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Tiger Wood ~ Athlete of the Decade

Posted on by Fr. Peter
On Wednesday it was announced that Tiger Wood had been voted the Athlete of the Decade by the Associated Press Sports Writers. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

In the past 10 years Tiger has won 64 tournaments that included 12 major ones. Only four other golfers have won more titles in their entire career let alone a decade.

The question in my mind is with the events of the last few weeks should Tiger have been given this honor? After much prayer and reflection, okay not really, I have decided that yes he does deserve this honor. A person is judged not on a single incident but on the entire body of their work. Or in this case the last 10 years of work.

I would have to say that this honor was more than justified and if I had a vote I think I would have voted for him as well.

The other part of the discussion surrounding this is how much of a persons personal life do we really need to know about?

In this time of 24 hour news we need to report on something so we report on whatever is going on at the present time in the world weather it be war or Tiger Woods.

When a person chooses to live life in a very public way, ie athletes, politicians and dare I say clergy, the we sacrifice a certain part of our private life. Right or wrong it just happens. How many clergy for example have preached on one thing only to be caught doing that very same thing. I always say, “Do as I say not as I do!” That always covers a multitude of sins…

Sports figures, in the last years, have become role models and when they fall they fall hard. Some time ago, Patriot’s Quarterback Tom Brady had a child with a woman who is not his wife. He was not married at the time to anyone. The press made such a big deal out of this fact and I can only imagine how the birth of a child changes ones life. The problem is, we were congratulating something that I find simply morally objectionable. I congratulate them for having the baby and raising the baby but they were not married and my faith tells me that is a sin.

So how far do we go in judging a persons life work? What do we call into account for it? Tiger Woods was being judged for his ability to hit the little white ball into the hole. The title is Athlete of the Decade not moral person of the decade.

Even though I condemn what he did, and we will never know all of the details, it does not, in my mind anyway, degrade the fact that Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer of the last decade.

Congratulations Tiger on your much deserved honor. Congratulations as well for taking time to try and work out the problems in your marriage. That takes guts in this day and age and you have my full support.

20 Years Ago

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Twenty years ago today the fuse was lite that ignited the powder keg that became the bloodiest revolution in Eastern Europe. On December 16th 1989 hundreds if not thousands of people from the Northern Romanian Town of Timisoara poured into the streets and gathered outside the house of Laszlo Tokes, a Protestant clergyman who had received orders to leave the city and move to a remote rural parish for criticising the Ceausescu regime. Events quickly rose to a fever pitch and it turned the tide in Romania and began a brush fire that in a few short days would light the whole of the Country and free her people.

The Ceausescu regime was one of the most brutal on the face of the earth and most of Romanian’s 23 million people were enslaved by this mad man and his equally mas wife Elena. On December 22nd the fire reached the Capital Bucharest and the couple, who lived like Royalty, had to flee for their very lives. They were eventually captured and violently executed on Christmas Day 1989.

I remember that night. It was the same year, and the same month, that the United States invaded Panama to free her people from another Dictator. I had relatives living in Panama at the time and since the US was involved all eyes were focused there. The era of 24 hour news just just getting started and all of the attention was focused on Panama. Here is a clip from CBS News as the Walton’s was interrupted to bring the news to the world:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0khgI62nxVU]

I was not even sure where Romania was nor did I understand the full impact that the events of those days would have on the rest of the world. Whilst this was happening in Romania Communism began to crumble all over Eastern Europe. I also had no idea that 20 years latter I would be pastor of a Romanian Orthodox Church. Funny how things happen.

I have been to Romania on several occasions the first time in 1992 but I have not been back for more than 10 years. I understand things have changed in many ways. For the first time in more than 40 years the people of Eastern Europe started to taste freedom. As the years past more information came out about the reason for the Romanian Revolution but those cannot deny the spirit of those who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom.

People were meant to be free and no matter how long it takes people will win their freedom. Is Romanian a better place today? I am not Romanian nor do I live there but I would say that freedom is better than the alternative.

We will never know the names or the number of those who gave their lives during those days but we can never forget them nor anyone who fights for freedom around the world.

During the Orthodox Divine Liturgy there is a part where we pray for those who have died. We ask for God to grant eternal repose in blessed sleep to the souls of your servants who have fallen asleep and make their memory eternal. May their memories indeed be eternal!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaMOnmp1v7Q]

Vesnica pomenire!

Christmas Displays

Posted on by Fr. Peter
For a few weeks I have been looking around for Towns that will not allow Christmas Displays. I have also said I don’t care if you put up something for everyone just don’t make me feel bad I like to celebrate Christmas. If you want to put up a menorah that is fine, something for Kwanzaa, not a problem.

In Little Rock Arkansas a judge has ruled that the display must include free thinkers like Albert Einstein and Bill Gates. I have no problem with this. We get what we want, and they get what they want.

We live in a pluralistic society and although we may not like what other people think or say they have a right to say it. We have the right to respond to what they say but they have the right to say it.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS to the folks in Little Rock!

Blog Carnival ~ Church

Posted on by Fr. Peter
This is another post in the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival that has been on going for some months now. It is great to be able to participate and bring the Orthodox Perspective to the conversation. This week the word in Church.

Some time ago a happened to see a sign at a church that read:

CH_ _ CH

What’s Missing?

U R

A very simple reminder that the church needs us and we need the church. The church is a community, a hospital is you will where we work out our salvation. There really is no such thing as an isolated Christian. We need each other!

In the Orthodox Tradition of Christianity we have certain people who are considered hermits. They live a solitary life of work and prayer. But they still come to the main church for worship and share some meals together. Community and Church go hand in hand. I believe you cannot have one with out the other.

We Americans are very independent people and we like to have out space, I include myself in that group. But we also need to be with others. We are no meant to be alone nor should we be.

The danger often arises when the church is not healthy or it is dysfunctional. I would submit that is dysfunctional community and church is still better than not having one.

So find a community and church that can help you work out your salvation and where you can fill in the blanks in your life and the life of the church. You need the church and the church needs you.

Senate Health Care Bill

Posted on by Fr. Peter
For the past week the United States Senate has been debating their version of the Health Care reform bill. This past week saw the defeat of a measure that would have struck down funding for abortions that is presently contained in the bill.

In the present draft, and I emphasize it is a draft bill, the bill mandates that at least one health insurance plan available through a government exchange, which receives taxpayer subsidies, must provide abortion coverage there is prevision for another one to not allow the coverage. Here is the problem as I see it.

If you are a long time reader of this blog you know that I oppose abortion. Because of my opposition to abortion I do not want my tax money to go to support abortion. I am a realist and understand that people have abortions and although I believe that the one who performs the abortion and the one who has the abortion cooperate in murder I understand it happens. I just don’t want to pay for it.

I agree that we have a need to reform health care in this country. I would disagree with some members of Congress that the United States has a Constitutional right to force all people to purchase health insurance. I do not believe that health care is a right guaranteed by our Constitution. I also don’t think the government should be involved in the insurance business. We have done such a wonderful job with other things the government runs that I can only imagine how well they would do with this nonsense. And the cost is way too high!

We need reform yes, but reform that all can buy into so to speak. Do not use my tax dollars to fund abortion as it is against everything that I believe in. What is the rush. Slow down and take your time.

Turkey prepares to join EU in a building confiscated from the Orthodox

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Istanbul (AsiaNews) – Unbelievable but true: the headquarters of the Secretariat for the entry of Turkey into the European Union is a building confiscated from the Orthodox Christian community in the 90s. The building is located in Istanbul, in the well-known area of Ortakoy, under the first bridge over the Bosphorus.

Before the seizure, the building was used as a primary school for children of the minority Orthodox in Ortakoy. Here, once lived a thriving Orthodox community, now non-existent because of past purges against minorities, executed by the “secular” Turkish State.

Thanks to the policy of purging, the building and many other schools, at one point found themselves without students, unused and then confiscated. The forfeiture rule however prevented foundations – owners of buildings – from allocating them to different uses. The community of Ortakoy appealed to the administrative courts in Istanbul, which have yet to rule on the issue. In case of a ruling to the contrary, the Orthodox intend to apply to the court in Strasbourg. The inauguration of the Secretariat took place in the presence of Prime Minister Erdogan, accompanied by Minister for European Affairs Bajis and by various authorities and European representation.

The event has aroused unease in diplomatic circles in Brussels, so much so that on the eve of the inauguration, a senior government official visited Patriarch Bartholomew I to let them know that the courts decision will be respected. The question also arises whether the current Turkish government aware of the building’s history.

Meanwhile in Brussels some discomfort is spreading towards politicians who are champions of Turkey’s entry into the EU. Ankara has not yet shown a convincing European orientation, it is believed that the “champions” are tied to the country by economic and financial interests. One suggestion for resolving the issue comes from Lakis Vigas, representative of minorities in Turkey in the General Directorate of Foundations. Interviewed by the newspaper Milliyet on the case of Ortakoy, he says a possible solution would be if the Ortakoy foundation were granted the possibility to lease the building to the Turkish nation. This gesture would have a noble purpose: the entry of Turkey into the EU the “source of our hopes.”

Another Christmas Hating Town in Massachusetts

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Well it seems the Grinch is not quite finished with Massachusetts yet. One of the local television news stations is reporting that in the Town of Holliston, Massachusetts the local Fire Dept wants to continue a 70 year tradition by placing a lighted cross on the tower of the station. Well the Grinches on the Town Board of Selectman has said no.

This is a very interesting statement from the story:

Town Manager Paul LeBeau says the policy prohibits religious symbols from being displayed on town property, but not seasonal symbols, such as a menorah in front of town hall. “That’s what the town was advised by a federal judge back in late 2003,” said LeBeau.

Last time I checked there was no such season as Menorah! I believe the Menorah is a religious symbol of the Jewish faith but I could be wrong. Oh but let us no say we cannot put up the Menorah!

Time for the Revolution!

Since the Town has seen fit not to post information on how reach Selectman in Hollisiton here is the Town Administrators Phone number:

Paul LeBeau Town Administrator ~ 508-429-0608

First They Came…

Posted on by Fr. Peter
My last post took an entirely different direction then I intended whilst I was writing it. I meant to discuss Christian love but off I went. So let us pause a moment and discuss this point.

My good friend Huw has a new post on his great blog called Argh – Things that make you want to be an Atheist. Once again Huw does not let you down on his analysis of the issues at hand.

I started the last post by mentioning that the Orthodox Church is a much regulated faith. We certainly are not part of the “Free Church” movement. We are especially regulated in our spiritual life to include large parts of the year that are dedicated to fasting and abstinence. Now I love the Orthodox Church and believe that we hold the full expression of the Christian Faith, however that is not enough to get you past St. Peter and into heaven. I know, I know it’s not like that, but how do we know?

There is an old song, “they will know we are Christians by our love” this is a true statement. We can follow all of the “rules” of the church to the letter of the law but if we do not love, as St. Paul says, we are nothing but a clanging gong!

The Government of Uganda, where the Orthodox Church has been ministering since 1946, is presently debating legislation that one can only describe as hateful. The 2009 Anti-Homosexual bill (this bill is also known as kill the gays bill) would not only outlaw homosexuality, it actually already is illegal, but it would require the death penalty for anyone caught in the act so to speak. It also catches those who are HIV positive in the net and they would face the same penalty.

Now the Orthodox Church teaches that homosexual acts are disordered and not natural. The Orthodox Church also teaches that any sexual act, to include masturbation, outside of the marital bond is sinful as fornication. The Church condemns the actions not the actor. The church does not condemn the person with the inclination toward homosexuality no more than it condemns the person who commits fornication.

However, the greater sin in all of this is the silence of the World Orthodox Church towards what has been called State Sanctioned Genocide! The Church needs to speak out whenever she sees injustice, and this is a big one. Far too long our Orthodox Church has shirked its responsibility to voice our opposition when Governments go off the reservation.

In my last post I said that those of us who preach need to preach the truth. The Truth is that Jesus loved all people regardless of what they did. He corrected with love and welcomed all to eat at table with Him. Jesus is the example that we should follow no? Is it Christian to do any less?

The Church has the obligation to stand up for ALL people when they are being oppressed. We as a church community can not stay silent when we see any injustice no matter what group it is aimed at.

I am calling on Christian leaders around the world to stand up against hate no matter what the situation. Hate is hate and hate does not come from God but from Satan. This legislation is nothing more that hate and it needs to be defeated. What would we do if this type of legislation was suggested here in America? Again I am not condoning the lifestyle and my Church is pretty clear on her thoughts on that, but that does not mean that we need to put people to death! That is just hate, plain and simple.

We have a responsibility to love one another. Christ loves us with an unconditional love and we, as the church, need to respond in the same way. We do not have to agree with the choices people make but we do need to love them.

In the end, I believe, we will not be judged on how well we kept the fast or how many prostrations we made or even how many Sundays we went to church. In the end we will be judge on how we cared for and how we loved each other. Jesus went to the Cross not because of some obligation but because of love. As we stand and look at Jesus on the Cross it is no mistake that His arms are wide open. His arms are wide open to welcome each and every one of us in just as a parent welcomes their children. He wishes to gather us up in His arms.

“They will know we are Christians by our love”

Time to get off the bench and get in the game. Speak the truth in love and stand up against injustice when we see it.

There is a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller called “First the came…” Written in Germany and directed at the German intellectuals who did not speak up during Hitler’s rise to power this poem is as true today as it was then. Who will speak up? Because when everyone is gone there will be no one left to speak for you.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

We Must Preach the Truth

Posted on by Fr. Peter
As most of you know I am a priest in the Orthodox Christian Church. The Orthodox Church is a Church rich in beauty in her Liturgical practices and a Church rich in regulation in her spiritual practices. With that said I do believe that the Orthodox Church is the full expression of the Christian faith.

During the past month the newspapers have been filled with the story of Bishop Tobin of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island and Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Congressman Kennedy and Bishop Tobin have been exchanging comments on what it means to be a Roman Catholic. I hold, as Bishop Tobin does, that is you say you are something then you need to abide by all of the teachings of that particular confession.

Being a Christian is about surrender. We need to surrender our will to the other and that other is God. We no longer live for our will but for the will of the Father who created us. In essence we give up our own thoughts for those of God.

When Jesus is praying in the Garden before his arrest, he is praying that is possible let this cup pass from Him. Jesus is in His most human at this point. He knows what awaits Him and he is, for all purposes, scared. He asks to be spared from the fate that awaits Him. But in the end he surrenders to the will of the Father and we know the rest of the story.

I think Americans have a much harder time with this then perhaps Christians in other place have. We American, with all of our freedoms, do not like anyone telling us what to do. We like to have our own thoughts and our own opinions. But the Church is not America and although we have free will, we freely choose to belong to a Church and with Church membership come certain responsibilities.

Being a Christian is not easy. It is not meant to be easy. Being a Christian means to be other to not be the same as everyone else, yes it means to be different.

I believe that Christianity is black and white it is not gray at all. The Church has absolute positions on issues that should not be violated. The Church is slow to change and very deliberate when she does change and that is for a reason. The Church does not decide her theology by a series of public opinion polls and she does not change her mind with this wind or that wind. Churches that that are changing with the tide are going the way of the dodo.

I believe that another problem we face in most churches is that the ministers, and I will put myself in that position, have stopped preaching the radical Gospel for a more watered down version of the Gospel. We preach the Gospel of not offending anyone rather then the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to preach the truth, not our version of the truth, but the truth. We need to teach our people what the Church teaches. Not form the medieval sense of the Churches teaches this obey or else, but we need to teach why the Church believes this or that. This is not easy, and it is not always popular but again we have to preach the truth.

If you preach are you preaching the truth of Jesus Christ Crucified? Are you preaching what your Church teaches? (I write that last point as I have many readers who are not Orthodox) If you are a parishioner, do you know what your Church teaches on certain issues? Do you spend time reading Scripture and asking questions about what the Church teaches? When voting for candidates how much of your religious belief colors your choice?

These are not easy questions, but they are questions that deserve some thought and discussion. So discuss away. Comments are always welcome.

9 December ~ The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

Posted on by Fr. Peter
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God’s promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8).

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

Against all hope, the bonds of barrenness are loosed today. For, God has hearkened unto Joachim and Anna clearly promising that they would bear a godly maiden. He who commanded the angel to cry out to her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” will be born of her, the infinite One Himself, becoming man.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Today the world rejoices in the conception of Anna, wrought by God. For she bore the One who beyond comprehension conceived the Logos.

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