Great and Holy Tuesday

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Today we bring to mind the parable of the ten virgins, which our Saviour related as He was coming to His Passion. This parable teaches us that the accomplishment of the great work of virginity should not make us careless in other matters, especially in almsgiving, wherewith the lamp of virginity is made radiant. Furthermore, it teaches us that we should not be remiss about the end of our life, but should be prepared for it at every moment, like the wise virgins, so that we may meet the Bridegroom, lest He come suddenly and the doors of the heavenly bridechamber be shut, and we also, like the foolish virgins, hear that dread sentence: “Amen, I say unto you, I know you not” (Matt. 25:1-13).

Troparion

Soul, mindful of your final hour, and dreading the fate of the fig tree, cultivate with diligence the talent you were given. Endure, be vigilant, and say: “May we not be shut out of the bridal chamber!”

Sex and the Pope

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Okay do I have your attention?

These seem to be the headlines the last few days at the Pope Benedict facing continuing criticism for his handling, or lack there of, of sex abusers during his time in Germany and after. How does one handle all of this.

Some of you who read this blog will think it is okay because after all he is Heterodox! Well I say that is just rubbish. We are all Christians and we need each other and should be praying for each other.

Much of the criticism comes from those who would not support this particular Pope regardless of what he does. Some feel the Church needs renewal and some think the church is okay right where it is. You are always going to have people who criticize what you do if they disagree with you. Some will say he is going too far, and some will say he is not going far enough. I pray for His Holiness everyday, as I pray for many people. It is difficult to be in a position of leadership in the church be it pastor or supreme pastor.

In what could only have been a foreshadowing of the attacks he was to face, during his installation he spoke there words: “Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.” The wolves are at the door for sure!

The real test of a leader is how they hang in there. Do they cut and run when the going gets tough or do they hang in there and fight it out. As pastor of a parish, I am the shepherd of my community during the good times and the bad. Early on during some bad times I wanted to cut and run, but that is the easy thing to do. The hard part is to stay and face the music. Sticking with the shepherd visual, when the sheep are on the hill and all is well, the shepherd has time to relax, just a little. Then the wolf comes and it is the shepherds job to protect his sheep. Did this always happen, no. Was it intentional, for some maybe yes, but for most no. (I am speaking of the cover up here) The shepherd, at great risk to his own life, protects the life of his sheep.

Pray for the Pope, pray for your bishops, pray for your pastors and other church leaders. Trust me we all need it. The wolf is always at the door. Sometimes the attack comes from within. A good friend of mine just went through a rather nasty period in his ministry and he said, you know sometimes the Devil is in the Choir! How true is that!

Your Holiness, if you read my blog (what? it is possible) then know that I am praying for you.

” Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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Great and Holy Monday

Posted on by Fr. Peter
On Great and Holy Monday we commemorate Joseph the Patriarch, the beloved son of Jacob. A major figure of the Old Testament, Joseph’s story is told in the final section of the Book of Genesis (chs. 37-50). Because of his exceptional qualities and remarkable life, our patristic and liturgical tradition portrays Joseph as a prototype of Christ. The story of Joseph illustrates the mystery of God’s providence, promise and redemption. Innocent, chaste, and righteous, his life bears witness to the power of God’s love and promise. The lesson to be learned from Joseph’s life, as it bears upon the ultimate redemption wrought by the death and resurrection of Christ, is summed up in the words he addressed to his brothers who had previously betrayed him, “Fear not… as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them (Gen 50:19-21). The commemoration of the noble, blessed and saintly Joseph reminds us that in the great events of the Old Testament, the Church recognizes the realities of the New Testament.Also, on Great and Holy Monday the Church commemorates the event of the cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21:18-20). In the Gospel narrative this event is said to have occured on the morrow of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:18 and Mk 11:12). For this reason it found its way into the liturgy of Great Monday. The episode is also quite relevant to Great Week. Together with the event of the cleansing of the Temple this episode is another manifestation of Jesus’ divine power and authority and a revelation as well of God’s judgement upon the faithlessness of the Jewish religious classes. The fig tree is symbolic of Israel become barren by her failure to recognize and receive Christ and His teachings. The cursing of the fig tree is a parable in action, a symbolic gesture. Its meaning should not be lost on any one in any generation. Christ’s judgement on the faithless, unbelieving, unrepentant and unloving will be certain and decisive on the last day. This episode makes it clear that nominal Christianity is not only inadequate, it is also despicable and unworthy of God’s kingdom. Genuine Christian faith is dynamic and fruitful. It permeates one’s whole being and causes a change. Living, true and unadulterated faith makes the Christian conscious of the fact that he is already a citizen of heaven. Therefore, his way of thinking, feeling, acting and being must reflect this reality. Those who belong to Christ ought to live and walk in the Spirit; and the Spirit will bear fruit in them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-25).

From Great Week and Pascha in the Greek Orthodox Church

Alkiviadis C. Calivas

Christ the Bridegroom

Posted on by Fr. Peter
During the first three nights of Holy Week we are reminded of the Second Coming of Christ. These are called the Bridegroom services. Why the Bridegroom?

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king, who gave a wedding feast for his son” (Matt. 22:2).

A wedding is traditionally celebrated with a grand feast and a most joyous time. Christ is the Bridegroom and we are His bride. He invites us all to a great feast in His kingdom of heaven. When the Bride accept one in marriage the Bridegroom pledges His inheritance and glory. It is a union where two become one. As we join with Him as His bride we become one just like the bride and groom become one in the marriage ceremony. But with this invitation comes a warning. In the words of the King, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy” (Matt. 22:8).

It is us who are not worthy? Will we be accep[ted in His Kingdom. Will we become His bride? On one of several occasions, the Lord was asked why His disciples did not observe the prescribed fasting periods of the Jewish faith, Christ responded, “Can you make wedding guests fast, when the bridegroom is with them (Luke 5:34)?” And He went on to say, “The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them… (Luke 5:35).”

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Ten tips for Holy Week and Pascha

Posted on by Fr. Peter
1. Make participation at the Services a priority.

2. In our homes we should strive to “keep out the world” and enter into the peace, solemnity, and theology of the events of the last days of our Lord.

3. Be sure to read the last chapters of the Holy Gospels that speak of the Passion, Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

4. If you are visiting another parish and wish to receive Communion, make sure that the priest knows who you are and that you are prepared. This should be done in advance by phone, email, or any other way.

5. Last year’s palms and pussy willows should be placed outside in an area to decay where they will not be disturbed. They are holy and should not be simply thrown out with the garbage.

6. Before venerating Holy Objects, such as the Cross, the Chalice, Icons, or the Winding-Sheet, make sure to wipe off your lipstick or chapstick. Reminder: we do not kiss the face of our Lord, His Mother, or the Saints; in-stead kiss the hands or feet.

7. If you haven’t yet made your Confession during Great Lent, try to make it during the beginning of Holy Week. Speak with your priest to arrange a time.

8. Try to make amends with those we may be upset with or those who are upset with us, so that on Pascha we can joyfully sing, “Let us call brothers, even those that hate us, and forgive all by the Resurrection!”

9. Try to stay after the “Midnight Service” on Pascha morning for the blessing of baskets and festive meal. Let us share in the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection with fellowship and love.

10. During Bright Week, sing or read the Paschal Hours instead of your “normal” morning and evening prayers. Let the joy of praising the Lord’s Resurrection accompany you throughout Bright Week, the Paschal season, and your whole life.

h/t Byzantine Texas

Lazarus Saturday

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus – whose name is a Hellenized form of “Eleazar,” which means “God has helped,” became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, “Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth.” By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, “Where have ye laid his body?” and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, “Loose him, and let him go.” This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.

According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, “Clay stealing clay.” His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: “Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ.” In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, “Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . .”

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Threats on Congress

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Why is it that people cannot act like adults? We have a system in this country of how things get done and for the last 225 plus years the system has worked pretty good. Is it perfect? Hardly, but it is better than the alternative.

Yesterday I wrote about the Vice Presidents use of the “F” word during a bill signing and today I am commenting on threats received by members of Congress. Now i have heard that members of Congress are subject to threats of one sort or another all the time. In fact if you send a letter to your Congressman or Senator it first goes through a screening process for bombs and chemicals. But I think things have gone to a new level.

I like a spirited debate as well as the next guy but we can go to far. Right after the bill passed, one of the people I follow on Facebook started calling Rep. Stupak a traitor. That is almost as bad as calling Pres. Obama a Nazi. A traitor? I think that is a bit much to call someone who has given his life to public service a traitor. Okay he did not do what you wanted him to do, but he did get an Executive Order signed by the most Pro-Choice President we have ever had I think that is something.

As I have written before, demonstrations are fine in fact, if you recall, I participated in the first Tea Party gathering in Worcester last year. It was great, sort of a party atmosphere. Then I wrote about my severing ties with the group when they started with the Nazi references and using the hammer and sickle in their posters. That is not necessary and just brings on hate.

A few months ago, an Orthodox priest in Florida was beaten with a tire iron because the man thought he was a Muslim. Some how it was okay to beat another human being with a tire iron just because he is or is perceived to be, a Muslim! We have made people fear Muslims and this is how they react. Now we have death threats on Congressman!

The other day someone posted on Facebook that we need term limits and a revolution in this country. Well we do have term limits, we call them elections. Why is it we need a law to do something we are not capable of doing ourselves. You want your Congressman out, great, work for the person running against them, given them money, hold a sign, make phone calls. If you are not willing to do that then please just sit down. We do not need yet another regulation.

This year we will have one of the largest turn overs in years. Many of the members of Congress will be retiring this year. Step up to the plate and get involved. Don’t want to run for Congress? Run for local office, make a change at the local level.

Keep on demonstrating, keep holding their feet to the fire, but let’s be civil about it. That’s all I am asking.

Orthodox Monasticism: The Symbols

Posted on by Fr. Peter
During the Tonsure service when the Monk makes the profession of his vows, several symbols are presented to him by the Abbot. These symbols remind him of the life that he is now beginning.

The service begins with the candidate wearing a white robe symbolic of that which he wore for his baptism. Tonsure into the monastic life is another baptism or sorts as the new monk dies to his old life and is born again into a new life. It is the tradition that the monk receives a new name at this point.

Next the monk is clothed in the Paraman and Cross. On the Paraman are representations of the Cross of Christ with the lance, reed and sponge, and the inscription, I bear on my body the wounds of the Lord. This is fastened about the shoulders and waist by means of strings sewn to the corners, and serves as a reminder that the new monk has taken upon himself the yoke of Christ and must control his passions and desires. These are presented with the following words from the Abbot:

Our Brother receives the Paraman, the Betrothal of the Angelic Schema, as a perpetual reminder of taking upon himself of Christ’s easy yoke and of bearing His light burden, and for the curbing and restraining of all his fleshly desires. And he also takes the Sign of the Lord’s Cross upon his breast, for a perpetual reminder of suffering and humiliation, spitting, revilement, woulds, buffeting, Crucifixion and death of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, which He voluntarily endured for our sakes; and to signify that, as far as possible, he will endeavor to imitate this.

The Riasa is presented next with the following words:

Our Brother is clothed in the garment of spiritual joy and gladness, for the putting away and trampling of all sorrows and troubles proceeding from the flesh and from the world; and for his perpetual joy and gladness in Christ.

The leather belt is presented next. The belt is leather and made from the skin of a dead animal signifying the deadness to the world. The buckle of the belt has the symbols of the Crucifixion on it to remind the new monk of his daily Crucifixion. The follow words are spoken by the Abbot:

Our brother is gird about his loins with the power of truth, for mortification of body and renewal of spirit, and for courage and caution.

The new monk is next given the Mantiya, a long sleeveless robe, also called the robe of incorruption and purity, the absence of sleeves signifying the restraining of worldly pursuits. The Mantiya is presented with the following words:

Our brother is clothed in the robe of salvation and in the armor of righteousness, that he may withdraw himself from all unrighteousness, and with carefulness put away the vain imaginations of his mind and the subtleties of his will; that he may have the remembrance of his own death always in his mind and consider himself to be crucified to the world and to be dead to every evil deed, but always alive for the showing forth, without laziness, of every Christian virtue.

Next the new monk receives the Kamilavka with veil or the helmet of salvation. The veil signifies that the monk must veil his face from temptation and guard his eyes and ears against all vanity. The wings of the veil date from the time of St. Methodius (846) who was wounded in the face during the reign of Emperor Theophilus. In order to conceal his wounds, the saint wore wings with his veil and fastened them about his lower face.

Our brother takes the helmet of salvation in the hope that he may not be put to shame and that he will be able to stand against the snares of the devil; and he covers his head with the veil of humility and perpetual obedience, as a sign of spiritual love of wisdom; and that he may turn away his eyes, that they not behold vanities.

Sandals for his feet are now presented:

Our brother is shod with sandals in readiness for the proclamation of the Good News of peace; that he may be swift and diligent in every obedience and every good deed.

The Prayer Rope or Chotki is given. The rope has many knots to count the prayers of the new monk.

Take brother the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, for continual prayer to Jesus; for you must always have the Name of the Lord Jesus in mind, in heart, and on your lips, every saying, “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The hand cross is next given. The hand cross is the shield of faith, with which to put out the flaming darts of the Evil One. The monk will keep the hand cross in his icon corner to remind his of this saying.

Take, brother, the shield of faith, the Cross of Christ with which you will be able to put out the flaming darts of the Evil One; and remember always how the Lord said, “He who would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

Finally a lighted candle is give signifying that he must strive, by purity of life, by good deeds, and good demeanor to be a Light to the World. The candle will be placed in the Icon Corner and the monk will be buried with this candle.

Take, brother, this candle, and know that from henceforth you must, through a pure and virtuous life, and through a good character, be a light unto the world. For the Lord said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who art in heaven.

Then the final blessing is pronounced:

Our brother has received the Betrothal of the Angelic Schema and has been clothed in the whole armor of God, that he may be able to vanquish all the power and warfare of principalities and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this age, of evil spirits under the heavens, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Let us all say for him, Lord, have mercy.

It is the tradition that the new monk remain in the monastic church for some days praying for himself and for the entire monastic brotherhood. The new monk is to remain clothed in the whole of the habit for those days.

Open Letter to Vice President Biden

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Dear Mr. Vice President,

I am posting this open letter to you to address the foul language that you used yesterday at the bill signing ceremony at the White House.

During the week long run up to the bills passage on Sunday, much was made of the opposition using colorful language to describe some members of Congress. I wrote about how disappointed I was with the tactics of some people and how it seems that political debate in this country has fallen to that of a bar room.

Your choice of language when speaking with the President of the United States was crude and uncalled for. You had the attention of the world for the signing of the historical health care reform bill and this is how you choose to represent yourself, the President of the United States and the American people to the world.

Some have said that this was intended as private conversation between you and the President. My response is that this word should not be used by the second highest elected official in the United States of America, actually no one should use the word. We have taken the Office of the Vice President and run it through the gutter.

Mr. Vice President, I believe you owe all Americans an apology for your choice of words. I call on you to make the apology public and sincere and I also suggest, that as a Roman Catholic, you avail yourself of Sacramental Confession during this time of Lent.

Mr. Vice President, Americans look to you and your office as a leader and we expect more from the person who holds the office once held by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Theodor Roosevelt, and Harry Truman.

Mr. Vice President it is time to “man up” and apologize.

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