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Sermon ~ See What Happens When You Miss Church!

Posted on by Fr. Peter

THOMSUNDI find the lives of the Apostles some of the most interesting of all of the saints that we have in the Church.  I often wonder what Jesus was thinking when He chose the ones that He did.  One would betray Him, one would deny Him, two would argue over who would be the greatest.  When He went to pray, they fell asleep, and when He needed them the most the deserted Him.

Today we focus on the figure of St. Thomas.  Thomas, like the rest of them, was imperfect but in the end, like the rest of them, became great.  For some reason, Thomas was not in the room with the rest of them, perhaps he was in the hall getting coffee hour ready for after the service, who knows, but he was not there when Jesus appeared to them.  See what happens when you miss church!

The others were so excited that Jesus had returned to them.  They could not wait to tell Thomas what had happened he was like, “yea right.”  Thomas, the one who witnessed countless healings, saw the four days dead Lazarus risen from the Tomb, saw the blind see and the lame walk, was not going to believe that Jesus had risen until he touched him and spoke to him in person.  He was not about to take the word of others.

So Thomas had to wait eight days.  Imagine everyone talking about something for eight days and you have no clue what was going on.  Each day you would hear to story, Yea Jesus sat with me last week and we talked about all kinds of stuff.  The other question I have is when Jesus came he breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit, Thomas was not there, so did he not get the Holy Spirit?  Again, see what happens when you miss Church!

Scripture tells us that eight days later they were gathered again and Jesus appeared to them.  This time Thomas was there, he was not about to make that mistake again.  I bet he was right down front just waiting, looking at his watch, waiting for Jesus to appear.  Jesus comes before them, gives them the greeting, Peace be with you, and then sees Thomas.  He does not ask Thomas where he was last week, he says to him, touch me, go ahead, put your hand in my side, see the place of the nails, go ahead, reach out your hand and touch me.

Thomas looks at Jesus, and exclaims, “My Lord and My God!”

Thomas exclaims who Jesus is and in this one act, Thomas turns from doubt to belief.  This simple fisherman became one of the greatest Evangelists in the Church.

Tradition tells us that St. Thomas founded Churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Ethiopia, and India.  Tradition also tells us that St. Thomas baptized the Magi and was martyred in India for preaching the Gospel.

St John Chrysostom says this about Thomas, “Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles, toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations.”

This is the story of the Resurrection in miniature.  What was once soiled and tarnished has been beautified once again.  The doubt and disbelief of Thomas was turned on its ear and the doubt was turned into belief.  Thomas found in Christ the strength he needed for the journey that he was about to undertake, he is the visual of the saying that God will prepare us for what He is asking us to do.

Thomas found the boldness that was needed to preach the Gospel in a world that is hostile to the message of that Gospel.  Thomas found the boldness to stand up for what is right and not just what is popular, even though it meant his being thrown into prison and his eventual martyrdom for the faith.

We must find this same boldness that Thomas had and be able to preach Christ, through our actions, in season and out of season.  We must stand up for what is right, not just what is popular, and we must be the voice of those who have no voice, and if asked too, we must be willing to face martyrdom for it.

Let us be like Thomas and witness Christ and fear not God will prepare us for it.

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National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

Posted on by Fr. Peter

Caring for Animals 2.3.6.0

If you have been reading these pages for any length of time you know that I have the honor of serving as Chaplain for a local fire department.  I also work with that fire department in the area of disaster planning and serve the town as the animal inspector.  All three of those seem to be coming together on this day when FEMA is paying attention to caring for animals in disaster situations.

Disaster preparedness folks will tell you that you need a plan for your family.  The most recent study says you need to have enough supplies to shelter in place, for up to four days.  That suggests that you will need to care for yourself in your home, for up to four days without help from the outside world.

A family plan should be devised and all members of the family should be aware of what that plan is.  Make sure you have enough food, which does not need appliances to cook.  Also, make sure you have a manual can opener; I have fallen to this one before.

But what about animals?

If you do have to evacuate your home, many shelters will not allow animals and most hotels will not allow them either.  Leaving them in your car should not be an option.  Plan for what will happen to your animals if you have to leave your home.  Maybe you need to make arrangements with family our friends outside of the area or try to locate a pet friendly shelter.  Some communities have plans in place for this so check with your local emergency management folks.

Here are just a few suggestions from the good folks at Ready.gov

Prepare:

I would hope you have a family emergency kit, if you don’t tis would be a good time to put one together, and you should also have one for your pet.  Make sure you have food, enough for up to four days along with water.  Ensure you have your animals medications and their medical records.  If you have to evacuate you may have to see a Vet that is not yours so having your animals medical records will help.  Put together a first aid kit for your animals.  There should be one for your family as well.  Make sure the collar, tags, leash etc are taken with you.  If you have a crate bring that as well.  The shelter might take you and your animals if they are in a crate.  Take a recent photo of you and your pet in case you get separated and you need to find them.  Your animals will be under stress so bring along familiar toys and other things that they will find comfort in.

Make a plan and stay informed of conditions and listen to government officials, if they tell you to evacuate, evacuate!

Our animals rely on us to care for them in good times and in bad.  Take a few moments today to make a plan to care for your animals in an emergency.  They need you!

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Hades was Angered

Posted on by Fr. Peter

anastasi

One of the more well-known sermons of St. John Chrysostom is the Paschal sermon that is read in Orthodox Churches during the Paschal Matins service.  The sermon is short, which proves the point that one does not need to preach for an hour to make a point, and it encapsulates the entire message of Easter.

At the Agape Vespers service yesterday, I focused on one line towards the end of the sermon.  In the translation that I use it says the following referring to Christ’s decent into Hades after His Crucifixion;

He despoiled Hades as He descended into it; it was angered when it tasted His flesh.

Other translations use the word “embittered” but I do not think it has the same punch as making Hades angry.

St. John goes on to tell us why Hades was angry.

“It was angered because it was abolished.” By Christ’s death Hades has been abolished.  The gates of paradise have been opened once again for humanity and the rift has been repaired.  The image in the Resurrection Icon of Jesus lifting Adam and Eve out of their Tombs completes this image of Hades being abolished.

“It was angered because it was mocked.”  Christ descended to Hades and broke the chains of those chained there.  He set the captives free and there was nothing that Hades could do.  He proved that he is truly the Lord of not only the living but of the dead.  He broke the grip that Hades had on those there and redeemed them by His very own blood.

“It took earth and came face to face with heaven. It took what it saw and fell by what it could not see.”

What this says to me is that Hades did not win, Christ won and will continue to win.  Hades tries to regain its foothold on the earth and each time we sing “Christ is Risen” we mock Hades just like Christ did in person.  Each time we turn from sin and turn towards Christ and His Holy Church we anger Hades.

That is the message of Pascha. That is the message of the spiritual life.

“The Master is gracious: He accepts the last even as the first; He gives rest to those of the eleventh as well as to those who have labored from the first…”

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Statement by the President on the Occasion of Orthodox Easter

Posted on by Fr. Peter

Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_United_States_Of_America.svg

This weekend, Michelle and I extend our best wishes to members of the Orthodox Christian community here in America and around the world as they observe Holy Friday and the Feast of the Resurrection.

For millions of Orthodox Christians, this is a joyful time. But it’s also a reminder of the sacrifice Christ made so that we might have eternal life. His decision to choose love in the face of hate; hope in the face of despair is an example we should always strive to follow. But it’s especially important to remember this year, as members of the Orthodox community have been confronted with persecution and violence, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. For centuries, the region and the world has been enriched by the contributions of Orthodox communities in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. As a nation, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting universal human rights including the freedom of religion. And in this season of hope and restoration, we celebrate the transformational power of sacrificial love.

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Holy and Great Friday ~ Taking Down from the Cross

Posted on by Fr. Peter
On the afternoon of Great Friday, we conduct the service of the Great Vespers with great solemnity. This Vesper service concludes the remembrance of the events of the Lord’s passion, and leads us towards watchful expectation as we contemplate the mystery of the Lord’s descent into Hades, the theme of Great Saturday.

In popular language the Vesper Service of Great Friday is often called the Apokathelosis, a name derived from the liturgical reenactment of the deposition of Christ from the Cross. The service is characterized by two dramatic liturgical actions: The Deposition or Apokathelosis Apokathilosis -literally the Un-nailing); and the Procession of the Epitaphios (‘Epitafios, i.e. the icon depicting the burial of Christ encased within a large embroidered cloth).

The rite of the Apokathelosis originated in the Church of Antioch. During the course of the nineteenth century it came to Constantinople and from there it passed gradually into the Church of Greece. At Constantinople it received the form we know and practice today.

Prior to the introduction of the solemn procession of the Estavromenos at the Orthros and the rite of the Apokathelosis at the Vespers, the churches practiced two simpler rituals. First, at the fifteenth antiphon of the Orthros, an icon of the crucifixion was brought in procession to the proskynetarion which stood in the middle of the solea. Second, at the Vesper service the Epitaphios was carried in solemn procession to the kouvouklion.

In the Church of Antioch these two rituals developed along different lines. First, instead of an icon a large cross was carried in the procession at the Orthros. Fastened to the cross was a movable figure of the crucified Christ. Second, at the Vesper service the Epitaphios was carried in procession at the appointed time and was placed in the kouvouklion. Then, the figure of the crucified Christ was removed from the cross and placed in the kouvouklion. The figure was covered with a cloth and flowers. Last, the Gospel was placed in the kouvouklion.

These rites received a new form as they passed into the Greek Church. The rite of the Apokathelosis was lifted up and especially accentuated by attaching it to the reading of the Gospel at the Vesper service. As the priest intoned the passages of the lesson that narrate the event of the Deposition, the deacon re-enacted the Un-nailing. The figure of the Crucified Christ was removed from the Cross and wrapped in a new linen cloth. The figure was received by the priest, brought into the sanctuary and laid upon the Holy Table. After this the priest concluded the Gospel lesson. This dramatic representation of the Deposition has -become the prevailing practice in the Greek Church.

The procession with the Epitaphios is the second significant liturgical act of this service. It appears that the rite developed around the fifteenth century.”‘ In some descriptions of the ritual, the procession takes place at the aposticha, while in others it takes place at the apolytikia. According to the order in the Patriarchal Text, the procession of the Epitaphios takes place at the aposticha.

Most descriptions of the procession presuppose a presence of several clerics. Let us look at one such description. The Epitaphios is censed by the senior priest. It is then lifted up by four other priests who carry it above the head of the senior priest. He holds the Gospel Book (Evaggelion). The deacon(s) precede(s) holding the censer. However, it is obvious that such an elaborate ritual cannot be performed by only one priest, as is the case in most of our parishes today. For this reason, the ritual has been simplified in the current liturgical practice. Where two clergymen are present, both carry the Epitaphios. The senior priest precedes holding the Gospel in one hand and the Epitaphios over his head in the other. The second priest or deacon holds the other end of the Epitaphios over his head. If there is only one priest, he carries one end of the Epitaphios upon his head and holds the Gospel in the other hand. Two acolytes walk in back of him holding the other end of the Epitaphios. It is proper also for the Epitaphios to be held by four acolytes above the head of the priest. However, this is a rare occurrence in current usage. In some local traditions the Epitaphios is lifted up on poles, in order to facilitate the procedure. The Epitaphios is held high, above the head as a sign of deep reverence.

The Gospel – It is important at this point to say something about the way the Gospel (Evaggelion) is held at the processions of the Epitaphios on Great Friday. In the liturgical tradition of our Church, the Gospel is considered to be the chief icon of Christ. Therefore, as the rituals of the passion began to develop, the Gospel Book was given special attention by the way it was held and adorned. Long before the Epitaphios was introduced into the liturgy of Great Friday, it was the Gospel, wrapped in the aer, that was carried in the processions. The aer symbolized the burial cloth. To further depict the death of Christ, the Gospel was held flat upon the right shoulder of the celebrant, instead of the usual upright position.

The Icon – On Great Friday besides the Cross and the Epitaphios we display the icon known as the “Axra Tapeinosis – The Extreme Humility.” This icon depicts the crucified dead body of Christ upright in the Tomb with the Cross in the background. It combines the two awesome events of Great Friday, the crucifixion and burial of Christ.

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Pastoral Letter of Archbishop Nicolae for Pascha

Posted on by Fr. Peter
His Eminence, Archbishop Nicolae
His Eminence, Archbishop Nicolae

PASTORAL LETTER ON THE FEAST OF OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION 2013

† NICOLAE

by the mercies of God

Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas

To our beloved clergy and Orthodox Christians,
peace and holy joy from Christ the Risen Lord,

and hierarchical blessings from us.

 

“Why do you look for the Living among the dead?

He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6)

 

Most Reverend Fathers,

Beloved Faithful,

Christ is risen!

The Day of Resurrection brings us the joy of proclaiming to one another that our life does not end on this earth, but we too will rise again into eternal life, we who believe that Christ has risen. This joy comes from that of the Myrrh-bearing women, the first who received the angels’ wondrous news at the empty tomb. This news reached the Apostles, who ran to see the empty tomb and marveled at what had happened (Luke 24:12).

We are familiar with the witness of the Holy Scriptures regarding the appearances of the Risen Lord and how He explained to the disciples the fulfillment of what had been prophesied about His Passion and Resurrection. The testimony of those who saw Him risen are of a special importance. St. Paul, in his letter to the Christians of Corinth, written around the year 51, speaks of Christ’s resurrection in this way: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born” (1 Cor. 15:3-8). Our faith in the Lord’s Resurrection is based on these testimonies of those who encountered Him. We believe their witness, but we also believe the experiences of all those who, in the Church, have encountered the Resurrected Christ.

For the resurrection of Christ is not a resuscitation, but a new life, a new way of existence. There is a huge difference between the resurrection of Lazarus or of the young man from Nain and that of Christ. This was not a survival, or a re-uniting of body and soul, but a new existence, an eternal one. The Savior’s resurrection was not a simple return to the life He had lived before dying on the Cross, His earthly life, but a radical transformation of the mortal body through a creative operation on it. In his second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul the Apostle speaks about the spiritualizing, about the filling of Christ’s body with the power of the Holy Spirit, a power that then radiates in those who draw near to this resurrected body: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor. 5:17). The resurrection of Christ has to do with this renewal of humanity, and through humanity of the entire creation.

The renewal of mankind began with the Incarnation of the Word, when the Son of God took upon Himself our fallen human nature. The Son of God raised it from its fallenness through the strengthening of human nature, by healing it of the infirmity of sin, by re-orienting it toward God the Father, the Creator. As God, Christ has the power to heal human nature of what theologians call the passions, of its infirmities. This work of healing and renewal continues in the sacrifice on the Cross, in the offering of the life of humanity to God the Father, and it is fulfilled in the Resurrection.

Christ demonstrated His power as God, the power of life over death, even before His bodily resurrection, in the shattering of the gates of hell and the liberation from it of those who were awaiting His coming in hope. Christ defeated hell with His human soul, united with His divinity, Father Stăniloae tells us. He is the first soul that cannot be kept in hell, but escapes it and by His divine power also sets free the souls of those awaiting salvation. Out of Christ’s completely divinized soul then springs forth the power that will also raise His body from the grave.

The risen Body of the Savior is permeated with the light of the Spirit. It is a spiritualized body, which is no longer limited by earthly things; it is our body’s guarantee of the universal resurrection. The Risen Body of Christ radiates the light and power of the Spirit, filling the disciples also with this Spirit. This Spirit enables them to understand that in Christ the Scriptures have been fulfilled; this Spirit strengthens them to become witnesses of the Resurrection. This light and power of the Spirit is granted to all those who believe in the Resurrection of Christ: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

Most Reverend Fathers, Beloved Faithful,

Proclaiming the Lord’s Resurrection we encourage one another to understand these discoveries. Namely, that Christ’s Resurrection represents our renewal and the renewal of the world; that the Spirit brings us to new life in Christ and enables us to work toward our own resurrection already in this life through our encounter with the Risen One. The Apostles encountered this Christ who had suffered on the Cross and risen. The encounter changed their lives, and they in turn, with the power of Christ, changed the lives of many others. We too meet the Risen Christ in the mysteries of the Church, and we have the chance to have our lives renewed. In our world, increasingly estranged from God, ever more characterized by egoism, indifference and violence, we Christians can witness through our lives that the world can be different, even 2000 years after the unexpected event of the Resurrection.

At this glorious feast my desire for all of you, the clergy and faithful of our Archdiocese, is that you encounter the Risen Christ, that you let the light of the Resurrection shine in your life, that you will be witnesses of the encounter and of the renewal of life.

I embrace you in Christ the Risen Lord and I wish you a joyful Feast!

Christ is risen!

Your brother in prayer before God,

† NICOLAE

Chicago, the Feast of our Lord’s Resurrection, 2013

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Sermon ~ Be Anxious About Nothing

Posted on by Fr. Peter

palmsunday“Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say Rejoice!”

Saint Paul writes these words to the Church at Philippi but they are also applicable today.  It has been said that we Orthodox have the joy of the Lord we just have not told our faces yet!  We are some of the most dower people but how can we remain that way when we know that we have found the true faith?  We should be shouting it from the roof tops.

I mentioned on Wednesday at the Presanctified Liturgy that when we enter the Church we should, as the song goes, lay aside all the earthly cares of life.  When we walk through the doors of the Church, regardless of what is going on in the world or what is going on in our own lives, we need to rejoice always!  The Church is an oasis from what is happening outside, even for a short period of time.

Saint Paul teaches that the ability to rejoice comes as a direct result of our prayer life.  Rejoicing in life, no matter what that life brings us, is a fruit of perseverance in prayer.  The Church fathers teach that unceasing prayer is the goal of all of us because spiritual growth comes through the discipline of constant prayer and rejoicing.

So how do we handle the daily pressures of life?  How are we to go about our daily life outside of the Church?

1.  Start the day with prayer.  If we begin each day with prayer, even if it is something simple like Lord help me this day to walk the road that You wish me to walk.  It does not have to be any more formal than that, or simply say the prayer that Jesus taught us, the Our Father.  If you have time, then sit down in a quiet place and read the more formal prayers of the Church.  If not do what you can.  It is not the quantity of time but the quality of time that we spend in prayer.  On days off or the weekend, try and do more.

2.  We hear in Scripture today, “Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.”  Saint Seraphim a Sarov has a saying that I think fits with this passage. “Acquire the spirit of peace, and a thousand souls will be converted around you!”  If we have a sense of peace about us that will do more than any words we could ever say.  If we have faith that the Lord is present at all times, in season and out of season, then we have nothing to fear.

3.  Be anxious for nothing! “Be still and know that I am God,” Scripture tells us.  Interior stillness is important in our spiritual life.  We should not be anxious about anything for the Lord will provide all to us.  We waste more time worrying about stuff then we do trusting that God will provide.  If we have faith, then this should not be an issue.  Faith is easy when all is going well, but when the chips are down, that is when faith gets difficult.

Today, the people gather and sing Hosanna, and wave Palm Branches as Jesus enters Jerusalem.  All is well, or so it seems.  In a few days’ time, however, those same people will be screaming Crucify Him!  What drove them to this?  Lack of faith.  Imagine they witnessed all of the miracles of Jesus, and even those closest to Him still did not have the faith to believe in what he was saying, even on the night of His betrayal, Peter, who would become the chief Apostle, denies Christ not once, but three times.  Lack of faith is dangerous thing and we need to be on guard for it lest we fall into despair.

4.  Meditating on that which is Holy.  How much time in our day do we spend meditating on things that are Holy?  What are we reading, or listening too.  When we are in the car what do we have playing on the radio?  Now I am not saying that we need to cut ourselves off, no, but we need to have a balance in our lives.  We need to understand what is going on in the world, but we do not need to be so immersed in this world that we do not have time for reading books that will be spiritually edifying and I mean more than just Scripture.

Twenty years ago, there were very few books in English about Orthodoxy.  Most things were either in Russian or Greek so people who did not read those languages were not able to read the fathers and mothers of the Church.  Thanks be to God today we have virtually an unlimited supply of books on Orthodoxy that are very edifying to the soul to read.  If you need some suggestions just ask.

5.  Imitate that which is Holy.  We have a wonderful communion of saints old ones and contemporary ones.  The Church gives us these lives so we can imitate them and learn from their example of how we should live our lives.  They were not perfect, in fact some of them were down right scoundrels, but with God all things are possible.  We should be reading the lives of the saints and meditating on them and understanding their lives so we know how we should live our lives.  And if that is too difficult, open the pages of Scripture, Jesus left us an example of how to live.

6.  Finally we are to give thanksgiving in everything, good and bad, we are to “let our requests be known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  God does not give us more than we can handle.  I know it might seem that way from time to time, but if we are earnest in our faith then we know that God will give us the strength we need to handle any situation.  Turn it over the Jesus and ask Him for the strength to get through whatever it is.  When we pray in the morning, ask for the strength just to get through the day.  You will be amazed at what will happen.

We are standing in the door way of an amazing journey this week.  I have asked you this before but I will ask it again, take the time this week to come to all of the services, not just the ones you have time for, but all of them.  Holy Week is a time set aside by the Church for our spiritual edification, it is there for the taking all we need do is take that first step through that door.

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Orthodox Bishops Letter to Secretary of State John Kerry

Posted on by Fr. Peter

assembly logo

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Honorable John Kerry
United States Secretary of State

Dear Secretary Kerry,

We, the Members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, kindly bring to your attention the urgent and very serious plight of the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Paul Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim, who were abducted this past week by “a terrorist group” in the village of Kfar Dael as they were carrying out humanitarian work.

Since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, religious minorities have not only come under increasing attacks by Islamic fundamentalist rebels, but also have been caught in the crossfire of the opposing factions. As you well know, on April 22, 2013, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released a report entitled Protecting and Promoting Religious Freedom in Syria. Religious minorities, including the Christian population, have been targeted for extinction in an attempt to create an Islamic State in Syria and to impose Sharia Law as the law of the land. To that end, Christian clerics have been kidnapped and murdered, even as they tried to bring aid and comfort to their people in this war torn country, while others are still missing, taken captive by rebel forces.

We fervently beseech you to immediately call for and actively work towards the immediate release of Archbishops Paul Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim, especially as Orthodox Christians around the globe are preparing to celebrate the Resurrection of OurLord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 5th. We would further hope that the United States government, which has always been a champion of civil rights and religious freedom and defends the dignity and safety of every individual, would exert pressure on all parties in Syria to stop the killing of innocent people and restore freedom of religion and respect for all religious minorities.

We are indebted to you and others within the administration for your tireless efforts. As Orthodox Christians, the most appropriate way to express this appreciation is to continue to pray for all our civil authorities. May the Lord bless and keep you: The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (OT Book of Numbers 6:24-26).

Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Metropolitan Philip, 1st Vice Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York and all North America

Archbishop Justinian, 2nd Vice Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops
Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

Bishop Basil, Secretary of the Assembly of Bishops
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America

Metropolitan Antony, Treasurer of the Assembly of Bishops
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Eastern Eparchy

Metropolitan Iakovos
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

Metropolitan Methodios
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston

Metropolitan Isaiah
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver

Metropolitan Alexios
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta

Metropolitan Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit

Metropolitan Savas
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh

Metropolitan Gerasimos
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

Metropolitan Evangelos
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey

Bishop Andonios
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Bishop Demetrios
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

Bishop Sevastianos
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Metropolitan Athenagoras
Holy Metropolis of Mexico

Metropolitan Nikitas
Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkley, CA

Bishop Gregory
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA

Bishop Daniel
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Western Eparchy

Bishop Ilia
Albanian Orthodox Diocese

Archbishop Joseph
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West

Bishop Antoun
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Miami and the Southeast

Bishop Thomas
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic

Bishop Alexander
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada & Upstate New York

Bishop John
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Worcester and New England

Bishop Anthony
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

Bishop Nicholas
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, Bishop of Brooklyn and Assistant to the Metropolitan

Metropolitan Hilarion
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Eastern America and New York Diocese

Archbishop Alypy
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Chicago and Mid-America Diocese

Archbishop Kyrill
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, San Francisco and Western America Diocese

Bishop Peter
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Administrator of Chicago and Mid-America
Diocese

Bishop Theodosy
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Vicar – San Francisco and Western America Diocese

Bishop George
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Vicar – Eastern America Diocese

Bishop Jerome
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Bishop John
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Bishop-in-Charge of Old Ritualist Parishes

Bishop Longin
Serbian Orthodox Church, Chicago and Mid-America Diocese

Bishop Mitrophan
Serbian Orthodox Church, Eastern American Diocese

Bishop Maxim
Serbian Orthodox Church, Western American Diocese

Archbishop Nicolae
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas

Bishop Ioan Casian
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas

Metropolitan Joseph
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church of the USA, Canada, and Australia

Bishop Daniil
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church of the USA, Canada, and Australia

Metropolitan Dimitri
Georgian Orthodox Church, Dioceses of Batumi & Lazeti and America

Metropolitan Tikhon
Orthodox Church in America, Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Archbishop Nathaniel
Orthodox Church in America, Romanian Orthodox Episcopate

Archbishop Nikon
Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of New England and Albanian Archdiocese

Archbishop Benjamin
Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of San Francisco and the West

Bishop Melchisedek
Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania

Bishop Michael
Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of New York and New Jersey

Bishop Alexander
Orthodox Church in America, Bulgarian Diocese

Bishop Irineu
Orthodox Church in America, Romanian Orthodox Episcopate

Bishop Mark
Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan Sotirios
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto

Bishop Christoforos
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto

Metropolitan Yurij
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada

Bishop Ilarion
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada

Bishop Andriy
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada

Archbishop Gabriel
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Bishop Iov
Russian Orthodox Church

Bishop Georgije
Serbian Orthodox Church

Bishop Irénée
Orthodox Church in America, Archdiocese of Ottawa and Canada

Bishop Pankratij
Holy Metropolis of Mexico

Metropolitan Antonio
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Mexico, Venezuela, Central America & the Caribbean

Bishop Ignatius
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Mexico, Venezuela, Central America & the Caribbean

Archbishop Alejo
Exarchate of Mexico Orthodox Church in America

Blog

The Saturday of Lazarus

Posted on by Fr. Peter

lazarusToday is a day of transition.  Today is the day we transition from the season of Great Lent and begin the Holiest of weeks on the Church calendar.  As we heard in the Hymns of Vespers last night:

We have completed the forty days that profit our souls. Now let us beg the Lover of Man: enable us to see the Holy Week of Your passion, that we may glorify Your mighty work, Your wonderful plan for our salvation, as we sing with one heart and voice: “O Lord, glory to You!”

The hymns of the services this week have been telling the story of Lazarus:

Lazarus is now three days in the tomb; he sees the dead from all the ages. It is a bazaar and terrifying sight. He sees countless souls chained as prisoners in Hades. His sisters cry bitter tears before his tomb. But Christ comes to bring his friend life. And all of us together offer one single hymn of praise: O Savior, you are blessed! Have mercy on us!

Those hymns were preparing us for the feast that we celebrate today.

But why do we set aside a day to recall the raising of Lazarus form the dead?  Why Lazarus and not the many others that were raised from the dead? The resurrection of Lazarus is seen as “prophecy in action.” In this resurrection we see both the Resurrection of Christ as well as the general resurrection of all of the dead at the end of time.

As we heard in the Hymns of Vespers last night, the resurrection is more than an event it is a person, Jesus Himself that bestows on all of us who believe in Him, eternal life now and not at some obscure time in the future.

We also see, for the first time, the revelation of the two natures of Christ.  Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die and He knew what the final outcome would be.  We also have a glimpse of the humanity of Jesus.  Scripture tells of the deep feels and very human emotions that Jesus felt upon learning of the death of His friend, even though He knew He was going to raise Him.  We see Jesus consoling the sisters of Lazarus and showing genuine concern for their well being.  We will see more of the humanity of Jesus in the coming days.

The other interesting point is Lazarus came forth from the tomb completely wrapped in his burial shroud from head to toe.  When the women go to the Tomb on the day of Resurrection, the burial shroud of Jesus has been left behind, Jesus was not going need His shroud again, but Lazarus would need it as he would meet death once again.

We have completed what we set out to do and now we transition to the rest of the story.

These past six weeks we have spent time focusing on gaining control over the passions.  This is a necessary part of our spiritual journey or our Theosis, as we transition in our lives.  Our journey is just that, a journey that has a beginning and an end.  It starts with the realization that we have to make a change and it ends, well, with the end.

Today begins Jesus’ journey to his eventual end.  Jesus was well aware of what was waiting for Him at the end of His journey and last Sunday we heard Him tell His closest friends what was going to happen.  During the coming week we will see Jesus in His most human moments, as we see today.  Take time in these coming days to reflect on that journey and take the time to walk along with Jesus.

Blog

When a Church Closes

Posted on by Fr. Peter

It is always sad when a church closes.  The final service in the Church is filled with tears and memories and when the doors close for the final time it seems like life will never be the same again.  People have an attachment to their houses of worship regardless of their faith tradition.  Many of the family memories, good and bad, revolve around the church building.  But sometimes, churches do close.

The reasons a church closes are very complex.  Sometimes the economic situation in the town changes, people move away, industry changes, and the church is a little slow in keeping up.  Sometimes evangelism, or lack of evangelism, is the reason.  I often ask the question, “how will they come and see if we do not go and tell.”  We have a sacred obligation to evangelize people and it is something that we need to get better at.

In the video below, St. Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church from Indiana is featured.  I should say the former St. Andrew Romanian Orthodox Church as the church is now closed.  I am not sure of the date of the video but my guess would be the late 70’s or early 80’s.  It would seem that language was one of the reasons the narrator of the video gives for the closing of the Church.  I understand that could be one of the reasons, but my experience tells me there is never just one reason a church closes.

I hope this video serves as a wake up call and that we truly start to develop programs to evangelize our nation.  America so desperately needs what Orthodoxy has to offer but, as the narrator says in the video, Orthodoxy is the best kept secret in America.

 

h/t OCL

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