Despite the popular misinterpretation of Christianity (that is, that it is sort of a Sunday morning assembly), Orthodox Christianity does not fit this popular rumor. Orthodox Christianity is a way of life, a worshipping community, and not just something we do on Sunday morning. Worship in general and the Mysteries (Sacraments) in particular introduce us to the future age and Kingdom. The Risen Christ is made manifest. We participate in the saving acts of His life, so that our life may be continuously renewed and refashioned in the likeness of Him Who created us.

The fast of the Holy Apostles is very ancient, dating back to the first centuries of Christianity. We have the testimony of Saint Athanasius the Great, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint Leo the Great and Theodoret of Cyrrhus regarding it. The oldest testimony regarding the Apostles Fast is given to us by Saint Athanasius the Great (+373 A.D.). In his letter to Emperor Constance, in speaking of the persecution by the heretic Arians, he writes: "During the week following Pentecost, the people, who observed the fast went out to the cemetery to pray". "The Lord so ordained it," says Saint Ambrose (+397 A.D.) "that as we have participated in His sufferings during the Forty Days, so we should also rejoice in His Resurrection during the season of Pentecost.

"As the departed, Jesus began to say to the multitude concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is of whom it is written:

'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'

After death, eternity follows. Every person at a certain moment will abandon his body on the earth and proceed with his soul to eternity, to the life that has no end. Man's soul will remain without the body until the Second Coming of Christ, at which time the bodies of both the righteous and the unrighteous will be resurrected in order to be judged. It is a fact that after death, man's soul is separated from the body and lives in a unique state.

"The devil, the enemy of our race", writes Saint Athanasius the Great, "having fallen from Heaven, wanders about our lower atmosphere, and there bearing rule over his fellow-spirits...tries to hinder them that are going up...while the Lord came to cast down the devil, and clear the air and prepare the way for us up into Heaven...Stretching out His hands upon the Cross, He overthrew "the prince of the power of the air, that now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2) and made the way clear for us into the heavens".

1. My salvation is a matter entirely my own. If I do not have concern for it, who else will?