theotokos cried with great joy unto her Son, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). And, ,behold, A STREAM OF LIGHT CAME UPON THE VIRGIN BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF HER SON, NAD ALL THE POWER OF THE HEAVENS FELL DOWN AND ADORED HIM! HE THEN SAID, "MARIAM," AND SHE ANSWERED, "HERE I AM, LORD." Raising herself from her bed as if she were trying to go to meet her Son, she worshipped the Lord. Looking at her with love, He said, "Arise, come my beloved, My fair one, My dove." Arise from the dead with authority, because Thou art My Mother. Arise and come to My Kingdom, for Thou art the Queen of all. Arise to receive My Divine Glory, O My sweet Mother. Arise and come unto Me, M fair dove, for thou art escorted by My Angelic Host. Take up thy soul on thy virginal, incorrupt and divine body that thou mayest soar to the heights of heaven, and go through My spiritual hierarchies, and come unto Me, that thou mightiest sit at My Right Hand, in order to enjoy the Throne of Thy kingdom which is prepared for thee since the foundation of the world. Gird thyself with the glorious and gold-embroidered royal garment of thy virtues. Adorn thyself with the luminous glory of thy divine blessedness. Arise, come My beloved, ,My fair one, My dove, yes, come."

Bowing, the Mother of God replied, "Blessed is Thy Name, O Lord of Glory and my God! For Thou was pleased to choose Thy humble handmaid for the service of Thy mystery. Remember me, O King of Glory, in Thine Everlasting Kingdom. Thou knowest that I have loved Thee with all my heart and have kept the treasure entrusted to me. And now receive my soul in peace and defend me from all the snares of the dark power of Satan." The Lord then consoled His Mother with words full of love and persuaded her not to fear the power of Satan, which was already conquered by her. He called her with love to pass fearlessly from earth to heaven. And the Lord remained by her and said, "Behold, presently thy soul will be TRANSLATED TO THE HEAVENS, TO THE TREASURES OF My Father in exceeding brightness, where there is peace and joy of the holy Angels, and many other things." Then the Mother of the Lord answered and said to Him, "Lay Thy right hand upon me, O Lord, and bless me." Then the Lord stretched forth His Undefiled Right Hand and blessed His Mother. (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

THE VENERABLE DORMITION (KOIMISIS) AND TRANSLATION (METASTASIS) OF OUR MOST GLORIOUS LADY THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY

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

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

On the 15th of August, the Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
The Venerable Dormition (Koimisis) and Translation (Metastasis)
of Our Most Glorious Lady the THEOTOKOS and EVER-VIRGIN
MARY.

After the Ascension of Jesus Christ, the THEOTOKOS was the one consolation for His Disciples, their joy in sorrow and their firm teacher in the Faith. All the words and wondrous events which she had laid up in her heart, from the beginning, she then disclosed to them. She related to them the Archangels Gabriel’s JOYFUL TIDINGS regarding the SEEDLESS CONCEPTION AND THE INCORRUPTIBLE BIRTH OF CHRIST FROM HER VIRGIN WOMB. She strengthened her Son’s Disciples when she spoke to them about His earlier prior to the Baptism by the Forerunner John the Baptist.

She was present at the Ascension of the Lord and the day of Pentecost. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were also poured out upon the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, and in greater abundance than upon the Apostles–just as a larger vessel can contain more water. The THEOTOKOS was A VESSEL MOST RICH IN THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, FOR SHE HAD BEEN A WORTHY TEMPLE OF HIM BEFORE THIS, IN WHICH HE CONSTANTLY DWELT. The THEOTOKOS was possessed OF ALL VIRTUES IN HER BLESSED SOUL. She is HIGHER THAN APOSTLES, PROPHETS, AND ALL THE SAINTS.

The idea OF MEDIATION ON THE PART OF THE THEOTOKOS IS NOT OPEN TO DOUBT OR QUESTION FOR Saint Gregory Palamas, who is quite explicit when he says, "NO DIVINIE GIFTS CAN REACH EITHER ANGELS OR MEN, SAVE THROUGH HER MEDIATION. As one cannot enjoy the lamp…save through the medium of this lamp, so every movement toward God, every impulse toward good coming from Him is not realizable, SAVE THROUGH THE MEDIATION OF THE VIRGIN. She does not cease to spread benefits on all creatures not only on us men but ALSO ON THE CELESTIAL INCORPOREAL RANKS. Saint Gregory Palamas also says that Mary RECEIVED GIFTS OF KNOWLEDGE PRECOCIOUSLY. The MUTUAL LOVE BETWEEN HER AND JESUS WAS PERFECT.

Saint Dionysios the Areopagite said, "Upon beholding the THEOTOKOS he was filled with immeasurable spiritual joy, after which he wrote a letter to the holy Paul describing his visit: "I HAVE SEEN WITH MY OWN EYES THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO SURPASSES IN SANCTITY ALL THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN…NO HONOR AND GLORY OF MEN CAN COMPARE WITH THE BEATITUDE THAT I EXPERIENCED, UNWORTHY THOUGH I BE. That moment in time for me was one of extreme happiness."

The Virgin at the holy places

Newly baptized men and women journeyed from all parts of the world to visit the THEOTOKOS, and, AS A TRUE MOTHER, she received all, without distinction or partiality. She bestowed upon all the bounties of her grace, by GRANTING HEALING TO THE SICK, HEALTH TO THE WEAK, AND COMFORT TO THE SORROWING. She confirmed all in the Faith, strengthened their hope, instilled divine joy and love, and brought sinners to amendment. Thus, the Pure Mother of God lived among the first Christians for many years. She was filled with great spiritual joy at the spread of the Gospel of her Son throughout all the world. Indeed, within her own lifetime, SHE BEHELD THE FULFILLMENT OF THOSE WORDS THAT SHE HAD UTTERED AS A VERY YOUNG WOMAN: "FOR BEHOLD, FROM HENCEFORTH ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSED" (Luke 1:48). "Indeed, for wherever Christians glorified Christ as God, THEY ALSO BLESSED HIS MOST PURE MOTHER.

The Archangel cried, "REJOICE, THOU ART MAGNIFIED BY THE
MESSAGE OF THY DEPARTURE UNTO THEY SON!"

At that time she still lived in the house of Saint John the Theologian on Mount Sion. She often went from there to the Mount of Olives, to the very spot whereon took place the Ascension into the Heavens of her Son and Lord. There, in solitude, she would offer up her fervent prayers. As she was thus praying on the Mount of Olives that the Lord THAT THE LORD QUICKLY TAKE HER IN HEAVEN, THERE APPEARED BEFORE HER THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL. It was the very Archangel who has served the Virgin from her earliest childhood. For he had fed her in the Holy of Holies, announced to her the Good News of the birth of her Divine Son, and constantly guarded her throughout her life on earth. With a radiant countenance, the Celestial Ambassador disclosed to the THEOTOKOS the following: "THUS COMMANDS THY SON: ‘THE DAYS ARE APPROACHING WHEN I WILL TAKE MY MOTHER UNTO ME.’ Thus, my Mistress and my Lady, QUEEN OF HEAVEN, AND THE CREATOR’S MOST IMMACULATE MOTHER, THINE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON AND GOD SENT ME TO TELL THEE THAT HE CALLS THEE UNTO HIMSELF, TO HIS KINGDOM, TO HIS INEFFABLE GLORY, THAT THOU MIGHTEST SIT AT THE RIGHT HAND OF HIS THRONE. HE AWAITS THEE. Therefore, do not be troubled over these words, but receive them with delight, for thou shalt be TRANSLATED (METASTASIS) TO LIFE ETERNAL."

Thus the Virgin heard those much longed-for words which she received with gladness. The Archangel then said, "Thy Son and our God, with the Angels, Archangels, Cherubim, Seraphim, and all the Heavenly Hosts, and the souls of the Righteous, will receive thee, His Mother, INTO THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM THAT THOU MAYEST LIVE AND REIGN WITH HIM FOREVER." Holy Tradition has it that this occurred ON A FRIDAY. Thus AFTER THREE DAYS, ON A SUNDAY, SHE WOULD DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST. The Archangel then told the Virgin THE HOUR OF HER DEATH. Again, as in her youth, he said that SHE SHOULD RECEIVE HIS WORDS WITH JOY, SINCE SHE WAS BEING CALLED TO IMMORTAL LIFE AND TO THE ETERNAL KING OF GLORY.

As a sign of the truth of all his words, the Archangel GAVE INTO HER HAND A DATE PALM BRANCH FROM PARADISE. It shined with the Light of Heavenly Grace. It signified VICTORY and that BODILY DEATH WOULD NOT HAVE POWER OVER HER, JUST AS SPIRITUAL DEATH HAD NOT HAD DOMINION OVER HER. SHE WOULD MERELY FALL ASLEEP FOR A SHORT TIME AND, THEN, AS IF WAKING FROM SLEEP, WOULD RISE AND SHAKE OFF DEATH LIKE SLEEP FROM THE EYES. SHE WOULD THEN SEE IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COUNTENANCE THE IMMORTAL LIFE AND GLORY TO WHICH SHE WOULD GO WITH SHOUTS OF JOY AND SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS. The Archangel informed her that the branch was to be carried before the bier of her Most Honorable and Pure body. Upon hearing these words, the THEOTOKOS was filled with ineffable joy and spiritual rapture. For what could be more joyous and acceptable to her than LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH HER Son and the happiness of contemplating His face? Then, falling to her knees she fervently thanked her Creator. That the Virgin should receive in advance A PLEDGE OR ASSURANCE FROM PARADISE WILL NOT BE AN UNHEARD OF OCCURRENCE IN THE HISTORY OF THE Orthodox Church. Others, too, have received gifts from Paradise, such as Saint Methodios, Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint Irene Chrysovolantou, and Saint Ephrosynos the Cook. (Source: The Orthodox 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