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.
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ON JUNE 22 OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF THE HIEROMARTYR EUSEBIUS, BISHOP OF SAMOSATA
[What is heresy? Following one's own choice or opinion so as to cause division among Christians. Heresy is a system of thought contradicting the true (Orthodox) teachings of the Church. It is false teaching, which true (Orthodox) Christians reject (Saint Matthew 7:5; 2 Peter 2:1). [Glossary: Orthodox Study Bible]
Saint Eusebius was a major opponent of the very dangerous heresy of Arianism. When the Patriarchal throne of Antioch became vacant, Meletius was elected Patriarch. This Meletius was a shining light in the Church and deserved the great eulogy given by Saint John Chrysostom at his death. But the Arian heretics soon drove Meletius from Antioch. When Constantius, Constantine's evil son, died, he was followed by another heretic Julian the Apostate, a man even worse than he, as ruler of the Empire. During Julian's persecution of Christians, Saint Eusebius took off his cassock (raso), clad himself in soldier's garb and traveled around the persecuted churches of Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine, strengthening the Orthodox Christian faith everywhere and creating the necessary priests, deacons and other clergy and raising some to the Episcopate. After the news of Julian's death, Saint Eusebius advised Meletius to summon a Council of the Church in Antioch. This took place in 363 A.D., and the 27 hierarchs (bishops) present denounced Arianism once again and proclaimed the Orthodox faith as it was expressed at the First Ecumenical Council (Synod). Besides Meletius and Eusebius, Saint Pelagius of Laodicea, a man of great asceticism and chastity, make a great impact at this Council, which took place during the reign of the devout Emperor Jovian. But he died soon after, and the evil Valens took the throne, and the persecution of Orthodoxy began afresh. Saint Meletius was banished to Armenia, Eusebius to Thrace, and Pelagius to Arabia. After Valens, Emperor Gratian came to the throne and restored freedom to the Church, returning the exiled bishops to their rightful places: Meletius to Antioch, Eusebius to Samosata, and Pelagius to Laodicea. Many Dioceses were vacant at that time and Eusebius was quick to find canonical pastors for the people. But when he arrived at the city of Doliche with the newly-chosen bishop, Marinus, to install him as bishop and denounced the Arian heresy (which was strong in that city), a certain fanatical heretic threw a tile from the roof and gave him a mortal wound. This great zealot for Orthodoxy, this Saint and Martyr, died and entered into Eternal Life in the blessedness of Paradise in the year of our Lord 379 A.D.
FOR CONSIDERATION
Why does the Good Lord permit assaults and trials to fall on the true Faith, while heretics and pagans enjoy a delightful tranquility? 'Why', asks Saint John Chrysostom, and immediately gives the answer: "That you should recognize their weakness (that of the heretics, and pagans) when they disintegrate of themselves with no external pressure, and that you should triumph in the power of the Faith which suffers misfortunes and yet multiplies through its opponents." 'Whether we quarrel with the pagans or the wretched enemies, it is quite sufficient evidence of Divine power that the Faith which has been exposed to innumerable battles still holds the victory', even though the entire world rises against it. Saint Isaac the Syrian says: "The wondrous love of God for man can most easily be perceived when a man is in such dire straits that his very hope is threatened. God thus demonstrates His power of salvation, for a man never acknowledges the power of God when he enjoys tranquility and freedom. (Source: The Prologue from Ochrid)
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Please note: Heresy continues to threaten True Christianity. Historically the assaults of heretics on the Church not only have not disappeared but have increased significantly over the centuries. However, today, it is not considered 'politically correct' to admit its existence or to refer to someone as a 'heretic'. When we deny its existence and its great threat to the authentic Church of Christ, the danger for Orthodox Christian believers is to be misled to believe that there is no imminent threat and to fall into a false sense of security. Furthermore, to falsely believe that we are 'all the same' and there is no difference between us and the heretics. We, as Orthodox Christian believers, must not be deceived but instead, retain our Orthodox Christian Faith unpolluted and to continue defending the Truth and keeping the integrity of the Church intact. The fact that there is no intercommunion with Christians of other beliefs for centuries indicates that we do not confess or believe the same creed, dogma, the same Holy Tradition, the same Holy Canons. There is only One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church. Stay vigilant and alert!
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George