My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

"PRAY FOR US" (Hebrews 13:18)

It is out of brotherly agape that we pray for one another. These prayers are referred to as "intercessory prayers." In the First Epistle to Timothy Chapter 2:1. Saint Paul writes, "Therefore I exhort first of all that SUPPLICATIONS, PRAYERS, INTERCESSIONS, AND GIVING OF THANKS BE MADE FOR ALL MEN, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." It is clear that intercessory prayers to be offered for all without partiality, but especially to pray for those in "authority." Thus, Orthodox Christians repeatedly pray for "all civil authorities."

There can be no spiritual life without godly prayer. Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ commands us to pray secretly, not to be seen by men (Matthew 6:5-6). It is prohibited for the Christian to become a spectacle and engage in spiritual showmanship. The secret "room" (Matthew 6:6) is a believer’s innermost being; so praying secretly is perfectly consistent with praying everywhere. Orthodox Christians are able to experience the fullness of sincere and devout prayer wherever they may be. Therefore, we pray always (Luke 18:1), "WITHOUT CEASING" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We must proceed to pray using words that come from the heart to seek God Himself. When we pray we do not lecture the Lord our God or make outright demands, but we are humble. It is not repetition per se, but VAIN REPETITION which Our Lord Christ condemns.

We pray not only for ourselves and for our own needs for the welfare of all. We offer prayers of intercession for the good of all people, good and bad. We are taught by our Lord Christ that "For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). By speaking in this manner Christ offers the greatest possessions of all– PERFECT AGAPE. That is a gift that can only be possessed by the one who, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, manifests God’s agape for all people. Such agape calls us to "bless, do good, and pray–even for enemies. Agape for our fellow man is the sign of having become a true child of the Most High God.

It is a natural practice for Orthodox Christians to involve the Saints of the Holy Church and seek their intercessory prayers for us and others. What we, Orthodox Christians, are really requesting is that the Saint pray on our behalf, to intercede before God for mercy and forgiveness of our transgressions and for our salvation. Knowing that the Saints have been blessed and by the grace of God have attained holiness they become our ambassadors but not our advocates. There is a fundamental difference between the Advocacy of our Lord and that of the Saints: the Advocacy of Jesus Christ is a PROPITIATORY ONE. He is our ADVOCATE when we sin having made Himself the propitiation of our sins, Who paid the wages of sin on our behalf. He stands as the ONLY MEDIATOR between God and men. Saint Paul the holy Apostles says: "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. And He is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sin only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1-2).

Saint Paul writing to the Hebrews says, "But He because He continues forever, has an unchanging Priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make INTERCESSIONS FOR THEM" (Hebrews 7:25). We believe in and through Our Savior Jesus Christ, we can intercede before God for one another. Our Lord Christ commands us to pray for one another for all the world (1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16-18). The prayer of our intercession has no boundaries and we can supplicate our Creator and God for any and every kind of healing, guidance, the forgiveness of sins, mercy, and salvation. "Pray for one another," writes Saint Paul, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED. THE EFFECTIVE, FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILS MUCH" (James 5:16). Historically in the early Church tradition when a Christian had committed a grave sin, the matter was confessed before THE WHOLE CHURCH AS AN ACT OF REPENTANCE. Thus, the Church has effected healing through such deeds of faith as confession of sins and THE POWER OF INTERTERCESSORY PRAYER.

Our Holy Orthodox Christian Church bestows the title of "saint" (lowercase s) on anyone who has lived and died in Christ throughout the centuries. While certain Saints (capital S) are formerly glorified and commemorated by the Orthodox Church, every baptized Orthodox Christian is considered a saint, as a member of the Royal Priesthood that Jesus Christ established with the founding of the Holy Church, He being the Head. The Saints who received GLORIFICATION stand out as par excellent examples for those of us who strive to live life in Christ God.

"Finally, brethren, PRAY FOR US, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the EVIL ONE. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3). When we pray for each other we pray as the body of Christ, as brothers and sisters in Christ, and as friends in Christ. We are a Christian Community and a Christian spiritual family. We share a common faith in Christ and are true disciples of Christ Jesus. We love and care for one another and we support one another in preaching the Gospel of Christ. We are much stronger in our efforts to serve Him and our fellow man and those who seek the Truth and salvation.

The holy Apostle John exhorts us, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, FOR GOD IS LOVE. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:7-9). As the Only-begotten Son sacrificially gave Himself "that we might live through Him" so we are to give ourselves to Him and to "one another."

_____________

"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.

POSSESSED BY MISERY

When one thinks of human misery and suffering one thinks of Job in the Holy Scripture. As we remember he was a man who was blameless, righteous, and God-fearing. He abstained from every evil thing. He had seven sons and three daughters and he was very wealthy. Then one day "the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the devil also came with them…Does Job worship the Lord for no reason? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his cattle have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has and see if he will bless You to Your face. Then the Lord said to the devil, ‘Behold whatever he has I give into your hand; but to not touch him."

We know that the devil sets out to destroy all the wealth, family, faith, love of God, and health of righteous Job. Saint John Chrysostom remarks that Satan’s will is his own, but he derives his power from God Who does not allow him to act except with justice. He cannot bring harm to the faithful, and even profits those who war against him, "for tribulation makes the strong stronger." Job did not blame God with injustice for the evils he had experienced. Saint John Chrysostom says, "It is not the events but the perversity of thoughts that makes us suspect God of meanness."

Job in his misery is an image of Christ on the Cross. He came "in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin; He condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:3). Job images our Lord Jesus Christ as SUFFERING SERVANT, High Priest, and Intercessor on behalf of all. As we worship during the Divine Liturgy, we offer ourselves and, because Christ offered Himself first for our sake, we receive acceptance and forgiveness through Him.

Job’s righteousness and God’s faithfulness were demonstrated to all through his suffering according to the Lord’s word. Job was rewarded doubly for his faithfulness and for enduring all the suffering. "The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before…After the affliction, Job lived one hundred and seventy years, and all the years he lived were two hundred forty-eight; and Job saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. It is written that he will rise with those whom the Lord resurrects" (Job 42:10-18).

Life is very difficult and unpredictable but we must not allow anything to come between us and our God. We are to stop blaming, grumbling at each other, falling into despair, losing our faith, and ending up miserable for the rest of our lives. There are those who say, "misery loves company." If we are miserable, then everyone should be miserable as well. Stop being envious of everyone around you and instead seek God’s forgiveness, love, guidance, and inspiration and pray for courage. Misery is an evil trap that threatens everything good around you and yes, including people that you love and love you. Allowing yourself to feel despondent, angry, unsuccessful, lost, confused, afraid, and weak, is destructive and self-defeating. Instead, remain steadfast in your faith in God, be hopeful, be honest, be confident, be strong, be positive, be humble, and see that nothing is ever as bad as we imagine it to be.

Wallowing in self-pity does no one any good. You have God on your side and there is nothing that cannot be overcome. "Faith can move mountains." Instead of being intimated by the size of the mountain before you, do what mountain climbers do, see it as a challenge and be determined to climb the mountain all the way to the top. Our Merciful God has given us all the necessary tools that we need to overcome problems, temptations, challenges, illnesses, and hardships. What we should be looking for when we are unhappy is God’s healing. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came "to heal the brokenhearted." Christ’s Ministry (Diakonia) was of numerous occurrences of healings of "all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease" (Matthew 4:23).

Misery is a disease, it is an illness that needs to be cured by a physician but not just any physician. Our physician can only be the Great Physician, the Heavenly Physician, the Physician of our souls and bodies. You see, misery affects not only the person psychologically, and emotionally but also spiritually. The miserable person is a tormented soul. As Orthodox Christians, we not only consider the body but the soul that gives life to the body. When the body suffers so does the soul. Free your body and soul from misery, from this illness, and from this evil possession. Pray thusly:

"O Lord Almighty, Healer of our souls and bodies, Who puts down and raises up, Who chastises and heals also, visit now in Your mercy Thy servant, N_______ who is ill. Stretch forth Your arm that is full of healing and health, and raise me up and cure me of my illness. Put away the spirit of disease, anxiety, and distress and if I have committed sins and transgressions, grant remission and forgiveness, because You love mankind. Amen.

This prayer as well as every prayer must be offered to God with sincere faith, love, and profound humility. God knows what we need and what we are going through but He needs us to trust Him and be patient and always persevere, never giving up.

As Orthodox Christians we pray, neither commanding God to heal, nor doubting His ability to heal, but pleading for His promised mercy upon all who are ill.

May God bless you and heal you. 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,

“Now the Lord spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:1-2).

God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses and through him to the chosen people of God. Moses brought out the people to meet with God, that is, with God the Son. He is the Lord Who came down on Mout Sinai, and He is God, for it was He Who spoke to Moses on the mountain. The Jews acknowledge that God spoke to Moses, but said concerning Jesus they did not know where He was from (John 9:29). Yet it was He Who spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Everything that is good comes from God, and everything should be drawn back to Him. God’s original intent for the Incarnation was not redemption from the fall but “ADOPTION AS SONS” of God as is revealed in Ephesians 1:5, “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” that is, THEOSIS (deification). Because when our Almighty Creator contemplated creating the world, He planned on bringing it into UNION WITH HIMSELF THROUGH THE INCARNATION OF His Son, that is, through the Son’s union with human nature. That is why Saint Athanasios the Great can say, “God became man that man might become god.”

The Father chose us (Ephesians 1:4) in “Him,” the Son. Jesus Christ, Who is God by nature, became Man by choice. If we choose Him, we, who are human by nature become “gods” by grace. If we are in Christ, the Son of God, we are sons of God. The holy Apostle Paul is not addressing individuals but us, the COMMUNITY, THE Church. And he is not addressing the issue of human will in salvation but the will of God, which is that all are chosen (Romans 11:32; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). But being “predestined” (v. 5) but God DOES NOT NULLIFY HUMAN WILL: in everything, God is the Originator, the Initiator; we merely respond, but our response is necessary. Becoming a Christian is not so much inviting Christ into one’s life as getting oneself into Christ’s life. What is true of Christ must become true of one who is in Him.

Mankind has serious limitations of of Who God is and how one may come to know God’s will and ways. Our Fashioner and Creator has revealed His Divine will to humanity in various ways. However, even then, the human race found it difficult to understand. Saint John the holy Apostle writes: “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us AN UNDERSTANDING, that we may know Him Who is True; and we are in Him Who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God and Eternal Life” (1 John 5:20). Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who is the Son of God, and is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit ” has given us and understanging” that no one else is able to give. “For One is your Teacher, the Christ and you are all brethren” (Matthew 23:8).

With us is God the Son, begotten by Him, Who for the sake of Divine love has manifested Himself to men as Man so that we might know and see with our own eyes that God is with tus most intimately, partaker of flesh and blood with us (Hebrews 2:14) in the most perfect way. Saint Clement of Alexandria states: “God is like a mother bird who, having seen her baby fall out of the nest, flies down herself to raise it up, and when she sees it in danger of being devoured by a serpent, with a pitiful cry she flies around it and all the other baby birds, not capable of being indifferent to the loss of a single one of them.”

The Almighty God, according to Saint John Chrysostom, “loves us more than a father or a mother of a friend, or anyone else can love, and even more than we can love ourselves, because He is concerned more for our salvation than even for His own glory. A testimony of this is the fact that He sent into the world for suffering and death (in human flesh) His Only-begotten Son, solely in order to reveal to us the path of salvation and eternal life.”

“Nevertheless, to a certain extent we do have a knowledge of God, a knowledge to the extent that He Himself HAS REVEALED IT TO MEN. One must distinguish between the COMPREHENSION of God, which IN ESSENCE IS IMPOSSIBLE, and the KNOWLEDGE of Him, even though incomplete, of which the Apostle Paul says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; and “I know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:12). The degree of knowledge depends upon the ability of man himself to know.”

The powerlessness of our mind to comprehend God is expressed by the our Holy Orthodox Church also in the Holy Services: “At a loss for words to express the meaning of Thine INCOMPREHENSIBLE Thrice-radiant Godhead, we praise Thee, O Lord.” God is Holy. Holiness consists not only in the absence of evil or sin: holiness is the presence of higher spiritual values, joined to purity from sin. Holiness is like the light, and the Holiness of God is like the purest Light. God is the “one alone holy” by nature. He is the Source of Holiness for Angels and men. Men can attain to holines only in God, “not by participation, by STRUGGLE AND PRAYER” writes Saint Cyril of Jerusalem.

It is futile for man to attempt to understand His Creator God when a person is not even able to understand himself or others. The psalmist says, “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You” (Psalm 31). If one seeks knowledge and understanding, he/she should pray to God in earnest and genuine humility, He will answer at the appropriate time. Whenever people strive earnestly to see the Truth, and when they put nothing else before the Truth, God, in His compassionate way, comes to meet them. God guides with a marvellous compassion those who give themselves over to Holy will and His care. “As a candle-maker uses the soft wax to make whatever sort of candle he wishes, so God in His wisdom makes from His consecrated (Baptized) servants immotal lights in His Heavenly Kingdom.

____________

“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 30th of November,
the Holy Church commemorates
the holy Apostle ANDREW
the First-called of the Twelve.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the holy Apostle Andrew
Fourth Tone

As the first-called of the Apostles, and brother of their leader, O
Andrew, entreat the Master of all that peace be granted unto the
world and great mercy to our souls.

Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone

Let us acclaim the namesake of courage, that herald of things divine,
the first-called of the Savior’s disciples, and the kinsman of Peter,
for as he formerly cried out to him, so doth he now to us: Come,
we have found the Desired One.

ANDREW, the First-called Apostle of Christ, was the son of a Jew named Jonah and the brother of the holy preeminent Apostle Peter. He was a native of the Galilaean town of Bethsaida. Disdaining the vanity of this world and preferring virginity to matrimony, he declined to enter into wedlock; and, hearing that the holy Forerunner John the Baptist was preaching repentance by the river Jordan, he left everything, went to him, and became his disciple. Andrew beheld the holy Forerunner while he was pointing to Jesus as He passed by and saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God" (John 1:36). Saint Andrew, together, with another disciple of the Forerunner (whom many consider to have been the Evangelist John), left the Forerunner and followed after Christ. He sought out his brother Simon Peter and said to him, "We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, The Christ (John 1:41), and brought him to Jesus. Afterward, when he was fishing with Peter off the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus called to them, saying, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Andrew, immediately leaving his nets when he heard the Lord’s summons, followed after Christ with his brother Peter (Matthew 4:20). Andrew is known as the First-called because he became a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ before any of the other disciples.

After the Lord’s voluntary Passion and His Resurrection, the holy Andrew, with the rest of the holy Apostles, received the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, there appeared to the disciples, tongues, as if of fire, being distributed upon each one of them (Acts 2:3). When the countries were divided among them, it fell to him by lot to spread the Gospel in Bithynia, the Propontis, Chalcedon, Byzantium, Thrace, and Macedonia, all the way to the Black Sea, and the River Danube, as well as in Thessaly, Hellas, Achaia, Amisos, Trebizond, Herakleia, and Amastris. Saint Andrew passed through these lands and cities, preaching the Christian Faith. In each city he had to endure much affliction and pain; but, fortified by the Omnipotent help of God, he joyfully bore all such tribulations for Christ’s sake.

The holy Apostle Andrew undertook Apostolic labors and endured pangs in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. He passed on through Pontos, the seaboard of the Black Sea, Scythia, and the Chersonese. By God’s Providence, he reached the River Dnieper in the land of Russia, and halting upon the shore beneath the hills of Kiev, he lay down to rest. When he arose from sleep in the morning, he said to his disciples who has accompanied him, "BELIEVE ME ON THESE HILLS THE GRACE OF GOD WILL SHINE FORTH. THERE WILL BE A GREAT CITY HERE, AND THE LORD WILL RAISE MANY CHURCHES IN THIS PLACE AND ENLIGHTEN ALL OF THE RUSSIAN LAND WITH HOLY BAPTISM." And ascending the hills, the Saint BLESSED THEM AND SET UP A CROSS, PROPHESYING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DWELT THERE WOULD RECEIVE THE FAITH FROM THE APOSTOLIC SEE HE HAD ESTABLISHED IN BYZANTIUM.

After passing through many lands, he reached the Peloponnesos, and, entering the Achaian city of Patras, he lodged with a certain respected man by the name of Sosios. He raised him up from his bed of sickness, and afterward, he converted the whole city of Patras to Christ. While there, Maximilla, the wife of the Proconsul Aegeates, fell prey to a grievous affliction of the eyes. One of his servants remembered the Apostle for he himself had received healing at his hands earlier. Thus, he hastened and besought the Apotle’s help for his master’s wife. The Saint then came and placed his hand upon her, and her health was restored and she rose up from her bed. Aegeates beheld this miracle, he went and brought forth a great sun of money and laid it at the feet of the Saint. The holy Apostle, however, refused the money and said to Aegeates "Our Teacher has said, ‘Freely ye received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). While there the holy Apostle Andrew performed numerous miracles.

Shortly, thereafter, the aforementionled Proconsul Aegeates wwnt to Rome to appear before Caesar to submit a report of his administration and to receive further orders. Upon his return from Rome, however, Maximilla wished to avoid all association with unconverted husband, but it was impossible for her to keep secret forever. Certain eunuchs and other approached him and said, "From the day of thy departure to Rome until this present moment, she has not taken her regular meals, but has kept a strict fast. Furthermore, she utters blasphemies against our dieties, preferring to worship the Christ preached by the stranger, Andrew. When Aegeates hear this, he was perplexed and astonished. He ordered his guard to arrest the Saint, while he considered what manner of death he should inflict upon him.

Aegeates commanded that the Saint be stretched out and beaten. Then he was brought before the judge who said to him, ‘Listen to me, O Andrew, and shed not thy blood in vain, for if thou wilt not obey me, I will crucify thee on the cross.’ To this the holy Andrew answered, ‘I am a slave of the Cross of Christ; and I desire death on a cross…My suffering shall end in a day, or two days at best; but thy sufferings ahall not come to an end, even after a thousand years. Therefore, do not increase thy torments; kindle not for thyself everlasting fire.

Enraged, Aegeates ordered that the holy Andrew be crucified on a cross, his hands and feet bound. He, at first, did not wish him affixed by nails, lest he should die in but a short time; for he thought that by hanging him bound, he might subject hm to greater tortures. When the Saint was brought to the placeo of crucifixion, the people assembled crying out, ‘Why are they leading him to crucifixion?" When he reached the place where he was to be crucified, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Rejoice, O cross sanctified by the flesh of Christ and adorned by His members as with pearls! …Accept me with glandness, for I am a disciple of Him Who was lifted up on thee! …Take me from among men and give me to my Teacher, that, through thee, He Who redemeed me through thee may receive me."

Thus saying, he removed his clothing and gave it to the torturers. They lifted him up on the cross, binding his hands and feet with cords, and thus they crucified him head-downward and suspended him… Around him stood a multitude of the people who cried out, ‘Unjustly does this holy man suffer thus!’ But Saint Andrew strengthened those who believed in Christ and exhorted them to endure transitory sufferings, teaching that no torment can compare with the reward earned by it."

Aegeates fearing the people, went straightway with them to take Saint Andrew down from the cross. But the holy Andrew said, "I do not wish to be taken down drom the cross alive, for I already see my King, I already worship Him; I already stand before Him. Yet I suffer for thee, because the everlasting perdition prepared for thee awaits thee. Take care of thyself while thou mayest, lest thou shouldest desire to begin when thou art no longer able to do so.’

When the servants wnt to unfasten him from the cross, they were unable to touch him. Indeed, a great many other people, one after another, tried to untie him, but were unable, because their hands became numb. Saint Andrew prays, ‘…O Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit in peace, for the time has come for me to go to Thee and look upon Thee Whom I have so aredently desired! Receive me, O Good Teacher, and do not permit me to be taken down over-soon from the cross, before Thou receivest my spirit!’

When he said this, a light like lightning from heaven illumined in the sight of all, and shined round about him, so that the eye of corrupt man was unable to look upon him. This heavenly light shined round him for the space of half an hour, and when the light departed, the holy Apostle surrendered his spirit and departed, amid brillilant Light, to stand before the Lord.

This took place on teh last day of the month of November, in the city of Patras, in Achaia, Greece, where ever since, through the prayers of the holy Apostle, many benefactions arae bestowed upon the people. The fear of God was upon all, and there was no one who did not believe in our God and Savior, Who desires TO SAVE ALL MEN AND LEAD THEM TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, TO WHOM BE GLORY FOR EVER. AMEN.

When many years had passed, the holy relics of the holy Apostle Andrew were translated by the Martyr Artemios to Constantinople, commemorated by the holy Church on the 20th of October, at teh command of the holy Emperor Constantine the Great, and enshrined with those of the holy Evangelist Luke and Saint Timothy, the Disciple of the holy Apostle Paul, in the most splendid Church of the Apostles, within the sacred table of oblation.

Through the prayers of Thine Apostle, O Christ God, do Thou establish Thy faithful servants in Orthodoxy, and save us all. Amen. [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.

“O Lord, how manifold are Thy
works!
In WISDOM Thou hast made them
all” (Psalm 103[104]:24)

Among the authors of the Psalms are David which were written at various times, most likely beginning in the time of David (1000 B.C.) and for several centuries thereafter. The Psalms are thy hymnbook of Israel, and now of the Church. Each psalm has its own theme. The psalms are of many types, including (a) prophecies of the coming Messiah, (b) prayers for the king, (c) personal lamentations (d) songs of praise, and (e) hymns for special feasts.

The Psalms have become for the Church, as for ancient Israel, a book of prayer and praise. All reach their fulfillment in Christ, the Son of God. Not only do the Psalms predict specific events of Christ’s life, but in them He Himself intercedes for and with His people before the Father. The Palms could also be seen as a dialogue between the Church, the body of Christ, and Christ her Head. Therefore, it is encouraged that all Orthodox Christians who may not how to pray to God to use the Psalms as a guide. They make the most sense to us when they are prayed, not simply recited.

Psalm 103[104], the great psalm of the divine service of Vespers (Esperinos), this psalm is a poetic rendition of Genesis 1. Since the new day begins at sundown according to our tradition is sung by the faithful to give praise and thanksgiving to our Creator and Fashioner. This specific psalm is sung on Pentecost. The psalmist indicates the Providence of God: He provides for the heaven and the earth and does not neglect even the smallest creatures.

“Wisdom is radiant and unfading and is easily perceived by those who love her; for she is found by those who seek her” (Wisdom of Solomon 6:12). Our desire for wisdom leads from instruction to love, to virtue, to God’s everlasting Kingdom. The holy Apostle James writes: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6). “Wisdom,” the practical and spiritual knowledge required for godly living, comes to those who ask of God, in prayer. While Saint James loves God’s law, for him faith is found not in rules but in a sincere relationship with God.

Saint James the holy Apostle also reminds us the following, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). “Trials,” the world’s oppression, take place with God’s permission. The issue is not trials per se, but our response to them. When we accept them properly, trials reveal where our hearts are. They help to increase our faith, which cannot remain static but must grow or die. Our godly reaction to trials and tribulations is joy and perseverance. Though difficult circumstances are from the evil one, to be angry at circumstances is to be angry at God, Who permits them. Especially it is important at times of personal pain and agony to remain loyal to God and resist the temptation to question God’s wisdom and judgment. Wisdom must prevail at times of distress and fear and not panic or faithlessness.

The contemporary person ought to be a true philosopher, translated as a” lover of wisdom” which is the true meaning of the word. Being an intelligent person does not mean that one is a possessor of wisdom. Again as people of faith, we turn to God to impart His wisdom upon us. It is His wisdom that will make a difference in our lives and how we come to understand our place in the world. We can see historically that human reasoning is flawed and thus we continue to make wrong decisions over and over again. We repeat the same mistakes and the results are always the same but we do not learn anything from them. Why? because humanity lacks wisdom! For example, we are all living in the 21st century and we still see the same human issues plaguing our society e.g., wars, faithlessness, pride, anger, famine, disease, greed, power struggles, injustice, hatred, slavery, persecutions, the obsession to control the world and of all humanity, to possess all wealth, division, exile, the slaughter of children and human trafficking, etc. What all this spells out is that we as humans have lost our way. That we are spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically ill. We need to see a good physician and trust in his diagnosis and knowledge as well as his experience to restore our health. Well, I know of a most excellent physician for us to turn to, the Physician of our souls and bodies, Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the only hope that humanity has and no one else.

Without Him, Jesus Christ, our world will eventually become a wasteland and wilderness. Humanity is in danger of annihilation and it needs to turn to God and trust in His Divine Wisdom. Humans now have the ability, through the use of nuclear weapons, to destroy this planet many times over, and don’t doubt for a minute that some evil person or persons will not use them, now or in the future, even though it will lead to total destruction of the world and humanity. Insanity and irrational thinking are major concerns in today’s world. Looking back at world history we come to realize that not much has changed over thousands of years and even with the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Even Christians in general have fallen victim to conditions in the world. Many of our Christian brothers and sisters have become a part of the problem instead of being obedient to the Almighty God and Savior. Christians who are faithful to Jesus Christ and His commandments and teachings have the opportunity not only to make a difference in the world but to lead humanity to Him Who created all.

The fragmentation of Christianity is an evil invention of the Evil One, Satan. The Head of the Christian Church is the Savior of the world Jesus Christ Himself. He is an UNITER and NOT a divider. He who divides and creates confusion, division, hatred, enmity, violence, defective reasoning, and seeks the destruction of the human race is the devil. Why would anyone, especially Christians, be willing to listen to his advice? Our Lord, God, and Savior is the God of AGAPE (LOVE) and taught His followers, His disciples, to LOVE ONE ANOTHER! Discord does not exist where there is love. Where is the love among Christians? Where is their obedience to His commandments? Christ is NOT and WILL NEVER SURRENDER HIS CHURCH TO THE ENEMY. Those Christians who have surrendered to the evil one and are participants of the thousands of fragmentations of the Faith are guilty of betrayal and bring His condemnation upon themselves. In the Wisdom of Solomon, we hear, “LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS, you who judge on the earth. Think about the Lord in goodness and SEEK Him with sincerity of heart; because He is found by those who do not tempt Him. And His manifest to those who do not disbelieve Him. For dishonest reasoning SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM GOD. And when His power examines someone, it convicts the UNDISCERNING; FOR WILL NOT ENTER IN A BODY INVOLVED IN SIN. FOR A HOLY SPIRIT OF DISCIPLINE FLEES FROM DECEIT AND SENDS AWAY UNDISCERNING REASONING. IT WILL PUT WRONGDOING TO SHAME WHEN IT COMES NEAR. FOR WISDOM IS A SPIRIT THAT LOVES MANKIND” (1:1-5). For the Orthodox Christians, this passage brings to mind the prayer to the Holy Spirit, “O Heavenly King,” in which we confess, “the Spirit of Truth…is everywhere present and fills all things.” 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.

GOD’S HEALING POWER IS MANIFESTED THROUGH HIS
COUNTLESS WONDERS (MIRACLES) IN THE WORLD.

"And Jesus said, ‘Who TOUCHED ME?’ When all denied it, Peter
and those with him said, ‘Master, the multitudes throng and press
Thee, and Thou say, ‘Who touched Me?’
But Jesus said, ‘SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME, FOR I PERCEIVED
POWER GOING OUT FROM ME.’
Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came
trembling and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in
the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him
AND HOW SHE WAS HEALED IMMEDIATELY. And He said to
her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer, YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU
WELL, GO IN PEACE" (Luke 8:45-48).

"And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he
sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One,
or do we look for another?’
Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which
you hear and see:
‘THE BLIND SEE AND THE LAME WALK; THE LEPERS ARE CLEANSED11
AND THE DEAF HEAR; THE DEAD ARE RAISED UP AND THE POOR
HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. AND BLESSED IS HE WHO
IS NOT OFFENDED BECAUSE OF ME" (Matthew 11:2-6).

The divinely-inspired Prophet Isaiah prophesied that at the coming of the awaited Messiah the blind would see, the lame walk, lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fulfills the prophecies of the Prophet, bearing the fruit which only the True Messiah can produce.

Healing power flows from Jesus Christ. That which Jesus touches or which touches Him, is sanctified. The power to heal comes through the garment (Luke 8:44) of Jesus but originates within Him. The miracles of our God and Savior described in the Holy Scripture parallel and continue those of Jesus’ earthly Ministry: diseases are healed and the powers of evil are overcome. Such is the Authority of the Creator. In Acts, we read, "Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:11-12). Physical objects ("handkerchiefs" and "aprons") are instruments of healing demonstrating the truth of the gospel that God became Man in order to save all creation and make all creation a vehicle of grace. Similarly, we use physical things in our Holy Orthodox Church because, in the context of faith and prayer, the power of God works through them. There is power in the paint or wood or an icon, or in the metal of a cross, or in oil or water; only if it is sanctified by our Lord Christ. Our Savior taught that one thing sanctifies another: "Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?" (Matthew 23:17). Therefore, to trustingly touch the border of His garment was to touch Him. Others may have touched Jesus, but this woman’s TOUCH OF FAITH DRAWS His power as well.

"While He was still speaking someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, ‘Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.’ But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, only believe, and she will be made well.’ When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her, but He said, ‘DO NOT WEEP; SHE IS NOT DEAD, BUT SLEEPING." And THEY RIDICULED HIM, KNOWING THAT SHE WAS DEAD. But He PUT THEM ALL OUTSIDE, took her by the hand, and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished…" (Luke 8:49-56). The disciples, Peter, James, and John including the parents were excluded to witness the great miracle because of their disbelief.

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. " (Matthew 28:18-20).

"Behold, I GIVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER THE POWER OF THE ENEMY, AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:19-20).

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tounges, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2: 2-4).

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you BY MIRACLES, WONDERS, AND SIGNS WHICH GOD DID THROUGH HIM IN YOUR MIDST, AS YOU YOURSELVES ALSO KNOW…" (Acts 2:32).

The entire Earthly Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of wonders and miracles. But what is a miracle? "It is a sign whereby God supersedes the normal laws of nature in a mysterious way in order to manifest His power as Master of the universe. Jesus Christ performed many miracles–some showing His mastery over nature, others demonstrating His power over sin, disease, and death. The holy Apostles CONTINUED TO MANIFEST THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH MIRACLES, Healings, weeping holy icons, and other contemporary miracles also show His power in the world today". See Matthew 8:1-34; John 11:1-44; Acts 3:1-9).

The Holy Orthodox Church CONTINUES TO MANIFEST THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH MIRACLES. I can attest to that as a priest of over five decades. God’s power is constantly demonstrated and disease, including death, is conquered and overcome. Divine miracles have never ceased over 2,000 years of Christian ministry. Christ is indeed in our midst. The Holy Spirit bestows His grace through the Holy Church to all who believe. Although in today’s world everything is questioned nevertheless no one can deny a God-given miracle. No person can take credit or attempt to convince others that it is he and not God that performed the miracle. That person is a charlatan and a deceiver.

Orthodox Christian believers do not ever doubt the power of God to do, what in human understanding, is considered to be impossible. What is impossible for man, is possible for God. It is clear, however, that today’s modern person seeks scientific proof for everything. Even among Christians, there is hardly any mention or discussion of miracles. Is it because we don’t believe that they exist any longer or that there is fear that if we believe in them, we would be ridiculed by others?

I can assure you that all of God’s miracles take place all the time throughout the world. The fact that there are some who doubt it does not change the reality that lies before us. I have witnessed them firsthand throughout my priestly ministry. Also, on a personal level. I have seen miracle after miracle from parish to parish. I have witnessed Orthodox Christians healed by the grace of God when doctors had given up on them completely. Orthodox Christians who suffered from cancer. I have witnessed also a young man from my parish of Saint Andrew in South Bend, Indiana who was killed by a fall and recovered although the coroner had signed the death certificate and the hospital had received permission from his parents to distribute his organs. But the greatest of all miracles, as an Orthodox priest, is the Divine Eucharist. Upon the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine to change them to the Holy Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Every time there is a Divine Liturgy those Orthodox Christians present to witness this awesome and divine miracle. We, as Orthodox Christians truly believe that what we are about to receive is indeed the Body and Blood of Christ and not something symbolic or an imitation.

The Mother of God continuously blesses those who believe and supplicate her with miracles. The same with the Saints of our Holy Church who not only intercede for us but perform miracles when through prayers and ask them for help. Our Orthodox Christian Faith is a LIVING FAITH and not something obsolete and/or another dead religion. All Orthodox Christians who are genuine and authentic must constantly acknowledge the existence of miracles and praise and glorify God for His unconditional love for us all. It is wrong to ignore His charity, His compassion, and His great mercy because otherwise, we offend Him directly. We also, by not admitting in His miracles, deny His presence among us. We refuse to believe in His Divine Power and His willingness to save the world and humanity. We also, deny the grace of the Holy Spirit working through the Mysteria (sacraments) of the Church. If we deny all these things what have we left with? A faithless generation of people without hope, purpose, or meaning in life. Instead filled with pride, arrogance, and contempt.

Let us supplicate our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ to strengthen our faith in Him and to bestow upon each and every one of us healing, forgiveness, and illumination.

__________________
"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 MARTYRDOM OF SAINT KATHERINE OF
ALEXANDRIA (Part III)

The Emperor concentrated all his attention on the holy Katherine but he was unable to vanquish her with philosophical arguments, He ordered that she be stripped and lashed without pity with whips of rawhide. After this, they scourged her about the stomach and back for two hours. Her virginal body, once fair, became lacerated and unsightly from the welts. So much blood flowed that the ground was dyed red. Yet, the holy one withstood all this with much courage, to the amazement of the bystanders. After sunset, the savage beast ordered that she be cast into prison and not be given food or water for twelve days until he might devise a method to put her to death.

The Merciful Lord did not abandon His Saint; daily, He sent food to her by a dove. He Himself, the Good Judge of the contest, then came in great glory with the heavenly Host to visit and strengthen Katherine, saying, "Do not weaken, My beloved daughter, for I am with thee, and no torment shall touch thee, in thine endurance thou will bring many to Me, and thou shalt receive many crowns and rewards!" The Lord said these things to the Saint during the night. At dawn, the emperor, sitting on the throne, ordered that the Saint be brought to him. She was taken into the palace, her spiritual qualities shining brightly so that even the bystanders were dazzled by the light of her beauty. The emperor, beside himself, assumed that one of the guards had given her food. He was of a mind to punish the guards.

The holy maiden did not wish to see punished those who were not responsible, so she disclosed the truth and said, "No one gave me sustenance, O emperor, for Christ provided for me, as He doth for all His servants." During the exchange with the emperor, a certain Prefect named Hursasaden, an ill-tempered and sadistic man tried to win the emperor’s favor. Out of his perverted intellect, he proposed, "I, O emperor, have invented an instrument of torture wherewith either thou shalt win over this maiden, or she shall experience an atrocious death. Thou shouldest order the construction of four wooden wheels attached to an axle, from which steel blades and other sharp spikes protrude. Two of the wheels will rotate to the right, and two to the left. The maiden would be placed below, bound, at its center, so that when the wheels turn, her body will be completely mutilated. However, first exhibit the wheel turning, so as to instill terror in her, that she may do as she is ordered; if not, let her receive an evil death." The idea pleased the emperor, and he ordered the plan put into effect.

In three days’ time, that awful apparatus was readied. When they brought the holy Katherine forth, they turned the wheels with a mighty force so as to frighten her. The emperor said, "Behold, by this instrument thou shalt receive a bitter death, if thou dost not worship the gods!" She replied, "Many times already I have told thee my opinion. Therefore, waste no more tie, but do thou as thou desirest!" The emperor then ordered that they cast the Saint, bound, before the wheels and rotate them violently, do that with rapid passes thereof she might suffer a bitter death. But, by the intervention of the grace and will of God, it did not come to pass in this way. An Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and aided the holy Katherine, who was instantly loosed from the bonds and rendered whole and uninjured. The wheels spun away on their own, striking many of the unbelievers, and bringing upon them a hideous death. Those who stood about were awestricken, witnessing this terrible sight; and they cried out, "Great is the God of the Christians!" The emperor raged with a blind fury, and at once sought to devise a new way to torture Saint Katherine.

On the following day, they brought Katherine to the Judgment Hall, and the emperor cried aloud, "Thou has caused me great pain and sorrow! Thou has deceived my wife, and my valiant companion and commander-in-chief, who was the strength of my army. Many more evils have visited me on your account and having no control over his senses, issued the order that she be beheaded outside the city limits. The soldiers took the Saint and marched to the site of execution. A large crowd followed them, of both men and women, weeping bitterly at the loss of such a beautiful and wise maiden. The Saint said, "Cease your needless lamentation! Instead, you should rejoice, for I behold my Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, my Maker and Savior, Who is the adornment and crown of the martyrs. I hear Him calling me into Paradise to reign with Him and to rejoice unto life everlasting. Weep not for me, but for yourselves; for you shall go into the unquenchable fire for your unbelief, where you shall sorrow and burn forever."

On their arrival at the site of execution, the Saint made the following prayer: "My Lord Jesus Christ and God, I thank Thee that Thou hast secured my feet on the rock of patience and hast directed by steps. Stretch out Thy Sacred hand, which was nailed to the Cross for our sake, and receive my soul, which today is separated from the body, out of love for Thee. Be Thou mindful, O Lord, that we are but flesh and blood; and do Thou forgive my transgressions, which I committed unwittingly, before Thy Dready Judgment Seat; but wash them away with the blood that I shed for Thee, and grant that my body, cleaved for Thee, will become invisible to those who seek it, keeping it safe and secure wheresoever Thou dost wish. Look down from on high upon Thy people who surround me, O Lord, and guide them t the Light of Thy knowledge. Because upon those who invoke Thy name, through me, all they seek for their betterment, that Ty works may be praised by all and that Thou mayest be glorified with Thine unoriginate Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto endless ages. Amen.

After uttering this prayer, she told the executioner to carry out the sentence. He raised his sword and cut off her precious head on the 25th of November, in about the year A.D. 305. Again, our God desired to honor His Saint and Venerable Martyr, and one miracle followed another! At her beheading, all the bystanders witnessed milk flow from her sacred head instead of blood. Thereupon, at that hour, her revered and precious relics were devoutly translated by holy Angels and deposited on Mount Sinai in a secret place. According to Holy Tradition, they were translated to the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai, which now bears her name.

Truly, this is the account of the Martyrdom of the all-wise and remarkable Katherine, who so loved Christ, the Heavenly Bridegroom, that she disdained wealth, glory, and every vain enjoyment. Therefore, she now rejoices and delights with the Choirs of Saints unto endless ages. Amen. [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.

SAINT KATHERINE THE GREAT MARTYR (Part II)a

The maiden then took the holy icon and returned to the place. She closed herself in her inner room as the elder directed. From the tremendous effort exerted in her supplications, she fell asleep and beheld in a vision the Queen of the Angels, as portrayed in the holy icon, holding the Holy Child. Whose person emitted rays more radiant than the sun; yet His face was turned toward His Mother. Thus, Katherine saw His back only. She yearned to behold His countenance, and so went to the other side, but once again He turned His face away. This happened thrice. She then heard the Most Holy Mother say, "My Child, look upon Thy handmaiden Katherine! How beautiful and comely she is!" He answered, "No, rather she is gloomy and so repugnant that it is not possible for Me to look upon her!" The Most Holy Theotokos continued, "Is she not more wise than all the orators, very wealthy, and the most elegant in all the cities?" Yet Christ replied, "My Mother, I tell thee that she is ignorant, poor, and contemptible! Again, the Theotokos spoke, "I beg Thee, my sweet Child, despise not the work of Thy hands! But, advise and guide her as to what she should do, so as to have a share of Thy glory and behold Thy face resplendent with Light, which the Angels long to gaze upon!" Christ then said, "She ought to go to the elder who gave her the icon. Whatever instructions he gives, she should do. Then, when she desires to see, she will receive joy and benefit."

In the morning she hastened with a few other women to the elder’s cell. Falling at his feet, she related, in tears, the vision and implored him t advise her how to proceed, so she might attain her heart’s desire. The blessed elder explained in detail the rites and Mysteries (Sacraments) of our True Faith, commencing with the creation of the universe and the making of man. He catechized her thoroughly as to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the ineffable glory of Paradise in contrast to the all-grievous and never-ending torments. Intelligent and quick of mind, Katherine grasped, within a short period of time, all the points of the Faith. She believed with all her heart and was received into the Faith through Holy Baptism at his hands. Afterward, he instructed her to entreat the Most Holy Theotokos to appear once again.

The holy maiden, having put off the "old man" (Colossians 3:9) and put on A GARMENT WOVEN BY GOD, went to the palace and kept vigil all night, fasting and praying with tears. Finally, sleep overcame her, and she beheld the heavenly Queen with the Divine Child, Who looked upon Katherine with a gracious eye. This time, the Mother of God inquired of the Master Christ if the virgin pleased Him. Our Lord answered, "She who was formerly unillumined and unsightly is now resplendent and glorious to behold! She who was contemptible and undistinguishable had become noble and eminent, and now possesses so many good blessings and gifts that I am well-disposed and desire to betroth her to Myself as My undefiled bride!" At that moment, Katherine fell prostrate, weeping and saying, "O exceeding glorious Lord, I am unworthy to look upon Thee! Make me worthy to be numbered among Thy servants!"

The Theotokos then took the right hand of the maiden and said, "My Child, give her a ring as a token of Thy betrothal to her, so as to deem her worthy of Thy Kingdom." The Master Christ then gave her a beautiful ring, saying, "Behold, this day I take thee as My unsullied bride forever. Diligently preserve this troth inviolate, taking no man to thyself!" And with these words, the vision came to an end. Katherine arose, and, verily, a ring was on her right finger! At that moment, her heart was enraptured with the divine love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Emperor Maximinus issued a decree to every city and village, enjoining al to comply with the following: "I, your emperor, greet all who are under my authority, I command all to assemble, without delay, in the capital, that we may render to the supreme gods in a fitting manner, and express our gratitude for their good favor and bestowal of benefits and gifts. Each one will offer according to his resources. Whosoever disregards this edict and does dare to worship any other god, will be subject to disciplinary action and punishment." The impious emperor sacrificed one hundred thirty bullocks. This was done to render homage to Maximinus and devotion to his accursed gods.

The devout Katherine witnessed this grievous act. Inspired by divine zeal, she went, with a small retinue of servants, to the site of the temple where the foolish ones were performing their sacrifice. When she paused at the temple threshold, all were distracted by her exquisite comeliness which mirrored her inner beauty. She then sent word to the emperor that she had information of vital importance, and he summoned her to enter.

The all-beautiful Katherine approached the emperor, first bowing and then boldly and fearlessly declaring, "O emperor, thou shouldest be the first to know that thou art deceived in worshipping perishable and lifeless idols as gods. It is an absolute disgrace to be so manifestly blind, as fools, to the truth, in thy worship of such abominations… The emperor was greatly angered and remained speechless for hours for he was at a loss to counter her words. After the completed pagan ritual, he ordered that the maiden be brought to the palace, where he resumed his questioning. "Tell us, who are you and whose words to you recite before us?" She responded, "I am the daughter of king Constas. My name is Katherine. I have been instructed in all scientific knowledge and literary works, including rhetoric, philosophy, geometry, and the rest. Nevetheless, I consider all of this vain and unprofitable and have become the bride of the Master Christ, for as it is written by the Prophet Isaiah, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will hide the understanding of the prudent" (Isaiah 19:14)…"

"… The emperor, noting her free manner and speech, did not wish to exchange words, fearing defeat and shame by her arguments. He made the following pretext: "It is indecorous for the emperor to debate with a woman, nevertheless, I will bring together my rhetoricians. Then thou shall comprehend the feebleness of thy syllogisms, and know what is in thy best interest and embrace our beliefs."

One hundred and fifty elite and scholarly men who had keen minds responded and assembled by order of the emperor. The emperor spoke to them and told them, "diligently prepare yourselves to contend vigorously, and be not careless. Appproach her as a worthy opponent and be careful. If you overcome her, I will bestow great gifts upon you. However, if you do not succeed, expect untold shame and a painful demise!"

Consequently, the martyr was commanded to be brought in. The guards brought the Saint forward. The orators, one by one, put her to the test. The debate began but none had the intelect, wisdom, inteligence, knowledge, charisma or eminence of Saint Katherine. They were all overwhelmed and rendered speechless. The emperor became extremely angry seeing that they lost he ordered that a fire be kindled in the midst of the city and the orators be cast therein. As they heard this, they fell at the feet of the Saint, begging that the Lord might forgive them–for they had sinned unwittingly–and that they be allowed to receive Baptism and the grace of the Holy Spirit. The Saint assured them that tthe fire with which they were to be martyred would be their baptism and a celestial ladder to cleanse away every stain of body and soul, transporting them, as bright stars, to the King Who is making them His belvoed friends! With these wods, the holy Katherine encouraged them, sealing them individually on the forehead with the sign of the Cross, and sent them to their martyrdom in thanksgiving and rejoicing. The soldierss cast them int1o the flames, jubilant as they were, on the 17th of November. At dusk that day, a group of God-loving Christians went to gather up their holy relics, and found their holy remains safe and intact, not one hair having been singed by the fire. They burieid them with great honor and reverence in a chosen place.

(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

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

On the 25th of November, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates
the holy and Glorious Great-Martyr KATHERINE of Alexandria.

Apolytikion Hymn (Dismissal) Hymn of Saint Katherine

LET us praise the all-lauded and noble bride of Christ, the godly
Katherine, the guardian of Sinai and its defence, who is also our
support and succour and our help; for with the Holy Spirit’s
sword she hath silenced brilliantly the clever among the godless;
and being crowned as a Martyr, she now doth ask great mercy
for us all.

Kontakion Hymn of Saint Katherine

ROUSE up now a choir, O ye that love the martyred Saints, august
and inspired, acclaiming the supremely-wise Martyr Katherine,
who hath proclaimed and preached of Christ in the stadium and
hath trampled the serpent down and spat on the knowledge of the
eloquent.

+



KATHERINE, the glorious Great-Martyr of Christ, came from the metropolis of Alexandria. She struggled during the reigns of the ungodly Emperors Maximian (A.D. 306-308), Maxentius (A.D. 308-312), and Maximinus (A.D. 308-314). The blessed one’s life and martyrdom is so marvelous, sweet, and compunctious that each soul who reads it with care and attention will greatly rejoice and be refreshed by the fruit generated therefrom.

The daughter of the ruler of Alexandria, Constas (Kestou), was tall in stature, incomparably beautiful, and exceedingly kind. She was instructed in the wisdom of the Greeks, learning all the works of the poets and philosophers, including Homer, Virgil, Aristotle, and Plato. She also knew the medical writings of Asklepios, Hippocrates, and Galen. She was a master of many languages, surpassing all others in rhetoric and logic. All who saw and heard Katherine marveled at her scholarship. Many of the wealthy and leading men of the Senate besought Katherine’s mother for her daughter’s hand in marriage.

Her mother was a Christian, but a secret one because of the great persecutions brought about by the followers of Maximian. Both the maiden’s relatives and mother counseled her to marry so that her father’s estate should not fall to another, thus cutting her off altogether. But Katherine cherished her virginity and protested, giving many excuses; for she had no wish to wed. However, when she saw that they troubled her greatly she proposed the following–actually to divert them so as not to further pressure her further. "Present unto me a young man who is like me in the four virtues in which you claim that I am peerless among women, and I will take him as my husband; for I will not condescend to be yoked to one who is unworthy or inferior. Therefore, search here and abroad for one who is equal to me in rank, wealth, and beauty–if such an individual exists. Yet, if he is deficient in any of these areas, he is unsuitable.

Now they knew that it would be quite impossible to find such a qualified suitor but Katherine persisted in her refusal to contract a marriage with an unlettered man. However, her mother had a most holy spiritual confessor who was in hiding outside the city limits. She took her daughter to visit the elder to seek his counsel. The ascetic perceiving Katherine’s modesty and proper deportment gave close attention to her judicious words. He resolved to bring her to the knowledge of Christ, the Heavenly King, and said: "I am acquainted with a unique Man Who incomparably transcends all those attributes thou has mentioned and countless others. His comeliness eclipses the radiance of the sun; His wisdom governs those things both perceptible by the senses and the intelligence; the world of His treasures is distributed to the ends of the earth, yet never diminishes, but rather increases; His nobility is indescribable, infinite, inconceivable, and incomprehensible!"

The maiden presumed all the while that he referred to an earthly prince; whereupon, her expression changed, and she questioned him in detail if all the commendations and praises were indeed true concerning this Man. He reinforced his praises further, extolling His other attributes. Katherine asked, "Whose Son is this Man Whom thou dost laud?" He asserted, "He has no father on earth; but He was born of a most noble and holy grace-filled virgin in a manner surpassing our understanding and transcending the nature of generation; she was deemed worthy by her sublime sanctity to abide both in soul and body, being taken up into the highest heavens, wherein our Lady is venerated by the holy Angels as Queen of all creation." Katherine continued, "Is it possible to see the Youth?" The old man responded, "If thou wilt do as I say, thou shalt be deemed worthy to behold the radiant splendor of His splendid countenance!" I am prepared to follow your instructions implicitly she replied. Then, the ascetic gave her an icon depicting the Most Holy Theotokos holding the Divine Child. He then called Katherine’s attention to it, and said, "This is the Ever-virgin Mother of the One Whose wonders I have extolled. Take this sacred image and close the door to thy bed-chamber; pray all night with profound reverence to her whose name is Mary. Implore he to condescend to reveal her Son; and, I believe, if thou wilt pray with faith, she will hear and show you Him Whom thy soul desires!" [Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

(To be continued)

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"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 DIVINE EUCHARIST ACCORDING TO
THE HOLY ORTHODOX TRADITION.

The celebration of the Divine Eucharist is the action of the ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD, A FULFILLMENT OF THE
ROYAL PRIESTHOOD" CONFERRED UPON THEM BY GOD IN BAPTISM. Therefore the priest is not the "representative" of the faithful. Although there are prayers in which he speaks for all the people, all these prayers close with the "Amen" of the faithful. Without the active participation of the people, the dialogue between the celebrant and the people becomes a nonsensical monologue. The participatory character of the Divine Liturgy is pointed out by Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia of blessed memory:

"Liturgy indeed means precisely a shared corporate action. Liturgy is something done by many persons in common, something that none of us can do alone. So, if the Eucharist is termed liturgy, that means that, at the service, there are only active participants there are no passive spectators."

"… The ultimate form of participation is of course to partake worthily of the Sacred Mystery of Holy Communion–by all: "Drink of This ALL OF YOU." This too will be emphasized throughout this treatise, because short of this goal everything else would be to no avail.

Liturgy is the work of the people. Without people THERE CANNOT BE A LITURGY. This means that besides the celebrant priest at least one other faithful must be present. But participation goes well beyond our physical presence. If you see "chanter" or "choir" in any Liturgy books understand "people" in their place, as the ancient liturgical manuscripts clearly annotate. This means ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRESENT, CLERGY, AND LAITY. Everyone is supposed to answer with their "Amen," their "Kyrie eleison," and their many other short invocations, like "Grant this O Lord," "To You, O Lord, "And with your spirit" etc. If not, many of the prayers would not even be prayers, because they are addressed to the people. The people make them with their reply. By not answering they ignore the call of the priest or deacon, but what is worse, nobody prays in church!

"… We need to mention another kind of participation and CONCELEBRATION TAKING PLACE WHEN WE CELEBRATE THE DIVINE MYSTERIES. There may be only two or three faithful gathered together in the Lord’s Name, but they are NOT alone. He is present in the midst of them (cf. Matthew 18:20), and so are His holy Angels and His Saints. The Divine Liturgy takes place IN THE PRESENCE AND WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD. Celebrant clergy and concelebrant people have the distinct awareness that THEY ARE NOT ALONE but ARE SURROUNDED BY "A CLOUD OF WITNESSES" (Hebrews 12:1), by the SPIRITUAL POWERS and the Saints. Their icons, which cover the walls, columns, and ceiling of the church, are A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THEIR ACTUAL PRESENCE, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WHENEVER THE AWESOME MYSTERIES ARE CELEBRATED.

Celestial and earthly members of the Church ARE UNITED IN THEIR THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE OF THE TRIUNE GOD. As sojourners on earth we pray for one another and all together we pray to the Saints, asking for their INTERCESSIONS, SO THAT WITH THE PAHRRESIA (BOLDNESS) WHICH THEY HAVE, THEY MAY BRING OUR PRAYERS BEFORE THE FEARFUL THRONE OF GOD. Likewise, we ask them to intercede for the souls of our departed brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bloodless Sacrifice is offered FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. The Saints, THE GLORIFIED MEMBERS OF THE Church, are offered to God the Father together with us and with the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ, and are "REMEMBERED" (made present) throughout the Liturgy.

Communion with the heavenly Church is what distinguishes the Orthodox Faith from all the Christian confessions: "This is our preeminence, or primogeniture, our glory: THE CONSTANT REMEMBRANCE OF THE HEAVENLY CHURCH." For the Orthodox Christians, our life on this earth IS IN UNITY WITH THE HEAVENLY CHURCH. APOSTLES, MARTYRS, CONFESSORS, PROPHETS, AND RIGHTEOUS DEPARTED THIS LIFE BEFORE US, THE VENERABLE "ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST BORN WHO ARE ENROLLED IN HEAVEN" (Hebrews 12:23), together with "INNUMERABLE ANGELS IN FESTAL GATHERING" (Hebrews 12:22), LEAD US TO THE WORSHIP OF THE "GOD OF ALL" AND TO His incessant doxology.

Every time we offer ourselves and one another, we do it commemorating the Most Holy THEOTOKOS and all the Saints who pleased God. In so doing we call upon them TO BE PARTICIPANTS AND CONCELEBRANTS WITH US. We are fully aware and cognizant OF THEIR PRESENCE, and we offer the Holy Oblation IN UNITY WITH THEM. Heaven and earth praise and glorify God TOGETHER…

"…The Divine Eucharist constitutes THE CENTRAL MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH. All the other Mysteries (Sacraments) and services of the Church REVOLVE AROUND THE MYSTERY, as planets orbit around the sun. All the other Mysteries (Sacraments) lead to it and are united with it. Saint Dionysius the Areopagite calls the Divine Eucharist the "high point" of every other Sacrament. Saint Nicholas Cavasilas says, "The Eucharist alone of sacred rites supplies perfection to the other Mysteries." Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki (+ 1429) calls it, "the perfection of every sacrament and the seal of every mystery."

"Far from being a ritual ceremony, the Eucharistic celebration engages every parishioner, challenging each of them to further action. It is a charge to put into practice what is said in the ANAPHORA, to make it more than a mere passive offering, TO MAKE IT A TOTAL SELF-OFFERING OF OUR BEINGS, OUR HEARTS."

The Divine Liturgy consists OF A DOUBLE OFFERING: in the form of earthly gifts we offer to God His Only Son, and in return, through the action of the Holy Spirit, we receive Christ in us, in His GLORIFIED HUMANITY as well AS HIS DIVINITY UNITED HYPOSTATICALLY WITH IT. In actuality, the True Offerer and Celebrant of the Divine Eucharist IS CHRIST HIMSELF, WHO, ACCORDING TO THE PRAYERS OF THE CHERUBIC HYMN, IS "the Offerer and the Offered." Priests and bishops are "ministers (diakonoi) of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1), serving AS INSTRUMENTS OF CHRIST, THE "High Priest" (ARCHIEREUS) (Hebrews 2:17).

In the words of Saint Nicholas Cavasilas, the Divine Eucharist is "THE FINAL MYSTERY… IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GO BEYOND IT OR TO ADD ANYTHING TO IT." And Saint John Kronstadt adds: "the Eucharist IS A CONTINUAL MIRACLE." So, let us embark upon this humbling task, to provide, with God’s grace and the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and all the Saints, a commentary on this "continual miracle," this "final Mystery, "which holds the Church IN UNITY, MAKES THE CHURCH TO BE ITSELF, AND WHICH IS THE HEART OF OUR LIFE AS CHRISTIANS." [Source: The Heavenly Banquet. Understanding the Divine Liturgy by Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis. Orthodox Witness.)

___________

"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