My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

STRIVING TO GAIN THE "IMPERISHABLE CROWN"
(" ΄Αφθαρτον Στέφανον") [1 Corinthians 9:25]

Holy Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians who of course were Greek and understood and were most familiar with athletics, the Olympics, and competition the following: "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but WE FOR AN IMPERISHABLE CROWN" (v. 25). The good and committed athlete is a person of great discipline and prepares himself to compete with the best to win and "to obtain a perishable crown." So, too, the Christian through spiritual discipline and genuine faith prepares himself to gain the "imperishable crown." Every good athlete understands that in order to win he must be willing to make sacrifices and be totally committed to winning the race, the contest before him.

Saint Paul speaks of himself and says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). The "race" is the life and work that God gave the Apostle. The comparison of the spiritual life to an athletic contest is made very clear to his listeners. He asks, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you obtain it" (1 Corinthians 9:24). Using contemporary terms from the sports of running and boxing, Saint Paul very wisely indicates the proper use of ascetic practices in the life of faith. They are valuable not in themselves, but for the sake of the goal of obtaining salvation.

How great of a blessing it is to know and believe that, "… when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive THE CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away" (1 Peter 5:4). Is this not what the faithful servant of Christ hopes for? Orthodox Christians know that those who remain steadfast in their faith will be persecuted and even suffer and lose their lives for the sake of Christ but Our Lord exhorts us: "Do not fear any of those things which are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE" (Revelation 2:10).

Our ultimate goal, as Orthodox Christians, is to receive from Our Savior’s Divine hands "the crown of life." The "crown of life" is the reward of eternal life granted to those who conquer and triumph in Christ. Our greatest example of sacrifice, suffering, and martyrdom is Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God. We are reminded in the letter to Hebrews 12:2, "looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the Throne of God." We are to rejoice even in temptations. The Holy Apostles James writes: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12).

"Temptation" ("Πειρασμός") originates in our sinful desires and passions, which the evil one energizes. Temptation begins with "desires" or lustful thoughts (logismoi). When we entertain these wicked thoughts and delight in them ("when desire has conceived"), we soon end up acting on them ("it gives birth to sin"). We fall to temptation because we allow ourselves to do so. Neither God nor circumstance forces us to yield. Therefore, we must all be vigilant and discerning and not fall prey to these evil temptations.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we ask Him "..And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." We believe that the devil and his angels explore us individually, looking always for our weaknesses. Our adversary and enemy appealing visions to our eyes, music to our ears, to each of our senses setting forth whatever might tempt us to sin. He arouses our tongues to slender others and urges our hands to hurt them. He sets forth profits to be earned by shady and immoral deals. He uses our ego and pride to become conceited, cruel, selfish, and arrogant. To strive to attain honors and prestige to fuel our contempt for others. It is, therefore, imperative that we stay alert, and vigilant to resist him and his machinations and temptations.

We are urged by the holy Apostle Paul, that we "may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck…" (1 Timothy 1:18-19). The authentic Christian wages war against evil unceasingly and deliberately. As a matter of fact, our entire life is committed to spiritual warfare. There is no time that we are not confronting wicked challenges and opportunities. We are truly Christian soldiers armed to defend truth and integrity. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice on the Cross to set us free from evil and death.

Our spiritual life must always be united with quiet and godly behavior. A life that reflects the sacred commandments of our Savior Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christianity is not a theory and speculation but LIFE IN CHRIST. Remain close to the Lord and seek His inspiration, wisdom, guidance, and life eternal in His Kingdom.

Father Epiphanios Theodoropoulos was asked "Elder, why does God allow righteous and virtuous people to suffer from dreadful illnesses?" His answer was that "in order to be cleansed even from the least of their passions and to gain a greater crown in heaven. Furthermore, since He allowed His beloved Son to suffer and to die upon the Cross, what can we say for the people, who, no matter how holy they are, have filth and spots from sins?"

Holy Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary save us!

___________

"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 UNIVERSAL JUDGMENT: THE KINGDOM OF GLORY

"Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom
to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and
authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies
under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed IS DEATH…
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him (the Father) then
shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things
under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 28).

These words concerning the END of the Kingdom of Christ must be understood AS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE SON’S MISSION, which He accepted from the Father, and which consists of the conducting of mankind to God through the Church. Then the Son WILL REIGN IN THE KINGDOM OF GLORY TOGETHER WITH THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, and "of His Kingdom, there shall be no end," as the Archangel announced to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:33), and as we read in the Symbol of Faith (Creed): "AND HIS KINGDOM WILL HAVE NO END." Saint Cyril of Jerusalem says of this: "For will not He Who reigned before overthrowing his enemies, reign all the more after He has conquered them" (Catechetical Lectures).

DEATH will have NO POWER in the Kingdom of Glory. "The LAST ENEMY that shall be destroyed is death… Then shall be brought to pass the saving that is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY" (I Corinthians 15:26, 54). "There shall be time NO LONGER" (Revelation 10:6).

The Eternal blessed life is presented vividly in the 21st Chapter of the Revelation (Apocalypse): "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth, were passed away: and there was no more sea" (Revelation 21:1). IN THE FUTURE KINDOM EVERYTHING WILL BE SPIRITUALIZED, IMMORTAL AND HOLY.

But the chief thing is that those who attain the future blessed life and become "PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE" (2 Peter 1:4), WILL BE PARTICIPANTS IN THAT MOST PERFECT LIFE, WHOSE SOURCE ISIN GOD ALONE. In particular, the future members of the Kingdom of God will be vouchsafed like the Angels, to "SEE GOD" (Matthew 5:8), to BEHOLD HIS GLORY NOT AS THROUGH A DARK GLASS, NOT BY MEANS OF CONJECTURES, BUT FACE TO FACE. And not only will they behold this glory, but THEY THEMSELVES WILL BE"PARTAKERS" OF IT, SHINING LIKE THE SUN IN THE Kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43), being "FELLOW HEIRS" with Christ, sitting with Christ on a throne and sharing with Him the Royal Grandeur (Revelation 3:21), Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:11-12).

As is symbolically depicted in Revelation, "they shall HUNGER NO MORE, neither THIRST ANY MORE, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne SHALL FEED THE, AND SHALL LEAD THEM UNTO LIVING FOUNTAINS OF WATERS; and God shall WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES" (Revelation 7:16-17). As the Prophet Isaiah says: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM" (Isaiah 64:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

Blessedness in God will be all the more desirable in that IT WILL BE ETERNAL, WITHOUT END: "THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL (GO) INTO LIFE ETERNAL" (Matthew 25:46).

However, this glory in God, in the thought of the Holy Fathers of the Church, will have ITS DEGREES, CORRESPONDING TO THE MORAL DIGNITY OF EACH ONE. One may conclude this also from the words of the Holy Scripture: "In My Father’s house are many mansions" (John 14:2); "He shall reward every man ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS" (Matthew 16:17); "every man SHALL RECEIVE HIS OWN REWARD ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOR" (1 Corinthians 3:8); "ONE STAR DIFFERETH FROM ANOTHER STAR IN GLORY" (I Corinthians 15:41).

Saint Ephraim the Syrian states: "Just as everyone takes enjoyment of the rays of the sensual sun according to the purity of his power of seeing and of the impressions that are given, and just as a single lamp which illumines a house each ray has its place, while the light is not divided into many lamps, so also in the FUTURE AGE ALL THE RIGHTEOUS WILL DWELL INSEPARABLY IN A SINGLE JOY, BUT EACH IN HIS OWN DEGREE WILL BE ILLUMINATED BY THE SINGLE MENTAL SUN, AND TO THE DEGREE OF HIS WORTH HE WILL DRAW IN JOY AN REJOICING AS IF IN A SINGLE ATMOSPHERE AND PLACE, AND NO ONE WILL SEE THE DEGREES THAT ARE HIGHER AND LOWER, LEST LOOKING ON THE SURPASSING GRACE OF ANOTHER AND UPON HIS OWN DEPRIVATION, HE WILL THEREBY HAVE SOME CAUSE IN HIMSELF FOR SORROW AND DISTURBANCE. MAY THIS NOT BE THERE, WHERE THERE IS NEITHER SORROW NOR SIGHING; BUT EVERYONE ACCORDING TO THE GRACE PROPER TO HIM IN HIS MEASURE WILL REJOICE INWARDLY, WHILE OUTWARDLY ALL WILL HAVE A SINGLE CONTEMPLATION AND A SINGLE JOY" (Saint Ephraim the Syrian, On the Heavenly Mansions).

_______________________

Let us conclude this exposition of the truths of the Orthodox Christian Faith with the words of Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow at the end of his long course in dogmatic theology: "Grant to us, O Lord, to all of us always, the living and undying memory of Thy future glorious Coming. They final terrible judgment upon us, Thy most righteous and eternal giving of rewards to the righteous and to sinners–that in its light and with the help of Thy grace "we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:12), and thus we might attain finally to the Eternal blessed life in heaven, so that with all our being we might glorify Thee, together with Thine Unoriginate Father, and Thy Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, unto the ages of ages" (Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, vol. 2. p. 674). [Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Father Michael Pomazansky]

_____________

"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 UNIVERSAL JUDGMENT [Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22]

There are numerous testimonies in Holy Scripture of the actuality and indisputability of the future UNIVERSA JUDGMENT. Of these testimonies, the MOST COMPLETE PICTURE OF THIS Last Judgment by the Savior is given in Matthew 25:31-46 ("When the Son of Man shall come in His glory…"). In accordance with this picture, we may draw conclusions regarding the characteristics of the Judgment. It will be:

"UNIVERSAL," that is, extending to all men living and dead, good and evil, and according to other indications given in the word of God, even to the fallen angels themselves (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6);

"SOLEMN AND OPEN," for the Judge will appear in all His Glory with all His Holy Angels before the fae of the whole world;

"STRICT AND TERRIBLE," performed in all the justice of God–it will be "a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Romans 2:3).

"FINAL AND DEFINITIVE," determining for all eternity the fate of each one who is judged. The result of the Judgment will be eternal reward–blessedness for the righteous and torment for the evil who are condemned.

Depicting in the brightest and most joyful features the ETERNAL LIFE OF THE RIGHTEOUS after the Universal Judgment, the word of God speaks with the same positiveness and certainty concerning the eternal torments of evil men. "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire," the Son of Man will say on the day of judgment, "and these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:41, 46). This condition of torment is presented in Holy Scripture depicting as a PLACE of torment, and it is called GEHENNA. (The image of the fiery gehenna is taken from the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, where at one time executions were performed, and likewise, every kind of unclean thing was dumped, as a result of which a fire was constantly burning there to guard against infection.) [see Mark 9:43-44, likewise 45-48]. "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth," the Savior repeated many times concerning gehenna (Matthew 8:12 and other places). The images of the "worm that dieth not" and the "fire that is not quenched" are evidently symbolic and indicate the severity of the torments. Saint John Damascene remarks, "Sinners will be given over to the everlasting fire, which will not be a material fire such as we are accustomed to, but a fire such as God might know."

"I know," writes Saint John Chrysostom, "that many are terrified only of gehenna; but I think THAT THE DEPRIVATION OF THAT GLORY (of the Kingdom of God) IS A TORMENT MORE CRUEL THAN GEHENNA" (Homily 23 on Matthew). "This deprivation of good things," he reflects in a different place, " WILL CAUSE SUCH TORMENT, SUCH SORROW, AND OPPRESSION, THAT EVEN IF NO PUNISHMENT AWAITED THOSE WHO SIN HERE, IT IN ITSELF (THIS DEPRIVATION) CAN TORMENT AND DISTURB OUR SOULS MORE POWERFULLY THAN THE TORMENTS OF GEHENNA… Many foolish people desire only to be delivered from gehenna, but I consider much more tormenting than gehenna the punishment of not being in that glory. And I think that he who is deprived of it should weep not so much over the torments of gehenna AS OVER BEING DEPRIVED OF THE GOOD THINGS OF HEAVEN, FOR THIS ALONE IS THE CRUELEST OF ALL PUNISHMENTS" (Homily I, to Theodore).

The Church, basing itself on the word of God, acknowledges the torments of gehenna TO BE ETERNAL AND UNENDING, and therefore it condemned at the Fifth Ecumenical Council THE FALSE TEACHING of the Origenists that the demons and impious people would be restored to their original condition of innocence (APKATASTASIS in Greek). The condemnation at the Universal Judgment is called in the Apocalypse (Revelation) of Saint John the Theologian the "SECOND DEATH" (Revelation 20:14).

However, it is not for us to define the boundaries between the unutterable mercy of God and His Justice or Righteousness. We know that the Lord "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth" (1 Timothy 2:4); but man is capable, through his own evil will, of REJECTING THE MERCY OF GOD AND THE MEANS OF SALVATION. Saint John Chrysostom, in interpreting the depiction of the Last Judgment, states, "When He (the Lord) spoke about the Kingdom, after saying, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom," He added, which is "PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD" ( Matthew 25:34), but when speaking about the fire, He did not speak thus, but He added: which is "PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS" (Matthew 25:41). For I have prepared for you a Kingdom, but the fire I have prepared NOT FOR YOU but FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS. But since you have cast your own selves into the fire, therefore ACCUSE YOURSELF FOR THIS" (Homily 70 on Matthew).

We have no right to understand the words of the Lord only conditionally, as a threat or as a certain pedagogical means applied by the Savior. If we understand it this way WE ERR, since the Savior DOES NOT INSTILL IN US ANY SUCH UNDERSTANDING, AND WE SUBJECT OURSELVES TO GOD’S WRATH ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE Psalmist: "Why hath the ungodly one provoked God? For he hath said to his hear: He will not make inquiry" (Psalm 9:34).

"…God NEITHER REJOICES NOR GROWS ANGRY, FOR TO REJOICE AND TO BE OFFENDED ARE PASSIONS; NOR IS HE WON OVER BY THE GIFTS FO THOSE WHO HONOR HIM, FOR THAT WOULD MEAN HE IS SWAYED BY PLEASURE… HE IS GOOD, AND HE ONLY BESTOWS BLESSINGS AND NEVER DOES HARM, REMAINING ALWAYS THE SAME. We men, on the other hand, if we remain good through RESEMBLING GOD, are UNITED TO Him; but IF WE BECOME EVIL THROUGH NOT RESEMBLING GOD; BUT BY BECOMING ANGRY WITH US IN AN ARBITRARY WAY, BUT IT IS OUR OWN SINS THAT PREVENT GOD FROM SHINING WITHIN US AND EXPOSE US TO THE DEMONS WHO PUNISH US. And if through prayer and acts of compassion we gain release from our sins, this does not mean that we have won God over and made Him change, but that through our actions and our turning to God we have cured our wickedness and so once more have the enjoyment of God’s goodness. Thus to say that God turns away from the wicked is like saying that the sun hides itself from the blind" (Philokalia, Vol. I, Text 150).

"… With the end of this age and the transformation of the world into A NEW AND BETTER WORLD, there is revealed the Eternal Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Glory.

Then will come to an end the Kingdom of Grace the existence of the Church ON EARTH, the MILITANT Church; it will enter into this Kingdom of glory and will merge with the HEAVENLY Church, the TRIUMPHANT Church. (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Father Michael Pomazansky)

(To be continued)

_________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +



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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

On the 16th of October, the Holy Orthodox Church Commemorates
the Holy Martyr LONGINOS, the Centurion.

Apolytikion Hymn (Dimissal Hymn). Fourth Tone

THY Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received as
the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our
immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down
the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless
presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since
Thou art merciful.

Kontakion Hymn. Fourth Tone

WITH great joy the Church of Christ today rejoiceth on teh festive
memory of blest Longinos, the all-famed and godly prizewinner.
And she doth cry out: O Christ, my foundation and might art Thou.

Longinos, the Holy Martyr, was a Cappadocian Jew by descent. He lived in the days of the dispensation of the oeconomy of the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a centurion in the service of Pilate. On the day that Our Lord Jesus Christ, through His boundless compassion, was crucified in the flesh that He MIGHT REDEEM US FROM THE ANCESTRAL TRANSGRESSION, Longinos received orders from Pilate that he and his men were to guard the body of Jesus. As the soldiers led Christ out to be crucified, they impressed into service Simon, a Cyrenian, in order that he might take up Jesus’ Cross [Matthew 15:21]. After having come to Golgotha, they crucified Jesus. Then they parted His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Since the tunic was seamless, woven from the top throughout, they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but let us obtain it by lot for whom it shall be." Thus did the soldiers. Then they sat down and were watching Him. They put over his head His ACCUSATION WHEREUPON IT HAD BEEN WRITTEN: "THIS IS JESUS KING OF THE JEWS." They also crucified two robbers with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left [Matthew 27:35-38; John 19:23-24].

While most of the Disciples and Apostles of the Lord had fled for fear of the Jews, Longinos was on duty at the Place of a Skull, as he remained by the side of the Crucified One. He firsthand saw the signs and unprecedented wonders at the saving Crucifixion: THE EARTHQUAKE, THE FAILING OF THE SUN, AND DARKNESS OVER ALL, THE RENDING OF ROCKS, THE OPENING OF SEPULCHERS, AND MANY BODIES OF THE SAINTS WHO WERE ASLEEP RISING AND ENTERING IN THE Holy City.

After the centurion and those with him, who were watching over Jesus, saw all the things which took place, they were exceedingly afraid. When the centurion who stood opposite Him saw that He thus cried out and gave up the spirit, he said, "TRULY THIS MAN WAS GOD’S SON" [Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39]. Having come to know the truth, he later confessed it openly and fearlessly in the synagogue of the Jews. He freely spoke, saying, "TRULY JESUS WAS GOD’S SON."

Now the Jews, not wishing that the bodies should remain on the cross, asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and they might be taken away. The soldiers came and broke the legs of the thieves, but when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, AND STRAIGHTWAY BLOOD AND WATER CAME OUT [John 19:31-34]. Some traditions claim that Longinos was that soldier who thrust the spear into Jesus’ side, though neither The Great Synaxaristes nor his holy service in the Menaion makes this claim. Longinos was then healed by that blood and water of an eye ailment.

The councilor, Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate wondered if Jesus were already dead, so he summoned the centurion. He questioned him if He died not long ago. After Pilate had come to know it from the centurion [Matthew 15:44], Joseph then received permission and laid the body of Jesus, with the help of Nikodemos, in his new sepulcher, hew out of rock. Joseph then rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher.

Pilate dispatched Longinos and his guards to secure the tomb. Although he came to a good and right judgment regarding the Christ and believed that He was the Son of God and confessed as much with his mouth, he obeyed the order.

After the Resurrection of Christ, Longinos went with other soldiers of the guard to the synagogue of the Jews. They were speaking of their experience of the events just having taken place, that is, the recent earthquake and the lightning-flash appearance of the Angel who rolled away the huge stone from the sepulchre of Jesus. They announced that Christ WAS TRULY RISEN, AND THAT TOMB WAS EMPTY. The chief priests took counsel and they gave a considerable amoutn of money to the soldiers telling they to, "Say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’

The faithful Longinos, however, did not take one piece of mony. Instead, he spoke boldly and censured thte lie of the Jews, proclaiming the truth that "CHRIST INDEED IS TRUE GOD AND IS RIEN FROM THE DEAD." Pilate and the rulers of the Jews then turned toward Longinos their hatred which they formerly had toward Christ. The rogues were running around in circles to find suitable moment to slay him. Longinos was informed of the plot and gave place to wrath. He threw off his military belt and short mantle. He disdained his rank, and he shunned kinfolk and comrades. He then, with two other soldiers, who also came to believe in the Christ, received Holy Baptism from the Apostles. Afterward, the three men went into Cappadocia. Together with his two companions, he heralded, as another Apostle, the awesome Wonders (Miracles) of the Christ.

The fame of Longinos spread all over the world; for he was preaching the crucified Jesus as True God. When the God-slaying Jews learned of his activities, they gathered together and persuaded Pilate to sent a written accusation regarding Longinos to Tiberius Caesar, stating how he had contempt for his rank and the religion of the idol worshippers. Together with letters, the Jews sent money to persuade the Emperor to sentence Longinos to death. Therefore, Caesar issued a death warrant. Pilate dispatched soldiers to Cappadocia. Their orders were to behead Longinos and return to Jerusalem with his head, as verification for the Sanhedrin of the Jews of his death. The Jews also requested that Longinos’ two comrades be apprehended and executed, since they too were collaborators in the preaching.

Longinos turned to Pilate’s soldiers, saying, "Here you see standing before you Longinos and his two comrades-in-arms. Together we served, and together we came to believe Christ is Risen. Do, therefore, what you were ordered!" Having introduced his friends, Longinos then took up his garments for burial. He was clad as though he wre invited to an opulent wedding. He then pointed to a certain hlll saying, "I should like to beburied there." Longinos and his comrades gave one another a final kiss, and then they all kneeled down together. Pilate’s mene then swiftly struck off their honorable heads on the 16th of October.

An ancient tradition identifies Saint Longinos’ two comrades as Saints Isavros and Aphrodisios. Their blessed souls thust took flight into the heavens. Their holy relics were buried at the chosen site of Saint Longinos, except for his head. Pilate’s men took the head of Saint Longinos and brought it to Pilate as proof of his execution. Pilot, commanded that the head be cast outside of the city. The Lord invisible preserved and guarded it, divinely covering it, lest it suffer even the least injury from the filth and dung.

A certain widow, who was blind, had only one child, who afforded her some small consolation in her need and loss of sight. This woman possessed great faith and piety. However, she suffered a great misfortune. Her beloved son became sick and died, leaving her without a guide and human help. The sorrowuful woman, from her pain and crying, fell asleep. She beheld Saint Longinos, who said, "I am Longinos the centurion who had his head severed for the sake of Christ. My head was brought here and cast upon the dung heap outside the city. Go, therefore, to that plae, and dig deep in the dung, and thou shalt find my head. Have my head touch thine eyes, and thuou shalt recover thy sight. And I shall show thee then thy son and in how much glory he finds himself, so that thou mightiest find consolation in they suffering." Such things did the blind woman see in her sleep. She found her way, though with much trouble finding someone to guide her to the aforementioned place. With great diligence she set about to find the holy relic, the honorable head of the Saint. She discovered the priceless treasure,the honorable head . Straightway, she recovered her sight and saw the head as a most radiant star. She embraced it and kissed it most ardently with tears steaming from her eyes. Afterward, she meticulously cleaned the relic and anointed it with myrrh. She kept in her home as a most precious pearl. During the following night, the Saint again appeared to her in her sleep. Saint Longinos was holding her son in his arms and said to her, "Behold, thy son for whom thou lamentest, and how much thou findest him rejoicing. Cease grieving then, but be joyful. Take, therefore, my head and thy son’s relics and bury them in a tomb together, offering thanks to the Lord Who has given him rest in so much glory and everlasting delight."

The woman listened to the Saint and laid the head of the Martyr in the coffin holding her son’s relics. She transferred the holy relics to her homeland of Cappadocia, to a village called Sandelen.

Saint Longinos suffered lawfully, with manly character of soul, and was lawfully crowned. Blessed art thou, O Longinos! Thy memory shall be from generation to generation. Amen.

On the 16th of October, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the TWO SOLDIERS who were beheaded with Saint Longinos. [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,

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

"NEW HEAVEN, NEW EARTH

In Greece, there is an ancient place called Agion Oros, the "Holy Mountain." Here monastic Orthodox Christians have devoted themselves to God for hundreds of years. In Stavronikita, one of the peninsula’s venerable monasteries, fifteen-century icons painted by the Cretan master Theophanes present an unearthly portrait of sanctity.

The holy figures of Christ and His Saints shown on these icons possess a remarkable luminosity, as though the light on their bodies is not reflected from an external source, but rather SHINES FROM WITHIN THEM. THE ILLUMINATION PORTRAYS THE HOLINESS TO WHICH CHRISTIANS MAY ATTAIN.

The essence OF DIVINITY IS LIGHT. As Saint John says "God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Christ’s Return at the end of the Great Tribulation will bathe the earth in Divine Light. As the evening stars fade from view at dawn, so shall all material sources of light pale beneath the brilliance of Christ’s Divine Illumination. "There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them Light" (Revelation 22:5).

Even the mighty sun will seem dark by comparison: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matthew 24:29-31). Referring to this, Saint John Chrysostom taught that the sun and stars are "not destroyed, but overcome by the Light of His presence; and the stars shall fall, for what shall be the need of them thenceforth, there being no night?"

The heavens which man watched for guidance during his long sojourn on earth will no longer be visible, for their Creator will again walk in brilliance with man. "For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light," anticipated Isaiah. "The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine" (Isaiah 13:10).

In this New Heaven and New Earth, Satan WILL NEVER ENTER. Death WILL NOT BEEN KNOWN THERE, BUT ONLY ETERNAL LIFE IN GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS. "We… look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

Uncreated Light, Immaterial Fire

The Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor was also a preview of the Glory of His Coming. The Gospel records that "Hs face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light" (Matthew 17:2). The Festal Menaion reading for Matins (Orthros) of the Transfiguration of Our Lord includes these words: "Thou wast revealed as an immaterial fire that burns not the material substance of the body… showing the exchange mortal men will make with Thy Glory at Thy Second and fearful Coming, O Savior."

The Light of Christ will illumine those WHO ARE PREPARED FOR IT, AND BURN THOSE WHO ARE NOT, even as Saint Symeon’s prayer before Holy Communion indicates: "O Thou Who givest me willingly Thy Flesh for food, Thou Who art fire, and burnest the unworthy, scorch me not, O my Maker, but rather pass through me for the integration of my members, into all mu joints, my affections, and my heart. Burn up the thorns of all my sins."

Prayers offered during Matins of the Holy Theophany of Our Lord characterize the Last Days themselves as a "FIRE," the final conflagration in which all unrighteousness is to be permanently consumed in the Divine inferno. "Christ baptizes in the fire of the Last Day THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT AND BELIEVE NOT THAT HE IS GOD: BUT THROUGH THE SPIRIT AND BY THE GRACE THAT COMES THROUGH WATER HE GRANTS A NEW BIRTH TO ALL WHO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS DIVINITY, DELIVERING THEM FROM THEIR FAULTS."

This blaze will penetrate into the depths of creation removing all impurities forever. "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same world, are reserved for fire until the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men… But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burnt up" (2 Peter 3:7-13).

"… The "end of this world" does not produce obliteration (except of evil), but rather RESTORATION AND RENEWAL. "For this world shall pass away by transmutation, not by absolute destruction," wrote Blessed Augustine. "And therefore the Apostle says, "For the figure of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7:31). The figure, therefore, passes away, not the nature."

"Thus the whole creation, after it will be renewed and become SPIRITUAL, will become A DWELLING WHICH IS IMMATERIAL, INCORRUPTIBLE, UNCHANGING, AND ETERNAL," added Saint Symeon. "The heaven will become incomparably more brilliant, and bright than it appears now; IT WILL BECOME COMPLETELY NEW. The earth will receive a new, unutterable beauty, being clothed in many-formed unfading flowers, bright and spiritual… The whole world will become more perfect than anhy word can describe."

The creatures of God’s world will also be restored TO THEIR ORIGINAL PURITY, which was lost following Adam’s Fall. By the triumph of Jesus Christ, "THE CREATION ITSELF ALSO WILL BE DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION INTO THE GLORIOUS LIBERTY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now" (Romans 8:21-22).

The ultimate meaning of the end times is TRANSFORMATION, according to Saint John Maximovitch. The end of the world signifies NOT THE ANNIHILATION OF THE WORLD, but ITS TRANSFORMATION. Everything WILL BE TRANSFORMED SUDDENLY, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE. THE DEAD WILL RISE IN NEW BODIES: THEIR OWN, BUT RENEWED JUST AS THE SAVIOR ROSE IN HIS OWN BODY AND ON IT WERE TRACES OF WOUNDS FROM THE NAILS AND SPEAR, YET IT POSSESSED NEW FACULTIES, AND IN THIS SENSE IT WAS A NEW BODY."

Along with the changing of earth and heaven, there WILL OCCUR A CHANGING OF MEN. Those who are Christians, whether living or dead, WILL BE TRANSFORMED. The Light of Christ WILL INSTANTLY CLEANSE THEM OF MORTALITY. "We SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED–IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMPET, wrote Saint Paul. "For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). … The hallowed dead, having patiently waited in their graves during the Lord’s absence, WILL BE THE FIRST TO CELEBRATE his Return.

"…The image of the new earth, or the "WORLD TO COME," IS CHRIST HIMSELF. This He revealed in that His Resurrected body WAS SPIRITUAL WHILE STILL BEING PHYSICAL. SUCH WILL THE NEW EARTH BE… It is the Resurrection, perhaps even more than the nativity, that justifies the Orthodox belief that CREATION WILL SHARE IN THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE UNIVERSE, THAT THE PHYSICAL WORLD PARTICIPATES IN ETERNITY AND HAS AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION TO SERVE BOTH NOW AND IN THE KINGDOM.
[Source: Ultimate Things by Dennis E. Engleman]

_______________

"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 Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to be, "Watch, stand fast in
the faith, be brave, be strong" [1 Corinthians 16:13].

And again urges the faithful, "My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" [1 Corinthians 15:58]. The Christians then, as well, throughout the centuries faced incredible challenges, obstacles, temptations, deception, enticements, pride, heresies, superstitions, paganism, scisms, and sins of the flesh. However, the Christian is to triumph over all these vices and by and through true faith, ascetic practices– prayer, fasting, repentance, philanthropy, and genuine humility and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and His commandments.

Christians then, as well as today, are in danger of living in a corrupt world, a world of deception, pride, lawlessness, vices, and a mind controlled by passions. It is a strong undercurrent that pulls the unbelieving and naive person out into the open sea where he or she will ultimately drown alone. The Orthodox Christian must never lose sight of our Savior Jesus Christ Who has given us a panoply to fight the "good fight" and be victorious. All faithful believers in Jesus Christ, our God and Savior must be willing to wage a constant battle with the forces of evil. Christians fight back with God’s arms, that is, the uncreated energy given to us.

The Holy Apostle Paul explains clearly what the Christians must do when he writes, "Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS AGE, AGAINS SPIRITUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES… Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (evil) one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Now more so than ever before Orthodox Christians must make sure that they are vigilant and always alert for everyone is faced with a severe assault by the evil one who threatens the very existence of humanity. All must take it very seriously and be spiritually ready at all times and all places. Readiness, awareness, and vigilance: diligence in prayer, fasting, and watchfulness in submission always to God the Holy Spirit. Especially those on the "front lines," bishops and priests. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"(faithful) [Ephesians 6:18-].

Orthodox Christians are exhorted by Saint Paul as well as our Authentic Church of Christ to "set our mind on things above, NOT on things of the earth" (Colossians 3:2). People currently are convinced and indoctrinated by unbelieving society that the contemporary person must be materialistic and a constant consumer of goods. That one must submit to a secular and a paganistic world authority otherwise they are threatened with being canceled and ostracized. Threatens to deprive those who are disobedient to their wicked agenda even of the essential means of living and for one to be able to provide the necessities of life to their family. What is witnessed is the evil intentions and cruel and inhumane treatment of all citizens throughout the world.

There is nothing that can be considered theoretical in what is taking place in our contemporary world. The evil one has declared war on humanity but especially on the Christ-believing people in the world. Persecution against Christians is nothing new. But the war against our Founder and Savior has never ceased for 2,000 years. It is understood by Orthodox Christians that as we draw near to the end times that persecution against those remaining steadfast in their faith will become fierce and deliberate. However, no Christians should be afraid like all those, our fellow Christians, who were willing to suffer and die for Christ. I pray that everyone understands that we are NOT speaking about what may happen in the future but what is already happening at the present time.

One sees the corruption and decay of what is happening today and how all people are impacted by laws and decisions taken by civil and secular governments in countries all over the world. Fear of punishment and imprisonment is used to intimidate and control people, the fear of abducting the children of their parents, threats of losing work, submitting to sexual experiments of children, normalizing drug use, religious persecution, destroying marriage and family, false accusations, encouraging anarchy, redefining what a person is, creating confusion and turning one against another, undermining values and virtuous life, and literally turning all beliefs upsidedown. What more proof does one need to see truly what Christians are up against?

Orthodox Christians are not fighting alone in this battle. God is with us! We, Orthodox Christians are reminded of His presence among us constantly in our divine services i.e., Great Compline when we chant: "God is with us, know it you nations and be submissive FOR GOD IS WITH US. Hear it to the ends of the earth. FOR GOD IS WITH US…And if I trust in Him, it shall be a blessing to me. FOR GOD IS WITH US…" Our Merciful and Loving God has not and will never abandon His creation, His children, and allow the evil one to usurp His authority. Our Lord, God, and Savior promises: "and lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE" (Matthew 28:20). He is with us now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. 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.

THE SECOND COMING

By Dennis E, Engleman

"When your suffering shall have ended, your
righteousness shall go with you and the glory
of the Lord shall accompany you."
[Saint John Maximovitch]

It may be that our Lord Jesus Christ was thinking ahead to Antichrist when He said, "What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" [Matthew 16:26]. For without a doubt, Antichrist will be the first and last human capable of gaining the whole world. And the cost of this great acquisition will be not only his own soul but THE SOULS OF ALL PEOPLE WHO SIDE WITH HIM.

Antichrist will become the undisputed secular and religious leader, the so-called "god’ of mankind. He will "solve" many of life’s problems, AND THOSE BEARING HIS MARK WILL ENJOY A BRIEF PERIOD OF PLEASURE AND PROSPERITY.

At that time, all the troublesome Christians will be either dead or in hiding. Worldly pursuits will preoccupy the people of earth completely. Ignorant of the disaster waiting in the wings, they will behave as though they were immortal. "And as it was in the days of Noah," says the Gospel, "so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all" (Luke 17:26-27).

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh pointed out that the presence of Noah among his generation was both condemnation and salvation: "It was condemnation because the presence ONE MAN WHO HAD REMAINED FAITHFUL… was evidence that that was possible, and that those who were sinners, those who had REJECTED GOD…COULD HAVE DONE LIKEWISE…YET IT WAS ALSO THE SALVATION OF HIS TIME, BECAUSE HE WAS THE ONLY ONE THANKS TO WHOM GOD LOOKED WITH MERCY UPON MAN."

So shall it be AT THE VERY END. The world will have reached its apex of carnality, its nadir of spirituality. Concerns of the flesh will be all-importance. As Saint John Chrysostom noted, "Amid such evils they lived in luxury…When Antichrist is come, THE PURSUIT OF UNLAWFUL PLEASURES SHALL BE MORE EGER AMONG THE TRANSGRESSORS…BUT THEY THAT ARE HELD BY THE INTOXICATION OF WICKEDNESS SHALL NOT SO MUCH AS PERCEIVE THE DREADFUL NATURE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE ON THE POINT OF BEING DONE."

God in His mercy and love will have sent many problems and scourges, AS WARNINGS TO MANKIND that something is terribly wrong. Yet these will be explained away as natural disasters by scientists, medicated away by doctors, or just ignored. Finally, CHRIST WILL COME.

All of Sacred Scripture, all of world history, all of human experience, all of Satan’s posturing–all testify through the ages that Christ IS COMING. Yet, TO SPIRITUALLY BLIND MANKIND, the day of the Lord will appear suddenly and unexpectedly, like "a thief in the night," as Saint Paul wrote: "For when the1 y say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

Up until the last moment, people will behave as though this world would not last forever. "Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They [the Sodmites] ATE, THEY DRANK, THEY BOUGHT, THEY SOLD, THEY PLANTED, THEY BUILT, BUT ON THE DAY THAT LOT WENT OUT OF SODOM IT RAINED FIRE AND BRIMSTONE FROM HEAVEN AND DESTROYED THEM ALL. EVEN SO, WEILL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED" (Luke 17:28-30).

In spite of the many admonitions, THE WORLD WILL NEVER SUSPECT ITS DANGER. Only those who treasure the words of the Lord Jesus Christ will be prepared: "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For IT WILL COME AS A SNARE ON ALL THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. WATCH THEREFORE, AND PRAY ALWAYS THAT YOU MAY BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS THAT WILL TO PASS, AND TO STAND BEFORE THE Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36).

The Savior WII NOT COME FROM THE EARTH OR THE SEA, BUT FROM HEAVEN, AS THE ANGELS ASSURED His Apostles sot long ago: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He Who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness. He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God" (Revelation 19:11-13).

In a blinding flash, the Lord will appear to a frightened world. He will be seen in the sky, that element which has so long been the realm of Satan. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be," wrote Saint Matthew. "…Then the Sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the Tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. And He will send His Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other" (Matthew 24:27-31).

The Sign of the Son of Man is, of course, THE Cross. "The Sign of the Cross SHALL BE A TERROR TO HIS FOES," exclaims Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, "BUT JOY TO HIS FRIENDS WH HAVE BELIEVED IN HIM, OR PREACHED HIM OR SUFFERED FOR HIS SAKE."

Saint John Maximovitch explained that Christ’s appearance WILL BRING ALL PEOPLE TO A RECOGNITION OF THE TRUTH. "And the Sign of the Son of God will appear: The Sign of the Cross. The whole world, HAVING WILLINGLY SUBMITTED TO Antichrist, WILL WEEP. Everything is, FINISHED FOREVER: Antichrist KILLED; THE END OF HIS KINGDOM OF WARFARE WITH CHRIST; THE END, AND ONE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE; ONE MUST ANSWER TO THE TRUE GOD."

"At that time the whole earth will tremble," says the Apocalypse of Elijah. "The sun will be darkened. Peace will be removed from upon the earth and from under heaven… The sinners will cry out on the earth, saying, ‘What have you done to us, lawless one, by saying, "I am the Christ," when you are the lawless one? …Now we will be destroyed by wrath, because we disobeyed God.

Christ’s Second Advent will cause an immediate spiritual shock throughout the world. "It will not be necessary or possible for persons to communicate news of the Coming of the Son of God," wrote Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov. "He will appear suddenly… TO ALL MEN AND TO ALL THE EARTH AT THE SAME TIME."

THERE WILL BE A NEW HEAVEN, A NEW EARTH, AND A NEW HUMANITY. CHRIST’S RETURN WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING! (Source: Ultimate Things. An Orthodox Christian Perspective on the End Times)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

HOW GRACE SETTLES IN THE
REPENTANT SOUL.

By Saint Theophan the Recluse

In looking at a person who has repented, we are looking at a person who has actually entered INTO COMMUNION WITH GOD, but this communion is still hidden, secret, unmanifest. His goal IS TO ATTAIN COMMUNION THAT IS COMPLETE, TANGIBLE, AND PERCEPTIBLE. We must precisely determine all of this for ourselves and be assured, because all the penitent’s LABOR FOR SULAVATION SHOULD BE BUILT UPON THIS FOUNDATION, NAMELY: THAT IN THE MYSTERION (SACRAMENT) OF REPENTANCE/CONFESSION (or Baptism) GRACE DESCENDS PERCEPTIBLY TO THE SPIRIT BUT THEN HIDES ITSELF FROM TEH AWARENESS, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT IN FACT GO AWAY. It remains IMPERCEPTABLE UNTIL THE HEART IS PURIFIED, AT WHICH TIME IT DWELLS VISIBLY AND FINALLY. It is obvious that our only instructors in this matter can be the Holy Fathers. None of them expresses it so well as Saint Diodochos, Bishop of Photiki, and Saint Makarios of Egypt. We present their witness to our suppositions.

“Grace settles in a person and stays with him,
from the moment he receives the Mysteries.”

“From the instant, we are baptized,” says Saint Diodochos, “GRACE IS HIDDEN IN THE DEPTHS OF THE INTELLECT.” Also, “For when through Holy Baptism Divine grace in its infinite love permeates the lineaments of God’s image–thereby renewing in the soul the capacity for attaining the Divine likeness–what place is there for the devil? Saint Makarios says: “GRACE IS CONSTANTLY PRESENT, AND IS ROOTED IN US, AND WORKED INTO US LIKE LEAVEN, FROM OUR EARLIEST YEARS, UNTIL THE THING THUS PRESENT BECOMES FIXED IN A MAN LIKE A NATURAL ENDOWMENT, AS IF IT WERE ONE SUBSTANCE WITH HIM.”

“When grace first settles in a person through a Mysterion (Sacrament),
it vouchsafes that person a complete taste of the
the blessedness of COMMUNION WITH GOD.”

“If we fervently desire holiness,” says Saint Diodochos, “the Holy Spirit a the outset gives the soul a full and conscious taste of God’s sweetness so that the intellect will know exactly of what the final reward of the spiritual life consists.” Also, “At the start of the spiritual way, the soul usually has the conscious experience of being ILLUMINED WITH ITS OWN LIGHT THROUGH THE ACTION OF GRACE.”

This most perceptible ILLUMINATION OF GRACE is at first expressed by the white clothing that the newly baptized wear for SEVEN DAYS. That this is NOT just a formality is seen from the examples of the holy converts, for some were visibly clothed in light, upon others a dove descended, and the faces of others became bright.

In general, all who have truly come close to the Lord have felt a certain leaping of spirit, similar to the leaping of the Forerunner (Saint John the Baptist) in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when the Mother of God (Theotokos) approached her carrying the Lord within her. In the lives of Saints, Symeon and John is written that they saw a light around a brother who was baptized and received the Monastic habit–and it lasted SEVEN DAYS. Feeling a particular action of God upon receiving the Monastic habit, they sought to preserve it forever and immediately departed to a solitary place more suitable for that form of asceticism.

“Grace hides from one who is laboring
for his salvation.”

Then grace hides itself from the one who is laboring for his salvation, and although it dwells and works in him, it does so unnoticeably to him, and he is so unaware of it that he often considers himself to be abandoned by God and perishing, which causes him to fall into constrictions, lamentations, and even light depression. Thus Saint Diodochos continues, from the foregoing citation: “Incidentally, it hides THE TREASURE OF THIS LIFE-CREATING GIFT FOR A LONG TIME, SO THAT WE WOULD COUNT OURSELVES AS NOTHING THOUGH WE FULFILL EVERY VIRTUE, FOR WE HAVE NOT YET MADE HOLY LOVE HABITUAL IN OURSELVES…” But as we continue our ascetic struggles, it produces in the theologizing soul, so that it might incline us who have been called, at the first opportunity, from the unknown to the known, to enter the way of Divine visions, and secondly, so that amidst our ascetic labors we might preserve our knowledge FROM VAINGLORY.”

Finally, God dwells in man in a special manner

“Finally, when this period of hidden communion with God and His mysterious activity in the soul is over” (the duration of this period not being in man’s hands but in the guiding wisdom of man-saving grace). “God dwells in man in a special manner. He visibly fills him, unites Himself to him, and communes with him. THIS IS THE GOAL MAN STRIVES TO ACHIEVE THROUGH ALL HIS ASCETIC STRUGGLES AND LABORS, ALL THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION FROM GOD Himself, and all that happens to each person in the present life from birth to the grave. Saint Makarios writes that the work of grace after long trials finally shows itself fully, and THE SOUL ACQUIRES FULL SONSHIP OF THE Spirt God Himself proves the heart, and man is made worthy TO BE ONE SPIRIT WITH THE LORD. According to Saint Diodochos, “If a man, while still alive, can undergo death through his labors, then in his entirety HE BECOMES THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE Holy Spirit.” “GRACE ILLUMINES HIS WHOLE BEING WITH A DEEPER AWARENESS, WARMING HIM WITH GREAT LOVE OF GOD.” This action reveals itself or is accompanied by different manifestations with different people.” [Source:  The Path To Salvation.  A Manual of Spiritual Transformation]

___________

“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.

WHY THE MYSTERION (SACRAMENT) OF REPENTANCE/CONFESSION
IS NECESSARY.

By Saint Theophan the Recluse

What makes the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession so necessary is on one hand the nature of sin, and on the other hand, the nature of our conscience. When we sin, we think that the traces of sin do not remain on the outside or the inside of us. Meanwhile, it is leaving deep marks on the inside and the outside of us–on everything around us and especially in heaven, in the ledgers of Divine Judgment. At the hour of sin, it is decided there what the one who has sinned has become; in the Book of the living he is written in the list of the condemned, and that has been bound i heaven. Divine grace DOES NOT DESCEND UPON HIM UNTIL HE IS ERASED FROM THE LIST OF THE CONDEMNED IN HEAVEN UNTIL HE HAS RECEIVED ABSOLUTION THERE. But it was pleasing to God to make heavenly erasing from the list of the condemned dependent upon the absolution of the sins that have been bound on earth. So, receive the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession, that you may be freed BY ABSOLUTION ON ALL SIDES, AND OPEN THE DOOR WITHIN YOURSELF TO THE Spirit of grace. Now that the conscience has been cleaned and has regained its tenderness and sensitivity to good moral order, it will not give any peace until we are decisively ensured of forgiveness. Thus it is in the usual course of our lives: it will not allow us to show ourselves to the person we have offended until we are sure that he has forgiven us. With respect to God, the conscience is even more meticulous. Although at that time when a person has raised himself to make a decisive vow, a certain assurance that he is no longer repugnant to God comes down to him; but this assurance is his own, and it cannot be durable. It will soon be toppled by doubts: "Is it really true? Perhaps it is self-delusion?" and this doubt brings inner anxiety and from anxiety comes a weakening. Then life will have neither firmness nor good form. Thus, a person needs to hear that all is forgiven from God so that, finally at peace in the assurance in God’s mercy, he can then act more decisively and steadfastly in this assurance. Go and confess–and you will receive a pronouncement of God’s forgiveness.

How to prepare for a salvific Confession

From A SALVIFIC CONFESSION, one must prepare himself sufficiently. Whoever has read this narrative thus far is ready. Proceed with reverence and faith!

1) Firmly convinced of the necessity of this Mysterion (Sacrament), go to it–not as though it were some new part of your life or just a simply custom, but WITH COMPLETE FAITH THAT FOR YOU AS A SINNER, THIS IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO BE SAVED. By skipping it, you will be numbered among the condemned, and, consequently, you will be outside of any mercy. By not entering this clinic, your spirit will not regain its health and you will remain as you were, sick and disturbed. You will not see the Kingdom if you do not enter it THROUGH THE DOOR OF REPENTANCE.

2) By these convictions engender the desire for this Mysterion (Sacrament). Go to it NOTas to the slaughter, but AS TO FOUNTAIN OF BLESSINGS. Whoever vividly represents to himself the fruit born in us through Confession could not but long for it. A man goes to it all in wounds from head to toe, and HE RETURNS FROM IT HEALTHY IN ALL HIS MEMBERS, ALIVE, STRONG, AND WITH A FEELING OF SAFETY FROM FUTURE INFECTION. He goes there weighed down by a heavy yoke–the whole sum of past sins on him. It torments him and deprives him of all peace. He returns LIGHT, JOYFUL, AND WITH A CONSOLING DISPOSITION OF SPIRIT THAT HE HAS RECEIVED A CHARTER OF COMPLETE FORGIVENESS.

3) Shame and fear will come up–let them! That is why this Mysterion (Sacrament) was created, to bring shame and fear upon us–and the more shame, and fear, the more it will save us. Desiring this Sacrament, desire great shame and great trembling. If someone wants to be healed, does he not know how painful the treatment is? He knows, but resolving to be healed, he also determines to endure the attendant pain in the hope of recovering…There will be a judgment, and at it will be shame and fear without hope. Shame and fear at confession pay for the shame and fear then. If you do not want the latter, go through with the former. Besides, it always happens that, according to the measure of the trembling that the penitent goes through, he overflows with consolation at the confession. This is where the Savior truly shows Himself to be the Comforter of the laboring and heavy laden! By sincerely repenting and confessing the heart learns this truth by experience, rather than by faith alone.

4) Then, again recalling al the sins you have committed and renewing the now ripened, inner commitment NOT TO REPEAT THEM, RISE UP IN THE LIVING FAITH THAT YOU STAND BEFORE THE LORD HIMSELF WHO RECEIVES YOUR CONFESSION; AND TELL EVERYTHING THAT BURDENS YOUR CONSCIENCE, WITHOUT HOLDING ANYTHING BACK…"

5) Now the confession is over. The spiritual father lifts his epitrachelion, covers the head of the penitent with it, and keeping it in his hand, pronounces the absolution OF ALL SINS, making the sign of the Cross on the head. What OCCURS AT THIS MOMENT IN THE SOUL IS WELL KNOWN TO EVERYONE WHO SINCERELY REPENTS. STREAMS OF GRACE POUR FROM THE HEAD INTO THE HEART AND FILL IT WITH JOY. This is NOT from human beings, not from the penitent, not from the absolver–THIS IS THE MYSTERY OF THE LORD HEALER AND COMFORTER OF SOULS. Sometimes it happens at this time that some hear clearly in their hearts, a Divine word to strengthen and inspire them for future works. This IS A SORT OF SPIRITUAL WEAPON ENTRUSTED BY CHRIST THE SAVIOR TO THE MAN WHO NOW ENTERS THE RANKS OF THOSE WARRING IN HIS NAME…

6) With this EVERYTHING IS DONE. All that remains is to fall at God’s feet with feelings of thankfulness for His unspeakable mercy and kiss the Cross and Gospels AS A SIGN OF YOUR VOW. Go unwaveringly along the path shown to you in the Gospels, WITH TE, A COMMITMENT TO FOLLOW CHRIST THE SAVIOR, AS DESCRIBED IN THE GOSPELS, UNDR His blessed yoke, only now taken upon yourself. Having complete this, GO IN PEACE, WITH THE INTENTION TO INTENTLY ACT ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU HAVE PROMISED, REMEMBERING THAT THE JUDGMENT OVER YOU FROM NOW ON WILL BE FROM YOUR OWN WORDS. YOU HAVE MADE A PROMISE–KEEP IT. IT HAS BEEN SEALED BY THE SACRAMENT AND THEREFORE YOU MUST BE EVER MORE FAITHFUL TO IT, SO THAT YOU DO NOT FALL AGAIN INTO THE RANKS OF THOSE WHO HAVE WASTED GRACE.

7) If the spiritual father gives you A PENANCE (κανών), ACCEPT IT WITH JOY. If the spiritual father does not give you one, then ask him to. This will be not only a send-off to you as you depart on your good path but also a shield and protection from outside enemy attacks ON YOUR NEW WAY OF LIFE…

Whoever finishes this course OF SPIRITUAL TREATMENT AS GIVEN AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, CONFESSES HIS SINS WITHOUT HIDING ANYTHING, RETURNS FROM THE HOUSE OF GOD THE WAY CRIMINALS RETURN FROM COURT WHO HAVE RECEIVED MERCY AND ACQUITTAL OF THEIR CRIMES INSTEAD OF A DEATH SENTENCE. He returns with a deep feeling of THANKFULNESS TO THE SAVIOR OF OUR SOUSL, WITH THE FIRM RESOLVE TO DEDICATE HIMSELF TO HIM AND TO THE FULFILLMENT OF HSI COMMANDMENTS OF ALL THE REST OF HIS LIFE, WITH EXTREME DISGUST FOR AL OF HIS FORMER SINS, and with an unrestrainable desire to wipe away all traces of his former error. The one who has received absolution feels within himself that he is not useless, that he has been visited by a special power. Divine grace, which has thus far only acted on him from without in helping him conquer himself, now with the words: "I FORGIVE AND ABSOLVE" has entered into him, mingled with his spirit and filled it with a burning and longing with which he now proceeds into action until the evening of his life. [Source: The Path to Salvation.  A Manual of Spiritual Transformation]

__________

"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