Hell Hath No Fury

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Today the Orthodox Church celebrates the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John. This is one of the 12 great feats of the Church and falls on A Sunday this year. It is strange because outside of Great Lent Sunday is usually never a strict fast day but today, with the exception of wine and oil, it is a strict fast day for us Orthodox.
 
In the past John has had an issue with King Herod. The issue is the fact that Herod married his brother Philips wife, and that was just not done. John has spoken out about this and has made Herod’s wife extremely mad. During a birthday celebration, her daughter dances for the King and he is so pleased by this that he tells her she can have anything she wants even to half of his Kingdom. What does she ask for? She wants the head of John the Baptist. Her mother put her up to that.
Now Herod finds himself in a bit of pickle. If he breaks his word to her, the entire Kingdom will know and they will not trust him, but is he gives in… You see Herod is afraid of John. Well in the end he gives in and beheads John and the head is brought to his wife on a plate. John had made Herod’s wife mad and she exacted revenge on him.
There are many things that we can take with us from this feast. We need to stand up for things that we see are wrong. We need to speak out when anyone, including the government, is not doing the right thing. Yes we are to support and pray for the government but not when it goes against the will of God. We need to put God first in all things.
On of my predecessors here in the parish was a priest that spent 18 years in prison in Communist Romania. He was locked up because he was very critical of the government of Romania. Freedom of speech was not something that was tolerated in Romania and so he was locked up along with his brother. His brother died in prison but he was released and sent in exile to America. He served as priest here at St. Michael’s though the 1960’s and early 70’s.
He went to prison for standing up for what he believed. He did not preach what was popular but what was right. And he suffered the consequences for it. St. John did the same thing. He preached what was right, and he paid the price for it with his very life.
Are we willing to do the same thing, or when the going gets tough will we cut and run? Are we willing to die for what we believe? Are we willing to not just go along, but to stand up for what is right?
This is what it means to be a Christian. It’s not easy, just ask the martyrs.

When to Call the Priest

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Fr. John Peck from St. George Orthodox Church in Prescott Arizona has another great post on his parish website on the topic of When to call the parish priest.  Some folks are confused about when to call or not so Fr. John has some practical advice.
Many are confused about when they should call the parish priest in the many events of life. Calling the priest is necessary to maintain the bond of love in our community and to bring the Grace of God into our lives through the Holy Sacraments. The priest should be aware of the spiritual and physical needs of all our families in order to be the pastor. The priest should not be seen as “too busy”! He is here to shepherd us and his first priority is the people of the parish.

Read the Rest

Mother Teresa 100 Years Today

Posted on by Fr. Peter
“Today there is so much suffering – and I feel that the passion of Christ is being relived all over again – are we there to share that passion, to share that suffering of people?
Around the world, not only in the poor countries, but I found the poverty of the West so much more difficult to remove. When I pick up a person from the street, hungry, I give him a plate of rice, a piece of bread, I have satisfied. I have removed that hunger. But a person that is shut out, that feels unwanted, unloved, terrified, the person that has been thrown out from society – that poverty is so hurtable and so much, and I find that very difficult….
You must come to know the poor, maybe our people here have material things, everything, but I think that if we all look into our own homes, how difficult we find it sometimes to smile at each, other, and that the smile is the beginning of love. And so let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love, and once we begin to love each other naturally we want to do something….
This is something that you and I – it is a gift of God to us to be able to share our love with others. And let it be as it was for Jesus. Let us love one another as he loved us. Let us love Him with undivided love. And the joy of loving Him and each other – let us give now… Let us keep that joy of loving Jesus in our hearts. And share that joy with all that we come in touch with. And that radiating joy is real, for we have no reason not to be happy because we have Christ with us. Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor that we meet, Christ in the smile that we give and the smile that we receive. Let us make that one point: That no child will be unwanted, and also that we meet each other always with a smile, especially when it is difficult to smile.”

–Mother Teresa, MC
Lecture for the Nobel Peace Prize
Oslo, Norway
11 December 1979

Clergy Etiquette

Posted on by Fr. Peter
One of things I have noticed is a lack of etiquette with the clergy. I do not think this is intentional but rather it is a lack of education. So the hope is through this article education will take place.
When approaching a priest one makes a bow by reaching down and touching the floor with the right hand, place your right hand over the left and say, “Bless Father.” The priest then answers, “May the Lord Bless You,” blesses with the Sign of the Cross, and places his right hand in your hands, and you kiss his hand. The same is done when approaching a bishop but you would say, “Bless Master.”
The reason we kiss the right hand of the priest or the bishop is to show respect for the Apostolic Office and also because both the priest and the bishop hold the Divine Mysteries in their hands during the Divine Liturgy, we show respect to the Holy Eucharist when we kiss their hand. This should be done each time one greets a priest or a bishop not just in the church.
Orthodox Priests are formally addressed as “The Reverend Father,” if they are not monks. If monks they are addressed as “The Reverend Hieromonk.” Priests with special honors are addressed in this manner: An Archimandrite (The highest monastic rank below that of bishop), “The Very Reverend Archimandrite.” Protopresbyters, “The Very Reverend Protopresbyter.” In personal address all priests are call “Father” usually followed by their first name, (Father Peter)
Bishops in the Orthodox Church are addressed as “The Right Reverend Bishop,” followed by their first name. Archbishops, Metropolitans, and Patriarchs are addressed as “The Most Reverend Archbishop (or other title).” It is not correct to use the family name of the bishop. In personal address bishops are called, “Your Grace,” Archbishops and Metropolitans, “Your Eminence,” Patriarchs, “Your Beatitude,” With the exception of the Patriarch of Constantinople who is addressed as, “Your All-Holiness.”
As in all situations follow the lead of the clergy themselves. Some are less formal than others but you will never go wrong if you follow the proper etiquette. When showing respect to the clergy we are not showing respect just to the particular clergyman but to the office that they hold.

The Divine Liturgy ~ Vestments

Posted on by Fr. Peter
In my previous articles, I gave an overview of the Divine Liturgy as well as a look at the prayers of the priest and deacon prior to the Liturgy. In this article I will explain the various vestment articles of the priest. In future articles I will explain the vestments of the deacon and bishop.
The Anteri or Inner Cassock is worn by all members of the clergy and monastics. Not considered a Liturgical Garment as such but is the “foundation” garment. Black is the usual color but blue and grey can be used. The Patriarch of Romania wears a white Anteri.
Each article of vestment has an associated prayer that I will place after the description.
The Sticharion ~ This is a form of the garment worn at baptism but is much more ornate.
My soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garment of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity, like a bridegroom wearing his wreath, like a bride adorned in her jewels.
The Epitrachelion or Stole ~ This is the symbol of the priesthood. Worn around the neck when the priest is serving any liturgical function that does not require full vestments, i.e. Vespers or blessings. If the priest is not celebrating Liturgy, he will put this on prior to receiving communion.
Blessed is God who pours out his grace on his priests, fine as oil on the head, running down the beard, running down Arron’s beard to the color of his robes.
The Zone or Belt ~ Signifies the priests readiness for service as a man girds himself before a journey the priest girds himself when he is about to serve the sacred ministry.
Blessed is God who girds me with strength and makes my way without blame.
The Epimanikia or Cuffs ~ One worn on the right and one worn on the left.
For the Right Cuff: Your right hand, O Lord, shows majestic in power! Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. So great your splendor, you crush your foes.
For the Left Cuff: It was your hands that made me and shaped me. Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
The Epigonation ~ A stiff diamond shaped vestment worn on the right side by some priests. In some tradition priests who are also confessors are given this a sign of that office and in other traditions, like the Romanian Tradition, it is given in recognition. It represents a shield, originating from the shield worn by soldiers on their thigh. It denotes the wearer as a soldier of Christ and it also symbolizes the Word of God fighting the wiles of the enemy.
Strap your sword at your side, in majesty and splendor.  Go forth and proposer and reign, because of truth and meekness and righteousness.  Your right hand will guide you always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.
The Phelonion ~ This garment is equal to the chasuble worn by priests in the Western Church. This is the outer garment like a poncho. It is not only worn for the Divine Liturgy but for Vespers as well as Sacraments. It is also usually worn for funerals.
Your priests are vesting in virtue and your devout are shouting for joy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen
Next time Liturgical Colors

Blog Available on the Amazon Kindle

Posted on by Fr. Peter
So I have gone to another level with the blog.  This blog is now available for the Amazon Kindle.  There is a small monthly subscription fee, of which I get very little, but it will make these pages available on your kindle so you will be able to take me where ever you go.

Never miss another blog post, by using the blog for the Amazon Kindle.

Check it out here

New Poll

Posted on by Fr. Peter
My friend and fellow blogger Dennis has posted a poll regarding the Islamic Center in New York.  Please take a moment to take the poll it is only one question.  I did not write the question I am only posting it here for your information.

PollPub.com Vote

Should a Mosque be built two blocks from Ground Zero?

Yes
No
Not sure

View Results

Poll powered by PollPub.com Free Polls

One Word at a Time ~ Children

Posted on by Fr. Peter
This is my contribution to the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival that I have been participating in off and on for the last few months.  Do head on over and read the rest of the entries for this time around.  The word for this time is Children.

Okay it may seem strange that a person who has no children would be writing about children.  I think I am also the only pastor that does not have children in his church so what am I to do.  I will say this right up front, Children are our future and Children are important.

I live in a rather small community we have about 17,000 people in our Town.  Like most small town in New England, Southbridge used to be a mill town.  American Optical, the largest manufacturer of eye glasses in the world, used to be here but it has long since closed along with the woolen mills that were here.  At any given time half of the town was employed by the “AO” and now it is gone.  The median household income is $33,913 and the median family income is $41,863.  Not too bad until you see that 15.4% of the population of this town is below the Federal Poverty Line.  Shocking still is that 25.8% of that number are under 18.

If my math is correct 3.85% or 654.5 children in this small town are living below the poverty level.  It is hard to put a dollar amount on that because it changes with each person in the family.  For arguments sake let’s assume three people in the family.  The Federal Poverty Level for a family of three is 18,310.  The numbers get larger as the family grows but a family of 8 $37,010 is the Federal Limit.

654 children in this community live in poverty.  What does this mean?  Well more than likely they go to bed hungry, have limited health care and limited educational opportunities.  What does this do to their future?  To put a fine point on it, with few exceptions, the cycle will continue with the next generation and we will continue to see this number rise.  The scary thing is these number are almost 3 years old but they are the numbers available.  I can only imagine in this economic climate that the number of children living in poverty is much higher.

We have to do better.  We have to do better for all people but we especially have to do better by our children.  Southbridge is one community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that has some 350 cities and towns.  If we simply take the number here in Southbridge and multiply it by 350 that is more than a quarter of a million children living in poverty in Massachusetts.  I know not very scientific but you get the point.

Yesterday I wrote about the role of the church and this is part of it.  We need to do better by our children and we need to do better now, before it is too late.

The Role of the Church

Posted on by Fr. Peter
I have been giving a lot of thought about what the role of the Church is. I have been involved in some pretty passionate discussions on Facebook the last few days about how people feel that Christianity is being oppressed in the America. I have to disagree. I have to ask, is the government closing your Church? Is the government preventing you from attending the Church of your choice, or are they telling you that you have to attend this Church. Okay pray is gone from public school and we cannot put a Christmas tree on some Town Commons, but I say good ridden to that. This past Christmas I was all over the no Tree on the Common stuff and was writing, on this very blog, how bad that was. But the more I think about it the less I care about it. I heard a story today that clergy in the Sudan are not allowed to dress in clerical clothes or they could be shot. I would call that oppression. Being told you cannot wear a cross or a shirt with religious sayings on it is far from the same thing.
Yes our country is secular and I am okay with that. In a country with freedom of religion I don’t want my government to have any signs of religion because the religion they choose might be in opposition to mine.
So what then is the role of the Church in our secular society? Is it the Churches role to change society? I would have to say no. The Church exists for one reason and one reason only, your salvation. Noting more, nothing less. If you worry about your salvation then the rest of the world will take care of itself.
Scripture tells us that we need to do two things, Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbor as yourself. Are we doing that?
Matthew 25:31-46 lays out the mission of the Church in pretty clear terms. So you don’t need to run for your Bible I will quote it below:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
If we need to know what we should be doing as Church then we need to read Matthew each and everyday. That is what it means to be Church and that is the role of the Church. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison, welcome the foreigner. Are we doing that or are we more concerned with building palaces then we are about the needs of our fellow man. When did it become the government’s responsibility to do this? How much more of the mission of the Church do we want Uncle Sam to take over? Perhaps we could all go to Town Hall on Sunday and the Town Clerk could pass out communion?
We work out our salvation in the Church, we do this by living the Gospel life and Matthew 25 is as clear as it gets.
The Church does not exist to make you feel good about yourself that is the last thing the Church should be about. It is not about your entertainment, it is about your salvation and how we go about that. The Church is the hospital of the soul not an entertainment venue where we need the latest thing, where the preacher wears blue jeans. The Church is down and dirty, the Church is the poor, the hungry, the lonely, the naked, and yes, the foreigner. These are not suggestions there are requirements, Gospel requirements. The Church is the leper in Calcutta or the homeless person on the street. The Church does not judge why they are that way, the Church just gets in there and gets dirty and finds solutions to the problem. That’s the Church in action.
Several years ago I was listening to a radio broadcast by Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey is working to get America out of debt. He says live like no one else so you can live like no one else. He is also quoted as saying the Church should give the government out of business. In other words, we need to be and do Matthew 25 no the government. Uncle Sam is not good at it. The Church is. Since the early days of the Church, the Church has been taking care of people and we need to get back to our mission.
How do we change society, not with protests and calling our Senators and Representatives, we change Society by being the change we want to see. We change society by working out our own salvation and then helping our neighbor. Helping our neighbor not out f some obligation we feel we have to have but we do it out of love, Christian love. We love others because God first loved us!
“I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Coming Late to Church

Posted on by Fr. Peter
When I converted to Orthodox I was initially shocked by the number of folks that come late to Church. I know that in Orthodox worship we have a free style of worship where there is a lot of movement. In Orthodox Churches in Eastern Europe pews are not present and it allows for far more freedom of movement in Orthodox Worship. I for one think pews are anathema in Orthodox worship and they should be removed from all Orthodox Church but that is the topic for another day.
I do find it interesting that people can be on time, if not early, for all sorts of things in their life but when it comes to church folks show up late. I am not talking about a few minutes late but some 20 minutes late!
At the start of Liturgy I turn and bow to those assembled and there are a few faces looking back. By the time I exit the sanctuary for the small entrance the place is usually full but I know not everyone is there yet. People come in just be fore we start or just after we start.
I was brought up Roman Catholic. You went to church early so you could kneel and say some prayers. I remember as a child kneeling there watching everyone else not really sure what to do, but the idea is you get in the position of worship. It would be like deciding to run the Boston Marathon the day of the Marathon itself, no stretching, no training, let’s just go run! Not really going to happen.
Worship requires us to be settled and in a frame of mind that we can listen a respond to the Word of God in our life. If you’re fumbling with your keys and looking around to see who else is there your not doing that. What’s wrong with coming say five minutes before the Liturgy starts and set your mind with an attitude of worship.
How do we enter an Orthodox Church? We begin in the Narthex with lighting candles for the living and the dead and venerate the Icons that might be there. Next we enter the Church and come forward to the Icons at the front of the Church. In venerating and Icons one approaches, makes two small bows from the waist and make the sign of the cross each time. Then we venerate the Icon and make one more bow, from the waist making the sign of the cross. We venerate the festival Icons first, of there is one, or we venerate Icons of Christ first then Icons of the Theotokos, then the saints in that order. Pretty hard to do all of that if Liturgy has already begun.
There is also the tradition in the Orthodox Church that is you arrive at Church after the Gospel has been read you should not present yourself for communion. We need to hear the Word of God and soak it in prior to receiving Him in the Bread and Wine. We need to be in the Church from the first blessing to the last. Not in the parish hall setting up for coffee hour or at home, but in the church!
Coming in after church has started in disruptive to those who were there on time. They become distracted as you find your seat and put your keys and what not away. It is disruptive to the flow of the service and I hate to put a fine point on it, it is just rude.
Coming into Church you are entering into the presence of the Almighty. You are entering the very house where God dwells. To show up late is just rude. I would be hard pressed to find anyone who comes late to a business appointment or to work. So I have to ask why is church so less important that we think it is okay to come after things have started?
If you are one of the chronically late out there, make it a point this Sunday to come a little early to make sure you don’t miss anything. Who knows there might be a give away right at the very start of Liturgy and you will miss it.
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