he whole of our earthly life, from birth to our last breath, in its final conclusion will appear as a single act without duration in time. Its content and quality will be seen at a glance. Imagine an absolutely clear glass filled with water. One look will tell whether the water is clean or not and if dirty, how dirty. So will it be with us when we cross into the other world. Every impulse, however transient, of our heat, every thought, leaves its mark on the general sum of our life. Suppose that just once during the whole course of my earthly existence an evil thought crossed my mind - murder, for instance (cf., St. Matthew 15:19). This single thought will leave a black spot on the body of my life unless it be wiped out by repentant self-condemnation. Nothing can be hidden.

From time immemorial man felt the need to pray and offer sacrifice to God or gods. The primitive man looked at nature and what he found powerful and mysterious i.e., sun, moon, river, waterfall, star, fire, animals, serpents, etc. would make them into gods which he worshiped and sacrifice to. Paganism came out of that need to believe is something greater than what he was.

Our most precious gift from God and Creator are our children. Young souls who bring so many blessings and joy to our lives. Children who rely on our love and guidance to grow physically and spiritually. We have been entrusted by God with their lives and to do everything possible to teach them His Divine Commandments, Christian values, and to inspire them to become good people with sensitive and compassionate hearts. People who can make a positive difference in the complex world in which they live.

Saint John Chrysostom's six books on the Priesthood shows the influence of Saint Gregory's "Fight to Pontus", and, therefore, we see developing the great tradition in pastoral theology that nearly two hundred years later would extend into the West through Saint Gregory the Great. Saint John Chrysostom wrote his treatise On the Priesthood.

 Those who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness; obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still, others had a trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--of whom the world is not worthy.

Christian Orthodox Stewardship is a practice that is often misunderstood and misused in the Church. Many think of Stewardship solely from a monetary perspective, as a means to financially support the sacred work of the Church. This is, of course, important, but Stewardship should not be limited to this - it is much more!