On the Soul's Thirst for God

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 THE SOUL'S THIRST FOR GOD

"My soul is athirst for God, the strong, the living God; when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?" (Psalm 41:42)

As we continue our forty-day Lenten journey to the Holy Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we, as Orthodox Christians, prepare for this Theophany through spiritual ascesis i.e., prayer, fasting, repentance, and adhering to the Divine commandments of God.

Our Creator guides with a marvelous compassion those who give themselves over to His Holy Will and His care. He inspires those who believe in Him to be attentive to their souls and seek His grace to cleanse, heal, and save it.

When even a spark of love for God is lit in the heart of a person, let him not quench it but leave it to burn, and he will see a marvel. That spark will flare up into a torch of unseen fire, and the light and heat from it will be very great. In the light of his love for God, a person will feel himself/herself in this world at a thick darkness, and in the heat he will feel an unquenchable thirst-- the thirst for God, to be near Him and see Him. This thirst is likened by king and Prophet David, the lover of God, to the thirst of a hart (deer) for the watersprings: "My soul is a thirst for God, the strong, the Living God." Are we not surrounded by infirmity? Does not everything around us quickly change to corruption? We snatch at shadows, and embrace corpses. We pray today for tomorrow's filth with silver and gold, and sometimes with our honor and conscience and even with our lives. This is not love, but the foulness of vice. A great soul seeks an object worthy of love, an object not subject to the destruction, corruption and disintegration of the transitory body. Therefore King David, in his love for God, proclaims: "...the strong and Living God." Who is truly strong and living but God." God has endowed His Angels and Saints with strength and life, and it is all of Him and from Him. "When shall I come to appear before the presence of God?" Here is the irresistible yearning of True love (agape) for God. Let all those be ashamed who say that they believe in God and love God, while the very thought of death, of departing from this world, puts them in a frenzy.

O Lord Our God, Thou Holy, Strong, and Living God. Thou Fount of strength and of life--illumine us and inflame us with love for Thee. To thee be glory and praise forever. Amen. (Source: The Prologue from Ochrid)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
he sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

On the Transfer of Love from the Self to Christ

Venerable Gregory Decapolite

My beloved brothers and sisters 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 THE TRANSFER OF LOVE FROM THE SELF TO CHRIST

If we move out of our self, whom do we encounter? asks Saint Theophan the Recluse. He supplies the answer at one: We meet God and our neighbor. It is for this very reason that "denying oneself" is a stipulation, and the chief one, for the person who seeks salvation in Christ: only so can the center of our being be moved from self to Christ, who is both God and our neighbor.

This means that all the care, concern and love that we know lavish on ourselves is then quite naturally and without our noticing it transferred to God and thereby to our fellowmen. Only so is the left hand kept from knowing "what thy right hand doeth, and your alms (charity)" are actually given "in secret" (Matthew 6:3-4).

Until this has come to pass, we cannot "be filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another" (Romans 15:14) in a real, non-material way. Our attempts along this line must be false because they are our own and spring from our will to please ourselves. It is especially necessary to understand this for otherwise we become easily confused on the road of specious helpfulness and smug well-meaning that leads inevitably to the swamp of self-satisfaction.

Refrain from busying yourself, therefore, with charity bazaars, sewing meetings and other such occupations. Busyness over many things is, in all its forms, chiefly a poison. Look within, examine yourself accurately, and you observe that many of these apparently self-giving deeds spring from a need to deafen your conscience: that is, from your uncontrollable habit of satisfying and pleasing yourself (see Romans 15:1).

No, the God of agape (love) and peace and complete sacrifice does not care to live in the midst of bustling and ado to please oneself, even if this is carried on perhaps under some kind of pretense. There is one way to make a test: if your peace of mind is troubled, if you become dejected or perhaps a little angry if for some reason you have to give up performing the good deed you had planned, then you know that the spring was muddy.

Perhaps you ask, Why? Those who are experienced answer: external hindrance and opposition meet only the person who has not yielded his own will to God: and for God an obstacle is unthinkable. A truly unselfish act is not mine, but God's. It cannot be obstructed. Only for my own plans, my own wishes--to study, to work, to rest, to eat, or do a service to my fellowman--can some external circumstance "get in the way", and then I am grieved. But for the person who has found the narrow way "that leads to life", that is to God, there is only one conceivable hindrance, and that is his own, sinful will. If he now wishes to do something but is not permitted to carry it out, how can he grieve? For the rest he is not making any plans (James 4:13-16).

But this is another of the Saint's secrets.

Do not be deceived. A Christian "ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (I John 2:6) who did not seek his own will (John 5:30), but, was born on straw, fasted forty days, watched in prayer long nights through, healed the sick, drove out evil spirits, had no place to lay His head, and Who finally let Himself be spat upon, scourged and crucified. 

Think how far you are from that. Ask yourself continually anew: Have I watched in prayer a single night? Have I fasted a single day? Have I driven out a single evil spirit? Have I unresistingly let myself be insulted and beaten? Have I truly "crucified the flesh" (Galatians 5:24), and not sought my own will?

Keep all this freshly in mind.

For what is denying oneself? He who truly denies himself does not ask, am I happy? or, Shall I be satisfied? All such questions fall away from you if you truly deny yourself, for by so doing you have also given up your will for either earthly or heavenly happiness.

This obstinate will to personal happiness is the cause of unrest and division in your soul. Give it up and work against it: the rest will be given you without effort. (Source: The Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander)

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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

November 21 - Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

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 NOVEMBER 21st OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES THE ENTRANCE OF OUR MOST PURE, MOST BLESSED LADY, THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY, INTO THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD

When the Most Pure and Divine Maiden, the Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos, reached the age of three her holy and righteous parents, Joachim and Anna, remembered the vow they had made when they prayed to be delivered from childlessness, promising to offer their offspring as a gift of God. Therefore, as all the ancient holy Fathers testify they called together their relatives living in Nazareth, person of royal and high-priestly lineage, for the righteous Joachim was of royal stock and his spouse Anna was of the high-priestly line. They also assembled a choir of virgins, for whom they had prepared a large number of candles and arrayed the Most Pure Virgin Mary with the splendor befitting a queen. Thus Saint James, the Archbishop of Jerusalem, says on behalf of Joachim, "Summon the undefiled daughters of the Hebrews, that they may take in hand burning candles"; and Saint Germanos, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the righteous Anna speak these words: "To the Lord 'will I pay my vows which my lips pronounced and which my mouth had spoken in mine affliction' (Psalm 65). For this reason I have assembled a choir of virgins bearing candles, called for the priests and for my kindred, and said to them, 'Rejoice with me, the mother of a daughter betrothed not to an earthly king but unto God, the King of Heaven."

Concerning the royal magnificence with which the Divine Maiden was adorned, Saint Theophylactos, Archbishop of Bulgaria, writes, "It was necessary that the Most Divine Maiden should enter the temple in a manner befitting her. It would not have been suitable for the brilliant and costly pearl to be clad in a pauper's rags; rather, royal vesture, which would serve to magnify and adorn her, was meet for the occasion."

When everything necessary had been prepared for the honorable and glorious entrance, the Virgin and those with her departed. Arriving in the city of Jerusalem after a journey of three days, Joachim and Anna proceeded to the Temple and led into it the Living Temple of God, the three-year old Maiden, the Most Pure Virgin Mary. She was preceded by the choir of virgins carrying lighted candles. Saint Tarasios, the Archbishop of Constantinople, relates that Saint Anna said at that moment, "Begin the procession, O candle-bearing virgins, and go before me and the Divine Maiden!"

The parents of the Holy Virgin, one on each side, took the daughter given them by God and gently led her forward with reverence. The multitude followed, candles in hand, surrounding the Most Holy Virgin like stars around a brilliant moon, to the amazement of all Jerusalem. Of this, Saint Theophylactos writes, "The daughter forgets her father's house and is led unto the King, Who greatly desires her beauty. She is brought forth in majesty, with splendor and honor, from her father's house as the people clap their hands, and her kindred and neighbors, bound to her parents by ties of affection, follow.

Joining with the visible choir of pure virgins, the unseen choir of bodiless intellects invisibly accompanied the Most Pure Virgin Mary to the Holy Place, by the Lord's command encompassing her who is God's chosen vessel. Saint George, Archbishop of Nicomedia, writes: "As the Virgin's parents led her to the door of the Temple, she was surrounded by Angels, and all the Heavenly Hosts rejoiced...

"...Thus the All-undefiled Maiden was accompanied not only by men but also by Angels into the Temple of the Lord. And this was truly fitting; for if the ark of the Old Covenant (Testament), in which manna was placed, being a mere type of the Most Pure Virgin, was accompanied by all the people of Israel when it was carried into the Tabernacle of the Lord, it was surely proper that the Living Ark, the Most Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God, who carried within the Manna that is Christ, be escorted by both men and Angels...

"...Saint Jerome writes that there were fifteen steps at the entrance of the Temple, one for each of the hymns of ascent (Psalms 119-133). When the priests and Levites climbed the steps to perform their service, they chanted a Psalm on each one. The Most blameless Maiden was placed on the first step by her righteous parents and made haste to climb the other steps herself, without anyone leading or supporting her. Reaching the uppermost step, she stopped and remained standing there, upheld by God's unseen might, for even at such a tender age, the Lord's power was at work in her, clearly indicating how great would be the grace revealed in her when she reached womanhood...

"...Saint Germanos also writes that when Zacharias took the Maiden by the hand and joyfully led her into the Holy Place, he said to her, "Come, O performance of my prophecy; come, fulfillment of the Lord's pledges; come, O Seal of His covenant; come, accomplished of His mysteries, mirror of all the Prophets! Come, renewal of what has been promised; come, O Light of those who lie in darkness, most divine and newest of gifts, and enter into the Temple of your Lord! Now the Sanctuary here below is opened to men, and soon that above, which before could not be entered."

Rejoicing greatly, the Maiden entered the house of the Lord as though it were a bridal chamber. Although she was very young, only three years of age, she was perfect in the grace of God, for He had foreseen before the creation of the world that she was to become His mother and had foreordained her to bear Him.

Then the High Priest Zacharias did a strange thing which caused all to marvel: he led the Maiden into the inner sanctuary known as the Holy of Holies, beyond the second veil, in which were the "Ark of the Covenant, overlaid round about with gold, and the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat" (Hebrews, Chapter 9). Not only women but even priests were forbidden to enter the inner sanctuary. Only the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies, and that but once a year, yet Zacharias led the Most Pure Virgin directly into the Sacred Tabernacle and permitted her to make use of it as a place of prayer. According to Saints Cyril of Alexandria and Gregory of Nyssa, the other maidens living in the Temple were permitted to pray in the place between the Temple and the altar, where Zacharias was later slain. None of the other virgins were permitted to enter the altar, this having been strictly forbidden them by the chief priests, but from the time of her entry, the Most Pure Virgin was allowed to pray wherever she wished beyond the second veil in the innermost altar...

"...Maidens older than the Most Pure Virgin Mary, acquainted with letters and handiwork, were appointed as her teachers, so that from childhood the Divine Maiden might become familiar with these things. She was frequently visited by her holy parents, Joachim and Anna, and especially visited by her mother Anna, who often came to see and instruct her Most Blessed daughter. Soon the Maiden came to know the Hebrew Scripture well, according to Saint Ambrose and the historian George Kendrinus, and mastered the handiwork taught her...

"As the Virgin grew and her spirit daily increased in strength, her love of labor and prayer grew stronger as well, and she passed from strength to strength until the power of the Most High overshadowed her. The High Priest Zacharias saw with his own eyes how the Angel appeared, bringing her food, as Saint George of Nicomedia relates: "Day by day, as she grew, the gifts of the Holy Spirit grew in her also, and Angels kept company with her...

"...While dwelling in the Holy of Holies, the Most Pure Virgin resolved to live in Angelic purity and to remain ever a virgin. According to the testimony of the holy teachers Gregory of Nyssa, Jerome, and others, she was the first maiden to dedicate her virginity to God, for under the Old Testament it was not the custom to remain unmarried, since wedlock was held in greater esteem than virginity. The Most Pure Virgin was the first in the world to regard virginity as loftier than marriage and to betroth herself to God, Whom she served day and night in chastity. Therefore, by the goodwill of God the Father, the Most Holy Spirit prepared a dwelling-place in her for God the Logos/Word. Unto the Most Holy Trinity, one in essence and indivisible, be Glory and thanksgiving and unto Our Most Pure Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, be honor and praise from every generation unto the ages. Amen. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

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DIVINE LITURGY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21st: 10:00 a.m.

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"-- Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servants of God

+Fr. George

On the Silent and Invisible Warfare

My beloved brothers and sisters 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 THE SILENT AND INVISIBLE WARFARE

Now that we know where the battle we have just begun is to be fought, and what and where our goal is, we also understand why our warfare ought to be called the invisible, warfare. It all takes place in the heart, and in silence, deep within us; and this is another serious matter, on which the holy Fathers by much stress: keep your lips tight shut on your secret! If one opens the door of the steam bath the heat escapes, and the treatment loses its benefit.

Thus say nothing to anyone of your newly conceived purpose. Say nothing of the new life you have begun or of the experiment you are making and experiences you expect to have. All this is a matter between God and you, and only between you two. The only exception might be your father-confessor.

This silence is necessary because all chatter about one's own concerns nourishes self-preoccupation and self-trust. And these must be stifled first of all! Through stillness one's trust grows in Him Who sees what is hidden; through silence one talks with Him Who hears without words. To come to Him your endeavor, and in Him shall be all your confidence: you are anchored in eternity, and in eternity there are no words.

Hereafter you will consider that everything that happens to you, both great and small, is sent by God to help you in your warfare. He alone knows what is necessary for you and what you need at the moment: adversity and prosperity, temptation and fall. Nothing happens accidentally or in such a way that you cannot learn from it; you must understand this at once, for this is how your trust grows in the Lord Whom you have chosen to follow.

Still another piece of information the Saints offer on the way: you should see yourself as a child who is setting out to learn the first sounds of letters and who is taking his first tottering steps. All worldly wisdom and all the skills you may have are totally worthless in the warfare that awaits you, and equally without value are your social standing and your possessions.  Property that is not used in the Lord's service is a burden, and knowledge that does not engage the heart is barren and therefore harmful, because it is presumptuous. It is called naked, for it is without warmth and fosters no love. You must thus abandon all your knowledge and become a dunce in order to be wise; you must become a pauper in order to be rich, and a weakling if you wish to be strong. (Source: The Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 17 - St. Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea

Beloved 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 NOVEMBER 17th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES SAINT GREGORY THE WONDERWORKER, BISHOP OF NEOCAESAREA

Here is a man of God and a mighty wonderworker, who was called a second Moses! Born of wealthy and eminent pagan parents, Gregory at first studied Hellenic (Greek) and Egyptian philosophy, but, seeing its barrenness, and insufficiency, he turned to Christian teachers, particularly Origen of Alexandria, with whom he studied for several years and by whom he was baptized. Pure in soul and body, he desired to consecrate himself utterly to Christ, to which end he withdrew to the desert, where, in painful asceticism, he spent many years. His fame spread abroad everywhere, and Phaedimus, the bishop of Amasea, wanted to make him Bishop of Caesarea. The discerning Gregory was warned of Phaedimu's intention, and hid in the wilderness from those sent to find him, so that they failed in their quest. Finally, Phaedimus consecrated him by unorthodox means, and Gregory had to accept the work of a shepherd. The Most Holy Mother of God appeared to him, together with Saint John the Theologian, and, at her command, Saint John gave him the Creed that is known by Gregory's name*. Who can enumerate the miracles of this second Moses? He commanded evil spirits, commanded mountains and waters, healed every sort of pain and illness, became invisible to his persecutors and had insight into both distant events and men's thoughts. He finished his earthly course in the year 270 A.D. in great old age. When he arrived in Caesarea as bishop, the whole town was composed of pagans, with just seventeen Christians. When he departed this life, the whole town was Christian, with just seventeen pagans.  He therefore received a wreath of glory from his Lord in the Heavenly Kingdom.

*The Nicene Creed, that Saint Gregory was instrumental in establishing at the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 A.D. -Translator. (Source: The Prologue from Ochrid)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George

November 16 - Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (Part II)

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 NOVEMBER 16th OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST MATTHEW (Part II)

The Prince grew angrier and sent a whole company of warriors with orders to bring back the Apostle by force, and to slay anyone who attempted to prevent them from seizing him. When they drew near the church, a light from heaven shone upon the Apostle, concealing him. Overcome by fear, they threw down their weapons and fled, returning to tell the Prince what had happened. The Prince fell into a mighty rage and taking all of his servants, himself went to apprehend the Apostle, but as he approached the church, he was suddenly struck blind and had to ask for someone to guide him. He begged the Apostle to forgive him his sin and give light to his blinded eyes. The Saint made the sign of the Cross over the Prince's eyes, restoring his sight. Although the Prince could see once more with his bodily eyes, the eyes of his soul remained blinded by malice, and he attributed the miracle not to God's power but to sorcery. Taking the Apostle by the hand, he led him to his palace, as though to render him honor. In his heart, however, he planned to burn the Apostle at the stake as a warlock. Perceiving his wicked intention, the Apostle upbraided the Prince, crying, "Deceitful tyrant! When will you finally bring to pass what you have planned? Do what Satan has planted in your heart, for I am ready to endure all things for my God!"

The Prince commanded his warriors to lay hold of Saint Matthew and to stretch him upon the ground facing upward, his hands and feet pegged firmly to the earth. Then the persecutor had his servants bring a large quantity of branches and brushwood, pitch and brimstone, and after heaping all this on Saint Matthew, they set it alight. The fire shot up, and everyone supposed that the Apostle had been consumed in the mighty flames, when suddenly they grew cool and were changed to dew. It could then be seen that Saint Matthew was still alive and was chanting hymns to the glory of God. The people who witnessed these things, and were amazed at the great miracle, praised the God of the holy Apostle, but the Prince became even more obstinate, refusing to acknowledge that it was the might of God which had preserved the preacher of Christ unharmed by the fire. He called the righteous Matthew an iniquitous sorcerer, declaring, "It was by magic that he quenched the fire and survived the flames!"

Again Fulvian commanded that wood, pitch, and sulphur be gathered and that, when it had been place upon the Saint, naphtha be poured over it and lit. Twelve of the Prince's golden pagan idols were place around the fire, and Fulvian called on them for help, asking that by their power Matthew be consumed by the flames; but the holy Apostle prayed to the Lord of Hosts as he lay in the fire, beseeching Him to manifest His invincible power, to reveal the impotence of the pagan gods of the heathen, and to put to shame those who trust in them. Suddenly the flames leaped out towards the golden idols, sounding like a horrible clap of thunder. A fierce heat melted the pagan idols like wax, and many of the unbelievers standing nearby were also burned. Then flame in the form of a serpent issued the melted idols and stretched itself toward the Prince as though it meant to do him harm. Unable to escape the danger threatening him, Fulvian at last cried out humbly to the Apostle, beseeching deliverance. The holy Apostle rebuked the fire, and it died down at once. The Prince wished to make amends by honoring the holy Apostle, but Saint Matthew prayed and immediately surrendered his soul into the hands of the Lord. Orders were issued that a golden bier be brought, upon which was place the precious body of the holy Apostle, which was unharmed by the fire. The Saint's corpse was clothed in costly garments, and Fulvian himself bore it to his palace, assisted by his nobles. After this was done, the casket was sealed on all sides with lead and cast into the sea. Not yet possessing perfect faith, Fulvian said to his nobles, "If He Who kept Matthew whole in the midst of the fire preserves him also in the depths of the sea, then truly He alone is God.  Him will we worship, forsaking all our gods, who were powerless to save us from destruction by fire!"

That night, the Saint appeared to Bishop Plato and said, "Go tomorrow to the shore by the east side of the Prince's palace, and there you shall find my remains, washed up onto thy land."

The following morning, the Bishop went with a multitude of the faithful to the place indicated. There he found the casket. The Prince was informed of this and came down to the shore, now believing without doubt in our Lord Jesus Christ. With a mighty voice he confessed as the One, True God Him Who preserved unharmed His servant Matthew, both while the Saint was alive in the fire and in the deep after his repose. Falling down before the Apostle's casket, he asked forgiveness for his offenses. He requested Holy Baptism, and Bishop Plato, perceiving that the Prince had truly come to believe, agreed to his entreaties. After catechizing him thoroughly, Plato had the Prince enter the waters of the font; and when he placed his hand upon the Prince's head and was about to utter his name, a voice was suddenly heard from on high, which said, "Do not call him Fulvian, but Matthew!"

Thus the Prince received the Apostle's name in Baptism, and sought to emulate the deeds of an Apostle. He soon entrusted his principality to another, renouncing the vanity of this world. He devoted himself to prayer in God's Church and was ordained a Presbyter by the holy Bishop Plato. Three years later, the Bishop reposed, and the holy Apostle Matthew appeared to him who was now Prince, instructing him to have Matthew the Presbyter succeed the blessed Plato as bishop. Matthew labored fervently in the hierarchical rank, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and turning many from idolatry unto God. After a long, God-pleasing life, he departed to the Lord. Now he stands with the holy Evangelist Matthew before the Throne of God and prays for us, that we also may become heirs of God's Eternal Kingdom. Amen. (Source: The Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints)

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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant God

+Father George