My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΑ – ΘΕΙΑ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΑ – EUCHARIST

"Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ…" (Ephesians 5:20).

Greek: "Ευχαριστούντες πάντοτε υπέρ πάντων έν ονόματι
τού Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού τώ Θεώ καί πατρί…" (Εφεσίους ε΄ 20).

In the gospel according to the Evangelist Luke we are told of the miracle of the cleansing and healing of the Ten Lepers. "And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And ONE OF THEM, RETURNED, AND WITH A LOUD VOICE 18GLORIFIED GOD, AND FELL DOWN ON HIS FACE AT HIS FEET, GIVING THANKS. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, ‘WERE THRER NOT TEN CLEANSED? BUT WHERE ARE THE NINE? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:13-18).

Offering thaksgiving to our Merciful God ought to be not a once a year act but a constant and heartfelt practice done daily. Every prayer that we offer should b a prayer of thanksgiving, of gratitude for God’s many blessings which sadly enough are all too easily taken for granted or forgotten. Saint John Chrysostom offered this contrite prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ:

O Lord my God, Great, and Glorious Creator of all things visible and invisible; You Who faithfully keep Your covenant and Your mercy with those who love You and observe Your Commandments; I thank You now and always for all the visible and invisible blessings which You have bestowed for all the visible and invisible blessings which You have bestowed upon me. I praise, glorify and magnify You, up to the present time, for in accepting me from my mother’s womb and providing for me out of Your abundant goodness and love for mankind. YOu have providentially protected and guided me in a holy manner, and thus Your rich mercy and compassion has been wonderfully demonstrated in me throughout my life. You did not overlook my lowliness because of my unworthiness and sinfulness, nor did You cease to help me and provide for me because of Your lovingkindness and compassion. Do not forsake me then, O my God, even until my advanced and old age… FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, COMING FROM YOU, THE FATHER OF LIGHTS… Accept this brief confession and my repentance as You accepted the gratitude of the one thief while on the Cross. Accept this prayer, the fruit of my lips, as a living sacrifice, as fragrant and pleasing offering. Anen.

The observence of the Thanksgiving celebration, an American tradition, is wonderful and most meaningful for the devout and believing people who attribute all good things and blessing which they receive throughout their lifetime to the generosity and love of our Most Gracious God. The pilgrims who celebrated the first thanksgiving were Christian men and women who surived the dificult journey crossing a very dangerous ocean, illnesses, death, suffering, hunger, and other threats. They had no difficulty attributing their survival to the help of God Whom they loved. Therefore, they offered their thanks not to an abstract deity or to themselves, but to their heavenly Father and Creator. The pilgrims did not take anything for granted.

It is most important, however, not to allow our current materialistic, hedonistic, and egocentric society to reduce the meaning of this most spiritually uplifting Christian tradition to a day of glutony, entertainment, leisure and unthankfulness. It is not accidental but a deliberate effort to turn every good and major Christian holy day to a paganistic exercise, e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, Pascha or celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ etc. and to reduced them to a meaningless and superficial fastival. This Neo-paganistic movement has systematically attacked Christianity for years and with the intent to destroy all positive and good Christian inluence in the world. Under communism Christmas was reduced to a winter holiday and was devoid of the celebration of Christ’s Nativity. In our American society the Thanksiving Day has, for many, become "Turkey day." Christmas is no longer the observence and celebration of Christ’s birth but of consumerism, not a day in church worshipping and thanking God, but a day of exchanging gifts and thanking eachother for the gifts. Pascha ("Easter") the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the day we glorify God for our salvation, to the day of the "Easter bunny," and Christian children chasing to find Easter eggs around the garden.

The direct assault on all the major Christian holy days is real and has had a devasting effect on our Christian Faith and Tradition. Orthodox Christians must fight back and refused to fall prey to paganism and hedonism. Our Christian celebrations are always to directed to our Most Loving God and Father and not to us. Thanksgiving Day is a day when we concentrate in our devotion to Him Who has given us everything that we as humans need, "FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, COMING FROM HIM, THE FATHER OF LIGHTS."

May our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ bless all of you, our country, and the world with peace, love, kindness, and enlightenment. Saint John Chrysostom’s brief but solemn prayer was: "GLORY BE TO GOD, FOR ALL THINGS!"

HAPPY, SAFE, AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

+ Father George, Presbytera Elaine, Mariam and Stefan

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE ORTHODOX PILGRIM ON A FORTY-DAY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

+ In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Let up pray to the Lord.

Kyrie Eleison.

O Christ our God,
At all times and every hour, in heaven and on earth,
You are worshipped and glorified;
You are long-suffering, most merciful, most compassionate,
You love the righteous and have mercy upon the sinners;
You all ever one to salvation
through the promise of future blessings;
Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour
And direct our life toward Your Commandments.
Sanctify our souls; make our bodies chaste;
Correct our thoughts; purify our intentions;
And deliver us from every grief and pain that comes from evil.
Encompass us by Your Holy Angels,
So that guarded and guided by them
We may attain to the unity of the faith
And to the knowledge of Your inapproachable glory,
For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

+

Orthodox Christians began their forty-day journey to pay homage to the Son of God, our True Messiah, Whose Divine Birth is commemorated on December 25th. However, just as with all journeys, the Orthodox believer prepares spiritually for that long journey through fasting, prayer, repentance, and most definitely faith.

The Holy Nativity of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ for the genuine and practicing Orthodox Christian is not simply an annual event when families gather and a time of exchanging gifts. But, it is a profound spiritual experience, a time of personal renewal, a time when the Orthodox Christian exalts and glorifies God knowing that due to His great mercy and unconditional love becomes man in order to "go after the one which is lost until He finds it." (Luke 15:4). Jestus continues: "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:6-7).

Our Heavenly and Divine Lord and Savior Jesus Christ clearly connects "joy in heaven" with the "repentace of a sinner." (Lk. 15:7). Therefore, Jesus connects REPENTANCE WITH JOY, NOT SADNESS. He emphasizes again, "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS" (Luke 15:10). This illustrates God’s unconditional love and forgiveness of the repentant sinner.

According to Saint John Climacus, "repentance (Gk. metanoia) is the renewal of baptism and is a contract with God for a fresh start in life. Repentance goes shopping for humility and is evere distrustful of bodily comfort. Repentance is critical awareness and a sure watch over oneself. Repentance, is the daughter of hope and the refusal to despair. The penitent stands guilty–but UNDISCRASED. Repentance is RECONCILIATION WITH THE LORD by the performance of good deeds which are the opposites of the sins. It is the purification of conscience and the voluntary endurance of affliction. The PENITENT deals out his own punishment, for repentance is the fierce persecution of the stomach and the flogging of the soul into intense awareness."

Saint Paul the humble, once stayed in front of the churh gate of a monastery and was watching the state of the monks’s souls, since he had a discerning gift from God. The monks who entered the church had a very nice and pleasant look, and each of them was accompanied by his happy-looking Angel. The holy father glorified God for what he had seen. But at a certain time he saw a monk with a dark look, accompanied by many demons and his Angel at a distance looking gloomy and anxious. When Paul saw this, he started crying and did not want to leave his position so as not to miss watching that monk again during his exit from the church. After the Divine Liturgy, while the monks were leaving the church, he watched that monk again, but this timehis face was shining and was all white, gleaming like light and close to him his Angel was following happily whereas the gloomy looking demons were at a distance.

When Paul saw this, rose up from his position and glorified God. He stood at higher place and narrated the miraculous things he had seen. Everymody kept asking the monk what had happen to him. He said out of extreme humility: "I am a sinful man but sin has not left me yet. When I entered the church, I listened to the words of Prophet Isaiah, which are God’s words: "Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Come now, let us reason together", says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land."

When I heard this, I came to myself, I felt pain in my heart, I cried and sighed: "My Lord God, Who came to this world to save the sinners, please bestow on me, who is a sinner and an unworthy man, all the things you promised through your Prophet. I promise you that form this very moment I give up every lawlessness and sin which I have committed until now and fron now on I will never sin again with Your help." When the fathers heard these words, they glorified God for His Great Philnathropy and extreme condensation, since the power and the consequences of the sinner’s repentance was obvious. (From the book of Evergetinos)

The Progigal son "came to himself" and recognizing his mistakes RETURNED TO HIS FATHER’S HOUSE asking for mercy and saying: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants" (Luke 15:18-19). In this way he abandoned the lie that his life had become and returned to the Truth. He abandoned vice and adopted virtue. He escaped death by returning back to his home and loving father. And his father waiting for his return when he saw him "had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). What followed was a celebration upon the return of the son. "And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; FOR THIS MY SON WAS DEAD AND IS ALIVE AGAIN, HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND" (Luke 15:23-24).

Christmas, the Nativity of Our Savior, is our personal homecoming. Our Almighty God always longs for the return of all sinners to His forgiving embrace. Someone said, "it is not the sin that condemns the sinner, but the unwillingness of the sinner to repent of his sin." We must heed the Divine words of our Lord and sincerely repent of our sins. To the Orthodox Christian this means to participate in the Mysterion (Sacrament of Repentance and Confession). If we are to attend this glorious celebration that our Heavenly Father is preparing for us we must be clean and chaste. It is our duty not only to know our Christian Faith, but to be willing to practice it. It is not enough to know what Christ said, but we must all be willing to do as He commanded.

There is no other way for the Orthodox Christian to celebrate His Divine Birth. We cannot allow this secular and atheistic society in which we live in to dictate or even idocrtinate us to believe that Christmas is all about food, drinks, parties, a time of leisure, and gifts. If we desire to succeed in this aim, we have to be obedient to His will (e.g. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.."). We must have faith and trust in our Lord Christ. We must fulfil His commandments by loving one another and forgiving one another. In this way we prove that we have returned to the house of the Father.

May the Divine words of our Savior encourage and inspire us to welcome Him in our hearts for that is where He wants to be. Holy Apostle Paul reminds us: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians3:16). If we are to Grow spiritually we need, "The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit." It is never accomplished by us. God desires our cooperation or synergy since we were created by Him to have a free will. He imposes not His will upon anyone.

Let us continue our holy journey to Bethlehem to pay homage and fall on our knees with humility and in repentance. Let us join the Heavenly Host and joyfully celebrates His Birth on earth and our birth in heaven. He, Jesus Christ, is our True Messiah, He is our salvation, He is our the Master of our life. "Jesus said to him, ‘I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME" (John 14:6).

______________

"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 brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

On the 16th of November, the Holy Orthodox Church
commemorates the Holy Apostle and Evangelist\
MATTHEW.

MATTHEW, the holy Apostle and Evangelist, the son of Alphaeus, otherwise known as Levi, lived in the Galilaean city of Capernaum. He was a man of means and held a position as a tax collector. His compatriots despised and shunned him, as they did all who were similarly employed; but Matthew, although he was a sinner, was nevertheless no worse than many of the Pharisees who prided themselves on their outwardly seeming righteousness. But, lo! The Lord brought His Divine gaze to rest upon this tax collector, who was disdained by all. One day, while He was sojourning in Capernaum, the Lord left the city and went down to the sea in the company of many people. On the shore thereof He saw Matthew sitting in his customs booth; and sHe said to him, "Follow thou Me" (Matthew 9:9). Hearing these words of the Lord not only with the ears of his body, but with the ears of his heart as well, the tax collector straightway rose from his place and, leaving all behind, followed after Christ. Matthew did not stop to consider, nor was he amazed, that the Great Teacher and Wonder-Worker had summoned him, a hated tax collector; but, with all his heart he took His words to himself and unwaveringly followed Him. Moreover, the Lord did not spurn his invitation but entered Matthew’s house. There gathered in Matthew’s home a multitude of his neighbors, all of them tax collectors and sinners; and they sat down at table with Jesus and His Disciples. There also happened to be present certain of the Scribes and Pharisees who, seeing that the Lord was not shunning the sinners and tax collectors but was reclining with them, murmured and said to His Disciples, "Why eateth your Teacher with the tax collectors and sinners?" (Matthew 9:17). And the Lord, hearing their words, said to them, "THEY WHO ARE STRONG HAVE NO NEED OF A PHYSICIAN, BUT THEY WHO ARE ILL. BUT GO AND LEARN WHAT THIS IS, ‘I WISH MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE (cf. Hos. 6:7 (6). ‘FOR I CAME NOT TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE’ (Matthew 9:12-13).

Thenceforth, Matthew, forsaking all his possessions, followed after Christ and, as His faithful Disciple, did not part from Him thereafter. Soon he was accounted worthy of being numbered among the Choir of the Twelve chosen Apostles. In company with the other Disciples of the Lord, Matthew joined Him on His journeys throughout Galilee and Judea, hearkened to His Divine Teaching, beheld His countless miracles, went forth to preach to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, and was a witness of the Savior’s suffering on the Cross, His REDEMPTIVE DEATH, and His Most Glorious Ascension into Heaven.

After the Lord’s Divine Ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the holy Matthew remained at first in Palestine preaching the Gospel in Jerusalem and its environs. together with the other Apostles. Yet, behold! The time came for the Apostles to disperse from Jerusalem to various other lands, to convert them to the Christian Faith. Before Matthew departed from Jerusalem the Jewish Christians of that city besought him to set down in writing for them the acts and teachings of Jesus Christ. The other Apostles then living in Jerusalem expressed their approval of such an undertaking, and Saint Matthew, in fulfillment of the common desire, wrote his Gospel in the Hebrew (Aramaic) dialect, some eight years after the Divine Ascension of Christ.

After departing from Jerusalem, the holy Apostle Matthew preached the glad tidings of the Gospel in many lands. Proclaiming the Good News of Christ, he passed through Macedonia, Syria, Persia, Parthia, and Media, establishing Churches there and in other places. He underwent many tortures, thirst, hunger, and scourgings, all of which he endured, for God was his helper. He traveled all about Ethiopia, which had fallen to him by lot, and enlightened it with the Light of the knowledge of the Gospel. Finally, guided by the Holy Spirit, he arrived in the land of the cannibals, who were dark-skinned and savage people. There he entered a city known as Mirmena and, after he had converted several souls in Christ, appointed Platon, his fellow traveler, to be their bishop, and built a little church. The holy Apostle, burdened with tribulations, dangers, and hardships by these people, thought to find quiet in some place. He, therefore, ascended a mountain situated not far away and abided there in fasting, earnestly entreating God for the conversion of that unbelieving nation. There the Lord appeared to him in the guise of a youth of great comeliness, Who held in His right hand a staff and greeted him. Extending His right hand and handing the Saint His staff, He commanded him to go down from the mountain and plant the staff at the doors of the church he had constructed. "This staff," said the Lord, "through My power, grow into a lofty tree, and the tree shall bring forth abundant fruit, surpassing all the other fruits of the orchard in magnificence and sweetness, and from its root, a spring of pure water shall flow forth. Washing in the water of that spring, the cannibals shall receive comeliness of visage, and everyone that but tasteth of that fruit shall forget his bestial habits and shall become a good and meek person."

After taking the staff from the Lord’s hand, Matthew descended the mountain and betook himself to the city to carry out that which had been commanded him. The wife and son of Fulvian, the Prince of that city, were possessed by demons. Encountering the Apostle along the way, they cried out against him with wild, threatening voices, "Who has sent thee here with that staff, for our destruction?" The Apostle rebuked the unclean spirits and expelled them, and those who were healed fell down before the Apostle and meekly followed after him. Upon learning of his arrival, Bishop Platon went forth to meet him with his clergy, and the holy Matthew, entering the city and drawing near to the church, did as he had been commanded. He planted the staff which the Lord had given him in the ground, and straightway, in the presence of all, the staff became a great tree which spread forth branches of goodly foliage, and thereon there appeared beautiful fruit, large and sweet; and a spring of water flowed from beneath its roots. The entire city gathered to behold such a miracle, and they partook of the fruit of the tree and drank the pure water. The holy Apostle Matthew, standing on a high place, preached to the assembled multitude the Word of God in their own language, and all came immediately to believe in God, and the holy Apostle baptized them in the miraculous spring. As the Lord had promised, all the cannibals who were baptized left the waters comely of countenance; and they received not only bodily cleansing but purification and beauty of soul as well, having put off the old man and arrayed themselves in Christ, the new Man.

When he was informed of what had transpired, Prince Fulvian at first rejoiced over the healing of his spouse and son, at the prompting of the demons, he became enraged at the Apostle because the whole city was going over to him, forsaking its gods. He began thinking of Matthew’s destruction. But that very night, the Savior appeared to the holy Apostle, commanding him to take courage, and promising to remain with him throughout the impending suffering. Fulvian sent armed soldiers to arrest him, commending them to bring Matthew, to slay him. But the warriors returned empty-handed, because when they had drawn near the church, a heavenly Light illumined the Apostle, and the warriors were unable to see him. The Prince flew into a dreadful rage and went forth with a great number of his servants intending to lay hold of the Apostle himself. But no sooner that he managed to reach the Apostle than suddenly he was struck blind and had to ask for a guide. Then he besought the Apostle to forgive him his sin and to give light again to his blind eyes. The holy Apostle, making the sign of the Cross over the eyes of the Prince, restored his sight. Although his bodily eyes were healed, the eyes of his soul were not, they remained dark for they were blinded by malice.

The pagan and evil Prince inflicted numerous horrific tortures on the holy Apostle (e.g. stretching him out face down upon the ground, and affixing his hands and feet to the ground with spikes. placing on the Apostle pitch and brimstone and setting it afire, dousing him with dolphin oil, pitch, and tar, and tinder was set beneath him and the pyre was kindled. The flame took the form of a serpent threatening the Prince who was unable to flee and save himself from the danger and sought out help from the Saint. The Apostle rebuked the fire, and straightway the flame died down and the figure of the serpent vanished. Fulvian wished to bring the Saint out of the fire with honor, but the Apostle prayed, "Lord into Thy hands I surrender my soul!" and departed into heavenly bliss. The Prince ordered his servants to bring forth a golden bier and to set therein the precious body of the Apostle, which had not been burned by the flame. He had his nobles bore it up and carried it to his palace. Yet again even then he did not have perfect faith, and for this cause commanded that an iron coffin be forged and the holy relics of the Saint be placed inside of it. When this had been done, it was sealed on all sides with lead and cast into the sea. Fulvian said to his nobles, "If He that kept Matthew whole in the midst of the fire will preserve hi also from the depths of the sea, truly He is the only God, and Him will we worship, forsaking all our gods who were powerless to deliver us from destruction in the fire!"

No sooner had the iron coffin with the precious holy relics of Saint Matthew been cast into the seas, than the Saint appeared at night to Bishop Platon, saying, "Tomorrow go to the shore of the sea, to the east of the Prince’s palace and there take up my remains, which will have been borne to the dry land." In the morning the bishop, in company with a multitude of the faithful, set out for the indicated place. There they beheld the coffin riding high upon the waves, and they praised the Lord with hymns of jubilation. Upon learning thereof, the Prince and his nobles came and, this time fell down before the casket containing the holy relics of the Saint. Fulvian besought forgiveness and expressed a heartfelt desire to be baptized. Bishop Platon, perceiving the faith and fervor of Fulvian, then baptized him. And when he placed his hand on Fulvian’s head and was ready to utter his name, there came a voice from on high, saying, "Call him not Fulvian, but Matthew!"

Having thus received the Apostle’s name in Baptism, the Prince strove to emulate the life of the holy Apostle. Within seven days, he purged all his kingdom of pagan idols and smashed them, he devoutly reverenced the holy relics in a befitting manner and all of his subordinates were baptized. The Apostle then appeared in a vision to Bishop Platon and said, "Ordain the Prince a priest, and his son a deacon. After three years, you wilt depart to the Lord. Let the king, who bears my name, become a bishop, and let his son be his successor." After three years the holy Platon departed to the Lord. After he received ordination to the Episcopate, Bishop Matthew labored well in spreading the glad tidings of Christ, and, having converted man from idolatry, he brought them to God. Then he himself passed on to the Lord, after a long and God-pleasing life. And standing with the holy Evangelist Matthew before the Throne of God, he prays on our behalf to the Lord, that we also may be heirs of the Everlasting Kingdom of God. Anen.
[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.

THE HOLY NATIVITY FAST – NOVEMBER 15TH – DECEMBER 24TH

As we Orthodox Christians prepare to commence the Holy Nativity Fast (Nov. 15 to Dec. 24), we are reminded by Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ how should fast: "Moreover; when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But YOU, WHEN YOU FAST, ANOINT YOUR HEAD AND WASH YOUR FACE, SO THAT YOU DO NOT APPEAR TO MEN TO BE FASTING, BUT TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN THE SECRET PLACE; AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Saint Paul writes about fasting: "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. LET NOT HIM WHO EATS DESPISE HIM WHO DOES NOT EAT, AND LET NOT HIM WHO DOES NOT EAT JUDGE HIM WHO EATS; FOR GOD HAS RECEIVED HIM. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another, another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He WHO EATS, EATS TO THE LORD, FOR HE GIVES GOD THANKS, AND HE WHO DOES NOT EAT, TO THE LORD HE DOES NOT EAT, AND GIVES GOD THANKS" (Romans 14:1-6).

Saint Theophylactos comments on Matthew 6:17-18: "Men (people) of all would anoint themselves with oil after bathing as a mark of their joy and well-being. So you also, O reader, should appear joyful when you fast. The oil used to anoint we also understand TO MEAN ALMSGIVING (CHARITY). Our Head is Christ, Which we should anoint with DEEDS OF MERCY; and our face, that is, OUR SENSES, WE SHOULD WASH WITH TEARS OF REPENTANCE."

Saint Paul exhorts us: "Be anxious for nothing, but IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOW TO GOD; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Fasting, philanthropy (charity), and prayer are important and necessary tools that we, as believers, use, to strengthen our spiritual life in Christ. The life of the Christian is a life that revolves around Christ our Savior, He is the center of our life. The Divinely Inspired Scripture is the foundation of the whole of Orthodox spirituality. "Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word (Logos) is Truth" (John 17:17). Saint John Chrysostom interprets this verse: "Make them holy through the gift of the Spirit and by correct doctrine." In Orthodox Christian churches the Book of the Gospels always lies on the middle of the holy Altar Table, and, while no mark of worship is paid to the reserved Eucharistic elements (when, as is not necessarily the case, they are reserved} each priest approaching the Holy Table kisses (venerates) the Holy Gospel first. The Holy Scripture is the very substance of the dogmas and liturgies of the Orthodox Church and, through them, infuses the piety of Orthodox Christian souls.

The reading and studying of the Holy Bible for Orthodox Christians is the heart of their life in Christ. Saint John Chrysostom was the champion of diligent Bible reading even among the laity. The Holy Scripture is vital in understanding the Lord’s Gospel message and necessary for following Christ, on charity towards the poor and the suffering.

Our Holy Orthodox Christian Tradition teaches that fasting was instituted by God Himself. It goes back to the very beginning of the human race, when our Divine Creator and Fashioner gave the commandment of fasting to Adam and Eve, asking them NOT to eat the forbidden fruit. They instead chose to disobey God, and this lead to their expulsion from Paradise. If the Christian believer desires to attain the Kingdom of God, he or she must first demonstrate his or her obedience to all of God’s Commandments; so he should also respect and abide by the commandment of fasting.

Those believers who are familiar with the Divine Scripture know that Moses fasted for forty days on Mount Sinai in order to be worthy of meeting God and receiving the Ten Commandments from Him (Exodus 34:28). In the New Testament, we witness Jesus Christ fasting for forty days in the desert immediately after His Baptism in the River Jordan (Luke 4:2; Matthew 4:2). Our Savior, even though He Himself is without sin, decided to fast voluntarily in order to reveal that it is through fasting and prayer that we can overcome our sins (Matthew 9:29). Furthermore, the Holy Apostles knew by the Lord Himself and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, that fasting is an inviolable command of God and therefore they officially established the Apostoclk rule of fasting.

We, of course, are taught, above and beyond material fasting, there is SPIRITUAL FASTING which is even more significant. Spiritual fasting means abstaining from non-food-related passions: the Christian should be careful about what one sees (e.g. violent, obscene or sexually explicit images or programs) and what one says (e.g. lying, slender, blame, gossip, false witness, stealing). Therefore, in order to completely enjoy the benefits of fasting, the Orthodox Christian should continue both material and spiritual fasting, together with prayer and spiritual struggle towards the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.

Another important point is making shure that the Orthodox Christian has a spiritual father ( a priest, or a monk priest, always the same one, to whom one goes for the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession and who guides his spiritual child/ren) on matter of faith) and who in the case of fasting offers advice and guidance. It is his/her spiritual father who will give advice on matters of fasting and if there is a logitimate health issue to give his blessing to deviate from the formal or traditional fast discipline.

Fasting should be done: a) in secret, without revealing to others what one is doing. "That when you do a charitable deed, do not let your heand know wht your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret" (Matthew 6:3-4). That it must be done joyfully, because our aim lies in giving rather than receiving. Saint Paul writes: "And these things we write to you that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:4).

We, the Kat’ oikon Ecclesia ("Domestic church") act always together, parents and children. We pray together, we fast together, we pray together, we read the Holy Scripture together, we worship together, we receive Holy Communion together. United as we are, makes the experience by all the family members more edifying, because the Christian family continues to grow in Christ together.

Fasting that is not accompanied by intensified prayer and acts of philanthropy inevitably becomes a source of pride. Saint Timothy writes: "…lest being puffedup with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6). According to Saint John Climacus, "Pride IS A DENIAL OF GOD, AN INVENTION OF THE DEVIL, CONTEMPT FOR MEN. IT IS THE MOTHER OF CONDEMNATION, THE OFFSPRING OF PRAISE, A SIGN OF BARRENNESS… IT IS THE CAUSE OF DIABOLICAL POSSESSION, THE SOURCE OF ANGER, THE GATEWAY OF HYPOCRACY…PRIDE BEGINS WHERE VAINGLORY LEAVES OFF…"

For those who may not be familiar from what to obstain from during the period of the Holy Nativity fast: Wednesdays and Fridays remain strict fast. However, fish, wine, and olive oil are permitted, except for Wednesdays and Fridays until December 17th.

_____________

"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 13th of November Our Holy Orthodox Church
celebrates Our Father Among the Saint JOHN CHRYSOSTOMOS,
Archbishop of Constantinople.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Plagal of Fourth Tone

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

Kontakion Hymn. Plagal of Second Tone

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

+



This greater and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347 A.D.; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathios the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholars and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, “John, had not the Christians stolen him from us.” With such training, and with such gifts as he had by nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a rhetorician. But through the good example of his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Meletius of Antioch by whom he was ordained Reader (Anagnostis) about the year 370 A.D., HE CHOSE INSTEAD TO DEDICATE HIMSELF TO GOD. From the years 374 to 381 A.D. HE LIVED A MONASTIC LIFE IN THE HERMITAGES THAT WERE NEAR ANTIOCH. His EXTREME ASCETICISM undermined his health, compelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Meletius ordained him Deacon (Diakonos) about the year 381 A.D. Saint Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 A.D. Bishop Flavian ordained John Presbyter (Presvyteros) of the Church of Antioch. Upon his elevation, to the Priesthood his career as a public preacher began, and his exceptional oratorical gifts were made manifest through his many sermons and commentaries. They are distinguished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease with which rich imagery and Scriptural allusions are multiplied by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God’s Providence and, not least of all, by their earnestness and moral force, which issue from the heart of a blameless and guileless man WHO LIVED FIRST WHAT HE PREACHED TO OTHERS. Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nektarios as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and CONSECRATED Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398 A.D., by Theophilos, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy.

At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor; Arcadius was a man of weak character and much under the influence of his wife Evdoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom’s unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Evdoxia; through Theophilos’ plotting and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403 A.D. The people were in uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened Empress Evdoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of Aghia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in September of 403 A.D. and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 A.D., he was exiled to Caucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held. Saint John’s enemies dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in this and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus, near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter suffering for the aged bishop, both because of the hardness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana near Caucusus i Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Vasiliscus (see May 22), who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407 A.D. His last words were “GLORY BE TO GOD, FOR ALL THINGS.” His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirty-one years later by the Emperor Theodosios the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Evdoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.

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

It should be noted that, because September 14 is the Exaltation of the Cross, the Saint’s memory has been transferred to November 13th.

________________

“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 9th of November Our Holy Orthodox Church
commemorates Saint NEKTARIOS THE WONDERWORKER,
Metropolitan of Pentapolis.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. First Tone

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

Kontakion Hymn of Saint Nektarios. Plagal of Fourth Tone

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

SAINT NEKTARIOS was born in Selyvria of Thrace, Greece, on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hand labor, he became a monk on the island of Chios in 1876, receiving the Monastic name of Lazaros, because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained Deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarios. Under the personage of Patriarch Sophronios of Alexandria, Nektarios went to Athens to study in 1882, completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronios ordained him Priest on March 23, 1886, in the Cathedral of Saint Savvas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarios showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God and for the beauty of God’s house. He greatly beautified the Chuch of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later when Nektarios was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.

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

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

__________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +



With sincere agape in His 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 8th of November the Holy Orthodox Church
commemorates the Synaxis of Michael the Chief Commander,
and of the Other Bodiless Hosts.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

SUPREME Commanders of the Hosts of the Heavens, we, the
unworthy, importune and beseech you that by your supplications
ye encircle us in the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory,
guarding us who now fall down and cry to you with fervor: Deliver
us from dangers of all kinds, as the great Marshals of the heavenly
Hosts on high.

Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone

SUPREME Commanders of God and Ministers of the Divine glory
guides of men and leaders of the bodiless Hosts: Ask for what is
to our profit and for great mercy, ye are Supreme Commanders
of the bodiless Hosts.

All the Angels, according to the holy Apostle Paul, are MINISTERING SPIRITS, "sent to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). God set them as OVERSEERS OF EVERY NATION AND PEOPLE, and GUIDES TO THAT WHICH IS PROFITABLE (Deuteronomy 32:8), and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, ONE IS ALSO APPOINTED TO PROTECT EACH CHRISTIAN INDIVIDUALLY. He commands them to guard that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw near to their dwelling (Psalm 90:10-12). In the Heavens, they always BEHOLD THE FACE OF GOD, SENDING UP TO HIM THE THRICE-HOLY HYMN AND INTERCEEDING WITH HIM IN OUR BEHALF, SEEING THEY REJOICE OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTS (Isaiah 6:2-3; Matthew 18:10; Luke15:7). In a word, THEY HAVE SERVED GOD IN SO MANY WAYS FOR OUR BENEFIT, THAT THE PAGES OF HOLY SCRIPTURE ARE FILLED WITH THE HISTORIES THEREOF. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honoring these Divine Ministers, OUR PROTECTORS, AND GUARDIANS, celebrates on this day their Synaxis (Assembly), that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangel Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is Mighty." The number of the Angels is not defined in the Holy Scripture, where Daniel says that "thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of thousands attended upon Him" (Daniel 7:10). But all of them are divined INTO NINE ORDERS which are called THRONES, CHERUBIM, SERAPHIM, DOMINIONS, POWERS, AUTHORITIES, PRINCIPALITIES, ARCHANGELS, AND ANGELS. [Source; The Great Horologion]

The Angels of God have been commemorated by men from the earliest times, but his commemoration often degenerates into the divinization of Angels (IV Kings 23:5; A.V. II Kings). Heretics always wove fantasies around the Angels. Some of them saw the Angels as gods and others, if they did not so regard them, took them to be the creators of the whole visible world. The Local Council in Laodicea, which was held in the Fourth Century, rejected in its 35th Canon the worship of Angels as gods and established the proper VENERATION of them. In the time of Pope Sylvester of Rome and the Alexandrian Patriarch Alexander, in the 4th century, this Feast of the Archangel Michael and the other heavenly powers was instituted, to be celebrated in November. Why November? Because November is the 9th month after March, and it is thought that the world WAS CREATED IN THE MONTH OF MARCH. The 9th month after March was chosen BECAUSE OF THE NINE ORDERS OF ANGELS THAT WERE THE FIRST CREATED BEINGS. Saint Dionysios the Areopagite, a Disciple of Saint Paul (that Apostle who was caught up to the Third Heaven), writes of these NINE ORDERS in his book: ‘CELESTIAL HIERARCHIES’. The Leader of the WHOLE ANGELIC ARMY is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and carried HALF THE ANGELS WITH HIM TO DESTRUCTION, then Michael arose and cried to the UNFALLEN ANGELS: "LET US GIVE HEED! LET US STAND ARIGHT; LET US STAND WITH FEAR! AND THE WHOLE ANGELIC ARMY SANG ALOUD: ‘HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD OF SABAOTH; HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF THY GLORY!’ Among the Angels there rules A PERFECT UNITY OF MIND, OF SOUL, AND OF LOVE; OF TOTAL OBEDIENCE OF THE LESSER POWERS TO THE GREATER AND OF ALL TO THE HOLY WILL OF GOD. We must keep in mind that, WHATEVER WE DO, OPENLY OR IN SECRET, WE DO IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL and that, on the Day of Judgment, A GREAT MULTITUDE OF THE HOLY ANGELS OF HEAVEN WILL BE GATHERED AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD, AND THE THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND DEEDS OF EVERY PERSON WILL BE LAID BARE BEFORE THEM. May God have mercy on us and save us at the prayers of the holy Angels Michael and Gabriel and All the Bodiless Powers of Heaven. Amen.

FOR CONSIDERATION

That the Angels are constantly involved in this world is testified to, clearly and unmistakably, in the Holy Scripture. Both from the Holy Scripture and from Holy Orthodox Tradition, the Holy Orthodox Church has learned the names of the SEVEN LEADERS of the Heavenly Powers: MICHAEL, GABRIEL, RAPHAEL, URIEL, SALTHIEL, JEGUDIEL, AND BARACHIEL (and to these is sometimes added an eighth, JEREMIEL).

Saint Michael was depicted in the earliest Christian times as A LEADER, bearing a spear in his right hand with which he attacks Lucifer, and Satan, and holding in his left hand a branch of green palm. At the top of the spear is a plated braid with a red Cross. The Archangel Michael is considered especially to be THE GUARDIAN OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH AND A FIGHTER AGAINST HERESY.

Saint Gabriel is the herald of the Mysteries of God, especially the Mystery of the Incarnation and of all those that are linked with it. He is depicted bearing a lantern with a burning candle in his right hand, and on his left a mirror of green jasper. The mirror signifies the Wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.

‘Raphael’ means HEALING, or God the Healer (Tobias 3:17; 12:15). He is depicted leading Tobias by the right hand (Tobias carrying a fish caught in the Tigris), and holding a physician’s jar in his left.

"Uriel" means ‘FIRE’ or ‘light of God’ (II Esdras 4:1; 5:20). He is depicted holding a sword against the Persians in his right hand and a burning brand in his left.16)

‘Salathiel’ means ‘one who prays to God’ (II Esdras 5:16). He is depicted with his head bowed and his eyes lowered, and his hands placed together in the attitude of prayer.

‘Jegudiel’ means ‘one who glorifies God.’ He is depicted bearing a golden wreath in his right hand and a three-thonged whip in is left.

‘Barachiel’ means ‘the blessing of God.’ He is depicted wearing a white rose on his breast.

‘Jeremiel’ means, ”God’s exaltation." He is venerated as an inspirer and awakener of those higher thoughts that raise a person Godward. [Source: The Prologue from Ochrid]

______________

"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.

SCISMS LEAD TO DIVISION AND DISARRAY
AMONG CHRISTIANS

"But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: ‘Every
kingdom divided against itself IS BROUGHT TO DESOLATION,
AND EVERY CITY OR HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF
WILL NOT STAND" (Matthew 12:25).

The Greek word σχίζω (schizo) translated means to tear, rend, or split. The word schism (Gr. σχίσμα) means split or fissure. It can also mean separation or division. Division within or separation from an established Church, i.e., The Orthodox Church. A formal division within, or separation from the Orthodox Church over doctrinal, heresy, administrative, liturgical, and other major theological differences.

Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ founded only ONE Church and He is the Head of the Church. Historically the Church fought hard to maintain its unity, authenticity, and integrity. The prayer of Jesus to His Father: "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thy name those whom Thou have given Me, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE AS We ARE" (John 17:11).

Nevertheless, the Holy Church has been plagued by dissension, conflict, violence, heresy, schisms, and division. Due to this, the Holy Church convened Seven Ecumenical Councils to address various serious heresies within the Church and establish through the Holy Canons, the discipline of the Church. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Council would determine the Truth and thus formulate the dogma of the Church. The result of the Councils was the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed which we confess openly at every Divine Liturgy.

A major schism took place in 451 A.D. known as the Chalcedonian Schism. The separation resulted in part from the refusal of Patriarch Dioscoros, the Patriarch of Alexandria, to accept the Christological dogma promulgated by the Council of Chalcedon, which held that Jesus has two natures: one Divine and one human. The technical reason for the schism was that the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople excommunicated the non-Chalcedonian bishops in 451 A.D. for refusing to accept the "in two natures" teaching, thus declaring them to be out of communion. The groups that rejected the Chalcedonian definition became known as Monophysites and as the Oriental Orthodox churches i.e., Armenian, Coptic (Egyptian), Ethiopian, Indian,

The Great Schism of 1054 A.D. Conflict between the Roman Pope and the East mounted–especially in the Pope’s dealings with the bishop, or Patriarch of Constantinople. The Pope even went so far as to claim the authority to decide who should be the bishop of Constantinople in marked violation of historical precedent. No longer operating within the government of the New Testament Church, the Pope appeared to be seeking by political means to bring the whole Church under his domination. The ultimate consequence of the Pope’s action was that the whole Roman Catholic church ended up divided from the New Testament faith of Orthodox Christianity. The schism has never been healed.

After the death of the holy Apostles, as leadership in the Church developed, the bishop of Rome came to be recognized as first in honor, even though all bishops were equals. But after nearly three hundred years, the bishop of Rome slowly began to assume a role of superiority over the others, ultimately claiming to be the ONLY TRUE SUCCESSOR TO PETER. The vast majority of the other bishops of the Church never questioned Rome’s primacy of honor, but they patiently rejected the Roman Bishop’s claim as the Universal head of the Church on earth ("vicar of Christ"). This assumption of papal power became one major factor in rending the Roman church, and all those it could gather with it, from the historic Orthodox Church.

The Addition to the Creed. A disagreement concerning the Holy Spirit also began to develop in the Church. Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father? Or does He proceed from the Father and the Son? Two hundred years later, however, at a local council in Toledo, Spain (A.D. 589), King Reccared declared, "The Holy Spirit also should be confessed by us and taught to proceed FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON." This local Spanish council agreed with his error, and later, in what was a least partially a politically motivated move, the Pope of Rome UNILATERALLY CHANGED THE UNIVERSAL (CATHOLIC) CREED OF THE CHURCH WITHOUT AN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL. The consequence, of course, in the Western church has been the tendency to relegate the Holy Spirit TO A LESSER PLACE THAN GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE SON. The issue, with the Pope departing from the Orthodox Doctrine of the Church, became another instrumental cause separating the Roman church from the historic Orthodox Church, the New Testament Church. [Source: The Orthodox Study Bible, p. 785]

There are of course numerous other major dogmatic heretical teachings that have solidified the existing separation for approximately one thousand years since there is no effort by the Roman church to conform and abide by the True Faith and to return to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Protestantism

Martin Luther, a German monk, launched an attack against certain Roman Catholic practices which ended up affecting world history. His list of Ninety-Five Theses was nailed to the church door at Wittenberg in 1517, signaling the start of what came to be called the Protestant Reformation. He was excommunicated in 1521, and the door to future unity in the West slammed shut with a resounding crash. As the decade followed decade in the West, the branches of Protestantism continue to divide. Today it is estimated that there are 35,000 to 40,000 Protestant denominations worldwide. Their main source is the Holy Scripture but with the freedom, for each protestant Christian and pastor, to give his/her own interpretation. Therefore, it is clear that there is no consensus among them on what the Gospel of Christ reveals. Therefore there are numerous false interpretations and heresies.

Scisms are very complex and have been painfully tearing and splitting the Church apart. No one can say that schisms are a good thing and something that her Founder and Head would approve of. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who gave His life on the Cross for the Church expects the Christian faithful as He says, "TO BE ONE AS WE ARE ONE." Those who remain steadfast in their faith and abide by His commandments must be obedient to Him. Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says, "For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY. Therefore, JUST AS THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT TO Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR HER, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT HER TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT THAT SHE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH… FOR NO ONE EVER HATED HIS OWN FLESH, BUT NOURISHES AND CHERISHES IT, JUST AS THE LORD DOES THE CHURCH. FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, OF HIS FLESH AND OF HIS BONES…THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY, BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH" (Ephesians 5:23-32).

_______________

"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.

"For God is NOT a God of confusion but of peace…all things
should be done decently and in order." (1 Cor. 14:33-40)

Writing to the Thessalonians, Saint Paul exhorts them "We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that YOU WITHDRAW FROM EVERY BROTHER WHO WALKS DISORDERLY AND NOT ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION WHICH IS RECEIVED FROM US. For you, yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were NOT DISORDERLY AMONG YOU" (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7). It is absolutely true that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we all adhere to Holy Tradition as it is present in the Apostles’ writings and as it is resident in the Holy Orthodox Church to which the Truth is promised. In the Gospel of Saint John, we hear the Lord Himself say: "However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will s3:3peak" (John 16:13). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit there is no disorder or confusion within the Holy Church of God for the Church is guided "INTO ALL TRUTH."

The followers of Jesus Christ, the Christian believers, know with all certainty that any disorder no matter where it is comes from the evil one. Disorder exists where there is a lack of faith and lack of obedience to God’s commandments. The Evil One creates conflict and chaos and destroys any possibility of unity and peace because he works with lies and deception. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself describes all that we need to know about the devil. He says to His enemies that wish to kill Him, "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer FROM THE BEGINNING AND DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaks A LIE, HE SPEAKS FROM HIS OWN RESOURCES, FO RHE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF IT. BUT BECAUSE I TELL THE TRUTH, YOU DO NOT BELIEVE ME" (John 8:44-45).

The world is witnessing and experiencing blatant evil that comes from evildoers. Saint Paul prays, "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 3:2-3). Vigilance and discerning are absolutely necessary today for humanity are in grave danger by the evil one. Because of the current technology evil is easier to spread and more convincing. Due to this fact, people are confused, mislead, and feel unable to discern the truth from falsehood. Those that remain true to our Lord Jesus Christ should seek the guidance of our Holy Orthodox Church.

The evil one has been emboldened by the lack of faith among the people. We, Orthodox Christians, must not be like those "whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Corinthians 4:4), Instead, let us strive to avoid darkness and evil and seek to "cleanse ourselves" and that by the "promises" of God we embark on a sustained struggle for "holiness." This cleansing includes genuine repentance, sorrow for our sins, and confession. It also means a willful avoidance of sin-arousing situations, reconciliation with those we have wronged, the sincere resolute practice of Christian virtue, and of cleaving to our Fashioner through faith and prayer.

Furthermore, it takes a personal commitment and effort on our part to accomplish anything of value. It calls us to participate in the Holy Mysteria (Sacraments). Is all this too difficult for us humans? Perhaps. We need to understand that it is God the Holy Spirit, Who cleanses us from every stain and heals our infirmities, Who empowers us to live this life of peace with God and repentance before Him. After all, we must know that we are enmeshed in a spiritual war. Our Adversary, our enemy is very cunning and dangerous. We must have the necessary weapons to fight him off. Saint Paul reminds us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4).

Be aware that wherever there is strife, lies, deception, manipulation, greed, confusion, defective logic, immorality, deception, distortion, division, hate, anger, disorder, conflict among the people, injustice, indecency, and unkindness, the evil one is present and thriving. It does not matter where is its origin and who is advocating it. Saint John Chrysostom writes, "Nothing builds up as much as good order, peace, and love, just as nothing is more destructive than their opposites. It is not only in spiritual affairs but in everything that one may observe this." It is very evident that those people who have evil intentions are those who create dissension among them. Those who are guilty of creating dissensions and disturbances in the Church are the ones who seem to be what they are not. There is no doubt that there are those who have taken the side of our evil adversary that wish to drive the Orthodox Christians away from Christ and the Holy Church and divide them.

Schisms within the Church are evil and must not exist at all. It is tragic when Orthodox Christians are not able to feel like brothers and sisters among them. To be separated because of religious leaders who have a secret agenda to undermine the Church of Christ. There have been many schisms over the centuries and the result has always been disorder within the Church. Scisms bring pain and hurt among the people of God who love each other. The Orthodox Christian Church is led by the Holy Spirit Who is the Spirit of Love, Peace, Unity, Order, Salvation, and our Comforter. We pray to Him:

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
Thou art everywhere and fill all things.
Treasury of blessing and Giver of Life: come
and abide in us, and cleanse us from every
impurity, and save our souls, O Good One!

Anything that is contrary to His Mission is evil and sinful. Discord does not belong within the Holy Orthodox Church and it must be stopped immediately for those who are responsible will give an accounting to Him both here and on Judgment Day. These people do not yet realize that they are playing with fire. Our Almighty God knows everything, including our very thoughts and what is hidden in our hearts. There is nothing hidden before Him. His timing is perfect and since we believe that He is the Only Head of His Church, He will protect her and us, as He has throughout time and centuries. The time will come when all that wish to destroy His Church will be exposed like so many heretics over the centuries and they will be punished severely.

Let us turn and pray! "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy,
according to t the multitude of Your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and
cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions and my sin is
ever before me…" (Psalm 51 [50].

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

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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 IMITATION OF CHRIST

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain
the traditions even as I have delivered them to you. But I want you to
understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman
is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Cor. 11:1-3)

The contemporary Christian should never be confused about who he is following. The Christian only follows and is obedient to the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. He implements the teachings of the Lord in his/her life with faith, love, and humility. Saint John Chrysostom states, "everything in the Christian life hinges on following Christ in love." In the natural order, the man is the head of the woman, but in Christ, there is neither male nor female. Our Lord God Jesus Christ is the head of the man because He created him, and the man is the head of the woman because she was taken from him.

By imitating Saint Paul who imitated Christ, then, the Christians would be imitating Christ Himself as He reprented God. It is natural that we should imitate those whom God has set over us as teachers and guides. For just as God the Father sent His Only-begotten Son as the Teacher and Author of Life, so Jesus Christ sent the holy Apostles to be our teachers, so taht we should imitate them, because we are unable to imitate Him directly. The holy Apostles were comissioned by our Savior Jesus Christ Himself: "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" (Matthew 28:18-20). Becoming or making disciples cannot be done through our own strength but by the power of God. The Resurrected Son of God, living in us and energizing us, makes possible our salvation.

The teaching of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is taught by the holy Apostles and through the Holy Orthodox Church. Our Holy Church keeps the Divine teaching and revelation unadulterated, safeguarded, and pure for all time and for the future generations. Saint John Chrysostom says clearly, "Nothing can make a person like Christ more than caring for one’s neighbors.

Saint Theophan the Recluse writes: "In Baptism they were accepted without awareness because then thy were kept more by the mind and attitude of someon else and in simplicity, but now one must consciously place upon oneself the good yoke of Christ, choose the life of Christianity, and exclusively dedicate oneself to God, so that later all the days of one’s life one might serve Him with enthusiasm. Here only does a man himself begin the Christian life. It existed in him previously, also, but one may say it proceeded not from his own activity, nor from his own person. Now he himself, in his own person, begins to act in the spirit of a Christian. Before this, the Light of Christ was in him the light of the first day (of creation), which came not from one central source, but was diffused. But just as centers had to be provided for the light, drawing it to the suns and planers, so also this (spiritual) Light must be gathered together around the central point of our life–our consciousness."

Again, Saint Theophan the Recluse says, "Let him who has become conscious of himself as a Christian, or has consciously decided to live in a Christian way, himself now preserve with all care the perfection and purity of life which he has received at a younger age, just as others have preserved this life before him. There is no need to offer special rules as a guide for him. In this respect he is the same as one who is repenting and, having abandoned sin, has enthusiastic resoluteness to live in a Christian way. Therefore, from now on he should be guided by the same rules already mentioned. "

There is no spiritual life for the Christian without agape (love). Saint John the Evangelist says, "God is Love." The beginning is Love and the end is Love. And in the center stands His self-revelation in love and humility: the Cross of the Son of God. And our new life is love, only love, the all-transcending power of love. The goal of this new life is "to know the love of Christ that passes all knowledge," to be carried away by the love of Christ ("the love of Christ takes hold on us"), to vanquish all obstacles, even tortures and death, in this love of Christ: "we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us," for nothing, "neither death, nor life… nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from teh love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

But it is more than, a moral teachinig; it is a new force–the stream of Divine Love connecting heaven and earth, and giving a sense, a direction in our lives still here on earth. This love is also a faith and a certainty. "And we have known the love that God has to us and believed in it. God is love, and who dwelleth in love, he dweleth in God, and God inn him" (1 John 4:16). That is the law of the New Life, beginning already now, based on the revelation of His condescending love and stretching forward. More than that: it is the Supreme law of Life Eternal." [Source: Revelation of Life Eternal by Nicholas Arseniev]

______________

"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