My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE SANCTITY OF THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAMILY.

“Then God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful
and multiply…” [Genesis 1:28

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

1st SEPTEMBER OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH CELEBRATES
THE INDICTION OR BEGINNING OF THE NEW ECCLESIASTICAL
YEAR.

Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Indiction. Second Tone

O MAKER of all creation, Who hast established the times and the
seasons in Thine own power: Bless the crown of this year with
Thy goodness, O Lord, and keep out rulers and Thy flock in peace,
by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save us.

Kontakion Hymn of the Indiction. Fourth Tone

O GOD OF ALL, Thou Who hast made all the ages, O Sovereign
Lord, truly transcendent in essence, bestow Thy grace and
blessing on the year to come; and, O Most Compassionate, in
Thine infinite mercy save all them that worship Thee, Who alone
art our Master, and that with fear, O Savior, cry to Thee: Grant
unto all men a fruitful and godly year.

Our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates on 1st September the Indiction. The Hebrews of old observed March as the beginning of the year, but for the Romans, the beginning of the year was September, even though they previously observed the 1st of January. According to Archbishop Gregory of Taormina, when Julius Caesar defeated Anthony it was in the month of September…"Indiction" is a Latin word meaning "TO PROCLAIM." The Great Synaxaristes is given the signification of ORISMOS, that is, a DECREE or EDICT, which more specifically was A TAX IMPOSED BY THE EMPEROR in order to meet the needs of the Empire. The Feast of Indiction was enacted by the Holy Fathers at the First Ecumenical Synod of Nicaea. Gradually, the word "INDICTION" acquired A CHRONOLOGICAL definition that it maintained after Justinian I’s novel 47 of 537. The first day of the indiction was not identical to the various traditions. The Greek or Constantinopolitan Indiction began on the 1st of September.

The hymnographers of the Church composed hymns for the Christians. We ask the Logos/Word, Who made ALL THINGS IN WISDOM AND APPOINTED THE SEASONS AND TIMES FOR OUR SALVATION, "to bless the crown of the year, preserving the multitude of the Orthodox in peace, through the prayers of the Theotokos and of all Thy Saints [Vespers, Mode Plagal Two]." The faithful also entreat Christ God, Who wisely renewed all that He brought into existence, for FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND SETTING ARIGHT THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS, VICTORY OVER THEIR ADVERSARIES, THE SETTING AT NOUGHT OF HERESIES, THE FERTILITY OF THE EARTH, AND SEASONABLE WEATHER.

The month of September was also the time to gather the summer fruits and prepare for winter. On the first day of the seventh month, the Hebrews kept the Feast of Trumpets: "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a rest, A MEMORIAL OF TRUMPETS: IT SHALL BE TO YOU A HOLY CONVOCATION. Ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall offer a whole-burnt offering to the Lord (Leviticus 23:24-25).

It is the same Christ God Who appeared from the Virgin and inscribed the Tablets on Mount Sinai, Who has now appeared in the flesh in the city of Nazareth of Galilee on the Sabbath. The Master received the Book of the Prophet Isaiah to read, as narrated by the Evangelist Luke: "And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and according to what was customary to Him, He went into the Synagogue on the day of the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And there was handed over to Him the roll of Isaiah the Prophet. And having unfolded the roll, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, on account of which He anointed Me; He hath sent Me to preach the good tidings to the poor, to heal those who have been broken in heart, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61:2]. And after He folded up the roll, He gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the Synagogue were looking intently on Him. And He began to say to them, "TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED IN YOUR EARS." And all were witness to Him and were wondering at the words of grace which were proceeding out of His mouth [Luke 4:16-22].

Saint Kyril of Alexandria inquires, "For what reason did the Incarnate Logos/Word choose to be anointed? It was our being destitute of the Spirit…The words befit the manhood, for it is not the Divine Nature which is anointed."

"The meaning implied in the name "Christ," observes Saint Irenaeus, "is ‘He that anoints,’ ‘He that is anointed,’ and the ‘unction’ itself with which He is anointed. It is the Father Who anoints, but the Son Who is anointed by the Spirit, Who IS THE UNCTION, as the Logos/Word declares by Isaiah [Isaiah 61:1]" Saint Kyril of Jerusalem, in his lecture regarding CHRISM, writes, "Christ was NOT ANOINTED BY MEN with oil or material ointment, but the Father having before APPOINTED HIM MTO BE THE SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE WORLD, ANOINTED Him with the Holy Spirit…And as Christ was in reality crucified, and buried, and raised, and you are in Baptism accounted worthy of being crucified also. As He was anointed WITH A NOETIC OIL OF GLADNESS, THAT IS, WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, CALLED ‘OIL OF GLADNESS’ (Psalm 44:6), SO YOU WERE ANOINTED WITH OINTMENT, HAVING BEEN MADE PARTAKERS AND FELLOWS OF CHRIST." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)

_______________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Thngs1"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Father George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

O Heavenly King and Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art
everywhere present, and fillest all things, the Treasury of all
blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, and purify
us from every stain, and of Thy Goodness save our souls.

Look down, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, from Thy Holy
dwelling place, and from the Throne of Glory of Thy
Kingdom, and come to sanctify us, Thou Who sittest on High
with the Father, and art HERE PRESENT WITH US. And do
Thou deign by Thy mighty hand to give to us of Thy
Immaculate Body and of Thy Precious Blood, and through
us to all the people.

Psalm 139:7-12 (Omnipresence of God)

"…Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts
of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall hold me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, "Surely the darkness
shall fall on me,"
Even the night shall be light
about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not
hide from You…"

God is not subject to any limitation in space, but He fills everything. Filling everything, God, as a simple Being, is present in every place, not as it were in some part of Him, or by merely sending down some power from Himself, but in all His Being; and He is not confused with that in which He is present, "The Divinity penetrates everything without being mingled with anything, but nothing can penetrate Him" (Saint John Damascene). That God IS PRESENT EVERYWHERE WE KNOW, BUT HOW, WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND, because we can understand only a sensuous presence, and it is not given to us to understand fully the nature of God" (Saint John Chrysostom).

God is the Creator of all. Man was created by the Almighty God with His own hands. "Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… God made man; in the image of God He made him; MALE and FEMALE He made them. Then God blessed them" (Genesis 1:26-28). "Man is not one in nature with the Holy Trinity. But he was made in the IMAGE and LIKENESS of the Holy Trinity; and he was made MALE and FEMALE. Therefore, the dignity of each man and each woman is the image and likeness…Everything God made, including man, IS VERY GOOD, because God is good. Nothing He made is, therefore, evil in itself. So then, HUMAN NATURE IS GOOD IN ITSELF. But SIN is A FREE CHOICE, MAN’S WILL, AND IT IS CONTRARY BUT TO GOD’S NATURE AND HUMAN NATURE."
"
The first word of our Orthodox Symbol of Faith is, "I believe." All of our Christian confession is based upon faith. It contains within itself the feelings of love, fear, veneration, reverence, and humility." Likewise, it cannot be called a manifestation of the will, for although it moves mountains, the Christian RENOUNCES HIS OWN WILL WHEN HE BELIEVES, AND ENTIRELY GIVES HIMSELF OVER TO THE WILL OF GOD: "May Thy will be done in me, a sinner." The path to faith lies in the heart. It is inseparable from pure, sacrificial love, "working through love" (Galatians 5:6)…Without faith it would not be the LIVING BOND BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH. Christian belief is something much greater than the "persuasive hypothesis," which is the kind of belief usually encountered in life."

By faith, the Saints conquered kingdoms, performed righteous deeds, closed the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the sharp sword, and were strengthened in infirmity (Hebrews 11:33-38). Being inspired by faith, Christians went to torture and death with joy. Faith is a rock, but a rock that is impalpable, free of heaviness and weight, which draws one upward and not downward. "He that believeth in Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water", said the Lord (John 7:38). In Hebrews 11:1, it is described as "faith is the ‘substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".

God, in His essence, is incomprehensible. God dwells "in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see," teaches the holy Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:16. We derive knowledge of God from knowledge of nature, the knowledge of oneself, and the knowledge of all of God’s creations in general. God has manifested Himself yet more in supernatural revelation and through the Incarnation of the Son of God. "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18). In other words, no one has had a direct vision of the nature of God. To see God, is to die (Exodus 33:20). The Son is one with the Father, and He (together with the Holy Spirit) sees the Father in His essence. As "Light of Light," Jesus REVEALS THE FATHER: WHEN WE SEE JESUS CHRIST WE SEE THE FATHER." "JESUS said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?" (John 14:9-10).

Believing in God at this point in time is challenged more than ever before. Atheism is growing and darkness is falling throughout the world. Even so-called "Christians" are beginning to doubt the eixstence of God. For centuries, there were countries in the world that were considered, because of their Christian population, as "Christian countries." However, many of them have surrendered to the secular and unbelieving world. I have personally have seen a country like Greece, which has been a Christian country for about 2,000 years almost, lose her identity as a Christian country because of its adherence to materialism and pleasure, the contemporary worshiped idols. Visiting the beautiful Ireland in recent years, I was shocked to see many Christian churches empty and used as museums, office spaces, and distilleries. In England, some churches are used to train people to play golf. Other countries, turning Christian churches into restaurants, etc. A great number of Christians throughout the world have apostasized from Christ and Faith. It is a most alarming development and a crisis of faith.

God is AGAPE (Love) and He absolutely loves man, His creation. "God wishes communion with man, a communion of loving persons. Man as a person can love for the Personal God, since true love can be directed only towards a person and can exist only in a person…Our personal God is not the god of the philosophers, nor of the skeptics. He is the God of our Fathers, a Person, and NOT an idea."

Our Creator and God, out of respect, paternal esteem, and a loving attitude towards man, wants him to be FREE. He does NOT FORCE Himself upon man, but awaits for MAN’S FREE, PERSONAL CHOICE. In other words, God awaits for man’s ACCEPTANCE OF Him in his life. Man is always free, EVEN TO REJECT Him.

"God comes to us and reveals Himself, when, with freedom of love, we accept Him in our life. His glory and Grace are revealed to us and we enjoy His Blessed presence. Through experience, we learn what life with God is like and how COMMUNION WITH Him feels. If it isn’t revealed by Him, we cannot, by ourselves, find Him and meet Him, our Creator and our Maker."

Through our own experience, however, we come to know people, including close relatives, who, out of ignorance, egoism, selfishness, arrogance, pride, and indifference, do not accept Him. These are lost souls who are spiritually blind and dead. There is no life without God, since God is Life itself. Consequently, a terrible struggle takes place within these suffering souls. Without God in their lives, they cease to truly live. Instead, they simply exist. Our Heavenly Father never gives up on any one, even though the person denies His existence and stops believing in Him. He awaits everyone’s return to Him and the Kingdom of Light and Agape. The way back to God is expressed in the Parable of the Prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32. In this Parable the Prodigal son, upon his return to his father, repents of his disobedience to him and says, "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants…But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and RAN AND FELL ON HIS NECK AND KISSED HIM…".

It may be hard to believe for some that even those who serve God for years fall away and begin to lose sight of Him. People who serve in His diakonia (ministry) and who preach His Gsopel of salvation. Some are religious leaders, who, out of egoism and arrogance, believe that they are higher than God Himself. They believe that they are not acountable to Him for their actions, and abuse their office and the faithful entrusted to them by God, for personal gain, entichment, and vain glory. Unfortunately, however, many of the faithful are too trusting and are easily deceived and victimized by them. The penalty delivered by God for one in hight office who exploits his position for reasons of greed, abuse, immorality, and power, is very great and final indeed. Desecration of one’s ordination and consecration is an unforgivable sin.

May our Loving and forgiving Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ have mercy upon us all. May He make us true servants in His vineyard and Holy Orthodox Church, worthy to be called His sons and daughters, overlooking our many sins through the holy intercessions of His Most Pure and Holy Mother, the Ever Virgin Mary the Theotokos. 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.

"JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY,
TODAY, AND FOREVER" (Hebrews 13:8)

If I were to define the Holy Orthodox Christian Faith and Church this is what I would confess as, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Since, as Orthodox Christians, we believe Christ is God and DOES NOT CHANGE, His Divine Gospel DOES NOT CHANGE and therefore His Holy Church DOES NOT CHANGE. We believe that Christians throughout the centuries attained the Eternal Kingdom of God, by living the faith, so are Christians today and will continue to do so in the future. The Holy Orthodox Church maintains her divine Doctrines, Canons, and Holy Tradition pure, undefiled, and WITHOUT CHANGE.

Conditions and priorities in the world constantly change. Humanity faces constantly new challenges, demands, reforms, priorities, new technologies, scientific advances, and new forms of living. All of these experiences have an incredible impact on the direction that society follows. Millions of people have been killed in various world wars over the centuries and millions of others were displaced by them and their lives were changed forever. Mankind also suffered from destructive pandemics and epidemics devasting countless people who lost loved ones. Furthermore, we know also historically of the conflict that the Church confronted not only through persecution from outside enemies but also, from within, the real threats such as the various heresies that challenged her unity, survival, and defending the Truth and purity.

No matter, however, what the existing conditions in the world are, the Christian believer’s faith remains steadfast and unaffected. The Orthodox Christian always feels secure and confident within her bosom. Our Lord Jesus Christ, her Founder, and Protector is the ONLY Head. The Orthodox Church does NOT recognize or acknowledge any other head. In other words that is no such thing as a vicar who replaces Christ as Head. Jesus Christ is NEVER ABSENT FROM HIS CHURCH AND WILL NEVER RELINQUISH HIS PLACE TO A MAN. Faith in Jesus Christ–that He is the Son of God and the Head of the Church–is the firm foundation or ROCK of the Church,

The faithful are called out of the world to be the Church: the body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the New Israel, the Ark of Salvation, the assembly of the faithful. Through the Church, Christians are UNITED to Christ and to each other. In this communion, the believer receives the Grace of God through the Mysteries (Sacraments) and hears the Truth of the Gospel. This MYSTICAL TRANSFORMATION OF PEOPLE INTO ONE BODY IN CHRIST TAKES PLACE IN THE Divine Eucharist. Because Christ is the Head of the Church, the Church IS A REFLECTION OF THE INCARNATION, WITH BOTH HUMAN AND DIVINE QUALITIES (1 Corinthians 10:16; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 4:12; 5:22-32). "He who has the bride IS THE BRIDEGROOM" (John 3:29). Christ is the BRIDEGROOM. OF THE CHURCH. The Head of the Church is Christ, "from Whom the whole body [is] joined and knit together" (Ephesians 4:16).

Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians: "For the husband is head of the wife, AS ALSO CHRIST IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH, and He is the Savior of the body…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also 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" (Eph. 5:23-27).

Although it is very clear that "Christ ALONE is the "Head of the Church" (v.23), the heterodox and even some of our own people tend to forget that very fact. The Church has always strictly guarded the CORRECT TEACHINGS OF OUR LORD, GOD, AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. As the GUARDIAN OF THE TRUTH FAITH, the Holy Church must remain faithful to her Head. Christ does NOT evolve and neither is His Church. The Orthodox Christian believer should continue growing in Christ and by the grace of God strive for theosis (deification) for we can never be satisfied with our current status.

The Orthodox Creed reveals the essence of True Christianity. We must never deviate from it and we must always retain her integrity and purity. The heterodox have separated themselves from the Truth by introducing to their traditions heretical practices and beliefs. They, tragically, allowed the influence of a secular and corrupt world to enter them. By doing so what they confess has been corrupted and water down to the point that Christ’s Divine Gospel has been distorted and the message lost. We pray for them to "come to the knowledge of Truth" and to repent sincerely for their abdication from Christ.

The evil one uses seduction to lure those who are blind and weak in faith. Some desire to join the heterodox and emulate them because they, according to today’s language, are "progressive," "modern," and "all-inclusive." Not only that, but they feel passionate to abandon the Orthodox Faith and replacing it with contemporary ideology and philosophy. So as to avoid any negative reaction from the Orthodox Christians they do it secretly, deviously, and diplomatically. We believe, of course, that they will never succeed because they are up against our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Many others have attempted to corrupt and adulterate the Church throughout history but failed miserably. The result of their sinister efforts and actions brought them only EXCOMMUNICATION (to cut off officially from the Church). No one is above the Church and all are held responsible for their actions.

___________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things1"

– Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

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

+ Fr. George

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,

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

THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE AND NECESSITY OF
DISCERNMENT

We are all witnesses to the deliberate and systematic abolishment of basic human values, ethics, and morality in today’s world. The secular world has been successful to alter definitions and understanding of what has been known throughout human history. It is a kind of global revolution to undermine and subvert everything good and sacred. This sinister effort by those in high positions of authority and power seeks to take away the ability of people to discern right from wrong, good from evil.

According to Saint John Climacus "discernment is real-self-knowledge." "It is a spiritual capacity to distinguish unfailingly what is truly good and what in nature is opposed to the good… To put the matter generally, discernment is–and is recognized to be–a solid understanding of the will of God in all times, in all places, in all things…". Without discernment, the person loses the ability to make sound decisions and avoid falling victim to perverse powers and temptations. Without discernment there is no shame, there is no self-respect, there is no dignity, there are no values, there are no principles, there is no evil, there is nothing godly, there is no faith in God, there is no compassion, there is no future, there is no salvation. Discernment is God’s gift to humanity. Discernment is our guide that leads to our Creator, to our Savior Jesus Christ, and to His Kingdom.

Discernment keeps us alert and vigilant. Saint John of Climacus says, "Alertness keeps the mind clean." Also, "Alertness is a quenching of lust, deliverance from fantasies in dreams, a tearful eye, a heart made soft and gentle, thoughts restrained, food digested, passions tamed, spirits subdued, tongue controlled, idle imaginings banished." By keeping alert always to be prepared against anything dangerous and evil. Evil can be seen everywhere and can be found in all institutions. Its aim is to corrupt and destroy the family, the school, the business, the government, the military, the individual, and even the Church if possible.

It is important to note that no one can take anything for granted. One should not become paranoid or paralyzed by fear, however, one should be always vigilant and realistic about what we are up against as people of faith. Christians know that we are engaged in spiritual warfare daily and that the enemy, the devil, and his angels, are cunning and never sleep. The evil one uses our weaknesses against us, the passions, pride, vainglory, lust for power, envy, greed, anger, etc. to attack us relentlessly.

We witness how when evil enters the family it destroys it. The means he uses is the disrespect and rebelliousness of the children toward their parents, the lack of love, the lack of faith, the lack of responsibility, the lack of unity, the lack of prayer, the lack of worship, the lack of sacramental life, selfishness, materialism, individualism, divorce, abuse, lack of discipline, and the lack of order and stability. Alertness and awareness are necessary to avoid falling in the traps set for us by our enemy. For the Orthodox Christian problems and all other challenges are resolved by turning to our Savior Jesus Christ and seeking His Divine wisdom, guidance, and protection.

It is clear to all that nothing is safe and secure any longer. We see Christians of various backgrounds who had once true guidance by their church leadership but who are now influenced by evil and teach things contrary to God’s Commandments and law. Because of this, the result is confusion, scandal, division, corruption, and disillusionment within that religious community. The misguided and perverse religious leadership brought about the destruction of this Christian body. The truth is that the leaders of this Christian community lost their way and instead chose to follow the way of the world. They cease to have fear of God.

Evil has no power of its own, it’s only when we abdicate from God and relinquish our power to him. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of Satan. However, he never stops either tempting us or influencing our thoughts, our decisions, and our actions. When we stupidly invite him into our lives, our schools, our families, our churches, he then takes control and takes charge. Church leaders are human beings with the same weaknesses, the same ambitions, the same passions, the same aspirations, the same imperfections, the same motivations, and the same character flows. They are just as susceptible to evil as all of us are. Over the centuries we have seen many, even in the highest church office fall into heresy and other vices. No one is immune from evil influence. This is why we must stay alert and pray for God’s give of discernment (διάκρισις).

_______________

"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.

HERESIES ARE THE DEVIATIONS FROM THE TRUTH

HERESY "Following one’s OWN CHOICE or OPINION instead of
Divine Truth preserved by the Church, so as to cause DIVISION
AMONG Christians. HERESY is a system of thought which
CONTRADICTS TRUE DOCTRINE. It is FALSE TEACHING,
which ALL TRUE Christians MUST REJECT (Matthew 7:15;
2 Peter 2:1). [ Orthodox Study Bible]

The Lord Jesus Christ says,

"BEWARE of False Prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their
fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad
fruit. A good tree CANNOT BEAR BAD FRUIT, NOR CAN A BAD TREE
BEAR GOOD FRUIT. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire. Therefore BY THEIR FRUITS YOU
WILL KNOW THEM" (Matthew 7:15-20).

The Deceptions of False Teachers

"But there were also FALSE PROPHETS among the people, even as
there will be false teachers AMONG YOU, WHO WILL SECRETLY
BRING IN DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, EVEN DENYING THE LORD
Who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And
MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR DESTRUCTIVE WAYS, BECAUSE OF
WHOM THE WAY OF TRUTH WILL BE BLASPHEMED. By
covetousness they will exploit you WITH DECEPTIVE WORDS, FOR
A LONG TIME THEIR JUDGMENT HAS NOT BEEN IDLE, AND THEIR
DESTRUCTION DOES NOT SLUMBER" (2 Peter 2:1-3).

The holy Apostle Peter "reaches his main concern: ‘FALSE TEACHERS’
WHO ARE UNHOLY AND COMMUNICATE HERESY. They are arrogant,
sensual, and greedy, and they deny accountability in their lives.
Isolating themselves from Apostolic Doctrine concerning Christ, they
HOLD THEIR OWN "PRIVATE INTERPRETATIONS," MISCONSTRUING
DOCTRINES ABOUT THE Second Coming and the ULTIMATE
AUTHORITY OF CHRIST OVER US. Being DECEIVERS, they TEACH
AS THOUGH THEY POSSESS TRUE APOSTOLICITY.

2:4-10 God’s past judgments indicate what awaits the heretics: He
will divide the holy from the unholy in the life to come. We already have
the example of the "angels who sinned (v. 4) IMPRISONED IN THE LOWER
PART OF ‘HELL.’ while awaiting the Final Judgment. Verse 10 repeats two
major sins of heretics: (1) IMMORALITY, and (2) DISDAIN FOR "AUTHORITY
ESPECIALLY THAT OF CHRIST" (Orthodox Study Bible, p. 564).

"Even the briefest survey of the heretical movements in Christianity from the first days of the Church’s existence is profitable in that it shows, side by side with the common teaching of the Universal Church, the "RULE OF FAITH," how various were the deviations from the Truth and how very often they assumed a sharply AGGRESSIVE CHARACTER AND EVOKED A BITTER BATTLE WITHIN THE CHURCH. In the first THREE CENTURIES of Christianity the heresies spread their influence over a comparatively small territory; but from the Fourth Century certain heresies seized about HALF OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE and caused an immense exertion of the Church’s strength TO DO BATTLE WITH THEM, and at the same time, when certain heresie gradually died down, others arose in their place. And if the Church had remained INDIFFERENT TO THESE DEVIATIONS FROM THE TRUTH, WHAT–SPEAKING ACCORDING TO HUMAN REASONING–WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO CHRISTIAN TRUTH? But the Church, WITH THE HELP OF THE EPISTLES OF BISHOPS, THE EHORTATION AND EXCOMMUNICATION OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL COUNCILS (AND, BEGINNING WITH THE FORTH CENTURY, OF Ecemenical Councils), sometimes with the cooperation with the opposition of the governmental authorities, brought the "RULE OF FAITH" unshaken out of the battle and PRESERVED Orthodoxy unharmed. Thus it was IN THE FIRST HOUSAND YEARS.

The Second Millenium has NOT changed this situation. In these years the DEVIATION FROM CHRISTIAN TRUTH, THE DIVISIONS, AND SECTS, HAVE BEEN MAN MORE THAN IN THE FIRST MILLENIUM. Certain currents hostile to Orthodoxy are no less passionate in their PROSELYTISM AND HOSTILITY TO ORTHODOXY THAN WS THE CASE IN THE EPOCH OF THE Ecumenical Councils. This means that IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BE VIGILANT IN PRESERVING ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. A SPECIAL VIGILANCE IN DEFENDING DOGMAS IS REQUIRED NOW BECAUSE OF A FALSE PATH WHICH HAS COME FROM CHRISTIAN CIRCLES OUTSIDE THE CHURCH; THIS FALSE PATH, WHILE IT SEEKS TO ATTAIN A SEEMINGLY GOOD AIM, IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. IT IS DISDAINFUL WITH REGARD TO THE DOGMATIC SIDE OF CHRISTIAN FAITH IN ITS STRIVING TO REALIZE THE UNITY OF THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN WORLD. [Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

"The Evil One works insidiously, stealfully, covertly,secretly,underhandedly, deceptively, cleverly, and seductively. The devil and his angels explore us individually, looking for our weaknesses. The ENEMY offers appealing visions to our eyes, music to our earts, to each of our senses setting forth whatever might tempt us to sin. He arouses our tngues to speak evil about others, and urges our hands to injure them. He sets forth profits to be earned by shady and immoral means, and holds out earthly honors and false values to be preferred to heavenly ones. When he is unable to tempt us, he brings forth a threat of persecution so THAT FEAR MAY CAUSE US TO BETRAY THE FAITH. Thus we must always be alert for his MANY-FACETED ATTAACKS, READY TO RESIST HIM AT EVERY TURN."

HERESY IS EVIL. Its purpose is to destroy the faith and create division, confusion, hostility, anger, hatred, death, unrest, war, and turmoil among the Christians. One of the weapons used by heretics is deception. The heretic is manipulative and cunning. The heretic works in the dark and tactfully and maliciously is determined to lure or entice and convert his victim or victims to join him and to abandon the Lord our God. An example of this is his effort to tempt Christ Himself: "And the devil said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God command this stone to become bread.’ But Jesus answered him, sying, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every wrod of God.’ Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory, for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whoemever I wish. THEREFORE, IF YOU WILL WORSHIP BEFORE ME, ALL WILL BE YOURS." And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!" (Luke 4:3-8).

The Devil uses the same enticements to all humans but especially to those who seek power, wealth, positions of authority and honor, the prideful and greed and vanity. The devil claims to be the possesor of all wordly power adn wealth, and attempts always and dares to think that he is able to turn Jesus Himself from His true sonship and ministry. Those among us who are weak in faith are in danger of falling for these lies and deceptions.

The honest truth today is that outside the authentic Church of Christ, Orthodoxy, are lost in a sea of heresies. They are bounced and tossed to and fro from one denomination to another. Most of them do not know where they belong and they are constantly searching for the Authentic Church and yet the True Church of Christ is in front of them. Others, however, who are in the Church are attempting to subvert the Church from within. Saint Paul the holy Apostle warns the Christians about them when he says, "FOR I KNOW THIS,THAT AFTER MY DEPARTURE SAVAGE WOLVES WILL COME IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK" (Acts 20:29). We know of course this to be true for the Orthodox Church was compeled to convene Seven Ecumenical Councils to defend the True faith from heresy. What Saint Paul warns the early Christians happened and continues to happen event today. The 3rd Ecumenical Council in Ephesus in A.D. 431 convened to preserve the doctrine OF THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST (HUMAN AND DIVINE) IN ONE DIVINE PERSON AGAINST THE HERESY OF THE HERETIC NESTORIUS. Christian persecution was not only external but INTERNAL.

Tragically there are those who profess that "there are no more heresies" to be concerned about. That we must embrace all heretics and by doing so to embrace and approve and condone their heresies "out of love," for them. That is a great mistake and unacceptable to Orthodoxy. The Church is CHRIST HIMSELF. It is foolish, evil, and blasphemous for anyone to believe that Christ can be compromised and corrupted. That man, a creature, is able to have the power to destroy the Son of God, the TRUTH! "JESUS SAID, ‘I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE" (John 14:6). JESUS is the Truth because He is the unique REVELATION OF THE Father, Who is the goal of our journey through life. 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 PARTICULAR JUDGMENT: THE FATE OF MAN AFTER DEATH
UNTIL THE GENERAL JUDGMENT ACCORDING TO THE HOLY
ORTHODOX CHURCH.

Death is the common lot of men. But for man, it is NOT AN ANNIHILATION, but ONLY THE SEPARATION OF THE SOUL FROM THE BODY. The truth of the IMMORTALITY OF THE HUMAN SOUL is one of the fundamental truths of Christianity. "God is NOT a God of the dead, but of the LIVING for ALL live unto Him" (Matthew 22:32; Luke 20:38). In the New Testament Sacred Scripture death is called "THE DECREASE (DEPARTURE) OF THE SOUL ("I will endeavor that you may be able after my decrease to have these things always in remembrance" (2 Peter 1:15). It is called THE DELIVERANCE OF THE SOUL FROM PRISON" (2 Corinthians 5:1-4); the putting off of the body, ("knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle," (2 Peter 1:14); a DISSOLVING ("having a desire to depart" [be dissolved], "and to be with Christ, which IS FOR BETTER"; (Philippians 1:23); A DEPARTURE ("the time of my departure is at hand" (2Timothy 4:6); A SLEEP, (David "FELL ASLEEP," (Acts 13:36).

The STATE OF THE SOUL AFTER DEATH, according to the clear testimony of the word of God, is NOT UNCONSCIOUS but CONSCIOUS (for example, according to the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, (Luke 16:19-31). After death man IS SUBJECTED TO A JUDGMENT WHICH IS CALLED "PARTICULAR" to distinguish it from the General Judgment. It is easy in the sight of the Lord to reward a man "ON THE DAY OF DEATH ACCORDING TO HIS CONDUCT," says the most wise son of Sirach (11:26). The same thought is expressed by the holy Apostle Paul: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT" (Hebrews 9:27). The Apostle presents the judgment as something which follows IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DEATH OF A MAN (person), and evidently he understands this NOT AS THE GENERAL JUDGMENT, BUT AS THE PARTICULAR JUDGMENT, as the Holy Fathers of the Church have interpreted this passage. "TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH MME IN PARADISE" (Luke 23:43), the Lord uttered to the REPENTED THIEF.

In Sacred Scripture is not given to us to know how the Particular Judgment occurs after a man’s death. We can judge of this only IN PART from separate expressions which are found in the word of God. Thus, it is natural to think that in the Particular Judgment also a large part in the fate of a man after death is taken BOTH BY GOOD and BY EVIL ANGELS: THE FORMER ARE IMPLEMENTS OF GOD’S MERCY, AND THE LATTER–BY GOD’S ALLOWANCE–ARE IMPLEMENTS OF GOD’S JUSTICE. In the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it is said that Lazarus "was carried by the Angels into Abraham’s bosom" (Luke 16:22). In the Parable of the foolish rich man he is told: "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee" (lit. they shall take," (Luke 12:20); evidently, it is evil powers who will "TAKE IT" (Saint John Chrysostom). For, on the one hand, the Angels of these "little ones," in the Lord’s own words, ALWAYS BEHOLD THE FACE OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER (Matthew 18:10), and likewise AT THE END OF THE WORLD THE LORD WILL SEND HIS ANGELS WHO WILL "SEVER THE WICKED FROM AMONG THE JUST, AND SHALL CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE" (Matthew 13:49); and on the other hand, "OUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR" (1 Peter 5:8), and the air as it were, IS FILLED WITH THE SPIRITS OF EVIL UNDER THE HEAVENS, AND THEIR PRINCE IS CALLED THE "PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR" (Ephesians 6:12; 2:2).

Based on these indications of Sacred Scripture, from antiquity, the Holy Fathers of the Church have depicted the path of the soul after its separation from the body AS A PATH THROUGH SUCH SPIRITUAL EXPANSES, WHERE THE DARK POWERS SEEK TO DEVOUR THOSE WHO ARE WEAK SPIRITUALLY, AND WHERE THEREFORE ONE IS IN SPECIAL NEED OF BEING DEFENDED BY THE HEAVENLY ANGELS AND SUPPORTED BY PRAYER ON THE PART OF THE LIVING MEMBERS OF THE Church. Among the ancient Holy Fathers the following speak of this Saints Ephraim the Syrian, Athanasius the Great, Macarius the Great, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and others.

A pictorial depiction of this path is presented in the life of Saint Basil the New (+March 26), where the departed blessed Theodora, in a vision during sleep communicated to the disciple of Basil, tells what she has seen and experienced after the separation of her soul from the body and during the ascent of the soul into the Heavenly Mansions.

Concerning the state of the soul after the Particular Judgment, the Orthodox Church teaches the following: "We believe that the souls of the dead are IN A STATE OF BLESSEDNESS OR TORMENT ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS. After being separated from the body, THEY IMMEDIATELY PASS OVER EITHER TO JOY OR INTO SORROW AND GRIEF; however, THEY DO NOT FEEL EITHER COMPLETE BLESSEDNESS OR COMPLETE TORMENT. For complete blessedness or complete torment, each one RECEIVES AFTER THE General Resurrection WHEN THE SOU IS REUNITED WITH THE BODY IN WHICH IT LIVED IN VIRTUE OR IN VICE" (The Epistle of the Eastern Patriarchs on the Orthodox Faith, paragraph 18). Thus the Orthodox Church DISTINGUISHES TWO DIFFERENT CONDITIONS AFTER THE Particular Judgment: one for the Righteous, another for sinners, in other words, PARADISE and HELL. The Church does NOT recognize the Roman Catholic teaching of three conditions: (1) blessedness, (2) purgatory, and (3) Gehenna (Hell). The very word "Gehenna" the Holy Fathers of the Church usually refer TO THE CONDITION AFTER THE Last Judgment, when both, DEATH and HELL WILL BE CAST INTO THE "LAKE OF FIRE" (Apocalypse 20:15). The Holy Fathers of the Church, basing themselves on the word of God, suppose that the torments of sinners BEFORE the Last Judgment HAVE A PREPARATORY CHARACTER. These torments can be eased and even taken away BY THE PRAYERS OF THE Church (Epistle of the Eastern Patriarchs, paragraph 18). Likewise, the fallen spirits are "RESERVED IN EVERLSTING CHAINS UNDER DARKNESS" (Hell) UNTIL THE JUDGMENT OF THE GREAT DAY" (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). [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.

“…That the creation itself also shall be freed from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God. For
we know that the whole creation groaneth together and travaileth
together until now.” (Romans 8:21-22)

ORTHODOXY, ETHICS, AND MORALITY

We are reminded by Saint Paisios of Mt, Athos, “The devil does not hunt after those who are lost, he hunts after those who are aware, those who are close to God. He takes from them trust in God and begins to afflict them with self-assurance, logic, thinking, and criticism. Therefore, we should not trust our logical minds.” Also, from the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Baptism, the officiating priest as he is blessing the water recites, “…Let all invisible phantoms of the air depart from us, and let no demon of darkness be hidden in this water nor, we beseech The, O Lord, suffer to descend, with him whom we now baptize, any evil spirit WHICH BRINGETH DEFECTIVE REASON AND CONFUSION OF THOUGHT.” Satan and the evil spirits are constantly attracting people to evil. Satan dared to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the desert. The holy Apostle Paul calls them “principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12). The devil is “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), and his servants, the fallen angels, are “the spirits of wickedness under the heaven” (Ephesians 6:12).

Man’s struggle between good and evil in every is a continuous battle or conflict of two laws which oppose one another in the principles of life, both in faith and morals. On the one hand, man longs to obey the laws of God in his inmost self, on the other hand, he struggles against the laws of evil. “Man’s struggle is depicted by Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 7:24-25, “Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then on the one hand with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but on the other hand with the flesh the law of sin.” Sin as interpreted in the Holy Scripture is not an abstract theory, but is embodied in the every day experience of every person.

Orthodox Christianity states that any ethical vision is inseparable from and ultimately founded in the Orthodox understanding of the Trinitarian Godhead. According to the Orthodox Church, the objective of human life is Deification (Theosis). The Christian standards of life are revealed in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6,7). These Divine teachings describe the characteristics of the True disciple of Christ. The Beatitudes do not describe various types of character, but one and the same. We known them as the “string of pearls” that adorn the crowning of Christian ethics. The Beatitudes are found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew 5:3-12). They constitute the principles and values of moral life.

Speaking of character, principles, ethics and values we must turn to the Old Testament and God’s Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) given to the human race for their implementation in man’s daily life. The Ten Commandments constitute the ETHICAL CODE by which the human race is guided, on the one hand, to believe in the True God, and, on the other hand, to sustain the godly society in the application of God’s will on earth. The Orthodox Church has embodied the Ten Commandments as a basic moral code.

According to the Holy Orthodox Church, “Both the spiritual birth and the further spiritual growth of a man occur through the MUTUAL ACTION OF TWO PRINCIPLES. One of these is the grace of the Holy Spirit; the other, man’s opening of his heart for the reception of it, a thirst for it, the desire to receive it, as the thirsty, dry earth receives the moisture of rain–in other words, PERSONAL EFFORT FOR THE RECEPTION, PRESERVATION, AND ACTIVITY IN THE SOUL OF THE Divine gifts.”

“Theosis, or deification must be a transformative process for the believer who strives FOR UNION with God. The desired Theosis can only happen when one is purified IN MIND and BODY and thus acts ETHICALLY ALL THE TIME and his or her mind IS ILLUMINATED WITH THE ‘VISION’ of God which is life’s ultimate resolution.” “Orthodox Christianity IS A WAY OF LIFE in which there is a profound and direct relationship between DOGMA and PRAXIS, FAITH and LIFE” (Chryssavgis). It is through daily prayer and partaking of the Divine Eucharist we begin to make sound ETHICAL CHOICES in the world.

“We are called to be discerning and study the Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, and Teachings in general of the Faith and promote our holiness. Orthodox believers are called to acknowledge, affirm, and respond positively to the uniqueness of each human being as their faith communicates invariable truths about both God and people. A Christian Orthodox believer who considers the unconditional value of life, cannot be inconsiderate in the workplace or society, but needs to be benevolent and loving toward all other people.”

“…The Orthodox Faith affirm the inseparability of ethics and one’s liturgical experience. One needs to live the faith in the body of Christ, and worship the Holy Trinity.” (Angelo Nicolaides Department of Philosophy and Applied Ethics)

_____________

“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.

ORTHODOXY AS THERAPY: ORTHODOXY’S
THERAPEUTIC METHODS

By Protopresbyter George Metallinos, Dean of the Athens
University School of Theology.

The purpose of the Church’s presence in the world–AS A COMMUNION IN CHRIST–IS MAN’S CURE; THE RESTORATION OF HIS HEART-CENTERED COMMUNION WITH GOD: in other words, of his NOETIC FACULTY. According to Professor Father John Romanidis (of blessed memory), "the Patristic tradition is neither a social philosophy nor a system of morals, nor a religious dogmatism; IT IS A THERAPEUTIC METHOD. In this context, it is very similar to medicine and especially psychiatry. The NOETIC ENERGY of the soul that prays mentally and incessantly inside the HEART is a natural INSTRUMENT, which everyone passes and is in need of therapy. Neither philosophy nor any of the known positive or social sciences can cure this INSTRUMENT. This is why the incurable cases are not even aware of this INSTRUMENT’S EXISTENCE.

The need for man to be cured IS A PAN-HUMAN ISSUE, related firstly TO THE RESTORATION OF EVERY PERSON TO HIS NATURAL STATE OF EXISTENCE, through the reactivation of the third mnemonic faculty. However, it also extends to man’s social presence. In order for man to be in communion with his fellow man as a brother, his self-interest (which is the long run acts as self-love) MUST BE TRANSFORMED INTO SELFLESSNESS: LOVE…DOEST NOT ASK FOR RECIPRECATION" (1 Corinthians 13:8). SELFLESS LOVE EXISTS; IT IS THE LOVE OF THE TRIADIC GOD (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:7), WHICH GIVES EVERYTHING WITHOUT SEEKING ANYTHING IN EXCHANGE. That is why Christian Orthodoxy’s social ideal is NOT "COMMON POSSESSIONS" but the "LACK OF POSSESSIONS," as a willed resignation from any sort of demand. ONLY THEN CAN JUSTICE BE POSSIBLE.

The therapeutic method that is offered by the Church IS THE SPIRITUAL LIFE; THE LIFE OF IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Spiritual life is EXPERIENCED AS AN EXERCISE (ASCESIS) AND A PARTICIPATION IN THE UNCREATED GRACE, THROUGH THE HOLY MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS). ASCESIS is THE VIOLATION OF OUR SELF-RULED AND INANIMATE THROUGH SIN NATURE, WHICH IS COURSING HEADLONG INTO A SPIRITUAL OR ETERNAL DEATH, I.E. THE ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM THE GRACE OF GOD. ASCESIS aspires TO VICTORY OVER OUR PASSIONS, WITH THE INTENTION OF CONQUERING THE INNER SUBSERVIENCE TO THOSE PESTIFEROUS FOCAL POINTS OF MAN AND PARTICIPATING IN Christ’s Cross and His Resurrection.

The Christian who is PRACTICING SUCH RESTRAINT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF HIS THERAPIST-SPIRITUAL FATHER becomes receptive to Grace, which he receives through his participation in the Mysteriake Zoe (Sacramental life) of the ecclesiastic corpus. There cannot be any un-exercising Christian, just as there cannot be a cured person who does not follow the therapeutic advice that the doctor prescribed for him. (Source: Orthodox Heritage)

_____________
"The devil does not hunt those who are lost; HE HUNTS AFTER THOSE
WHO ARE AWARE, THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO GOD. HE TAKES TRUST
IN GOD FROM THEM, AND BEGINS TO INFLICT THEM WITH SELF-
ASSURANCE, LOGIC, THINKING, CRITICISM. Therefore, we should NOT
trust our logical minds" (Saint Paisios the Athonite).

_________________

"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.

ORTHODOXY AS THERAPY

By Protopresbyter George Metallinos, Dean of the
Athens University School of Theology.

If we wished to conventionally define Christianity, as Orthodoxy, we would say IT IS THE EXPERIENCING OF THE PRESENCE OF THE Uncreated (=of God) THROUGHOUT HISTORY, AND THE POTENTIAL OF CREATION (= mankind) BECOMING God by Grace.

Given the perpetual presence of God in Christ, in historical reality, Christianity OFFERS MANKIND THE POSSIBILITY OF Theosis, just as medical science offers mankind the possibility of preserving or restoring his health through a specific therapeutic procedure and a specific way of life.

The writer is in a position to appreciate the coincidence between the medical and ecclesiastic POEMANTIC SCIENCES, because, as a diabetic and a Christian, he is aware that in both cases, he has to faithfully abide by the rules that have been set out, in order to attain both of these goals.

The UNIQUE and ABSOLUTE GOAL OF LIFE in Christ is THEOSIS (Deification), in other words, OUR UNION WITH GOD, THAT THAT MAN–THROUGH HIS PARTICIPATION IN GOD’S UNCREATED ENERGY–MAY BECOME BY THE GRACE OF GOD’S THAT WHICH GOD IS BY NATURE (= without beginning and without end). This is what "SALVATION" MEANS, in Christianity. It is NOT the moral improvement of man, BUT A RE-CREATION, A RE-CONSTRUCTION IN CHRIST, OF MAN AND OF SOCIETY, THROUGH AN EXISTING AND AN EXISTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, Who is the incarnate manifestation of God in History. This is what the Apostle Paul’s words imply, in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW." WHOEVER IS UNITED WITH CHRIST IS A NEW CREATION.

That is why Christianically, the incarnation of God-Logos/Word–this redemptory "INTRUSION" of the Eternal and the Beyond-time God into Historical time–REPRESENTS THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW WORLD, OF A (LITERALLY) "New Age," which continues throughout the passing centuries, in the persons of AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANS: the Saints. The Church exists in this world, both as the BODY OF CHRIST and as IN CHRIST, in order TO OFFER SALVATION, THROUGH ONE’S EMBODIMENT IN THIS REGENERATIVE PROCEDURE. This REDEMPTORY TASK of the Church is fulfilled by means of a specific therapeutic method, whereby throughout history, the Church essentially acts AS A UNIVERSAL INFIRMARY, "Spiritual Infirmary" (Spiritual Hospital) IS THE CHARACTERIZATION GIVEN TO THE CHURCH BY THE BLESSED CHRYSOSTOM.

The Sickness Cured by Orthodoxy

The SICKNESS OF HUMAN NATURE is the FALLEN STATE OF MANKIND, ALONG WITH ALL OF the CREATION, WHICH LIKEWISE SUFFERS ("sighs and groans together," Romans 8:22) together with mankind. This diagnosis applies TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON (regardless of whether they are Christian or not, or whether they believe or not), on account of the overall unity of mankind. Christian Orthodoxy DOES NOT CONFINE ITSELF WITHIN THE NARROW BOUNDARIES OF ONE RELIGION–WHICH CARES ONLY FOR ITS OWN FOLLOWERS–BUT, JUST LIKE GOD, "WANTS ALL PEOPLE TO BE SAVED AND TO ARRIVE AT TEH REALIZATION OF THE TRUTH" (1 Timothy 2:4), since God is the Savior OF ALL PERSONS (1 Timothy 4:10). Thus, the sickness that Christianity refers to pertains TO ALL OF MANKIND; "Death has come upon all people since ALL OF THEM HAVE SINNED (= they have veered away from their path towards THEOSIS, Romans 5:12. Just as the fall (i.e., SICKNESS) IS A PAN-HUMAN ISSUE, SO IS SALVATION-THERAPY DIRECTLY DEPENDENT ON THE INNER FUNCTIONS OF EACH PERSON.

The natural (AUTHENTIC) state of a person is (Patristiclly) defined by THE FUNCTIONING INSIDE HIM OF THE THREE MNEMONIC SYSTEMS; TWO OF WHICH ARE FAMILIAR AND MONITORED BY MEDICAL SCIENCE, WHILE THE THIRD IS SOMETHING HANDLED BY POEMANTIC THERAPEUTICS. The first system is cellular memory (DNA), which determines everything inside a human organism. The second is the cerebral cellular memory, brain functions, which regulate our association with our self and our environment. Both these systems are familiar to medical science, whose work it is to maintain their harmonious operation.

The experience of the Saints is familiar with one other MNEMONIC SYSTEM: that of the HEART, or NOETIC MEMORY, WHICH FUNCTIONS INSIDE THE HEART. In Orthodox Tradition, THE HEART DOES NOT ONLY HAE A NATURAL OPERATION PUMP THAT CIRCULATES THE BLOOD. Furthermore, according to Patristic teaching (the Holy Fathers’ [ teaching), neither the brain nor the central nervous system is the center OF OUR-AWARENESS; AGAIN, IT IS THE HEART, BECAUSE, BEYOND ITS NATURAL FUNCTION, IT ALSO HAS A SUPERNATURAL FUNCTION.  Under certain circumstances, it becomes THE PLACE OF OUR COMMUNION WITH GOD, OR, His Uncreated Energy.  This is of course perceived through the experience of the Saints, and NOT any logical function or through an intellectual theologizing. [Source: Orthodox Heritage]

(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