My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Incarnate God,

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

How do Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in
Greece?

The time of preparation for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, our God, and Savior, begins on November 15th each year with the commencement of the Nativity fast and ends on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Orthodox Christians prepare themselves spiritually through prayer, worship, fasting, repentance, charity, and receiving the Mysteria (Sacraments) of our Holy Church. The Holy Nativity of our Lord Christ is one of the Great Feast-Days of the Ecclesiastical year. This most Holy Day, in the Orthodox Christian Tradition, is a sacred experience that is treasured by all the faithful and a genuine celebration of Christ’s coming. Orthodox Christians prepare to receive the Savior of the world into their hearts, into their homes, and into the world He created. The celebration of His Birth is a solemn religious or spiritual observance. It is a time for spiritual renewal and a renewed commitment to our Savior God.

I remember as a child growing up in Greece, a country with rich Christian history, with a unique and great culture that falls back appromixamately 5,000 years B.C. and a Christian Tradition that traces back to the Holy Apostle Paul. We read in Acts 17:16-34: "Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your woship, I even found an altar wth this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you" (17:22-23). Greece is a blessed country with a 2,000 years Christian history and tradition. Over the centuries, countless Orthodox Christian men, women and children have given their lives for our Savior and God, Jesus Christ. It is understood, therefore, why Greek Orthodox Christians treat the high holy days, such as Jesus’ Nativity, with great reverence and respect.

On Christams Eve, December 24th, the traditional carols (Kalanda) are sung. Customarily, the children visit houses in their neighborhood and ring a triangle while singing the beautiful Christmas carols. As they move from house to house they collect either money, fruit, or pastry and other treats for their effort.

Early Christmas Day, the church bells beckon the people to assemble for worship. It was our family tradition, before we left for church to receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, we would turn and kiss our father’s and mother’s hand and ask for their forgiveness. In small villages throughout Greece on Christmas Day, one would see entire families heading for the local church to participate in the Divine Liturgy conducted by their parish priest. They have all prepared through fasting and confession to receive Holy Communion together. Many of the faithful may not wear expensive clothes, but the clothes are clean and proper for worship. Following the Divine Liturgy, each family headed for home where a feast was prepared by their beloved mother.

The customary food for this day for us was lamb, potatoes in the oven, salad, feta cheese, and side dishes such as teropetes, spanakopites etc. Other families may prefer pork or chicken. Also, on this day a special bread has been baked called, Christopsomo (Bread of Christ), which the the father, the head of the family would bless by making the sign of the cross over it saying, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," and offer a slice to each family member. The Christopsomo is a type of sweet aromatic bread which is decorated with a cross and with walnuts placed on the top of the four corners and the center of the cross. After the meal is over, those present would be given a choice of deserts to enjoy, i.e., homemade melomakarona, kourambiyedes, baklava, karydopita (sweet nut pie) and dyples.

Unlike other Christian traditions in other countries where there is gift exchange, the Greek tradition does not include gift exchange on this day. Instead, the children and others receive their Christmas presents on New Year’s Day on the holy Feast of Saint Basil the Great. Saint Basil was also known for his charity for the poor and his great generosity, just like Saint Nicholas of Myra. The gifts given on this day were things that each child needed, such as clothes, new shoes, etc. very few toys were given.

Chrismas trees are mostly a Northern European tratiditon and not part of the Greek custom. Perhaps one other reason is that are not many forests left in Greece to harvest trees from. However, they have been introduced to Greece in recent years. Also, influenced by Western European counties, Christmas giving is also done on Christmas day in Greece.

Another unique Christmas custom in Greece, mostly the Greek islands, is the decoration of a small boat (karavaki) with lights. Greece is sourrounded by the sea and many of the Greeks were seaferers. It is also in remberance and commemoration of the patron Saint Nicholas who was known for his many miracles that saved pesengers on boats who were threaten by storms.

Orthodox Christian greet one another following Christmas in this manner: ‘ Christ is Born!’ with the immediate response, ‘Glorify Him!’

May you all have a blessed Christmas! Καλά και ευλογημένα Χριστούγεννα!

With agape in Christ our God and Savior,

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in God Incarnate,

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

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST (Part II)
Second Canon

(Orthros) The Nativity According to the Flesh

(Irmos) Of old the Master that works Wonders saved His
people,
Making the watery wave of the sea into dry land;
And now of His Own Will has He been born from
a Maiden,
And so He establishes a path for us whereby we
may mount to heaven.
We glorify Him Who in essence is equal to the
Father and to mortal men.
Plainly foreshadowed by the burning bush that
was not consumed,
A hallowed womb has borne the Logos/Word.
God is mingled with the form of mortal men,
And so He loses the unhappy womb of Eve from
the bitter curse of old.
We men give Him glory.
A Star showed plainly to the Magi
The Logos/Word that was before the sun, Who has come
to make transgressions cease.
They saw Thee wrapped in swaddling clothes,
within a poor and lowly cave,
Who shares all our sufferings,
And in joy, they gazed upon Thee, Who art at
once both man and Lord.

+

Rising from sleep, Joseph did as the Angel of the Lord instructed him. He remained with his espoused wife, the Spotless Maiden who had dedicated her virginity to the Lord, Whose Mother she would become, having conceived the Savior of the world by the Holy Spir
In giving birth to God Incarnate, the Ever-virgin Mary dispensed with the usual assistance of a midwife, as Saint Athanasios the Great of Alexandria testifies in his explanation of these words from the Gospel: "And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger" (Luke, Ch. 2). The Saint writes, "Gaze upon the Virgin’s mystic childbearing, she gave birth and herself wrapped the Child in swaddling. Ordinary women give birth, and others wrap their offspring in swaddling clothes, but not so in the case of the Virgin. She gave birth and she wrapped her Son, being both a mother who knew not the pangs (pains) of childbirth and a nursemaid uninstructed in the care of infants. She permitted no unclean hands to touch her Most Pure Son, but herself provided for all His needs, swaddling Him and laying Him in a manger. Similarly, Saint Cyprian tells us, "She who bore her Son without suffering and had no need of a midwife’s assistance was, by God’s power, PRESERVED A VIRGIN DURING CHIDBIRTH AND THEREAFTER…

"Having wrapped her sweetest Son in clean, fine strips of linen brought from Nazareth, and having laid Him in a manger within the cave, the blameless Mother and Handmaiden of the newborn Child worshipped Him as God and Creator, of which the blessed Joseph the Hymnographer sings to the Immaculate One, "Holding God in thine arms and bowing before the Lord Incarnate, kissing maternally Him Who was clothed in human likeness, O Maiden, thou didst say, ‘O my Child Most Sweet, how is it that I hold Thee Who holdest all creation in Thy hand?" We know with certainty that as the divine Maiden fell prostrate before the Babe lying in the manger and worshipped Him, the Celestial Powers invisibly surrounded her, filled with amazement, for the Holy Orthodox Church proclaims, "The Angels encircled the manger as though it were the Throne of the Cherubim, regarding the cave as Heaven and gazing upon the Master, Who lay therein" (Ode 9 of the Three-canticled Canon for December 23)…

"Numerous trustworthy authorities assert that the Holy Nativity of Christ took place ON A SUNDAY, AT MIDNIGHT FOLLOWING SATURDAY’S END (According to the tradition of the ancient Jews and the Orthodox Church the new day begins AT THE SETTING OF THE SUN.) This is confirmed by the testimony of the Sixth Ecumenical Synod, which explains in this way our celebration of Sunday as the Holiest Day of the week. "On this day God CREATED LIGHT; on this day He RAINED MANNA FROM HEAVEN; on this day He was BAPTIZED BY SAINT JOHN IN THE JORDAN; on this day the Most Merciful Redeemer of the human race ROSE FROM THE DEAD FOR OUR SALVATION, on this day He POURED OUT THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON HIS DISCIPLES (PENTECOST)." It was on a Friday that the Annunciation occurred and the Lord was conceived in the Virgin’s womb, and on a Friday that He suffered; but Kyriake was the day of His Nativity and Resurrection. It was fitting that on the day created light appeared, the Light Eternal and Uncreated should be manifested to the world; that Christ should be born ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, ON WHICH GOD SAID, "LET THERE BE LIGHT, AND THERE WAS LIGHT" (Genesis, Ch. 1). Regarding Christ’s Birth in the middle of the night, Solomon had prophesied: "When all wa encompassed by stillness, and night had reached its mid-point, Thine almighty Logos/Word descended out of heaven from amid the royal thrones to this land of destruction" (Wisdom of Solomon, Ch. 18).

Many astounding Marvels took place throughout the world on the night Christ was born. At the very moment our Lord passed through the sealed gates of the Virgin’s womb, a spring of water gushed out of the ground and ran into the river Tiber, and the heathen sanctuary known as the Eternal Temle crashed to the ground, destroying idols within. In the sky three suns appeared. That night in Spain a cloud shone brighter than the sun, and in Judea vines set fruit, thoug it was winter. The greatest miracle to occur, however, was recorded in the Gospel: Angels descended from Heaven chanting and openly appeared to men. The blessed Jerome tells us that about a quarter of a mile from the cave where Christ was born stood the tower of Aderus, in which lived shepherds. That night three of them were awake, keeping watch over their flock, when suddenly the chief among Angels appeared, shining with glorious Heavenly Light and filling the shepherds with terror. The Angel told them not to be afraid and proclaimed the Good Tidings (News) of the Savior’s Birth. He declared that they would witness a Sign that would confirm the Truth of his words: "Ye shall find," said he, "the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke, Ch. 2).

As soon as he said this, the chanting of the Heavenly Hosts was heard. they were praising the Lord and singing, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men." After the Vision came to an end, shepherds took counsel with one another and hurried to the cave to see whether the Angel’s words were true. They found the immaculate Virgin Mary, the Theotokos; Saint Joseph, her betrothed, and the Child, wrapped in swaddling clohtes and lying in a manger. They at once believed that the Babe was Christ the Lord, the Messiah Whom they awaited, come to save the race of man, and they worshipped Him. Thereupon they told Mary, Joseph, Salome, and the others what the Angel had said to about the Child. Everyone was amazed by their testimony and the Most Pure Virgin Mother laid up al these things in her heart. Then the shepherds departed, praising and glorifying God.

Thus did Our Lord Jesus Christ appear on the earth. May we sinners send up all glory, honor, worship, and thanksgiving to Him, His beginningless Father, and His Eternal Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [ Source: The Great Collection of The Lives of the Saints]

_______________

"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 God Incarnate,

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

"Glory to Thee, Who hast
shown for the Light.
Glory be to God on High, and on
earth peace, goodwill towards men.

We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we
worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we
give thanks to Thee for Thy Great Glory.

O Lord and King, Heavenly God,
Father Almighty; O Lord, the Only-begotten
Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy
upon us, Thou that takest away the sins of the
world…" (Great Doxology)

TODAY Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem. Today He
Who knows no beginning now begins to be, and the Logos/Word
is made flesh. The Powers of Heaven greatly rejoice, and the
earth with mankind makes glad. The Magi offer gifts, the
shepherds proclaim the marvel, and we cry aloud without
ceasing: Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace,
good will among men" (The Nativity according to the Flesh)

+



Orthodox Christians throughout the world anticipate greatly the Birth of the Savior of the world. This Divine "Infant by His Birth shed upon the world the Light of knowledge, which shines brighter than the stars or the sun." For centuries Israel awaited the arrival of the Messiah and today all prophesy is fulfilled in this Child. "He Who created the ages and ordained salvation for us before time began appeared on earth as a Child, wishing to renew our nature, which had grown old."

The Venerable Prophet Isaiah praises His strength and Omniscience, hymning Him, as "the Mighty God, Potentate, the Prince of Peace." According to Saint Gregory of Nyssa and Epiphanios of Cyprus, "Mary was entrusted to the elder Joseph so that he might serve as guardian of her virginity (which she had consecrated to God before they began to live together) and be A WITNESS TO THE PURITY OF HER LIFE. It was necessary that the couple be espoused because God wished to conceal from the devil the mystery of the Incarnation and the PERPETUAL VIRGINITY of His Most Pure Mother.

Saint Athanasios, Archbishop of Alexandria, writes, "Joseph was made STEWARD OF THE MYSTERY so that the Virgin, appearing to have a husband, would be held in esteem, and so that the devil would remain unaware that God had deigned to take up His dwelling among men" (Saint Athanasios, Homily on the Nativity of Christ). Likewise, Saint Basil the Great says, "By means of Mary’s betrothal to Joseph, the Lord concealed the Incarnation from the prince of this world" (Saint Basil the Great, Homily on the Nativity of Christ).

Ever since Prophet Isaiah had foretold, "Lo, a virgin shall conceive in her womb, and bear a son" (Isaiah, Ch. 7), the Adversary (devil) carefully watched every maiden, hoping to ascertain which would give birth without coupling with a man. But Divine Providence arranged the betrothal of the Most Pure Theotokos Mary to Joseph, so her virginity and the Incarnation of the Son of God remained hidden from the prince of darkness."

The immaculate Virgin Mary was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit before the completion of the rites of marriage, and day by day the Sacred Womb that held the Uncontainable God grew larger. Her pregnancy was especially noticeable after she returned from her stay with Elisabeth, which lasted three months. The time drew near for the appearance of the Divine Fruit that was within her, and Joseph, thinking he had been betrayed, was troubled by doubts and sorrow. According to Saint Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Joseph confronted the Virgin and upbraided her with her words like this, "I received thee undefiled from the priests in the Temple, but what is this that I now behold?" Saint Athanasios of Alexandria describes the confrontation like this: "Joseph, seeing that the Virgin Mary was with child, but not imagining what a great treasure she carried within, asked in confusion: ‘What has happened to you, Mary? Are you not that pure Virgin reared in the sacred chambers of the Temple? Are you not that Mary who did not wish even to look upon the face of a man? Are you not that Mary whom the priests could not persuade to enter into wedlock? Was it not you, O Mary, that promised to preserve unwilted the rose of virginity? Where is the garment of chastity you wore? Where the chamber in which you guarded your purity? Have you abandoned the incorrupt Bridegroom for Whom you kept yourself unsullied? What has become of your modest countenance? I hide my face in humiliation, but you wax bold, counting on me to conceal your sin."

Hearing Joseph say such things, the blameless, undefiled ewe, the unblemished dove, the modest Virgin, blushed with shame. Not wishing to appear boastful or vain, she did not mention the Angel’s salutation or Elisabeth’s prophecy. Instead, according to Saint Athanasios, she answered Joseph with these words: "If I myself tell you what has come to pass, I will seem vainglorious. Wait a little, Joseph, and shepherds will reveal the truth." One thing only did the Virgin Mary make clear to Joseph: "As the Lord lives, Who until now has preserved my virginity," she said, "I have not known sin. No one has touched me, and the Child I bear was conceived by God’s doing."

Joseph responded to what he saw and heard as would most men, and remained convinced that Mary had fallen into fornication. Nevertheless, being a righteous elder, he did not wish to bring public accusation against her and decided to let her go secretly, or as it says in the Syriac translation of the Scriptures, decided that he would go somewhere far away. Then lo, while he was turning these things over in his mind, "the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him, in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife" (Matthew, Ch. 1). The Angel calls the Virgin Joseph’s wife; "Your espoused wife," he says, "belongs to no other," refuting his conclusions. Thus the blessed Theophylact explains: "The Angel refers to Mary as the wife of Joseph, showing thereby that she was not defiled by another, and honoring both virginity and lawful wedlock." Saint Basil the Great offers a similar explanation: "Mary is spoken of as both Virgin and wife so that virginity may be honored and marriage not demeaned. It was right that the Sacred Childbirth be sanctified by virginity; as for the betrothal (which is the beginning of marriage), it was performed in accordance with the Law, dispelling any suspicion that the Child was conceived through a sinful union. At the same time, it permitted Joseph to serve as a witness to Mary’s PERPETUAL VIRGINITY and NOT to be accused of himself defiling her. Thus Joseph was Mary’s Betrothed, her WITNESS, and her GUARDIAN."

By saying, "Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife." the Angel in effect instructs Joseph, "Take your espoused wife, the Virgin who has dedicated her purity to the Lord, the first maiden in Israel ever to promise God that she would keep her virginity till the end of her life. "Fear not, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall bring forth a Son," and as His father, you shall name Him, though you had no part in His conception. It is the custom that fathers name their children like Abraham did Isaac. You are only THE SUPPOSED FATHER OF Mary’s Son; nonetheless, you shall fulfill the paternal duty of giving Him His name." And Saint Theophylact has the Angel telling Joseph, "It is true that you had nothing to do with the conception, but I still give you the title ‘father,’ that you may name the Child. You are to play the part of a father to Him, although He is not your Offspring. And what shall you call Him? His name shall be JESUS, MEANING ‘A SAVIOR,’ "for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew, Ch. 1). [Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints]

_________________

"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.

PLAGUES THAT TORMENT HUMANITY

Due to decisions and conditions that humans have taken as well as created in the world, humanity is in peril. Man’s foolish and arrogant attitude has led to suffering and pain. Mankind is totally responsible for unleashing new and devasting plagues upon the world. The introduction of things such as perverse and deviant lifestyles, the uncontrolled and far from God ‘free life’, a carnal life, the immoral and dissolute way of living, the obsession for material goods, excessive greed, voluptuousness, amoralism, overindulgence and gluttony, the narcotics, the perverted, unnatural way of life, the human trafficking and slavery, the absence of temperance and virtue, the lack of faith in God, deception, manipulation, lying, lack of values, the disintegration of the family, the abuse, indoctrination, mutilation, and castration of children, abortion, no respect for life, world wars, mismangement of the environment, exploitation of animasls, the extinction of hundreds of animals , birds and mamals, the polluting of the oceans, lakes, and rivers, deforestation, the destruction and corruption of all institutions, the exploitation of the weak, the infidelity among people, the lack of self-respect and dignity, the apostasy from God, all these and more lead to the manifestation of devasting illnesses that plague humanity with horrific results.

One can clearly see that man without God becomes a brute, a beast, and barbaric. Without God, in their life, people lose their humanity. The animal world becomes more civilized than humans. Mankind is the cause of pain and suffering in the world. A prudent person can understand that a Godless society reverts back to moral evil and sin. Thanks be to God that not all humans are guilty of this human condition. There are people of faith, believers who are full of love for God and their fellow men. Who live according to the commandments of God, Christians who constantly pray not only for their own salvation but for the salvation of the world. Philanthropists who care for those in need and those who are suffering. They are the people that bring stability to the world and give hope to those who have been hurt and disillusioned. The faithful are a constant reminder of God’s presence in the world which He created for man.

Saint Basil the Great stated very wisely, “Because of these [sins], disease [exists] in cities and nations…and infertility of the ground, and the worst and roughest circumstances in each person’s life, pain, disease, calamities, sorrows… but the evil is not from God; because a physician cures and removes the disease, he doe not put the disease into the body.” All of us remember that from the earliest times that those connected to medicine committed themselves to saving lives and healing the infirm. Now even the medical field has been corrupted and adulterated. People have come to fear doctors and hospitals. Where people would unquestionably trust their physician with their lives, not question their motives and integrity. A hospital is now a place of death, experimentation, and forcing untested drugs on patients, where one loses his freedom of choice whether to accept surgery or take a new drug. Even governments currently are imposing euthanasia on seniors who wish to continue living. Also, the man-made viruses and their release in the environment with the result of killing millions of people throughout the world. We were given the responsibility by God to be good and faithful stewards of His creation.

The answer to our dilemma is to supplicate the Almighty God to take charge of everything, after all this is His creation and we are His creatures fashioned by His own hands have we forgotten? Mankind is so foolish to believe that it can exist without Him. We should learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating them over and over again. Historically, and for centuries upon centuries man has attempted to dominate the world, to control it and to rule over all of humanity under one government. Our Beloved Lord, however, observes man’s irrational behavior, his open defiance and disobedience to Him and awaits for his repentance and willingness to change. Man is suffering from the illness of pride and arrogance which blinds him and leads him to his eventuall self-destruction. His heart is not moved by the signs toward faith in the Lord. He has ceased all communication with His Creator and he refuses to acknowledge the Lord saying, “Who is He, that I should obey His voice?” The Lord is the Lord of All, and mankind needs to realize and believe this. We should never inquire into why God does what He does, nor ask any questions about it. Our only respose should always be obedience to Him. God is NOT accountable to us, it is we who are accountable to Him for everything that we do, say, and think.

Pharaoh in ancient Egypt found the hard way what it meant to go against God. The plagues inflicted by God upon the Egyptian Pharoah and his people were because of both the Pharoah and his servants hardened their heart and refused to obey Him. The world has known many such tyrants as the Pharoah who were cruel and savage to their subjects. However, even they had the opportunity to know the Lord through faith, for He desires that all should be saved. Humility is to know the Lord and to humble onself before Him. but some chose to instead defy Him. To listen and/or to adhere to the commands of God is a free choice that everyone ought to make. According to Saint John Chrysostom, “Humility is the beginning and end of salvation.”

The plagues which the world is experiencing today are brought about by man himself. God has bestowed upon us the gift of discernment to know right from wrong so that we may able to avoid doing evil and intead do good. Our capital example of goodness is the Lord Himself, our Savior Jesus Christ. As Prophet Isaiah reminds us, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. 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 ther is no end. His peace shall be upon the Trone of David and over His Kingdom, to order and establish it with reighteousness and judgment, from that time forward and unto ages of ages. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform this” (Isaiah 9:5-6).

Mankind yearns for peace and yet is unable to acquire it. However, the holy Apostles of Christ who spread the Gospel throughout the world with only “the weapons of peace,” the preaching of the Cross. Lasting peace comes from God Himself and if we desire peace for us and for the world we should turn to Him to provide it and granted to us. There is no real peace without the Lord God whether it be external or inner peace. Our Savior God says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Despite persecution and suffering, believers can maintain the peace and joy of Christ Who has “overcome the world” of darkness through His saving work.

________________

“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, the Incarnate God,

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

ON OUR JOURNEY TO MEET THE SAVIOR CHRIST…

As we continue on our spiritual journey to meet our Savior Jesus Christ our souls and our hearts overflow with profound joy. We come to understand that the holy days which we observe throughout the ecclesiastical year are not just any events or traditions. They are, for those who truly comprehend their purpose, spiritual opportunities to grow closer to our Savior Christ and by doing so to grow in spiritual maturity and knowledge. During our journey, we are nourished by the grace of the Holy Spirit. 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 acquired through bodily discipline, yet this of but limited profit (cf. 1 Timothy 4:5) to us once we begin to grow in virtue and gradually leave our infancy behind."

Hopefully, during our journey to meet Him, we come to realize more clearly who we are and increase in stature and grace (cf. Luke 2:52). For this is a personal journey with a deeper meaning and goal. Along the way, we are spiritually cleansed through the Mysteries of our Holy Church. So long as we are learning the basic principles physically and spiritually we will succeed in our endeavors and objectives.

We, of course, believe that the Birth of our Savior took place historically in the city of Bethlehem but as followers of Christ, we also believe that His Birth is not only geographical but also spiritual. We, as Orthodox Christians, believe that He is born in our hearts. Our journey is not an external journey to meet Him but most especially internal. If we cannot find Him in our hearts we have failed in our journey. The true meeting with Him takes place within us. When this has taken place within, the Holy Spirit cries in our hearts, Abba! Father!, making it known to us and revealing our intimate communion with the Father. And He abides in us and converses with us as sons, daughters, and heirs of God through Christ our True Redeemer.

We grow in our knowledge. faith and love in God, The Sun of Righteousness enlighten our inner world which up to now dwelt in darkness. The Divine Child penetrates deep into our souls and dispels all kinds of darkness and despair. Our Lord and Creator restore the pristine beauty within us once again. We are no longer citizens of this earthly place but citizens of Paradise. We find that what is worldly is of no importance to us. What is important is our sincere relationship with our Savior, the Heavenly Father.

"When you perceive that the passions are no longer active within you, and when because of your humility tears of compunction flow from your eyes, then you must know that the kingdom of God has come upon you…and when you perceive the Spirit moving and speaking in your heart, inciting you to proclaim in the greater congregation the saving powers and Truth of God (cf. Psalm 40:10), do not keep your lips sealed for fear of provoking the unbelievers but shouted from the rooftops."

Pray to our All-Loving God to ignite His love within you. When His love overtakes you and you are engulfed in it, your entire life and perception of everything around you take a different form and meaning. Everything within you is brought to light, everything is rejuvenated and enlivened. One sure thing is in the absence of fear and apprehension you begin to discover how beautiful and wonderful God’s world truly is. You love people, you love nature, you love your enemies, and above all you love God.

The celebration of Christ’s Nativity is not one specific day or time but an authentic encounter and communion with God. A communion that will endure for all eternity. Our Most Powerful God uses His power not to take away our freedom but to transform us from earthly beings to His heavenly sons and daughters. He is gentle, forgiving, merciful, peaceful, loving, compassionate, and kind. He takes our barren and parched souls and turns them into fertile fields. He is our Creator and our Fashioner and as such, He knows better than us what is best for us.

Do not allow the world to interfere with your faith and relationship with our Savior Christ. Christians throughout the centuries struggle to defend, and maintain their faith in Christ. Evil forces are determined to prevent you from believing in God. To indoctrinate you not to believe in living a virtuous life, a life of dignity, and in a grace-filled life. By guarding your heart and maintaining its purity you protect it and yourself from various evil influences. Our Lord God, the only true Friend of mankind, is ready to rekindle the fire in the hearts of all who believe in Him. "A devouring fire is the Lord your God" (Dt, 9:3), Who destroys matter and evil habits, Who enlightens your mind and His Light and fills it with the Light of knowledge and discretion. Thus through this spiritual work you will establish the whole of your inner self to be a temple and a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, while your heart especially will be a holy altar, a sacred sanctuary. Your mind, moreover, will be a priest; your will and disposition will be a sacrifice; your prayer of the heart to God will be an offering of spiritual fragrance," according to Saint Basil the Great.

The soul that loves our Savior Jesus Christ is a blessed soul. Saint Isaac the Syrian told us: "When the mind is moved to rember God, the heart is directly moved in love and the eyes produce many tears. It is the habit of love to shed tears whne remembering the beloved person." By remembering Jesus and saying the Jesus Prayer with sincere faith, we cultivate in our heart love for Him and His divine commandments. After all what is more blessed, what is more glorious than the beloved name of Jesus? Saint Paul reminds us: "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Hiim the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).

Keep your sights on our Savior God and you will not be disapointed. We can never take our eyes away from Him and we must seek His guidance. Our best guide is the Holy Scripture. Read the Holy Scripture, and be immersed in them, receive the divine food, wisdom, and knowledge that comes from above. Study them carefully and with faith and do it for your own benefit, because you will find there the remedy for all your infirmities. The holy Apostle Paul writes: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may complete, equipped for ever good word" (2 Timothy 3:16).

_______________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Thngs!"

– 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.

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten,
begotten of the Father before All ages, Light of Light, True God
of True God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father,
by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our
salvation came down from heaven, and was Incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary, and became man…” (The Creed)

The Nativity

By Metropolitan of Nafpaktos, Hierotheos

In Christ there are TWO BIRTHS. One is before all ages, from the Father beyond cause, word, time and nature, and the other was made for us by the Most Holy Theotokos “at the time of conception,” but “beyond any law of conception,” because He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and NOT BY SEED.

The Son and Logos/Word of God WAS BORN BEFORE ALL AGES of a Virgin Father, without a mother; and in time, from a Virgin Mother, WITHOUT A CORPOREAL FATHER. Both births were without passion and without a flow, because neither did God the Father suffer anything by the birth, NOR DID THE PANAGIA (Theotokos) LOSE HER VIRGINITY (EVER-VIRGIN) BY THE BIRTH.

And both births are INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO HUMAN REASON. We accept the Revealed Truth that He was born of the Father without flow and by the Panagia without seed, without working these facts out mentally. For, according to Saint Gregory the Theologian, the effort to understand the Mysteries beyond reason can lead man to madness. The fact is THAT THESE TWO BIRTHS GIVE INDISPENSABLE ASSURANCE THAT MAN CAN BE SAVED ONLY THROUGH CHRIST, BECAUSE CHRIST CORRECTED ADAM’S ERROR AND GUIDED MAN TO THE GOAL WHICH ADAM WOULD HAVE REACHED IF HE HAD NOT SINNED.

“The Incarnation of the Son and Logos/Word of God was timed towards THE RESTORATION OF ADAM AND EVE, and principally towards THE DEIFICATION (THEOSIS) OF MAN. According to Saint Athanasios the Great, GOD BECAME MAN IN ORDER TO MAKE MAN GOD. We find the same thing also in the Troparia hymns of the Church: “Now God becomes man, that He may make Adam God.”

“Christ’s Incarnation is also called SELF-EMPTYING (KENOSIS). The words of the Apostle Paul are astonishing: “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH ON THE CROSS” (Philippians 2:6-8).

The KENOSIS of the Logos/Word must be taken as CONDESCENSION. “He comes down to the level of His servants, an ineffable and incomprehensible CONDESCENSION (Saint John of Damascus). He comes down to the level of the human race, taking on the form of A SERVANT, that is to say, THE FLESH, and in some way belittles and diminishes His Divinity, WITHOUT CEASING TO BE GOD, in order to be finite (Saint Gregory the Theologian). These words of Saint Gregory the Theologian are characteristic: “He that is full EMPTIES Himself, for He empties Himself OF HIS GLORY FOR A SHORT WHILE, THAT I MAY HAVE A SHARE IN HIS FULLNESS.”

“After all that we have said, we can look at the following FOUR POINTS which show a personal approach to this Great Feast, the “CAPITAL” of all the feasts of the Lord:

First. The cave in which Christ was born is a type of the Church. Saint Athanasius the Great speaks graphically. The small room where the Panagia awaited the birth has been accepted as the type of the Church. The manger is seen as the altar, Joseph is the server, the Magi are the Clergy, the Shepherds are the Deacons, the Angels are the Priests, the Lord is the Bishop, the Virgin is the Throne, the craters are the Chalices, the Incarnation is the Vestments, the Cherubim are the fans, the Holy Spirit is the Paten, the Father Who overshadows all things with His power is the Veil covering the Paten.

The Church is THE BODY OF CHRIST the Godman, that which was borne in the womb of the Theotokos, was born, WAS TRANSFIGURED, SUFFERED, WAS CRUCIFIED, ROSE AGAIN AND WAS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. In the Divine Liturgy this Great Mystery is celebrated and we are given THE ABILITY TO PARTAKE OF THE GRACE OF CHRIST. The Church IS NOT A HUMAN ORGANIZATION, NOR IS THE DIVINE LITURGY A RITE OF COMMEMORATION AND SANCTIFICATION OF OUR FEELINGS.

Second. The Divine and Human Natures are always UNITED with His Human Nature in the hypostasis of the Logos/Word WITHOUT CHANGE, CONFUSION, DIVISION OR SEPARATION. This means that they have never been separated and they never are separated. 

Third. Since we bow before this Great Mystery of the Incarnation, and especially since we commune of the Body and Blood of Christ, we must deceive Herod as the Magi did. The Evangelist Matthew says of the Magi: “being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way” (Matthew 2:12).

The word ‘Herod’ in the Hebrew language means ‘of leather.’ Therefore, Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite says that we must delude the thought and pleasures of the flesh. Moreover, we must mock the devil of the mind, who prevents us from walking the path of salvation. We must return by another way, BY THE VIRTUES, TO OUR NATIVE LAND, WHICH IS Paradise.

This means that WE ARE REQUIRED TO LIVE A MYSTERIAKE ZOE (A SACRAMENTAL AND ASCETIC LIFE). ALL WHO LIVE ASCETICALLY ARE GRANTED TO BE UNITED WITH CHRIST, IN THE MYSTERIA (SACRAMENTS).

Fourth. When a person lives sacramentally and ascetically, in harmony with the spirit of the Orthodox Holy Tradition, then he is experiencing spiritually the Events of the Divine Incarnation in his/her heart, and more generally in his/her whole being. Then he/she does not perceive Events outwardly, BUT INWARDLY. Saint Symeon the New Theologian says that when a man purifies his hear and is illuminated, then HE RECEIVES CHRIST WITHIN HIMSELF AND UNDERSTANDS His infant-like leaps. Christ is conceived as an Infant in him and is born through the virtues, and now the man is living all these events in his being. To be sure, IT IS ONLY IN CHRIST THAT THE DIVINE WAS UNITED WITH THE HUMAN NATURE HYPOSTATICALLY. But the deified (theosis) person also receives God’s energy in his nature AND BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE Body of Christ. Thus, he comprehends how the grace of God works in his nature, what kenosis is, what deification (theosis) of human nature is.

The Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity was aimed at the DEIFICATION (THEOSIS) of human nature. However, the hypostasis of each one of us must also be deified. If we do not anticipate DEIFICATION, then for us it is as if Christ had not become man. [Source: The Feasts of the Lord.  An introduction to the Twelve Feasts and Orthodox Christology]

____________

“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 Geoge

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE DIVINE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn, for
the Forefeast. Mode 4.

As She carried in her womb what she conceived without seed,
Mary went to Bethlehem with elder Joseph to enroll, for they
were of the House and the Lineage of David. The time arrived
for Her to give birth to Her Child, but then there was no place
in the Inn for them. Therefore the grotto served as luxurious
Royal Palace for the Queen. And Christ the Lord is born, to
raise the Image which was formerly fallen.

The Nativity

By Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hierotheos

The Feast of the Birth of Christ as a man is the capital of feasts, as Saint John Chrysostom says. All the other feasts of the Lord – Epiphany, the Transfiguration, the Passion, the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of Christ – follow from the Nativity. Without the Nativity, there would have been no Resurrection, but also without the Resurrection, the purpose of the divine Incarnation would not have been fulfilled. All these feasts of the Lord are unified. We separate them in order TO CELEBRATE THEM AND TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY INTO THEIR CONTENT. In every Divine Liturgy, WE LIVE THROUGH ALL THE EVENTS OF THE DIVINE INCARNATION. Therefore, according to the Holy Fathers, IT IS ALWAYS CHRISTMAS, ALWAYS PASCHA, ALWAYS PENTECOST.

What happened at the Annunciation began to be revealed at the Nativity of Christ. When we call it A REVELATION, we mean that there are several persons, such as the Panagia (Theotokos), Joseph, etc., to whom it was revealed that The Christ for Whom all the ages were waiting had come into the world. To be sure, Christ when revealed IS HIDDEN, AND WHEN HIDDEN IS REVEALED. We see in His WHOLE LIFE AS WELL AS IN His REVELATION TO THE saints.

The Birth of Christ is a Historical Event because it took place of a specific moment in history when Caesar Augustus was Emperor of Rome and Herod was the ruler of Judaea. The Evangelists insist on emphasizing THE HISTORICITY OF THE EVENT because they want to say that Christ is a Historical Person. This means that Christ assumed REAL HUMAN FLESH, and THE INCARNATION WAS NOT MERELY SEEMING OR IMAGINED.

In spite of its historicity, this Event remains a Mystery. We know that the Godman, PERFECT GOD AND PERFECT MAN, exists, but IT REMAINS A MYSTERY HOW THE DIVINE NATURE UNITED WITH HUMAN NATURE IN THE PERSON OF THE Logos (Word). Moreover, what happened to the Person of Christ, that the Divine Nature was UNITED HYPOSTATICALLY WITH Human Nature, happened just once. Therefore, Saint John of Damaskos said that Christ is "THE ONLY NEW THING UNDER THE SUN." This means that since the Creation of the world and man, NOTHING NEW HAS HAPPENED IN THE WORLD. Everything is repeated. The birth of a man is a consequence and result of God’s words: "Let us make man in Our Image and Likeness," and "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" [Genesis 1:26-28]. The ONLY NEW THING IS THE GODMAN CHRIST…

"…The Angels’ Hymn is also characteristic: "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN" [Luke 2:14]. The PEACE which the Angels praised was NOT A SOCIAL PEACE, the absence of war, but THE INCARNATION AND PRESENCE OF CHRIST. Thus the Angels were hymning the peace which came in with the Birth of Christ and NOT a peace that would come in the future. For by His Divine Incarnation Christ GAVE MAN PEACE WITH GOD, his neighbor, and himself as well, precisely because the Divine Nature WAS UNITED WITH THE HUMAN NATURE IN His Person. After the Fall man LOST PEACE WITH GOD because he worshipped idols without souls and senses and not the True God. Now by the Divine Incarnation man IS GIVEN THE POSSIBILITY TO WORSHIP THE True God. He also ATTAINED PEACE WITH THE ANGELS AND WITH HIS FELLOW-MEN. And indeed THE POWERS OF HIS SOUL ATTAINED PEACE because Christ did what Adam FAILED TO DO. Adam had to attain FULL COMMUNION BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND HIS OWN PERSONAL STRUGGLE, THE POWERS OF HIS SOUL HAD TO FUNCTION, AND SUPRANATURALLY. THIS WAS ACHIEVED IN CHRIST…

"… Also present at the Birth of Christ was THE CREATION, which received grace from the Son and Logos {Word) of God made man. The term "CREATION’ comprises the animals, the crypt, the manger, the mountains, the sky, etc. The holy icon of the Birth of Christ shows that THE WHOLE CREATION RECEIVES GRACE FROM CHRIST. At the center of the holy icon is Christ, Who is the Source of UNCREATED GRACE, AND FROM HIM POURS FORTH GOD’S SANCTIFYING AND DEIFYING ENERGY…

"…At the Birth of Christ THE WHOLE CREATION IS EXTOLLING GOD, ITS MAKER. IT IS BEARING WITNESS THAT CHRIST AS GOD IS THE CREATOR OF CREATION, AND THE CREATION IS His handiwork…While God’s energy is one, it has different characteristics according to its effects. Thus we speak of sanctifying and deifing energy, or we speak of God being-bestowing, Life-Giving, Wisdom-imparting and DEIFYING ENERGY. Within this framework we should say that with regard to Ontology, CREATION PARTAKES OF GOD’S BEING-BESTOWING AND LIFE-GIVING ENERGY, AND WITH REGARD TO SALVATION IT PARTAKES OF HIS SANCTIFYING ENERGY. Only the deified and the Angels partake of God’s deifying energy as well.

Therefore, the people present at the Divinie Nativity of Christ, and the Angels as well, PARTOOK OF THE DEIFYING ENERGY OF GOD, while irrational creation partook of God’s SANCTIFYING ENERGY. This is said to avoid any confusion about partaking of God’s grace. [Source: The Feasts of the Lord. An Introduction to the Twelve Feasts and Orthodox Christology)

(To be continued)

____________

"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.

REVEALING THE MEANING OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
THROUGH THE HYMNS OF OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH.

KATAVASIAS OF CHRISTMAS

CHRIST IS BORN, glorify Him! Christ is come from heaven, go
and meet Him, Christ is on earth; arise to Him. Sing to the
Lord, all you who dwell on the earth; and in merry spirits, O
you peoples, praise His birth. For He is glorified.

To the Son, begotten without flux, of the Father, before the
ages, and Who was lately made Incarnate of the Virgin
without seed; to Christ God now let us cry aloud: You have
exalted the horn of our strength. Only You are Holy, O Lord.

Jesse’s root produced a branch, O Christ, and You its flower
blossomed forth, from the Virgin who by Habakkuk
prophetically once was called overshadowed dense mountain.
From her who knew not man You came Incarnate, the
immaterial God. Glory to Your power, O Lord.

God of peace and Father of mercies, Your Son You have sent
unto us as Your Messenger, the Angel of Great Counsel who is
granting peace. Therefore, having been guided to the Light of
godly knowledge, waking from the night to dawn, we sing Your
glory, O Lover of man.

Such as it received Jonah as an embryo, the sea beast
disgorged him from its bowels intact. With the Virgin,
though, when the Logos had dwelt in her taking on flesh,
He came forth from her preserving her yet incorrupt. For
from her no fluxion suffered He, and He kept her unaltered
in childbirth.

The Servants nurtured piously together, with contempt
regarding the impious king’s decree, intrepidly faced the threat
of holocaust, and while standing in the midst of flames they
chanted thus, saying: O God of the Fathers, You are blessed.

We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.

Babylon’s bedewing furnaces bore the image of an
extraordinary wonder. For it did not burn the youths it
accepted, nor did the fire of Divinity consume the Virgin’s
womb wherein it went. So let us melodiously chant in
praise: Let all creation bless and extol the Lord, and let
it exalt Him supremely to the ages.

O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honor and in glory
than the armies of heaven.

I see here a strange and paradoxical mystery. For, behold, the
grotto is heaven; Cherubic Throne is the Virgin; the manger a
grand space in which Christ our God the uncontainable
reclined as a babe; Whom in extolling do we magnify.

Kontakion Hymn

On this day the Virgin Maid goes to the grotto to give birth
to the Pre-Eternal Logos (Word) in an ineffable manner.
Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. Glorify
along with Angels and with the shepherds Him Who willed
that He appear as a newborn Child, the Pre-Eternal God.

Vespers

When the Lord Jesus was born of the Holy Virgin, all the
the world was enlightened. The shepherds watched in the fields,
the Magi adorned and the Angels praised in song, but Herod
was troubled: for God has appeared in the flesh, the Savior
our souls.

Thy Kingdom, O Christ our God, is a Kingdom of all the
ages, and Thy rule is from generation to generation. Made
flesh of the Holy Spirit and made man of her Ever-Virgin
Mary, Thou hast enlightened us by Thy coming. Light of
Light, Brightness of the Father, Thou hast made the whole
creation shine with joy. All that hath breath praise Thee,
the Image of the Glory of the Father. O God Who art, and
Who hast ever been, Who hast shone forth from a Virgin,
have mercy upon us.

What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, Who for our sakes
hast appeared on earth as man? Every creature made by Thee
offers Thee thanks. The Angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens
a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth,
its cave; the wilderness, the manger: and we offer Thee a
Virgin Mother. O Pre-Eternal God, have mercy upon us.

Troparion of the Feast

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone upon the world
with the Light of Knowledge: for thereby they who adored
the stars through a Star were taught to worship Thee, the
Son of Righteousness, and to know Thee the Dayspring
from on High, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Kontakion Hymn

Today the Virgin gives birth to Him Who is above all
being, and the earth offers a cave to Him Whom no man
can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory, and Magi
journey with a Star. For unto us is born a young Child, the
Pre-Eternal God.

Orthros (Matins)

Come, O ye faithful, and let us behold where Christ is
born. Let us join the Magi, kings from the east, and follow
the guiding Star. Angels sing praises there without ceasing,
and shepherds abiding in the fields offer a fitting hymn, saying:
‘Glory in the highest to Him Who in the cave this day is born
of the Virgin and Theotokos, in Bethlehem of Judah.

Matins, Canticle Four

(Irmos) Rod of the root of Jesse, and flower that blossomed from
his stem, O Christ, Thou hast sprung from the Virgin. From the
Mountain overshadowed by the forest Thou hast come, made flesh
from her, that knew not wedlock, O God Who art not formed from
matter, Glory To Thy power, O Lord.

O Christ, Whom Jacob foretold in days of old, calling Thee the
Expectation of the nations. Thou hast shone forth from the Tribe
of Judah, and Thou hast come to plunder the strength of Damascus
and the spoils of Samaria, turning their error into faith beautiful to
God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord.

Please note: The texts express the genuine Orthodox Christian faith, doctrine, and mystical prayer. Our Holy Orthodox Christian Church uses both the iconography as well as hymnody not only to edify and inspire the faithful but to all also teach those present, our theology. We come to appreciate the musical heritage and Tradition of our Faith.

” Our Christian worship is essentially an ‘ENCOUNTER.’ Moreover, it is also a ‘dialogue.’ Ther are always two partners in worship. The worshipper is always expecting an answer, ‘Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my suppliction. In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee; for Thou wilt hear me. The initiative id divine. We call on God because He HAS CALLED US FIRST. Thus Orthodox Christian worship is A RESPONSE to the call or ‘challenge’ of God. We pray because the initiative has been taken by God, and we are made aware of that divine initiative through the testimony of Holy Scripture. We all on God Whom we are given to know–because He has revealed Himself through the ages, in special events, through special messengers, and finally in His Only-begotten Son, our Beloved Lord Christ Jesus…The Son of God came down to dwell among men for their salvation.

The starting point of Orthodox Christian worship is COMMEMORATION or REMEMBRANCE. The Christian Faith itself is primarily an obedient and grateful RECOGNITION of the Mighty and Saving deeds of God which culminate in the ‘coming down’ of the Son of God. God has acted, ONCE AND FOR ALL. Man now has to acknowledge God’s gracious action and to testify to His love and glory.

The historic character of Christian worship is clearly expressed in the structure of the Liturgical Year. From early times there was in the Church a YEARLY COMMEMORATION OF THE CRUCIAL Triduum–from the Cross to Resurrection–as well as a weekly commemoration of the Resurrection, on EACH ‘LORD’S DAY.’

Encounter and Dialogue

Worship is the norm of Christian existence. It should be the constant disposition or attitude of the Christian man. Indeed, to worship God means precisely TO BE AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE, TO DWELL CONSTANTLY IN THIS PRESENCE. It is through worship that the ‘new man’ is being formed in the believer, and the baptismal grace of adoption is actualized. The Christian person must be always in the state of worship, whether it is expressed in words or not. In its essence worship IS THE ORIENTATION OF MAN TOWARDS GOD, “into Thy hands I commend my spirit…”

Prayer is a bounden duty of believers. Faith and worship cannot be separated. But prayer is also a daring endeavour, inasmuch as it is also a spiritual urge of those who believe. One meets God always with awe and trembling, if also with love and adoration. In prayer one has to begin with an act of detachment— ‘to lay aside all the cares of this life.’ In no sense is this an easy task, especially when we want to present precisely these ‘cares’ –our troubles and needs–to Him, in search for help and illumination. That is why we are instructed to pray ‘in the closet,’ in retirement, in retreat from ‘the world.’ However, the walls of the chamber, the shut door, and any other external fences, cannot by themselves prevent distraction or dissipation. This can be achieved only by an intense internal effort, by steady and continuous training, by a total reorientation of one’s life. But detachment is not indifference. God Himself is not indifferent to man’s needs or ‘cares.’ [Source: The Festal Menaion)

__________

“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.

CHRISTMAS IN ORTHODOX WORSHIP

The Sun of Righteousness

What does the Coming to earth of the Son of God mean? Above all, it means that people ARE ILLUMINED, that Spiritual Light is bestowed upon them. This idea is continually being put forward in the Christmas hymnody of the Orthodox Christian Church. In the Troparion for the Christmas Feast which, as is customary, explains the basic meaning of the Feast, there is this direct statement:

"Thy Nativity, O Christ Our God,
Has ILLUMINED THE WORLD like the Light of Wisdom."

God ENLIGHTENS EACH OF US in the way that is most accessible and understandable to the particular person. And when He wished to enlighten the Wise Men, whose custom it was to observe the stars and their movements, HE sent them an unusual Star which guided them to the Christ Child and gave them the opportunity to pay homage to the Infant as the Most Glorious Luminary in the world, a Moral "Star" –the Sun of Righteousness. In the events which accompanied the birth of Christ,

"…They who worshipped the stars were through a star,
Taught to WORSHIP THEE, the Day-Spring from on High."

The Star gave the Wise men an opportunity to see the Rise of the Sun of Righteousness. But the Light of Christ’s Righteousness is NOT an earthly light. Its motion was not from out of the earth towards the firmament of heaven, nor from the horizon to the zenith, nor upwards from below, but FROM ABOVE DOWNWARDS, Shining high above the earth, it descended thereon from the Heights of Heaven and ILLUMINED THE WORLD WITH Divine Light. It was the Day-Spring from on High. And all who have sat IN SPIRITUAL DARKNESS, AND WAITED FOR THE True Light have, like the Wise Men, COME TO KNOW THIS EXTRAORDINARY Day-Spring of the Sun of Righteousness.
At Christmas Our Holy Church chants:

"Our Savior hath visited us from o High…
And we who were plunged in darkness and shadows
Have found the Truth,
For the Lord hath been born of the Virgin."
[Chrismas Orthros (Matins). The Photagogikon]

All light fades, but Christ IS THE "SUN WHICH DOES NOT
EVER SET, THAT GIVES LIGHT TO THE WHOLE UNIVERSE."
[Pre-Christmas Sticheron].
He is the "Light" of Light," ("Fos ek Fotos") the "Light of the Father," by which "THE WHOLE CREATION WAS LIGHTED."
[Sticheron by Patr. Anatolius]
His Light is the Light of True Knowledge of God and God’s Laws. Through Christ "THE WORSHIP OF MANY GODS WAS
ABOLISHED" AND IT IS THROUGH Him that paganism, of which there have been successive "new" revivals right up to our
times has been stripped of its masks, no matter how seductive the various forms it has taken may have been:

"Therefore, having been brought into the Light
Of the knowledge of God,
We glorify Thee in song,
Who art the Lover of man."
[Christmas canon. Canticle V. Irmos]

REGENERATION

Christ is not only the Great Teacher but the Savior too. In order to do good it is not enough merely to know good. And Christ gives men the power to accomplish good along with the ability to understand it.

"Sin (Amartia) entered the world, and death through sin" {For Adam, sin came first (the "ancestral sin") and then death. Sin (Αμαρτία) violated the integrity of the human soul; it deflected the soul’s activity from the orderly pattern for which the very structure of the soul had been designed. The soul’s powers, instead of being perfected through work, have degenerated due to their having been used unsuitably. Man’s organism began to disintegrate AND THE END-RESULT WAS EVIDENT AS HIS FINAL DESTRUCTION OR DEATH.

"A sound mind in a healthy body" –so the Romans believed. Without denying that this idea is true to some extent, Christianity has placed special emphasis on another aspect of the interrelationship between SOUL and BODY. It has stressed SPIRITUAL HEALTH as the factor which preserves the Life-energy of the whole human organism. From this point of view, it was the healthy and cheerful spirit of the First Created man. Adam, which had at first raised the vitality and strengthened the energy of the human body. But the DISRUPTION OF MAN’S SPIRITUAL BALANCE BY SIN AND THE RESULTING MORBID ENFEEBLEMENT, INSTABILITY, AND SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION HAVE ALSO DISRUPTED THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF THE HUMAN ORGANISM. Consequently, the human body also started to grow weaker and fall into ruin. This posterity of "Adam, our common Forefather," became through the process of heredity a sinful, diseased, and hence A MORTAL ONE. Under the influence of the "POISON OF DISOBEDIENCE" by the first human being the ever-increasing moral and physical self-disintegration of mankind kept on developing, as did the loss of man’s power to withstand evil and strengthen himself in the good.

But now Christ has appeared IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE LIFE THAT WAS PERISHING, THAT IS RETURN IT TO THE FORMER STATE:

"Man, who, being made in the image of God,
Had become corrupt through sin, and was full of vileness,
And had fallen away from the better life Divine,
Doth the Wise Creator RESTORE ANEW."
[Christmas canon.  Canticle I. Troparion]

If mankind were perishing of A SPIRITUAL POISON, then THE ANTIDOTE TO IT MUST ALSO BE SPIRITUAL. As a consequence of the appearance of God’s Son on earth, the "powers of the Godhead" HAVE PENETRATED INTO THIS HUMAN RACE, "THE WORLD IS UNITED WITH IMMATERIAL BEINGS," with the Divine Spirit. [2nd Christmas canon. Canticle V. Troparion]
Through this influx of new strength mankind IS REBORN INTO A NEW LIFE:

"… As God, Christ, will bring to Adam’s seed
The gift of a Wondrous Rebirth.
Rejoice, ye barren deserts;
Be joyful, all human creatures;
The Lord has come to make Thee
FRUITFUL FOR GOOD."
[Pre-Christmas canon. Canticle 1. Troparion]

_______________
"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