My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
+
CHRISTIAN ORTHODOXY IN THE HOME
By Bishop Athenagoras Kokkinakis, Bishop of Elaia
Scripture and Religious Book Readings.
The Holy Bible is recognized by the Church as the written part of Christian Tradition. It contains the word of God. It is the source of religious truth and the unmistakable guide to Christian life. Holy Tradition as it is formed in the experience of the Church of Christ, in the Liturgical sources of interpreting the Bible, in the Church laws, in the objects of Religious art, the lives of the Saints, the writings of the Holy Fathers, is also a venerable guide to Christian faith and life, equal in value and authority with written Tradition, the Bible itself. The Bible and Religious books of devotional character, recognized by the Church as Orthodox and conducive to piety are highly recommended to be read and kept in the Orthodox home for study and guidance. Consulting the Parish Priest for reading and buying books is recommended, for sometimes people in their innocence and piety may become victims of heretical and atheistic propaganda.
Every Sunday the Orthodox family observes the day of the Lord commemorating His Resurrection and Triumph over death. Usual preparation takes place Saturday night when all social affairs are avoided so that parents and children may go to Church together in the morning to worship the Lord in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. They are there on time, not just at any moment of the Divine Liturgy. They are in Church at the Beginning to hear the Doxology and the opening words of the Liturgy, "Blessed be the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Upon entering the Church they bow their heads in reverence before God and cross themselves as a sign that they are followers of the crucified Lord, Jesus Christ. They light candles, venerate the holy icons of the Saints and take their seat.
In Church no one talks, for Church is the place where God speaks and His children listen carefully. God speaks through the service, the Holy Scripture readings, the sermon, the Sacrament itself through which the Gift of God is given to all faithful, the Orthodox people attending. The gift is the saving grace of the Holy Spirit which overshadows all present, united in prayer in faith, love and hope.
Only in Church is the Gift imparted. Only in togetherness of prayer is the Body of the Church formed mysteriously and Christ the Head of the Body enlivens the faithful, the members of His Body, by the grace of the Holy Spirit. He feeds them with the Sacrament and strengthens the bond of their unity so that they may be inheritors of His Kingdom. For this reason the Holy Fathers of the Church emphasize the importance of Church attendance.
Those who neglect this duty commit a mortal sin. They miss happy opportunities to be with Christ and contribute with their participation, according to their power, to the salvation of the worshippers and receive from them in return spiritual courage and strength for the work of their salvation. Prayer in togetherness by the living and dead participating before the Altar of Christ, where His Body and Blood are offered "for the remission of sins" by the priest on behalf of all, is prayer of salvation. Private prayers and devotions are prayers of enlightenment and guidance and must culminate in common prayer with the other faithful in church at the Divine Service of Holy Communion. Therefore, it is a sacred duty of the Orthodox family to attend the Sunday Service avoiding all other engagements and work. The excuse one hears from some people here and there that they prefer to pray alone is not simply an excuse but, more than this, hypocrisy. For, in fact, they don't pray. Those who pray alone feel very deeply the need of praying in church with others.
It is the privilege and duty of all Christians to participate in the work of the Church both as contributors and workers for the spread of the kingdom of God. Church does in every Community and other offerings are given gladly, for those who give for the work of Christ must do it whole-heartedly and joyfully. For the general needs and the missionary undertakings of the whole Orthodox Church for its institutions and movements to enlighten the faithful, for her administration requirements, for religious education and publications, all Orthodox families should contribute, be it from their abundance or want.
In every home the Christian family dedicates a little corner, usually in the bedroom, for the family sanctuary. There one may see the holy Icon of Christ, of the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, of the Patron Saint, the Holy Cross, the prayer Book, the Gospel, the marital crowns (stefana), dried blessed flowers of Holy and Great Friday, Holy Water of the Epiphany, the seal of the Eucharistic Bread (prosphora) and the censer. In this place the Orthodox family is united in prayer led by the parents, who read from the prayer book, from the Holy Bible and offer incense. There young and old kneel or stand in prayer, before the holy Icons of the Saints with the vigil light burning as a symbol of Sacrifice and of their faith's warmth and vitality. Incense is offered once a day...Over every bed there is a cross or the holy Icon of the Theotokos holding the Infant Christ or the holy Icon of each one's Patron Saint.
All religious objects which one may see in an Orthodox Christian family sanctuary are not just articles of decoration. They are symbols offering aid in devotional concentration. They are not objects of idolatrous superstition. In the eyes of the unbeliever they seem ridiculous. But in the eyes of the faithful they are vehicles of grace, treasures of blessing and means for spiritual edification and uplifting. They do not represent mere religious art. For every religious picture is not an Icon.
The Holy Icons bear their own characteristics. They depict the spirit and virtue rather than the body of the Saint. For this reason statues are not in use in the Orthodox Church or in Orthodox Christian sanctuaries.
Pictures of Christ with the 'Sacred Heart' and all other productions of Roman Catholic piety are not used, nor recommended by the Orthodox Church. One is really at a loss trying to find a Theological explanation of these pictures of Christ decorated with His Heart. For Christ is worshipped not partially but wholly. We have learned to worship the whole Christ "Christus totus" with the Two Natures, the Divine and the human, united inseparably. How can one separate from the whole Christ His Heart and worship it? How can one detach a part from an undivided unity? Christ is not divided. In His Theandric personality He remains whole and one. As such He is worshipped and received by us in Holy Communion.
The Parish Priest is asked to come and bless the House with Holy Water from time to time and especially during the week of Epiphany (5-12 January). The Orthodox family asks the Priest to come for the Supplication Service to the Theotokos (Paraklesis), to offer the Sacrament of Holy Unction (Holy Oil), to pray for the sick, to advise the family when problems and difficulties disturb the serene peace.
As a means of self-sacrifice for the sake of Christ, of self-discipline and will-strengthening, as a kind of healthy diet, as an antidote against temptations and the desires of the flesh (passions) fasting is highly recommended both by the Church and medical science. Our Lord gave us great examples of fasting. He taught His holy Apostles to fast and pray in order to fight the devil victoriously, and overcoming all of his machinations. In the wilderness Christ fasted forty days and he turned His tempter back in shame. We are all tempted, young and old. The devil is real, as we are real. Satan, the Evil spirit of disobedience to the will of God is successful not only when we weaken and are overcome by his temptations, but also when he convinces us that he is not real and existing, that there is no sin, that sin is a natural expression of biological necessity, that Church-going and Bible reading, fasting and kneeling in prayer and all Religious observances are superstitious, inventions of the monks, a "racket" of the Church and so on. Through the holy Apostles, Christ instituted fasting for the faithful. According to Tradition all Wednesdays and Fridays are fast days when Orthodox Christians abstain from meat and all animal products, except fish. We fast Wednesdays in commemoration of the seizure and torture of Christ while on Fridays, in commemoration of His Crucifixion and Death. The Church has prescribed periods of fast for the spiritual uplifting of the faithful and their preparation for Holy Communion.
(To be continued)
____________________
"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
+++
With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George