"Without God’s Grace, we can do nothing"

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"Without God’s Grace, we can do nothing."

On Divine Energy

Saint Gregory of Sinai writes, "The ENERGY OF GRACE is the power of SPIRITUAL FINE that fills the heart with joy and gladness, stabilizes, warms and PURIFIES THE SOUl, temporarily stills our provocative thoughts, and for a time suspends the body’s impulsions. The signs and fruits that testify to its authenticity ARE TEARS, CONTRITION, HUMILITY, SELF-CONTROL, SILENCE, PATIENCE, SELF-EFFACEMENT, and similar qualities, all of which constitute undeniable evidence of its presence." (The Philokalia)

"Grace-imbued faith," writes Saint Gregory of Sinai, "energized by the Spirit through our keeping of the commandments, alone suffices for salvation, provided we sustain it and do not opt for a dead AND INTELLECTUAL FAITH rather than for A LIVING EFFECTIVE FAITH IN CHRIST. To embody and give life to an effective faith in Christ IS ALL WE NEED TO DO AS BELIEVERS. But nowadays we who call ourselves orthodox believers have in our ignorance imbibed not the faith imbued with grace but a faith that IS MERELY A MATTER OF WORDS, DEAD AND UNFEELING." (The Philokalia, p, 217).

Saint Gregory continues in his explanation of grace. He states, "Grace begins to operate in people in different ways, for, as the Apostle says, the Spirit distributes Himself as He wills in a variety of modes, and is perceived and known correspondingly (cf. Hebrew 2:4). Elijah the Tishbite serves here an example for us (cf. 1 Kings 19:11-12). In some, the Spirit appears as a whirlwind of awe, disolving mountains of the passions, and shattering the rocks of our hardened hearts, so that our worldly self is transpierced and mortified. In others the Spirit appears as an earthquake, that is to say as a sense of inward jubilation or what the holy Fathers more clearly define as a sense of exaltation. Finaly, in others–particularly in those well advanced in prayer–God produces a gentle and serene flow of light. This is when Christ comes to dwell in the heart, as Saint Paul says, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the Saints what is the width and length and depth and height–to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:17), mystically disclosing Himself through the Holy Spirit." (Philokalia, p. 285) The goal of THEOSIS (Deification), "THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED WITH ALLL THE FULNESS OF GOD" (v. 19), is accomplished by the working together, the SYNERGISM, of OUR FAITH AND LOVE with God’s POWER and SPIRIT IN US (v.20).

All that one does should be done with the knowledge with the understanding that without Christ "we can do nothing" John 15:5), that is nothing which is properly motivated and gives glory to God. How can one get from the one kingdom to the other? (vv. 1-7). By the unity of GRACE, FAITH, AND WORKS (vv.7-9). Not that these are equal, for GRACE IS UNCREATED and INFINITE, our faith IS LIMITED AND CAN GROW, and good works flow out of authentic faith. Works CANNOT EARN US this great treasure–IT IS A PURE GIFT–but those who receive this gift do good. We are not saved by good works, but FOR GOOD WORKS (v. 10).

Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us, "to each of us grace was given ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF Christ’s gift" (4:7). While the The Holy Church is one in essence, it is DIVERSE IN GIFTS and FUNCTION. Unity does not mean uniformity. Each member is unique before God, with gifts and roles GRANTED BY Him. Diversity in operation is (a) based on the ascent of the Sono and the Descent of the Holy Spirit (vv. 8-10) (b) guided by especially gifted people (v. 11), (c) for the sake of the maturity and stability of the body (vv. 12-16).

Why is there a diversity of persons and giftings in the Church? For the unity of service, for the preservation of the truth, and for the operation of love, the primary quality of Christian growth. The Holy Chuch, in which Christian life develops, is not primarily an organization, BUT AN ORGANISM WHOSE PARTS OR MEMBERS RECEIVE their edififying power from Christ. The holy Apostle Paul does not see the Christian as an isolated indivitual walking towards perfection, but as a member of the body, striving TO REACH THE PERFECT FAITH AND FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD. Thus UNITY OF FAITH CANNOT BE SEPERATED FROM KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD.

According to the Orthodox Churc "Grace is a power sent down from on High, the power of God which is in the Church of Christ, which gives birth, gives life, perfects, and brings the believing and virtuous Christian to the appropriation of the salvation which has been brought by the Lord Jesus Christ.." Therefore, as Orthodox Christians need to totally surrender to the Divine power and cooperate knowing that all that is given to us is by the Grace of the Holy Spirit. "Except the Lord build the house of virtues, we labor in vain" (Psalm 126:1).

As we approach Holy and Great Lent we are reminded of our ascetic struggle. But what is the importance of the ascetic struggle? It is a weapon against "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). The world distorts every realm of God’s good creation by physical passions, exagerated possessions, power and honors, pride and greed. The genuine ascetic practices- PRAYER, FASTING, CHARITY help us to ovecome these dangerous distortions and live lives of virtue.

Among the many other responsibilities we have during the holy season of Great Lent is to seek spiritual cleansing. It is the field of our soul from stones, overgrown weeds, and swampy places, in preparation for a sacred sowing, which will be moistened from above by the Grace of God. "The Grace which is the power of the Holy Spirit that penetrates the inward being of man, leading TO HIS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION AND SALVATION."

______________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
ALL Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

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

+ Father George

The JESUS PRAYER as the Prayer for all Conditions of man

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

The JESUS PRAYER as the Prayer for all Conditions of man
By Archimandrite Sophrony

To pray judiciously in the Name of JESUS means invoking Him; means incorporating in this word JESUS the act of creation and, subsequently, THE ACT OF DIVINE SALVATION. He is OUR CREATOR. He is likewise OUR SAVIOR. He is our unique Teacher (cf. Matthew 23:10). He is OUR ONLY WAY TO THE Father. In Him, ABSOLUTE Truth is made manifest to us. Through Him, we know also the Father and RECEIVE THE GIFTS OF THE Holy Spirit. In Him ALONE WE ARE MADE WORTHY TO ‘RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS’ (Galatians 4:5).

However, we confine our prayer to this one short Name only in those exceptional hours when we are too overwrought for a longer prayer. On the whole, we must SLOW DOWN MIND AND HEART, and keep to the fuller, more traditional formula which includes CONFESSION OF OUR SINFULNESS.
When the JESUS PRAYER with all its theological content IS SO GRAFTED ON TO OUR HEART AND MIND, it can replace all other prayers. Thus, we may well be concerned with our own condition, and then we pray, ‘LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON ME, A SINNER.’ On another occasion, it is those nearest and dearest to us who preoccupy our thoughts, and we cry, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.’ (In praying for other people we do not speak of ‘us sinners’, since I may only confess that I myself am a sinner–it is for God alone to judge other people.) Perhaps we are troubled about events concerning our fellow citizens, our country, and the world at large. And then we implore, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us and upon Thy whole world.’

Prayer in the Name of JESUS gradually unites us with Him. At first, we may not know ‘Who this is’ (cf. Matthew 21:10): we are simply aware OF STRENGTH COMING FROM Him. But further progress depends ON AN EVER-GROWING RECOGNITION OF OUR SINFULNESS. And when we become so overwhelmingly sensible of the distance separating us from God that all is pain and despair–THEN DO WE BEGIN IN EARNEST TO CALL UPON THE Name of God, Our Savior, ‘JESUS, SAVE ME.’ The unanimous witness of our holy Fathers throughout the centuries of Christian asceticism insists on the extreme importance of acknowledging OURSELVES AS SINNERS. ‘if we say that we have NO SIN, we DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US’ (1 John 1:8).

God breathed His breath into man, and we feel drawn to Him. We are tormented by the longing to reach Him, TO BE UNITED WITH Him for all eternity. He calls to us, WAITS FOR US WITH LOVE. This thirst for God colours our whole life. And in this state, we continue to our dying day.
Christ thirsted for us to know the Father. He called to us: “IF ANY MAN THIRST, LET HIM COME UNTO ME, AND DRINK” (John 7:37). “He that believeth on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). “No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (Jon 14:6). And we, in our urge to come to the Father call upon the Name of His Son: LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON ME, A SINNER.

When we utter the Name of JESUS CHRIST, appealing to Him to be joined with us, He Who is Omnipresent hears us. We make LIVING CONTACT with Him. Christ as the Pre-Eternal Logos/Word dwells inseparably with the Father. God the Father enters INTO COMMUNION WITH MAN THROUGH His Logos/Word, through Christ His Son.

For the practice of prayer to lead to the results of which our holy Fathers and instructors speak with such rapture, it is essential to follow their teaching, which stipulates, firstly, COMPLETE FAITH IN CHRIST as God and Savior, and, secondly, RECOGNITION THAT WE ARE IN MORTAL DANGER. The HUMBLER OUR OPINION OF OURSELVES, THE MORE SWIFTLY OUR PRAYER RISES TO GOD. So soon, as we lose humility, each and every ASCETIC EFFORT IS NULLIFIED. If PRIDE is active in us, or FAULT-FINDING, or UNFRIENDLINESS, the Lord stands remote from us.

We COME TO GOD AS THE MOST WRETCHED OF SINNERS. We CONDEMN OURSELVES IN ALL THINGS. We have no thought for nothing–we seek nothing–but FORGIVENESS AND MERCY. We sentence ourselves to hell. And this is our continuing state. We ask God to help us not to grieve the Holy Spirit BY OUR PASSIONS; not to harm our brother-man. We do not look for any special gifts from on High. With our utmost strength, we try to grasp the true import of Christ’s commandments AND TO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEM. We appeal to Him: LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON ME, A SINNER. God hears this kind of prayer and hastens to our rescue. “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered” (Joel 2:32). (Source: His Life is Mine)

___________

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

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE SIFNIFICANCE OF FAMILY AND PERSONAL LEGACY

When we, Orthodox Christians, remember and speak of a good, godly, and devout person which we have known, but who has fallen asleep in the Lord, we say, "of blessed memory!" How wonderful it is to remember one in this manner. When we recall his or her life, we recount how we were inspired by them, by their good Christian example, faith, life, virtue, kindness, and compassion. Although many years had elapsed, people were still impacted by their works, which they found inspiring. Other ways which we remember our fellow Orthodox Christians is at funeral and memorial divine services, and the chanting of the Church hymn, ‘memory eternal!’ It is most important how one is remembered from one generation to another, and the legacy that person passes down to others.

We recall how Elizabeth greeted Mary with these words: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, THAT THE MOTHER OF MY LORD should come to me?" (Luke 1: 42, 43). Mary herself, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, predicted the honor that would be paid her throughout history: "FOR BEHOLD, HENCEFORTH ALL GENERATIONS WILL CALL ME BLESSED" (Luke 1:48). Indeed, Her prediction came true, and although over two thousand years have passed, the Church continues to honor, praise, and bless the Mother of God with abundant love and reverence.

It has been the practice from the early Church to remember, honor, and memorialize Patriarchs, Prophets, righteous kings and queens, and venerable men and women of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Church honors the Holy Apostles, holy Martyrs, holy Fathers, holy Mothers, holy Confessors, Venerable Witnesses, holy Patriarchs, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, and countless Saints; holy Men, Women, and children throughout many centuries. Their holy lives, martyrdoms, sacred writings, and examples continue to inspire, guide, and comfort us today. What a priceless and extraordinary legacy they have left us to emulate for the sake of Christ.

One of the great holy Fathers of the Church, Saint John Chrysostom, emphasizes parental responsibility toward their children. He advises that "the spiritual cultivation of the children must not be neglected." Furthermore, he does not hasitate to call this neglect toward the cultivation of virtue in the souls of children ‘criminal.’ Indeed, when it comes to the young people of today, other more popular programs like academics, athletics, and social activities take precendence and priority. Hardly any serious consideration is given to the spiritual needs of the person and his soul. It is true that in the strictly secular society which they are raised, there is no interest whatsoever in such thinngs as character, values, selfless love, virtue, decency, dignity, respect, faith in God, wisdom, compassion for the poor and destitute, and to think about and care for others. Also, the children are no longer taught to discern right from wrong, good or bad, or what is sacred and what is evil.

The total responsibility falls sqarely on the shoulders of the parents of these children to teach them our Christian faith, Christian values, Christian virtue, and how to form a good Christian character. Parents need to teach children how to trust in God, to pray, to love their fellow man, to care for the poor, to discern right from wrong, to have self-respect, to attend faithfully their local parish church, to observe the teachings of our Orthodox Christian Faith, to be humble, to strive always to make a difference in the world they live in, and to be responsible and willing to work hard for themselves and their family. Children must be taught that there is indeed a devil and temptation, that there is Heaven and Hell, and that there is Eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Parents must teach children who our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is and of His Great Sacrifice on the Cross to save all of mankind from evil and death. Children must be taught how to be obedient to His commandments, how to study the Holy Bible and to use it daily, how to prepare to receive the Sacraments of the Church and what they mean, and how to be an instrument of peace and reconcilation, etc. This is the true legacy!

Do not think that it is impossible for Christians to have a spiritual life in this very unholy world. There are countless men, women and children who practice their Orthodox Christian Faith faithfully and ceaselessly every day throughout the world. They live good and reverent lives, they fast, they pray, they worship frequently, they participate in the Sacraments of the Church, they honor the holy days throughout the year, they participate in the sacrament of Repentance and Confession, they say the Jesus prayer no matter what they are doing, they read the Lives of the Saints and the study the Holy Scripture. Yes, it can be done, and it is done by millions of Orthodox Christian, even more so during very difficult and threatening conditions. It simply takes faith, discpline, commitment, and trust in our Savior Jesus Christ, Who is ever-present and Who loves us unconditionally.

___________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +



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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

“CHRIST THE POWER OF GOD, AND THE WISDOM OF GOD” (1 Corinthians 2:7).

“Now to the King Eternal, Immortal, invisible,
TO GOD WHO ALONE IS WISE, be honor and
glory forever and ever. Anen” (1 Timothy:17).

The Lord said: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does
them, I will liken him TO A WISE MAN who built his house on the rock, and
the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the
house, AND IT DID NOT FALL, FOR IT WAS FOUNDED ON THE ROCK. But
everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, AND DOES NOT DO THEM, WILL
BE LIKE A FOOLISH MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE SAND: and the
rain descended, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat on the house;
AND IT FELL. AND GREAT WAS ITS FALL” (Matthew 7:24-27).

“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not wisdom
of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But
we speak THE WISDOM OF GOD IN A MYSTERY, THE HIDDEN WISDOM
WHICH GOD ORDAINED BEFORE THE AGES FOR OUR GLORY, which none
of the rulers of this age knew; FOR HAD THEY KNOWN, THEY WOULD NOT
HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY” (1 Corinthians 2: 6-8).

“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom
of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through
the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For
Jews request a sign, and Greeks see after wisdom; but we preach Christ
crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but
those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, CHRIST THE POWER OF GOD
AND THE WISDOM OF GOD. Because the foolishness of God, is wiser than men,
and the weakness of God is stronger than men… God has chosen the foolish
things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things
of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…But of Him you are in
Christ Jesus, Who became for us WISDOM FROM GOD–AND RIGHTEOUS AND
SANCTIFICATION AND REDEMPTION” (1 Corinthians 1:20-30).

+

Our holy Father among the Saints, Saint Theophylactos states: “No virtue can be accomplished without God, which is why Jesus said, ‘I will liken him unto a wise man.’ The ROCK IS CHRIST and the house IS THE SOUL. Therefore nothing will shake the man who builds his soul upon the doing of
Christ’s commandments. Neither the rain, WHICH IS THE DEVIL who fell from heaven, nor the rivers, which ARE MEAN AND HARMFUL MEN filled to overflowing by such a rain, nor the winds, WHICH ARE EVIL SPIRITS, nor in short, CAN ANY TEMPTATION CAST DOWN SUCH A MAN.”

We, Orthodox Christians, believe that our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is truly the POWER and WISDOM OF GOD the Father–the BRIGHTNESS of the Father’s Glory (Hebrews 1:3), the SUBSTANTIAL and PERFECT IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD–WHERE He is, THE UNCREATED AND SAVING GRACE OF GOD. His Cross RESTORES MAN TO IMMORTALITY and stirs up the desire for the things of the Kingdom. “Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? HE WHO HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER; SO HOW CAN YOU SAY, SHOW US THE FATHER? DO YOU NOT BELIEVE THAT I AM IN THE FATHER AND THE FATHER IN ME? The words that I speak to you I do not speak of My own authority; but the Father WHO DWELLS IN ME DOES THE WORKS” (John 14:8-10). Indeed, He and the Father ARE ONE IN ESSENCE and UNDIVIDED. This is exactly what we confess when we recite the Creed: “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 True God, begotten not made, One in essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made…”.

Man is devoid of any wisdom. The wise thing for him is to seek the only true wisdom, the wisdom of God. It is the wisdom of God that saves. The Orthodox priest declares to the faithful just before the reading of the Gospel, “Wisdom, let stand. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be to all.” In our Holy Orthodox Tradition, it is the practice that before the reading of the Gospel begins, all arise and listen to it while standing. This is a practice from antiquity and indicates the respect which we have for the Word of Lord. Also, it may be understood as an expression of our readiness to adhere to whatever we hear, that is, to walk in the way of the Lord. God’s wisdom is revealed in the Holy Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments.

Holy Wisdom, also called Divine Wisdom (Gk. Αγία Σοφία) is the belief that perfect Wisdom is to be found in God alone. In the Mystical Theology of the Orthodox Church WISDOM (Σοφία) is understood as the Divine Logos/Word Who became incarnate as Jesus Christ. Also, in Our Holy Tradition, humility is the highest wisdom and is to be sought more than any other virtue. It is humility that cultivates not only the Holy Wisdom, but humility (in contrast to knowledge) is the defining quality that grants people salvation and entrance into His Kingdom.

Metropolitan Hierotheos writes, that in regards to the prayer of Solomon, that the wisdom he sought was not some abstract wisdom, but to stand beside the Throne of God (“give me the wisdom that sits by Thy Throne, and do not neglect me from among Thy servants”). The salvation of humanity was achieved through it (“For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto Thee, and weree saved through wisdom” (Wisdom of Solomon 9:18).

There are many who are seeking spirituality but who are confused and do not know where to find it. Yet, our Holy Orthodox Church, as indicated by the holy Apostle Paul, divine wisdom is given to the spiritual person. The wise man, who possesses the Spirit of God is one who is obedient to His Logos/Word, the incarnate Son of God. It is He who invites those who truly believe and says “to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). The Christian is none other than a willing follower of Jesus Christ. And to be even more clear, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew 10:38 we read: “And he that taketh NOT the cross, and followeth after Me, is NOT wothy of Me.” Saint Theopylact explains: “Whoever, He says, does NOT renounce this present life and give himself over to shameful death, for this is what the cross signified to the ancients, is NOT worthy of Me. But since there are many who are crucified, such as robbers, He added, “and followeth after Me,” that is, LIVE ACCORDING TO My laws.” Christianity is NOT a worldly and a secular life but the divine life in Christ Jesus. There are no compromises to the Faith, commandments, virtue, dignity, piety, worship, sacraments, Holy Scripture, dogma, morality, life, relationships, virginity, puriiy, and understanding of the Divine Teachings of Christ Himself just to simply appease the unbelievers and heretics in the world. Those outside the Orthodox Chrstian Church do NOT have the authority to attempt to pollute Christianity with distorted and unholy and heretical idealogies that seek the destruction of the Christian Church. And it is blasphemy to attempt to distort,mutate, adulterate the image of Christ. Look at the so called “Christian denominations”, cults, sects, etc., who have adopted these political, secular, and immoral ideologies and the tragic consequnces. Truly, the people are totally deceived, spiritually confused, disillusioned traumatized, and scandalized. Many of their adherents have left them in terror. The True Church, the One, Holy, Catholi, and Apostolic Church IS the Orthodox Church, the Church of the New Testament, the Church of the Holy Apostles, the Church of the Holy Fathers, and the Church of the Seven Ecumenical Synods. The Church is ONE, “endevering to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). There is One Church, One God, One Doctrine, and One Baptism. The Head of the Church IS CHRIST, “from Whom the whole Body [is] joined and knit together” (Ephesians 4:14-16).

“For this reason..” Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians, “I do not cease to give thanks fro you, remembering your in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you A SPIRIT OF WISDOM and of REVELATION, that the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts ENLIGHTENED, THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU, what are the riches OF THE GLORIOUS INHERITANCE in the Saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power in us WHO BELIEVE…” Amen.

_____________

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



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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THANK GOODNESS!

"Why do you boast in evil,
O mighty man?
The GOODNESS OF GOD ENDURES
FOREVER" (Psalm 52:1).

"Or do you despise the riches of His GOODNESS,
forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that
THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS TO REPENTANCE?" (Romans 2:4)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING,
KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL.
Against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22).

Our Loving and compassionate God teaches His children always by example. Everything in His creation reveals His Everlasting Goodness and Righteousness to mankind. He is Goodness! He is Agape! He is Truth! He is Life! He is Mercy! He is Immortality! He is Just! He is Gentle! He is Faithful! He is Peace!

Our Loving God created man and woman to be good. Malice and hatred have no place in man’s life and world. And yet, mankind inclines always to violence and acrimony. I call this Cain Syndrome, condition. I am confident that everyone recalls the story of the two brothers Cain and Abel in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, however, allow me to refresh your memory. According to the Holy Scripture, "Abel was a shepherd of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Now in the process of time, Cain brought a sacrifice to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. Abel also brought a sacrifice from the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. The Lord respected Abel and his sacrifice, but He did not respect Cain and his sacrifices. So Cain was extremely sorrowful, and his countenance fell…Now Cain talked with Abel his brother and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him, Then God said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother? He replied, ‘I do not know, Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Thus God said, ‘What HAVE YOU DONE? THE VOICE OF YOUR BROTHER’S BLOOD CRIES OUT TO ME FROM THE GROUND" (Genesis 4:2-10).

Both Cain and Abel worshipped God and brought sacrifices to Him. The Lord accepted Abel and his gifts because Abel had A GOOD AND DISCERNING HEART. He discerned through faith in the Lord’s Coming Incarnation and His Sacrifice as a Lamb for the salvation of the world. (Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51; Hebrews 11:4; 12:24). The Lord rejected Cain and his gifts. But Why? The INWARD STATE OF HIS HEART WAS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD. Cain’s way was characterized by HIS SINFUL PASSIONS THAT DOMINATED HIM. One of these was extreme sorrow, made manifest in HIS FALLEN COUNTENANCE, HIS ARROGANT WORSHIP WAS REJECTED AND HE FELL INTO THE OPPOSITE CONDITION OF EXTREME SORROW. Whereas godly sorrow LEADS ONE TO HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE, EXTREME SORROW NULLIFIES BOTH.

Ever since that first violent murder, brother killing brother, humanity has not ceased killing one another for centuries. We neglect to remember that we are one human family. That we are all children of God and that we are brothers and sisters in the eyes of God. It matters not how and what the reasons are for killing each other, or whether one kills another or we kill each other in regional or world wars. Killing is killing! That is why I refer to this continual violence as the Cain Syndrome.

According to our Holy Orthodox Christian Tradition in every Divine Liturgy, we pray to God, "For a good defense before the Dread Judgment Seat of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy." Romans 2: 2-16 describes God’s Righteous Judgment, showing how we can prepare ourselves for it. God’s Judgment will be: According to truth (Romans 2:2-3): Nothing is hidden from our Lord. He SEES EVERYTHING AND KNOWS THE TRUTH ABOUT EACH OF US. One of mankind’s great self-deceptions is to say, "Who sees us?" (Isaiah 29:15) and think THERE IS NO JUDGMENT. We, however, know deep in our hearts that an unrepented heart, as in the case of Cain, DESPISES GOD’S GOODNESS, and brings upon him, God’s condemnation. A repentant heart, however, is grateful for God’s patience and forbearance and abides in Christ, practicing a life of repentance, which produces confidence before God at the Judgment (1 John 2:28).

The Almighty Lord and the Savior of mankind desires that people will live in peace. We were given His Only-Begotten Son Jesus Christ to bring peace among us. We read in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. His name will be called the Angel of Great Counsel, for I SHALL BRING PEACE UPON THE RULERS, PEACE, AND HEALTH BY HIM. Great shall be His government, AND OF HIS PEACE THERE IS NO END. HIS PEACE SHALL BE UPON THE THRONE OF DAVID AND OVER HIS KINGDOM, TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH IT WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGMENT, FROM THAT TIME FORWARD AND UNTO AGES OF AGES" (Isaiah 9:5-6).

Tragically humanity has not learned any lessons from its history of violence and wars. It keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over again. It is ironic that we continue to believe that we are civilized and that we have progressed as people or that we are any better than people of the past. Civilized human beings are not violent and cruel. Civilized people are people of faith, dignity, honesty, love, peace, kindness and goodness, compassion, self-respect, of respecting life and every living thing, selflessness, humility, patience, integrity, and good and faithful servants of God.
People who help and support each other. People who are refined and not crude or barbaric. This is the 21 Century after all how many more centuries need to pass before human beings will come to their senses?

GOODNESS or in Greek ΚΑΛΩΣΥΝΗ, IS THE ANSWER! Everyone must strive to be as good as possible. As Christians, we believe that if we have faith in Him, "FOR WITH GOD NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE" (Luke 1:37). Therefore let us turn to Our Heavenly and Loving Creator and seek His aid to change the violent course of mankind. Let us offer this supplication to the Lord together, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER" (Psalm 23:6). Amen.

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


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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

On the 10th of February, Our Holy Orthodox Christian Church
Commemorates the Holy and Glorious Hieromartyr
HARALAMBOS of Magnesia.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

An unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ God art thou, an
ever-resplendent lamp, O Haralambos most wise, which shineth
throughout the earth; in martyric contest thou hast shined on the
whole world, and thou hast dispelled the moonless night of the
idols. Now boldly intercede thou with Christ that we may be
all be saved.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

Thou didst rise up in the East, a luminary that enlightened faithful men
with thy bright shafts of miracles. O Haralambos hence we revere thy
godly manner, O Martyr of sacred fame.

Saint Haralmbos, the sacred Hieromartyr, the grace-filled and splendid athlete and sacrificer in his sacerdotal ministry to the Lord, who is the boast of all Greece and the adornment of believers, was from Magnesia. He set himself aside for Christ from his youth, desiring only to follow Him. He served the Church and the flock of many years, abundantly serving every need, until the time of the grossly impious Emperor Severus, when Lucian (Loukianos) was Provincial Governor. The holy priest was arrested by them and subjected to a death by martyrdom on account of his faith in, and love for, the Christ. Now how this came to pass.

The King of All, Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us in the Divine and Sacred Gospel that whosoever is willing to come after Him, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and keep following Him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34 and 10:21; Luke 9:23). This was achieved by many Wondrous and holy persons, such as the Ascetics and Hermits who forsook the world and the things with the enjoyments of the flesh, wealth, and glory. They exchanged all for wilderness places and deserts. They were concerned FOR NOTHING SAVE HOW TO PLEASE GOD, THEIR CREATOR, AND FASHIONER.

Such were also the wise teachers of our Church. Each one had the same aim: HOW TO BENEFIT THE SOULS OF MEN; HOW TO CONVERT TO THE RIGHT DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH THOSE WHO WERE DECEIVED AND THOSE LED ASTRAY; AND HOW TO MAKE THE FLOCK STEADFAST IN ORTHODOXY. They did not seek to provide for their own bodily comfort and rest, nor endeavor to acquire wealth and properties for themselves. This IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE MOST HOLY MARTYRS, THOSE BRAVE SOLDIERS OF THE HEAVENLY KING CHRIST, THE GLORIOUSLY TRIUMPHANT VICTORS AGAINST DECEPTION AND IMPIETY BEFORE THE RULER OF THIS WORLD, THE DEVIL. THE MARTYRS NOT ONLY DISDAINED RICHES, ACQUISITIONS, AND HONORS, BUT THEY ALSO DELIVERED UP THEIR BODIES TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PUNISHMENTS AND NOT-TO-BE-IMAGINED TORMENTS. Thou spurned this most sweet life and embraced death. Those who are Martyrs have certainly renounced this world and themselves since they have deprived themselves of this present much-desired life and taken up the cross. THEY ALSO UNDOUBTEDLY MADE FIRM AND GUARDED THE ORTHODOX FAITH AND CONFIRMED THE FLOCK’S ABIDING LOVE OF CHRIST.

Such a glorious champion and vanquisher do we commemorate today. The valiant warrior of Christ whom we honor is Hieromartyr Haralambos the Great-Martyr. He was first a Priest lawfully ordained for the Magnesian Diocese in Thessaly Greece. While he was serving the flock of Christ, the profane Severus in Rome assigned the rough, hard, and cruel Lucian to Magnesia. The Governor had been notified that the blessed Haralambos was arrested by the odious Lucian. The Governor had been notified that Haralambos, as the Priest of the Christians, set at naught the idols and treated them with contempt. The holy Priest was also accused OF BOLDLY AND OPENLY PREACHING TO THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THE CHRIST. The Governor was informed against the Priest: "This fellow cites their Prophets and Apostles as examples to follow. He belittles our idols, saying they are powerless and broker perdition for their followers. He consoles the Christians by saying our religion is diminishing. Lucian dispatched soldiers to bring to him the Priest who would incite CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. After this order was carried out, Lucian began the interrogation, asking the man of God, "Why do you despise the idols and the imperial decrees? The Saint answered, "I obey the just and saving commands of the Heavenly King Christ…" The Governor retorted, "Leave off all this talk, old man, and act prudently and do what is in your interest. Worship the gods, lest I should put you to the test by means of harsh tortures. The holy man replied, "IF WE DO NOT SUFFER TROUBLES HERE IN THIS TEMPORAL LIFE, WE SHALL NOT INHERIT THOSE EVERLASTING GOOD THINS."

The Governor then bade his officers to disrobe the Christian Priest. The executioners took up hand tools and flayed the holy man from his head to his feet. The Blessed man endured this unbearable torture bravely, as his flesh was dreadfully rent asunder. He had been well taught to bear violence. He began to say, "I GIVE THANKS TO YOU, O BROTHERS, THAT YOU HAVE TORTURED MY BODY, FOR THIS SHALL USHER IN FOR MY SOUL EVERLASTING BLESSEDNESS IN THE FUTURE AGE." After the Saint spoke those words, the torturers marveled and began saying to the Governor and nobility, "This man deems indignities to be honor and the tortures to be rest…Though the talons penetrate the flesh, yet he recovers and abides unharmed and intact!" The Governor could not doubt it the evidence was before his eyes.

The executioners resumed until they were worn out. They declared the power of Christ and glorified Him, together with His servant whom He strengthened, Fothrwith, two of the officers, Porphyrios and Vaptos, were beheaded for their confession of Christ as God. They too suffered Martyrdom.

Severus wasted no time in devising a heinous punishment for the holy Priest. He ordered that a great skewer be made to pierce Haralambos’ chest. Next, he bade his men to fetch wood and then light a fire. He planned to have the Saint burned until he gave up the spirit. After the spit was thrust into his chest, they burned him for a long time. Severus intended it to be so, lest the prisoner should expire quickly. It was observed that the Martyr wa untouched by the flames. The Saint appeared to have revived and stood as a fragrant rose. The Emperor was angry at the athlete of Christ and he commanded his men to shatter with stones the cheeks and sides of the face of the Priest. This was to be followed by applying burning lamps to his face and beard. The fire, as though it possessed a rational power, however, leaped forth and spread and burned those present. The Emperor wondered at this phenomenon.

The Prefect Crispus said, "Command, O Emperor, that this deceiver suffer beheading, lest, by performing other signs and portents, even more, should come to believe in this Christ." The Emperor pronounced judgment, the last sentencing, upon the holy Priest. He charged his executioners to seize Haralambos and conduct him to the execution site. This was carried out. On his way to execution, the Saint chanted the following Psalm: "Of mercy and judgment will I sing to Thee, O Lord. I will chant and have understanding in a blameless path when wilt Thou come to me" (Psalm 100:1). Upon arriving at the spot, the Saint raised his hands and eyes heavenward, and he began to pray thus: "I ever give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, for Thou art merciful and the Lover of mankind. Thou, O Almighty, hast cast down our enemy, the devil, and taken Hades captive, and put death to death, thus delivering the race of man. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom." After he had prayed in this manner, the heavens were opened. The Lord, with a multitude of His Angels, came down. It was a spectacle full of Wonder. The Lord was seen to be sitting on a Throne of pearl. He said to His holy Priest and Martyr, "Come, My pleasing and beloved one who, for My name’s sake, suffered such ill-treatment and hardships. Ask of Me whatsoever gift thou dost wish, and I shall grant thine entreaty." The blessed Hieromartyr of the Christ, answered, "That Thou hast, by Thy grace, grant me, the least person, to behold the awesome glory of Thy presence, this is, in itself, a tremendous gift. The Lord then said to His Saint, "Let it be according to what thou asked, My faithful servant!" The Lord then ascended into the heavens. The Saint soon thereafter surrendered his soul in peace, before the severing of his holy head by the executioner. The blessed Galeenee quickly took up the Saint’s sacred relics and wrapped them. It was her blessing to inter the Saint in a gold coffin, after having placed costly myrrh and aromatic spices with his holy relics.

The holy, glorious, and most august relics of the Saint, Hieromartyr Haralambos, have been distributed, for the sake of reverence, everywhere to Orthodox Christians. They have proved to be an excellent remedy of every infirmity. His most holy and precious skull is now found at the Monastery of Saint Stefanos, a Women’s Monastery at Meteora. At the time of his Martyrdom the Saint was 103 years of age. [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

__________

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

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

OUR LORD IS BEAUTIFUL!

"…One thing I have desired of the
Lord,
That I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house
of the LORD
All the days of my life,
TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE
LORD…" [Psalm 27:4].

"…He made EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN
ITS TIME…" (Ecclesiastes 3:11].

"…Do not let your adornment be merely outward–arranging of
the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel–rather LET
IT BE THE HIDDEN PERSON OF THE HEART, with the
INCORRUPTIBLE BEAUTY OF A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT,
WHICH IS VERY PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD" [1 Peter 3:3-4].

Saint Basil the Great writes: "In the fear that human reasonings may make you wander from the truth, Moses has anticipated inquiry by engraving in our hearts, as a seal and a safeguard, the awesome name of God: ‘In the beginning God created.’ It is He–beneficent Name, Goodness without measure, a worthy object of love for all beings ENDOWED WITH REASON, THE BEAUTY THE MOST TO BE DESIRED, the origin of all that exists…it is He Who ‘in the beginning created heaven and earth."

The repeated affirmation "and God saw that is was good" in Genesis I underscores the intrinsic, fundamental GOODNESS of matter and the whole created order, even after the Fall. The created order not only is good but also can be a means OF COMMUNION WITH GOD, by virtue of being created by the All-Good God. Furthermore, the astounding beauty, intricate order, and sublime harmony of all aspects of Creation.

When we speak of God’s magnificent and beautiful creation, we neglect to appreciate God’s own Divine Beauty. Everything in His wonderful creation reveals, to some extent, a reflection of His own Eternal beauty. We see the beauty of the first human being and how He "formed man out of dust from the ground, and breathed in his face the breath of life; and became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). "Then the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man He formed. Besides this, God caused EVERY TREE BEAUTIFUL TO THE SIGHT and good for food to grow from the ground…And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone, I will make him a helper comparable to him…Thus God brought a trance upon Ada, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and filled up the flesh in its place. Then the Lord God built the rib He took from Adam into a woman, and brought her to him" [Genesis 2:8-22].

Our God is indeed beautiful and so are His ways. His love for us and His creation attest to that very fact. "Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our IMAGE, according to Our LIKENESS" (Genesis 1:26). Since God made man in His "image" and His own "likeness" man was created to be beautiful and to attain perfection.

All of the universe, the stars, and the planets reveal the glory of God. When we look at our own earth and its natural beauty we think of the King of All creation, the Great Originator and Divine Architect, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, along with the Beginning and End signify the eternality of God Who is the origin and destiny of all things, The Universe itself thus becomes hallowed, transfigured, and sacramental. In the Book of Revelation 4: 2-6 the holy Apostle John describes vividly the Heavenly Temple: "Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the Throne, And He Who sat there eas like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance, and ther was a rainbow around the Throne, in appearance like an emerald…Before the Throne in the midst of the glass, like crystal." Thus, in our Orthodox Church, the holy Altar Table s sometimes called "the Throne."

God’s Divine Beauty is beyond our comprehension. There is physical beauty and there is an inner beauty, the beauty of the soul. Those who are vain concentrate on the outward appearance and attractiveness. Others concentrate in maintaining the inner beauty, the image of God. The likeness of God is our personal challenge to strive to obtain through faith, love, peace, gentleness, kindness, virtue, obedience and repentance. Our inspiration is Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ Who is beautiful as well as God the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God in [John 1:29] Prophet Isaiah compares the Messiah’s voluntary self-sacrifice to a lamb being led to a slaughter [Isaiah 53]. The central theme of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) IS VICTORY THROUGH SACRIFICE. This "Lamb" stands between "the Throne, the four living creatures", and the "elders." God the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is He Who created everythng and "When God saw everything He had made and it indeed, was very good," (Genesis 1:31), the Lord is truly the Founder of all good things.

We no turn our attention to the divine words of the holly Apostle Peter who said: "Do NOT let your adornment be merely outward–arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel–rather LET IT BE THE HIDDEN PERSON OF THE HEART, WITH THE INCORRUPTIBLE BEAUTY OF A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT, WHICH IS VERY PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD" [1 Peter 3:3-4]. True holiness is the genuine spiritual beauty that all Christians must strive to acquire for themselves. We must be vigilant not to protect our heart from the evil passions which pollute the heart. "When the heart is polluted, the pollution is transmitted and divided into all of the other sens23].es and powers of the soul as Saint Gregory Palamas wrote. And Saint Isaac has taught us that, whlle the mind is easily cleansed, it can easily be polluted; the heatr however as it is cleansed with great difficulty it is also difficult to be polluted. If polluted a person loses his purity, grace and divine beauty of God within us. After that there is only ugliness and hideousness which prevails. The Orthodox Christian man or woman understands how sin, the passions, pride, temptations, vices are a real threat to a person’s salvation and spiritual health. Saint John Climacos noted that God has given us such a commandment to guard our heart from the evil passions, and the evil thoughts (logismoi) which rise in our mind. Solomon wrote: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow springs of life" [Proverbs 4:23]. (Source: Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain)

_____________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysotomos

+ + +



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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE NATURE OF FASTING

The JOY of the RESURRECTION, so vividly described by Bishop Nikolai of Ochrid, forms the foundation of ALL THE WORSHIP THE Orthodox Church, it is the one and only basis for our Christian life and hope. Yet, in order for us to experience the full power of this Paschal rejoicing, EACH OF US NEEDS TO PASS THROUGH A TIME OF PREPARATION. ‘We waited,’ says Bishop Nikolai, ‘and at last our expectations were fulfilled.’ Without this waiting, without this expectant preparation, the deeper meaning of the Pascha celebration will be lost.

So it is that before the festival of Pascha, there has developed a long preparatory season of REPENTANCE and FASTING, extending in present Orthodox usage over TEN WEEKS. First, come TWENTY-TWO DAYS (four successive Sundays) of preliminary observance; then the SIX WEEKS OR FORTY DAYS of the Great Fast of Lent; and finally HOLY WEEK. Balancing the seven weeks of Lent and Holy Week, there follows after Pascha a corresponding season of FIFTY DAYS OF THANKSGIVING, CONCLUDING WITH THE FEAST OF PENTECOST.

"…Until the 14th century, most Western Christians (Roman Catholics), IN COMMON WITH THEIR BRETHREN IN THE Orthodox East, ABSTAINING DURING LENT NOT ONLY FROM MEAT BUT FROM ANIMAL PRODUCTS, SUCH AS EGGS, MILK, BUTTER, AND CHEESE. In East and West alike, the Lenten Fast involved a severe physical effort. But in Western Christendom (Roman Catholicism and Protestantism) over the past 500 years, the physical requirements of fasting have been steadily reduced, until by now they are little more than symbolic. How many, one wonders, of those who eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday are aware of the original reason for this custom — to use up any remaining eggs and butter before the Lenten Fast begins? Exposed as it is to Western secularism, the Orthodox Christian world in our time IS ALSO FOLLOWING THE SAME PATH OF LAXITY.

One reason for THIS DECLINE IN FASTING is surely A HERETICAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS HUMAN NATURE, A FALSE ‘SPIRITUALISM’ WHICH REJECTS OR IGNORES THE BODY, VIEWING MAN SOLELY IN TERMS OF HIS REASONING BRAIN. As a result, many contemporary Christians have lost A TRUE VISION OF MAN AS AN INTEGRAL UNITY OF THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE; THEY NEGLECT THE POSITIVE ROLE PLAYED BY THE BODY IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE, FORGETTING Saint Paul’s affirmation: "YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…GLORIFY GOD WITH YOUR BODY" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Another reason for the decline in fasting among Orthodox Christians is the argument, commonly advanced in our times, that THE TRADITIONAL RULES ARE NO LONGER POSSIBLE TODAY…However, fasting as traditionally practiced in the Church, has always been difficult and has always involved hardship…Many of our contemporaries are willing to fast for reasons of health or beauty, in order to lose weight; cannot we Christians do as much for the sake of the Heavenly Kingdom? Why should THE SELF-DENIAL gladly accepted by previous generations of Orthodox Christians prove such an intolerable burden to their successors today? Once Saint Seraphim of Sarov was asked why the miracles of grace, so abundantly manifest in the past, were no longer apparent in his own day, and to this, he replied: ‘ONLY ONE THING IS LACKING – A FIRM RESOLVE,’

THE PRIMARY AIM OF FASTING IS TO MAKE US "CONSCIOUS OF OUR DEPENDENCY UPON GOD." If practiced seriously, the Lenten abstinence from food – particularly in the opening days – involves considerable measure of real hunger, and also a feeling of tiredness and physical exhaustion. The purpose of this is TO LEAD US IN TURN TO A SENSE OF INWARD BROKENESS AND CONTRITION; TO BRING US, THAT IS, TO THE POINT WHERE WE APPRECIATE THE FULL FORCE OF CHRIST’S STATEMENT, "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING" (John 15:5). THE OBSERVANCE OF A PHYSICAL FAST UNDERMINES THIS SINFUL COMPLACENCY… FASTING IS NOT A MERE DIET. IT IS MORAL AS WELL AS PHYSICAL. TRUE FASTING IS TO BE CONVERTED IN HEART AND WILL; IT IS TO RETURN TO GOD, TO COME HOME LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON TO OUR FATHER’S HOUSE. In the words of Saint John Chrysostom, it means "ABSTINENCE NOT ONLY FROM FOOD BUT FROM SIN." (Source: The Lenten Triodion)

According to Nikitas Stithatos, "Our spiritual growth corresponds to the different stages in the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. While we are infants in need of milk (cf. Hebrews 5:12) we are suckled on the milk of the introductory virtues acqired through bodily discipline, yet this is of but limited profit (cf. Timothy 4:8) to us once we begin to grow in virtue and gradually leave our infancy behind. When we attain adolescence and are nourished by the solid food of the contemplation of the spiritual essence of things – for our soul’s organs of perception are now well attuned (cf. Hebrews 5:14) – it may be said that we increase in stature and in grace (cf. Luke 2:52) and sit among the elders (cf. Luke 2:46). disclosing to them things hidden in the depths of darkness (cf. Job 12:22). When wew have reached ‘MATURE MANHOOD, THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST’ (Ephesidans 4:13), WE PROCLAIM TO ALL THE MEANING OF REPENTANCE, TEACH OTHERS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (cf. Mattthew 4:17), and press on towards the Passion (cf. Luke 12:50). For this is the ULTIMATE GOAL OF EVERYONE WHO HAS REACHED PERFECTION IN THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE after passing through all the different ages of Christ he finally undergoes the trials that Christ suffered on the Cross."

In the Gospel according to Saint Matthew Jesus instructs His Disciples when they asked Him, "Why could se not cast it out?" So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief, for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, THIS KIND DOES NOT GO OUT EXCEPT BY PRAYER AND FASTING" (Matthew 17:19-21). So, it is certain that if one is to drive out evil one needs to combine FAITH, PRAYER, AND FASTING in order to accomplish it. This exactly what Our Holy Orthodox Christian Church teaches us to do throughout Lent but also throughout our lives.

___________

"Glory Be To GODa
For
All Thiings!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +



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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sister in Christ God,

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

THE PRE-LENT PERIOD

THE SUNDAY OF ZACCHAEUS:

One week before the TRIODION enters into use, there is a Sunday Gospel reading which looks forward directly to the coming fast – Luke 19: 1-10, describing how Zacchaeus climbed a tree beside the road where Christ was to pass. In this reading, we note Zacchaeus’ SENSE OF EAGER EXPECTATION, THIS DESIRE TO SEE OUR LORD, AND WE APPLY THIS TO OURSELVES. If we prepare for Lent, there is real eagerness in our hearts, IF WE HAVE AN INTENSE DESIRE FOR A CLEARER VISION OF CHRIST, THEN OUR HOPES WILL BE FULFILLED DURING THE FAST, INDEED WE SHALL, LIKE ZACCHAEUS, RECEIVE FAR MORE THAN WE EXPECT. But if there is within us no eager expectation and no sincere desire, WE SHALL SEE AND RECEIVE NOTHING. And so we ask ourselves: What is my state of mind and will as I prepare to embark on the Lenten journey?

THE SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE [Gospel reading: Luke 18: 10-14]. On this and the following two Sundays, the THEME IS REPENTANCE (METANOIA). REPENTANCE IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE ENTER LENT, THE STARTING POINT OF OUR JOURNEY TO PASCHA. And TO REPENT SIGNIFIES FAR MORE THEN SELF-PITY OR FUTILE REGRET OVER THINGS DONE IN THE PAST. The Greek term METANOIA means ‘CHANGE OF MIND’ TO REPENT IS TO BE RENEWED, TO BE TRANSFORMED IN OUR INWARD VIEWPOINT, TO ATTAIN FRESH WAY OF LOOKING AT OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND TO OTHERS. The fault of the Pharisee is THAT HE HAS NO DESIRE TO CHANGE HIS OUTLOOK; HE IS COMPLACENT, SELF-SATISFIED, AND SO HE ALLOWS NO PLACE FOR GOD TO ACT WITHIN HIM. Unless we learn of the Publican’s INWARD POVERTY, we shall not share in the Lenten springtime. The theme of the day can be summed up in a saying of the Desert Holy Fathers: ‘BETTER A MAN WHO HAS SINNED, IF HE KNOWS HE HAS SINNED AND REPENTS, THAN A MAN WHO HAS NOT SINNED AND THINKS OF HIMSELF AS RIGHTEOUS.’

THE SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON (Gospel reading: 15: 11-32). The Parable of the Prodigal Son FORMS AN EXACT ICON OF REPENTANCE (METANOIA) IN ITS DIFFERENT STAGES, SIN IS EXILE, ENSLAVEMENT TO STRANGERS, HUNGER. Repentance IS THE RETURN FROM EXILE TO OUR TRUE HOME; IT IS TO RECEIVE BACK OUR INHERITANCE AND FREEDOM IN THE FATHER’S HOUSE. But repentance IMPLIES ACTION: " I WILL RISE UP AND GO…" (verse 18). TO REPENT IS NOT JUST TO FEEL DISSATISFIED, BUT TO TAKE A DECISION AND TO ACT UPON IT.

On this and the next two Sundays, after the solemn and joyful of the words of the Polyeleos at Orthros (Matins), we add sorrowful verses of Psalm 136. ‘By the waters of Babylon, we sat down and wept…"This PSALM OF EXILE, chanted by the children of Israel in their Babylonian captivity, has special appropriateness on the Sunday of the Prodigal when we call to mind OUR PRESENT EXILE IN SIN AND MAKE THE RESOLVE TO RETURN HOME.

THE SUNDAY OF THE LAST JUDGMENT (Gospel reading: Matthew 25: 31-46)

The two past Sundays spoke to us of God’s PATIENCE and LIMITLESS COMPASSION, of HIS READINESS TO ACCEPT EVERY SINNER WHO RETURNS TO Him. On this THIRD Sunday, we are powerfully reminded of a complementary truth: NO ONE IS SO PATIENT AND SO MERCIFUL AS GOD, BUT EVEN HE DOES NOT FORGIVE THOSE WHO DO NOT REPENT. The God of LOVE is also a God OF RITHTEOUSNESS, AND WHEN CHRIST COMES AGAIN IN GLORY, HE WILL COME AS OUR JUDGE. ‘Behold the goodness and severity of God’ (Romans 11:22). Such is the language of Lent to each of us: TURN BACK WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME, REPENT BEFORE THE END COMES. In the words of the Great Canon:

"The end drawss near, my soul, the end draws near;
Yet thou dost not care or make ready.
The time grows short, rise up: THE JUDGE IS AT THE DOOR.
The days of life pass swiftly, as a dream, as a flower."

This Sunday sets before us the "ESCHATOLOGICAL’ dimension of Lent: the Great Fast IS A PREPARATION FOR THE Second Coming of our Savior, for the Eternal Passover in the Age to COME. (This is a theme that will be taken up in the first three days of Holy Week.) Nor is the JUDGEMENT MERELY IN THE FUTURE. Here and now, each day and each hour, in hardening our hearts towards others and in failing to respond to the opportunities we are given of helping them, WE ARE PASSING JUDGMENT UPON OURSELVES.

THE SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

The last of the preparatory Sundays has two themes: IT COMMEMORATES ADAM’S EXPULSION FROM PARADISE, and it is also THE SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS. One of the primary images of the Triodion is that of the RETURN TO PARADISE. Lent is a time when we weep with Adam and Eve before the closed gate of Eden, repenting with them FOR THE SINS THAT HAVE DEPRIVED US OF OUR FREE COMMUNION WITH GOD. But Lent is also a time when we are preparing TO CELEBRATE THE SAVING EVENT OF CHRIST’S DEAITH AND RISING, WHICH HAS REOPENED PARADISE TO US ONCE MORE (Luke 23:43). So sorrow for our exile in sin is TEMPERED BY HOPE OF OUR RE-ENTRY INTO PARADISE.

The Second theme IS FORGIVENESS, is emphasized in the Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 6: 14-21) and in the special ceremony OF MUTUAL FORGIVENESS at the end of Vespers on Sunday evening. Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, UNLESS WE ARE AT THE SAME TIME RECONCILED WITH ONE ANOTHER. A fast WITHOUT MUTUAL LOVE IS THE FAST OF DEMONS. As the commemoration of the ascetic Saints on the previous Saturday has just made clear to us, WE DO NOT TRAVEL THE ROAD OF LENT AS ISOLATED INDIVIDUALS, BUT AS MEMBERS OF A FAMILY. Our ASCETICISM and FASTING should NOT seperate us from our fellow men but LINK US TO THEM WITH EVER STRONGER BONDS. THE LENTEN ASCETIC IS CALLED TO BE A MAN FOR OTHERS. {Source: The Lenten Triodion)

________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +



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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

On the 6th of February, Our Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
SAINT PHOTIOS THE GREAT, Patriarch of Constantinople and our
Most Resplendent Father and Teacher of the Church.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn, Fourth Tone

Since thou wast of like way with the Apostles, and a teacher of the
world, O Photios, entreat the Master of all, that peace be granted
unto the world and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Fourth tone

Let that resplendent and far-shining star of Christ God’s Church, let
that divinely-given guide of all the Orthodox, be now crowned with
comely garlands of songs and praises; the Good Comforter’s
divinely-sounding harp of truth and the steadfast adversary all
heresy: Let us cry to him: Rejoice, O Photios most venerable.

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The many struggles that this thrice-blessed one undertook for the Holy Orthodox Faith against the Manichaeans, the Iconoclasts, and other heretics, and the attacks and assaults that he endured from Pope Nicholas I, the haughty and ambitious Pontiff of Rome, and the great persecutions and distresses he suffered, are beyond number. Contending against the Latin heresy of the FILIOQUE, that is, the doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father AND THE SON, he demonstrated clearly with his Mystagogy on the Holy Spirit HOW THE FILIOQUE CLAUSE, ADDED BY THE LATINS TO THE CREED, DESTROYS THE UNITY AND EQUALITY OF THE HOLY TRINITY. He has left us many theological writings, panegyric homilies, and epistles, including one to Boris, the Sovereign of Bulgaria, in which he set forth for him the history and teachings of the Seven Ecumenical Synods.

EXCERPTS FROM THE GREAT SYNAXARISTES OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH ON
THE LIFE OF SAINT PHOTIOS THE GREAT, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE:

"Without the Pope of Rome, supposedly, nothing in the Church could be decided. Therefore, according to Pope Nicholas Ist, Christianity itself COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT ROME. Thus, Pope Nicholas also sought to take from the Eastern Byzantine Emperor all of Southern Italy, Sicily, and the entire Balkan peninsula, together with all the Slavic lands which had just begun to accept the Christian Faith from Constantinople. However, Pope Nicholas Ist was to find that, though he was able to subject an illiterate West, the Easterners viewed with scorn and contempt his quest for SUPREMACY OVER THEM.

Without careful inquiry and without waiting to be fully informed about Patriarch Photios, Pope Nicholas wrote to both Photios and the Emperor. He addressed Patriarch Photios, however, as a simple layman, without giving him any Episcopal title, though he knew him to have been lawfully consecrated. This pretense was the Pope’s way of saying THAT NO BISHOP COULD APPROACH THE PATRIARCHAL CHAIR, EXCEPT BY THE CONSENT OF THE LATIN PONTIFF. The legitimacy of Photios’s ordination did not depend upon the Papal will, but upon the judgment pronounced upon Patriarch Ignatius, and the regularity of the election of Photios. A Synod comprised of 318 Bishops, including Western legates, had publicly approved Photio’s election and Ignatius’ deposition.

After convoking a council in Rome in 863, held in the Lateran, Pope Nicholas Ist, unjustly DEPOSED AND EXCOMMUNICATED Patriarch Photios. The basis for these charges was that Patriarch Photios had taken the Patriarchal throne in an UNCANONICAL MANNER. Pope Nicholas also threatened that if Photios did not conform to the decision of the Lateran Council, Photios would remain EXCOMMUNICATED until his deathbed. Nicholas also wrote letters to Emperor Michael III and to Photios, refusing to address Photios as Patriarch, but simply as a "very wise man."

Not stopping there, Pope Nicholas also wrote to the Eastern Patriarchs of ALEXANDRIA, ANTIOCH, AND JERUSALEM, commanding them to make known to their faithful the decisions of the Apostolic See of Rome. The supremacy of Peter has, in fact, been held by the Latins (Roman Catholics) from 860 UNTIL THE PRESENT. The Pope (Nicholas 1st) ordered that Patriarch Photios and Ignatius be sent to Rome TO BE JUDGED BY HIM. The Eastern Church was greatly insulted by this unheard-of action. In spite of this, Saint Photios, showing true love, never gave way to wrath. He considered that silence would be the practical way to maintain unity between East and West. Any further communication would have been pointless. The Emperor also terminated further contact with the Pope.

The Eastern Churches simply viewed the Bishop of Rome AS ONE AMONG MANY EQUALS. Nevertheless, without any authority, Pope Nicholas PRONOUNCED AN ANATHEMA AGAINST PHOTIOS, in a Council which he held in Rome, in early 863. Pope Nicholas was mistaken to presume upon this authority. In fact, the very Synods to which Nicholas appealed had ordained that a bishop should only be tried and condemned by the brethren of his Province. The Synods DID NOT GRANT ANY MORE AUTHORITY TO THE BISHOP OF ROME THAN TO THE OTHERS. Patriarch Photios, who was well-versed in the ancient Canons, viewed the excommunication of Pope Nicholas as null. Therefore, he continued zealously the discharge of his Episcopal duties.

The conflict between Rome and Constantinople reached a climax. Patriarch Photios championed not only THE AUTONOMY OF THE BYZANTINE CHURCH but also the most vital interest of the Empire. Emperor Michale III afforded him full support. Michael sent the Pope a letter that declared Byzantine belief in their own independence and supremacy. He also demanded, in the form of an ultimatum, that the Papal decision against Photios be withdrawn. He also wrote, with cutting acrimony, that the Byzantines rejected Rome’s claim to supremacy. IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, THE HEAD IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT IS HE WHO GOVERNS HIS CHURCH BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THROUGH HIS RIGHTEOUS ONES, AND THROUGH THE SYNODS.

As a result of Patriarch Photios’ circular letter among the Oriental Patriarchates, in the summer of 867, a Great Ecumenical Synod was convened, comprising about 1,000 bishops, clerics, and monks. Among those in attendance, there were three bishops of the Latins West. Many were the good causes for the Synod to excommunicate Pope Nicholas Ist and condemn Rome’s ecclesiastical customs; the Pope’s claims for primacy, his insulting actions against the Eastern Church, Papal invasion into Buglaria, heretical teachings of Frankish missionaries sent by him, and the innovative addition of the Filioque.

At the Synod, the letters of Pope Nicholas were read, and, by a UNANIMOUS VOTE, he was held unworthy of the Episcopate. The sentence against Pope Nicholas was AN EXCOMMUNICATION, but not a deposition. Though Nicholas’ condemnation of Photios in 863 was unjust, yet the judgment of this Synod WAS CANONICAL. Any Church has a right to separate herself from the communion of those THAT SHE DEEMS GUILTY, NO LONGER CONSIDERING THEM BISHOPS. This Synod also REJECTED THE FRANKISH DOCTRINE OF THE PROCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS HERETICAL. The Synod also pronounced Latin interference in the affairs of the Byzantine Church as unlawful.

Having tended the Church of Christ in holiness and in an evangelical manner, and with fervent zeal having rooted out all the tares of every alien teaching, he departed to the Lord in the Monastery of the Armenians on February 6, 891.

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomoa

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

+ Father George