tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76584003897482409462024-01-27T03:02:01.991+11:00Orthodox Christian Fellowship (F.O.C.U.S) UNSWThis blog was created for the spiritual enhancement of members of the Fellowship of Orthodox Christian University Students (F.O.C.U.S) at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. It will allow members and fellow Orthodox Christians around the world to share their experiences of the Orthodox faith. May God be with all of us!
"This is the generation of those who seek the Lord" Psalm 24:6Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-41384996941007796092016-09-08T08:18:00.000+10:002016-09-08T08:18:23.191+10:00‘Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="elder in" class="size-full wp-image-36458 aligncenter" height="390" sizes="(max-width: 390px) 100vw, 390px" src="http://pemptousia.com/files/2016/09/elder-in.jpg" width="390" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was February, 1988. Quite cold in Karyes [the capital of the Holy Mountain]. It’s at quite a high elevation and it’s damp which makes things more difficult. But the weather was dry that day. There was a bit of a breeze and if you were warmly dressed it was quite enjoyable. It was late afternoon and the sun had just dropped behind the hill. I was walking along a path with Father Païsios, and on the way we met up with Fr. Kallinikos from the Skete of Koutloumousi.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We arrived at the little wooden bridge. There were walnut tress all around, with just bare branches.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Who’s gone and brought mandarins?’, asked Father Païsios in surprise.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Much further on, about sixty meters away, there was the gate to his yard and something showing at the bottom, which might have been orange in colour. From that distance it wasn’t possible to say more.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We soon arrived and, indeed, we saw a big plastic bag, orange in colour, full of mandarins. How on earth had he seen them? How did he know they were mandarins and not oranges? Given that the bag was orange it could have contained anything, apples, for example.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘I really like mandarins’, he said, pretending to be greedy. ‘I’ll keep three for myself… No, better make it five… No, now I’ve got the chance I’ll take seven’, he said with a big smile and stopped at seven.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Take the rest across to Elder Iosif, Father Kallinikos’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Father Kallinikos took his blessing and left. Fr. Païsios and I went into his little house. We sat in a cell and he asked me to read some manuscript texts of his.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
About twenty minutes had passed when somebody knocked at the gate, wanting to see him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Should I answer the door, Elder?’, I asked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Better not. If they’re curious, they’ll leave. If they really need to see me, they won’t’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We continued reading, and in a few minutes the knock came again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Now what do we do, Elder?’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instead of curtains, there was a piece of sheet over his window.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Take a peek, without them seeing you and tell me how many there are’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘I can’t tell, because I can’t see them’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Can’t you even add up? What were you doing all those years in America?. We’ll wait and they’ll knock again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sure enough, after a while they knocked again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Now I’ll see if I can count them. I may not have finished Primary School, but I’ll see what I can do’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He got up and opened the door.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘What’s the matter, lads? Look at the time. What have you come for?’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Father we want to see you for a little. Can we?’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Certainly, you can see me, but what will we find to offer you? How many are you? Let me count. Seven. Let’s see what there is in the shop at this time of day’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He went inside and returned with the seven mandarins.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was absolutely amazed at the man. How did he know how many mandarins to keep? Did he know in advance? Had God shown him, without him realizing?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Where are you from?’, he asked with interest.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘We’re from Athens. And Bruce and John are from America’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘From America? If we give them just a mandarin each they’ll make us a laughing-stock. Let’s see if there’s anything American in the supermarket’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He went back inside and returned with a packet of American biscuits and a tin of Planters nuts. They were amazed and impressed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Father’, asked one of them, ‘what does the talanto symbolize that they strike in monasteries?’</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="talanto in" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-36459" height="288" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" src="http://pemptousia.com/files/2016/09/talanto-in.jpg" width="500" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don’t know what it symbolizes and it’s not important. What matters isn’t striking the talanto in a monastery but to multiply the talent<a href="http://pemptousia.com/2016/09/let-your-speech-always-be-gracious-seasoned-with-salt/#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">·</a> God’s given you. Listen. Because of the time, you have to leave. I’ve got only one thing to say to you. The problem with Americans is that, in English, ‘I’ is always written with a capital letter, whereas here in Greece we sometimes write ‘εγώ’ with a small ‘ε’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They laughed at his joke and the Americans asked: ‘What does that mean? What should we do?’</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Get rid of ‘I’ from your vocabulary. Egotism’s our great enemy. All of us, without exception, have to fight against it’.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There’s a courtesy about sanctity, a delicacy, a graciousness. He didn’t say anything wise or theological, nor did he make any impressive revelations. But he filled their hearts. He knew that they would come, but he hid that from them. He gave his visitors a treat each, he was unlike anyone else in his behaviour, edifying in his speech and relaxing in his presence. Without trying to persuade anybody about anything, he convinced everybody about the most important things. With him, you were illumined, you found joy and rest. You felt like Mary at the feet of Christ. Like the apostles on Mount Tabor at the Transfiguration, you wanted never to leave.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Original text selection in cooperation with</em> <a href="http://www.agiazoni.gr/">www.agiazoni.gr</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://pemptousia.com/2016/09/let-your-speech-always-be-gracious-seasoned-with-salt/">http://pemptousia.com/2016/09/let-your-speech-always-be-gracious-seasoned-with-salt/</a></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-2572130025081709332016-08-13T17:37:00.001+10:002016-08-13T17:47:54.385+10:00Q&A Forum: MIND, HEART and SOUL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv80X1-fjDVgITW93Cn8Ahs3QZvvfSqBeGzzAggiuM0uzNm4jmYT5SobuG8wwwwCVRgDvX05ZDeHL8DhXBI5ThyphenhyphenlY0BWr4R8UbmB-lm4GshPSDzvVleb-3ALvLxhYISE6V4mu-RAwNpY/s1600/2016-08-13+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbv80X1-fjDVgITW93Cn8Ahs3QZvvfSqBeGzzAggiuM0uzNm4jmYT5SobuG8wwwwCVRgDvX05ZDeHL8DhXBI5ThyphenhyphenlY0BWr4R8UbmB-lm4GshPSDzvVleb-3ALvLxhYISE6V4mu-RAwNpY/s400/2016-08-13+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">The Fellowship of Orthodox Christian
University Students of </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">UNSW
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">invites
you to a Q&A forum on:</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-AU; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 6.48pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 27pt; font-weight: bold;">MIND, HEART and SOUL</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-AU; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Wednesday 31</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; vertical-align: super;">st</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"> August</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">6:30 – 7:00pm – refreshments will be
served</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">7:00 </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 23px;">–</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 23px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">8:30pm – short presentation </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">by </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; text-indent: 0in;">3
speakers then an opportunity to ask questions</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.38in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: -0.38in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<br />
<!--[endif]--></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">The forum will be held in the LG03
lecture theatre, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW (corner of High St and Botany St,
Randwick) </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/t3KVD713VrL2">https://goo.gl/maps/t3KVD713VrL2</a></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Speakers:</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.38in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: -0.38in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">•</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Dr</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"> John
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Psarommatis</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"> on ‘</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; font-weight: bold;">What
is the soul</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; font-weight: bold;">?’</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">Family
Doctor</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">President
of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">Lay
preacher of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.38in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: -0.38in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">•</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Fr/</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Dr</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">
George </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Liangas</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;"> on ‘</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; font-weight: bold;">Keeping
our mind in good </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; font-weight: bold;">health’</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">Child
and Adolescent Psychiatrist</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">Parish
Priest at St </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">Nectarios</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">
Greek Orthodox Church, Burwood</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.38in; margin-top: 4.08pt; text-indent: -0.38in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">•</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Ms</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">
Metaxia </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt;">Kokkinos
on ‘</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; font-weight: bold;">Mindfulness:
an Orthodox </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17pt; font-weight: bold;">perspective’</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">Provisional
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt;">psychologist</span></div>
<div class="O1" style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.81in; margin-top: 3.36pt; text-indent: -0.31in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.31in;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-special-format: bullet;">–</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.31in;">PhD
Candidate (Clinical Psychology)</span></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-35629709519239840702016-08-13T15:14:00.000+10:002016-08-13T15:14:34.292+10:00The Dormition of the Theotokos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="content_image center" data-href="http://www.pravoslavie.ru/sas/image/100235/23526.p.jpg" data-id="0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 300px;" title="The Dormition of the Mother of God. Early eighth century, Novgorod.">
<img alt="The Dormition of the Mother of God. Early eighth century, Novgorod." src="http://www.pravoslavie.ru/sas/image/100235/23526.p.jpg" /> </div>
<br />
<br />
After the Lord’s Ascension, the Mother of God remained under the care of the Apostle John the Theologian, and when he was absent, she lived in the house of his parents, near the Mount of Olives. For all the Apostles and all the faithful, she was a consolation and edification. Talking with them, the Mother of God told them of the wondrous events of the Annunciation, the conception without seed, and her birth of Christ without corruption, His childhood and earthly life. Like the Apostles, she instructed and strengthened others in the Christian Faith by her very presence, words, and prayers. The Apostles’ reverence for the Most Holy Virgin was extraordinary. Upon receiving the Holy Spirit on the remarkable day of Pentecost, they remained in Jerusalem for about ten years, serving for the salvation of the Jews and wishing to see and hear her divine words as often as possible. Many of the newly-enlightened in the faith even came from distant lands to Jerusalem in order to see and hear the Most Pure Theotokos. <br />
<br />
During the persecutions brought by Herod against the young Christian Church (Acts. 12:1–3), the Most Holy Virgin Mary, together with the Apostle John the Theologian, departed in the year 42 for Ephesus, where the lot fell to the Apostle John to preach the Gospel. She was also in Cyprus at the home of St. Lazarus the Four Days Dead, who was acting Bishop there, and on the Holy Mountain of Athos, concerning which, according to St. Stephen the Hagiorite, the Mother of God said prophetically, “This place shall be the portion given me by my Son and God. I will be the Protectress of this place, and an Intercessor for it before God.” <br />
The reverence of the ancient Christians for the Mother of God was so great that they preserved everything about her life that they could note from her words and deeds, and even left us a description of her appearance. <br />
According to tradition based upon the words of the Holy Hieromartyr Dionysius the Aeropagite (†December 20, 107), St. Ambrose of Milan wrote in his work <i>On Virginity</i> about the Mother of God, “She was a virgin not only in body but also in mind, who stained the sincerity of its disposition by no guile, who was humble in heart, grave in speech, prudent in mind, sparing of words, studious in reading, resting her hope not on uncertain riches, but on the prayer of the poor, intent on work, modest in discourse; wont to seek not man but God as the judge of her thoughts, to injure no one, to have goodwill towards all, to rise up before her elders, not to envy her equals, to avoid boastfulness, to follow reason, to love virtue. When did she pain her parents even by a look? When did she disagree with her neighbours? When did she despise the lowly? When did she avoid the needy? Being wont only to go to such gatherings of men as mercy would not blush at, nor modesty pass by. There was nothing gloomy in her eyes, nothing forward in her words, nothing unseemly in her acts, there was not a silly movement, nor unrestrained step, nor was her voice petulant, that the very appearance of her outward being might be the image of her soul, the representation of what is approved." <br />
According to a tradition preserved by the historian Nicephorus Callistos (fourteenth century), the Mother of God “was of medium height, or as some say, slightly taller than medium height; her hair was golden-like; her eyes quick, and olive colored; her eyebrows were arched and not too black, her nose elongated, her lips blossom-like, and filled with sweet speech; her face was neither round nor sharp, but slightly elongated; her fingers and toes long… She preserved good decency in her conversation with others, not laughing, never upset, and especially never angry; she was absolutely artless, simple; she never thought of herself in the least, and was far from comfort seeking, distinguishing herself by her total humility. As for the clothing she wore, she was content with their natural color, which her sacred head covering still shows. To say it briefly, she manifested especial grace in her every deed.”<br />
The circumstances surrounding the Dormition of the Mother of God are well known in the Orthodox Church from the time of the Apostles. St. Dionysius the Aeropagite wrote in the first century about her Dormition. In the second century, the story of the Most Holy Virgin’s bodily translation into heaven is found in the works of Meliton, Bishop of Sardica. In the fourth century, St. Epiphanius of Cyprus refers to the tradition of the Dormition of the Mother of God. In the fifth century, St. Juvenal, Patriarch of Jerusalem said to the holy right-believing Greek Queen Pulcheria, “Although there is nothing written in Holy Scripture about the circumstances surrounding her (the Theotokos’s) death, we nevertheless know about them from ancient and most reliable tradition.” This tradition was collected and set forth in detail in the ecclesiastical history of Nicephorus Callistos from the fourth century. <br />
Her days and nights were spent in prayer. Often the Most Holy Theotokos came to the Holy Sepulcher of the Lord, censed it around, and bent her knee in prayer. More than once did the enemies of the Savior attempt to prevent her from visiting this holy place, and asked the high priests to set a guard over the Lord’s Sepulcher. But the Holy Virgin, seen by no one, continued to pray before it. On one of these visitations to Golgotha, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she would soon be moving on from this life to the heavenly life, eternal and blessed. The Angel gave her a palm branch as a token of this promise. The Mother of God returned to Bethlehem with this heavenly tidings, along with three virgins who served her (Sepphora, Evigea, and Zoila). Then she called for the righteous Joseph of Arimathea and the disciples of the Lord, to whom she announced her nearing Dormition. The Most Holy Virgin also prayed that the Lord would send her the Apostle John, and the Holy Spirit took him up from Ephesus, placing him next to where the Mother of God lay. After praying, the Most Holy Virgin burned incense, and St. John heard a voice from Heaven that concluded her prayer with the word, “Amen”. The Mother of God said that this voice indicated that the Apostles and Holy Bodiless Powers would soon arrive. Countless Apostles flew in, says St. John Damascene, like clouds and eagles, in order to serve the Mother of God. Seeing each other, the Apostles rejoiced, but asked each other in their perplexity why the Lord had thus gathered them into one place. St. John the Theologian greeted them with tears of joy, saying that the time has come for the Mother of God to depart to the Lord. Going in to the Mother of God, they saw her seated magnificently on her couch, filled with spiritual joy. The Apostles greeted her, and then told her about their miraculous transport from the places of their ministry. The Most Holy Virgin glorified God that He had heard her prayer and fulfilled the desire of her heart, and began to discuss her coming end. During this discussion, the Apostle Paul appeared with his disciples: Dionysius the Aeropagite, the wondrous Hierotheus, the divine Timothy, and others of the seventy Apostles. The Holy Spirit had gathered them all together, so that they would be vouchsafed the blessing of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, and arrange her burial in all magnificence. She called each one to herself by name, blessed them, and praised their faith and labors in preaching Christ’s Gospels. She wished for each of them eternal blessedness, and prayed with them for the peace and well-being of the whole world. <br />
The third hour came, when the Dormition of the Mother of God should occur. Many candles were burning. The holy Apostles with hymns surrounded the magnificently adorned bier on which the Most Holy Virgin Theotokos rested. She prayed in expectation of her departure and the arrival of her beloved Son and Lord. Suddenly, there was a flash of unspeakable Light of Divine glory, before which the light of the burning candles paled. Those who saw it were in fear. The ceiling of the room as if disappeared in rays of incomprehensible Light, and the King of Glory Himself, Christ, descended, surrounded by a multitude of Angels, Archangels, and other Heavenly Powers, with the righteous souls of the forefathers and prophets, who had once foretold the coming of a Most Pure Virgin. Seeing her Son, the Mother of God exclaimed “My soul hath magnified the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior, for He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden”; and, rising from her couch to meet her Lord, she bowed to Him. The Lord called her to the habitations of Eternal Life. Without the least bodily suffering, as if in a pleasant dream, the Most Holy Virgin gave her soul into the hands of her Son and God. <br />
Then began joyous angelic singing. Accompanying the pure soul of the Bride of God with reverent fear as the Queen of Heaven, the Angels cried out, “Rejoice, O blessed one, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women! The Queen and Handmaiden of God has come; receive her ye gates, and fittingly raise the Ever Virgin Mother of the Light; through her has the race of men been saved. We cannot look upon her, nor are we able to render unto her the honor that is meet. The heavenly gates were uplifted to meet the soul of the Most Holy Mother of God, and the Cherubim and Seraphim glorified her with rejoicing. The grace-filled face of the Mother of God shone with the divine glory of virginity, and a fragrance poured from her body. <br />
Wondrous was the life of the Most Pure Virgin, wondrous also was her falling asleep, as the Holy Church chants: “The God of the universe hath shown on thee, O Queen, wonders surpassing the laws of nature. In giving birth, He hast preserved thy virginity, and in the grave, he preserved thy body incorrupt.” Venerating thy most pure body with fear and reverence, the Apostles received from it sanctification and were filled with grace and spiritual joy. To the greater glorification of the Most Holy Theotokos, the omnipotent power of God healed the sick who touched her bier with faith and love. Having wept over their separation from the Mother of God on earth, the Apostles set about burying her most pure body. The holy Apostles Peter, Paul, and James, with others of the twelve Apostles, carried on their shoulders the bier that held the body of the Most Pure Virgin. St. John the Theologian walked at the fore carrying the heavenly, radiant palm branch, and the other saints and a multitude of the faithful walked alongside the bier with candles and lamps, singing sacred hymns. This solemn procession began at Mt. Zion and went through all of Jerusalem to Gethsemane. <br />
At the first movement, a wide and luminous circle of cloud appeared suddenly over the most pure body of the Mother of God like a wreath, and a host of angels joined together with the host of Apostles. The singing of the heavenly powers could be heard glorifying the Mother of God, and this singing was repeated by earthly voices. This circle of heavenly chanters and luminosity moved along in the air, accompanying the procession to the very place of burial. The unbelieving people of Jerusalem, stunned by the extraordinary magnificence of the burial procession and enraged at the honor rendered to the Mother of Jesus, sent word about it to the high priests and scribes. Enflamed with envy and vengefulness for everything that reminded them of Christ, they sent their servants to disperse the procession, and to burn the body of the Mother of God. The angry crowd and soldiers headed wrathfully toward the Christians, but the cloud-like wreath that followed in the air above the procession lowered down to the earth and as if guarded them like a wall. Their pursuers heard steps and singing, but could not see any of those processing. Many of them were struck with blindness. The Jewish priest Aphthoniah, out of his envy and hatred for the Mother of Jesus of Nazareth, wanted to overturn the bier on which lay the body of the Most Pure Virgin, but an Angel of God invisibly severed his hands that touched the bier. Seeing such a miracle, Aphthoniah repented and confessed with faith the greatness of the Mother of God. He received healing and joined the host of those accompanying her body, becoming a zealous follower of Christ. When the procession had reached Gethsemane, the final kissing (veneration) of her most pure body began. Only in the evening could the holy Apostles place her in the grave and close the entrance to the cave with a large stone. They did not leave the place of burial for three days, praying and singing psalms continually. By the wise providence of God, the Apostle Thomas was not fated to be present at the burial of the Mother of the Lord. Arriving on the third day in Gethsemane, he fell down before the burial cave with bitter tears and loudly expressed his regret that he had not been worthy to receive a final blessing from the Mother of God, or to bid her farewell. The Apostles out of heartfelt pity for him decided to open the cave and give him the consolation of reverencing the holy remains of the Ever Virgin. But when they opened the grave, they found there only her winding sheets, and were thus convinced that the body of the Most Holy Virgin had been miraculously taken up into heaven. <br />
On the evening of that same day, when the Apostles had gathered in the house to strengthen themselves with food, the Mother of God herself appeared to them and said, “Rejoice! I am with you always.” This so gladdened the Apostles and all who were with them that they raised a portion of the bread that was always presented at table in remembrance of the Savior (“the Lord’s Portion”) and exclaimed, “Most Holy Theotokos, come to our aid”.<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/48309.htm">http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/48309.htm</a></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-18505095572963337972016-07-23T11:53:00.000+10:002016-07-23T11:53:05.784+10:00Crucified to Self<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>I am crucified with Christ</strong><br />
<a href="http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/07/IMG_9225.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-23959" data-pagespeed-url-hash="1355625582" height="640" scale="0" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" src="http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/07/IMG_9225.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
In our life, every undertaking, every action, every thought, must be a reflection of Christ in our life. The Lord will grant us the strength and ability to accomplish good works and attain holiness, if we cooperate with His grace. Prayer alone is not enough if we do not reflect moral improvement. Change must take place in our heart if we are to win the battle against the ego, and this requires much work on our part.<br />
Central to living in all holiness of life is the acquisition of a humble and contrite heart. Humility does not come without contrition, and both are obtained with much suffering and trial. Spiritual reading, together with prayer, are necessary components of this journey to God, but must be accompanied by spiritual direction, confession, and the acceptance of correction.<br />
If we are so proud and puffed up that we swiftly take on the role of defense attorney when confronted with correction or the critique of another, we will simply fall further under the control of the ego, and humility will remain alien to our makeup. Often the critical observations of others, which we’d like to fend off, can become a tool for regeneration, for such corrections, even if offered by someone with ill intent, can be occasions for tremendous spiritual progress.<br />
I am reminded of my late spiritual father, Archimandrite Dimitry of Santa Rosa. He was slandered by a local priest in a very public setting. When informed, the Elder Dimitry stood up from his desk, walked across the room, and began winding a wall clock. Asked why he seemingly cared little that he’d been so falsely and viciously slandered, his only response was to say, “Many sins have been forgiven because of this.”<br />
Making spiritual progress is never easy and must be accompanied by much effort on our part. It can come only through humility, which means that we can expect to be humiliated. If we do not flee from suffering and humiliation, but learn to accept it for our salvation, holiness can be ours, and our life will truly reflect the words of St. Paul, who said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).”<br />
With love in Christ,<br /> Abbot Tryphon<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2016/07/crucified-to-self/">http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2016/07/crucified-to-self/</a></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-12004917932102935802016-07-07T10:16:00.000+10:002016-07-07T10:16:35.466+10:00Orthodox Christianity is an Integral Religion for Today and the Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<br /></h3>
<div class="post-header">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-565408471008333024" itemprop="description articleBody">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQkXl9EiVvMnEwPmLcAJEFI8cfbJyXE-xVZhgrq6iSi1m9SpmMZrlej12LJpJKtIAwhuhUBz34LCVZ2klkUgdPBEBWmKv4LXdLUbT9k-0eUtiZRzdqxvuunCcPbwqpcZLk59JIu8l-7E/s1600/1398349387818.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQkXl9EiVvMnEwPmLcAJEFI8cfbJyXE-xVZhgrq6iSi1m9SpmMZrlej12LJpJKtIAwhuhUBz34LCVZ2klkUgdPBEBWmKv4LXdLUbT9k-0eUtiZRzdqxvuunCcPbwqpcZLk59JIu8l-7E/s200/1398349387818.jpeg" width="176" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Orthodox Christianity integrates all forms of knowing. It has no conflict with scientific knowledge, it honors our emotions, it encourages intellectual understanding, and recognizes spiritual experience. It is historical and not based on mythical stories. It has a "yoga" or "way of life" that guides a follower to grow in their ways of knowing, seeking to live in dynamic presence of God. It recognizes the interior as well as the exterior reality of all things. It has a Tradition that is over 2000 years old. Yet it embraces the nature of our current world and the freedoms it espouses. It teaches universal values and does not reject persons with differing values. It provides a shelter for those who seek to find peace and harmony in divine love. It provides a hospital for wounded souls. It's aim is integration of body, mind, soul, and Spirit without degrading the reality or importance of any of these dimensions. This is called Theosis, a union with God that does not require the loss of our individuality or personality.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We live in a historical time of transition. In ancient times there was no differentiation of the individual, society or community, and Spirit. Man was not free but constrained by mythical and pagan beliefs enforced by society, often under severe threat of punishment or even death. But our minds were opened to power of science, our hearts were freed for self expression, and we learned the importance of developing our intellect. Unfortunately we lost the power of Spirit in this transition as the power of intellect and power of scientific discoveries began to overpower and limit our full reality. Only what was observable in physical terms our demos treatable by clear logic became acceptable truth. This has led to much dysfunction and a loss of many universal values of Goodness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout this long historical period Orthodox Church survived with its holistic and integral world view. It is now is a position to lead mankind to a greater level of development where we retain our individuality, our freedom, but find peace and harmony though a realization of Spirit.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Orthodox Church teaches that our world is the Creation of God and maintained by Spirit. When the time was right He sent His Son, Jesus, to show us this integral way of life. Jesus is not a mythical figure but his life has been recorded by four different witnesses to His life and time. His life is also validated by both Roman and Jewish historians, as well as recent archeological findings. Unfortunately many of the lessons He taught us have been misinterpreted by many who accept His realty leaving some with a flattened view of His lessons. The Orthodox Church never lost the integral nature of His life. It was defended by Seven Ecumenical Councils with the last one being held 1200 years ago. While for about 1000 years there was only one Church, today you can find more than a thousand versions. But the Orthodox Churh has stayed true to the origin teachings about the nature of Chrust and what He had to teach.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus was both fully man and fully God and he taught us how to become like Himself. He struggled to convince people of His time that there is a greater realm than the physical. They wanted a powerful king but He was king of a greater realm. It was through His cruel and painful unjust death, followed by His resurrection witnessed by many, His teaching of disciples that followed and His empowerment of them by the Spirit that He still lives among us in the Orthodox Church.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He established a sacramental Church filled with the work of the Holy Spirit where peoples of all nations could be healed, nurtured by the Spirit, and lifted in their ways of knowing to experience the dynamic presence of God in their lives. He did not give them a book but a "way of life", a set of practices and disciplines along with sacraments where the Holy Spirit is fully engaged in a way that we are renewed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To learn more about this integral way of life Jesus gave to us you will find <a href="http://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/TenPointProgram/TenPointProgram.html">Ten Points</a> that will serve as a beginning guide to this way of life. The way begins with a belief, an acceptance of the realty of Jesus as a historical person as presented in the four Gospels and his dual nature as both God and man as defended by the Ecumenical Councils. With this belief the <a href="http://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/TenPointProgram/TenPointProgram.html">Ten Points</a> will guide you along an ever growing path. The Spirit is enlivened in you, and you can develop a life grounded in an experienced knowledge of the mystical energies of God.</span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-565408471008333024" itemprop="description articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-565408471008333024" itemprop="description articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Source: <a href="http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/orthodox-christianity-is-integral.html">http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/orthodox-christianity-is-integral.html</a></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-565408471008333024" itemprop="description articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-49198568614065859262016-06-10T15:19:00.000+10:002016-06-10T15:19:29.145+10:00My encounter with Saint Paisios<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Archpriest Panayiotis Papageorgiou, Ph.D.<br />
<br />
I consider it a great blessing that I was able to be in the presence of this humble giant of our Faith. This was a defining moment for me as I was searching for ways to anchor my faith in Christ. Elder Paisios stood as a beacon, as a light of Christ’s love, His humility and sacrifice.<br />
Elder Paisios was gifted with the spiritual gift of discernment and was able to read the souls of those he encountered. He showed great compassion for the people who came to him from all over Greece and eventually from around the world. People unloaded their problems at his feet. He would pray, guide and comfort them and they would walk away filled with joy and enlightened by his words.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_267336" style="width: 310px;">
<img alt="Protopresbyter Panayiotis Papageorgiou" class="size-full wp-image-267336" height="292" src="http://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/frpanayiotis-dsc_1563001-small11.jpg" width="300" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
Elder Paisios lived on earth, but for him heaven was always open. The difference between the two was just a door, which some times opened into Heaven so that he might partake of the divine grace and sometimes it opened into this world so that he might be visited by Christ and the Saints. In one occasion, when he answered the door to his cell, the Theotokos walked in, followed by St. John the Evangelist and St. Efthimia. St. Efthimia stayed with the elder for hours describing to him her martyrdom and helping him resolve the issues he was praying about.<br />
The elder prayed for specific groups of people at certain times. Through his prayers miracles would happen and people would come back to tell him about them. In one case, during the time that he was praying for travelers, a 9-year old boy was crossing the street in southern Greece unaware of a huge truck coming his way. Right before the moment of impact the boy was picked up by “this priest” who rushed to his aid, and suddenly thrown over to the other side of the street, thus saving his life. After landing on his feet, the child looked around, but the priest had disappeared. The father of the child embarked on a search to find the priest who saved his son’s life, wishing to thank him. The search finally led them both to the cell of elder Paisios on Mount Athos. When the child saw the saint, he cried out, “daddy, this is the priest that saved my life”. They explained the event to the elder and he was able to ascertain that indeed he was praying at that time for travelers, but he was never there personally in the flesh! The Holy Spirit had acted on his behalf to save that child, revealing also the holiness of the saint and how God’s grace is poured out through his intercessions.<br />
In another case, a young man, who professed to be an atheist, but was filled with curiosity about spiritual things, visited the saint at his cell on Mount Athos and confessed to him his concern about his father who was dying of cancer. The elder said, “I will come to visit him”. The young man was surprised to hear that, but said nothing. He returned home and went to spend time with his father at the hospital. His father was now in a coma and his death was imminent. That night he stayed by his side and fell asleep in the hospital room. In the middle of the night the young man woke up to the voice of his father calling him. His father was asking to see a priest for confession. He explained that a monk had come to him and told him that he was dying and he needed to have Confession. The description of the monk fit the profile of elder Paisios (although the elder never left the Holy Mountain). The young man brought in a priest who offered his father Confession and Holy Communion. His father passed away that day, cleansed through the Holy Sacraments.<br />
I had the blessing to meet and converse with saint Paisios in 1986 during my first visit to Mount Athos. He was in his “outdoor guest-room” sitting in the shade on tree stumps with his visitors, discussing questions about the Antichrist and the end-times. One of the guests, a young priest, was asking with anxiety about the mark of the beast (the 666) and wondering what Christians could do if this was forced upon them. The elder, calmly but sternly responded: “Father, even if they would mark our body with the 666, can they touch our heart? If we give our heart to Christ, no one can do us any harm spiritually, even if they were to put the mark of the beast on our bodies”.<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_272302" style="width: 586px;">
<img alt="The outdoor “guest-room” of Elder Paisios where I met him (photo from my visit in 2013). " class="size-full wp-image-272302" height="768" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" src="http://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Elder-Paisios-Outdoor-Guest-room-IMG_0235-small.jpg" width="576" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
We lined up, and the elder received us privately to hear our concerns and give us advise. His countenance was radiating peace and joy. His speech was full of love and compassion. This was a remarkable day in my life which gave me reassurance on my path to the holy priesthood and the service of the Lord and His Church.<br />
There are many stories of miracles related to this saint of our times. But the elder left us also with much holy wisdom and a loving approach to the human fallen condition, something that sets him apart in a world of legalism and judgment.<br />
<br />
He passed on to the Kingdom of God on July 12, 1994. He died of cancer at the age of 70.<br />
<br />
Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain was canonized by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.<br />
<br />
His memory is celebrated on July 12.<br />
May his intercessions be with us.<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.pravmir.com/my-encounter-with-saint-paisios-the-athonite-in-1986/">http://www.pravmir.com/my-encounter-with-saint-paisios-the-athonite-in-1986/</a></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-17428564731489389902016-05-17T11:04:00.000+10:002016-05-17T11:04:08.776+10:00Same Sex ‘Marriage’ and how it can impact you, your family and children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/166138531" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/166138531">FUTURE FAMILIES FORUM - All Saints Belmore</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user20660555">Speak Up</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="llag" data-offset-key="ova9-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ova9-0-0" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
FUTURE FAMILIES FORUM Invites you to an evening of discussion and insight on the topic of “Same Sex ‘Marriage’ and how it can impact you, your family and children”, to be held at the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of “ALL SAINTS” in Belmore (Corner Isabel and Cecilia Streets, Belmore South, New South Wales,) on Saturday May 21st. Our panel of nationally and internationally renowned experts Dr David Van Gend & Dr Roback Morse will share their thoughts on the topic in what promises to be an interesting and lively discussion. Saturday May 21st at 6:30pm.</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="llag" data-offset-key="ejiue-0-0" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: 'PT Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ejiue-0-0" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-offset-key="ejiue-0-0" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brought to you by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – Marriage committee. To join or share the event please click here <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1603344403289888/">https://www.facebook.com/events/1603344403289888/</a></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ejiue-0-0" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-65059763341501870942016-05-10T22:53:00.000+10:002016-05-10T22:53:41.337+10:00Easter Encyclical from Archbishop Stylianos of Australia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0iZGTHbU9FEELIfu3X2VDCcs90Xgfel7hUywUZZWR_YT0TNXjOQFl6DszfvDP8cxjIiT0xoZOgf8VkEsOIDRP5ZcT4n7CWI7SNHhVlFwQCoV5CDBf52405NAles-H9hmZRUbuyubTP0/s1600/img_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0iZGTHbU9FEELIfu3X2VDCcs90Xgfel7hUywUZZWR_YT0TNXjOQFl6DszfvDP8cxjIiT0xoZOgf8VkEsOIDRP5ZcT4n7CWI7SNHhVlFwQCoV5CDBf52405NAles-H9hmZRUbuyubTP0/s320/img_0045.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: inherit; color: #393939; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: inherit; color: #393939; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">+ S T Y L I A N O S</strong></h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: inherit; color: #393939; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By the grace of God<br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;" />Archbishop of Australia</strong></h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: inherit; color: #393939; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To all the Clergy and devout faithful of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese</strong></h5>
<div>
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Brother Concelebrants and Beloved Children in the Lord,</span></div>
<h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: inherit; color: #393939; float: none; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ is Risen!</strong></h4>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Having crossed the sea of Holy and Great Lent once again this year, we are all invited, as illumined children of the Church, to receive Christ from the tomb as the Bridegroom.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">No matter how great the powers of evil in the world, which darken and tarnish the human person, we are not permitted to show weakness of faith before life itself, since in finality life is redeemed by the Giver of life. The Paschal lamb of God awaits those who have fasted and those who have not, provided that the lethargic receive the Supper as do the pious.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Humanity and the world are the inheritance of God, which the power of death cannot destroy. Whenever we feel that our powers may be failing us in our everyday struggle, we need to remember that beyond all human strength, the power of God remains inexhaustible.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">In the language of our ancestors, in the immortal epics of Homer, the words “light” and “human person” are synonymous words. Let us therefore believe, sisters and brothers, in the Light. Let us strive for the Light, so that our works might be accomplished in Light.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Come receive the light from the light which never sets! Peace be with you! Peace be with all!</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">To Him belong glory and power to the ages of ages. Amen!</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">With fervent prayers in the Risen Christ,</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #393939; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Archbishop S T Y L I A N O S</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #393939; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "raleway" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia</span></span></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-84377792380416391332016-04-30T13:21:00.000+10:002016-04-30T13:21:03.333+10:00Something strange is happening...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="resurrection" src="http://preachersinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/588x351xresurrection.jpg.pagespeed.ic.UL83RN24SO.webp" /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below is an extract of a homily by St Epiphanius of Cyprus on the Descent of Christ into Hades:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">God has died in the flesh and Hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, He who is both God and the Son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the Cross, the weapon that had won him the victory.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone, ‘My Lord be with you all.’ Christ answered him: ‘And with your spirit.’ He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying:</span></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: #dadee5; line-height: 26.5625px; margin: 5px 15px 20px; padding: 15px 20px 5px; text-align: left;">
<div style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5625; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in Hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in Me and I in you; together we form one person and cannot be separated.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, Whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘See on My Face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On My back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See My hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘I slept on the Cross and a sword pierced My side for you who slept in Paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in Hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly Paradise. I will not restore you to that Paradise, but will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The Bridal Chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The Kingdom of Heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Source: <a href="http://preachersinstitute.com/2014/04/19/homily-on-the-descent-into-hades/">http://preachersinstitute.com/2014/04/19/homily-on-the-descent-into-hades/</a></span></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-75012409672712265492016-04-28T09:38:00.000+10:002016-04-28T09:38:19.513+10:00Today, He who suspended the earth in the waters is suspended on a cross.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUJTYVofLrXtX2vtsWGhf9Fu1SPy_1kfNBQ2WgYSNpIY3Yn0vLauRUX99D2oLiikwqYwatRMTrEet9XFO6Hq-XJMqorjnon8cJBavNlaJIG6q7t-eX_BEnemHaZG7KyOCoawpREjq-Bc/s1600/Crucifixion_by_Theophanes_the_Cretan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUJTYVofLrXtX2vtsWGhf9Fu1SPy_1kfNBQ2WgYSNpIY3Yn0vLauRUX99D2oLiikwqYwatRMTrEet9XFO6Hq-XJMqorjnon8cJBavNlaJIG6q7t-eX_BEnemHaZG7KyOCoawpREjq-Bc/s320/Crucifixion_by_Theophanes_the_Cretan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Below are some hymns from the Matins of Holy and Great Friday, chanted on Holy Thursday Evening:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"As You permitted the transgressors to
arrest You, Lord, You said to them, "Even
though you struck the shepherd and scattered
the sheep, namely My twelve Disciples, I
could summon more than twelve legions of
angels. But I forbear, so that the unknown and
secret things that I showed you through My
prophets may be fulfilled." Glory to You, O
Lord!"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"He who covers himself with light as
with a garment stood naked in judgment. He
received blows to the cheeks from hands He
had fashioned. And the unlawful people had
the Lord of glory nailed to the Cross. Then the
veil of the Temple was torn in two, and the
sun hid itself, unable to watch this insult to
God, before whom the universe trembles. Let
us worship Him."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Thus says the Lord to the Jews, "O my
people, what have I done to you, how have
I upset you? I gave sight to your blind; I
cleansed your lepers; I raised the man who
lay paralyzed on his bed. O my people,
what have I done to you, and how have you
repaid me? Instead of manna, you fed Me
gall; instead of water, you gave Me vinegar;
instead of loving Me, you nailed Me to the Cross. So, I will no longer hold back, but I
will call My Gentiles, and they will glorify Me
and the Father and the Spirit; and I will grant
them eternal life."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Today, He who suspended the earth in
the waters is suspended on a cross.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The
King of the Angels wears a crown of thorns. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He who wraps the sky in clouds is wrapped
in a fake purple robe. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He who freed Adam
in the Jordan accepts to be slapped. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The
Bridegroom of the Church is fixed with nails
to the cross. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Son of the Virgin is pierced
with a spear. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We worship Your Passion, O Christ.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Show us also Your glorious
Resurrection."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Source: <a href="http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html">http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html</a></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-15998466370156947942016-04-22T10:14:00.000+10:002016-04-22T10:14:07.940+10:00"The Divine Liturgy is a betrothal to Christ"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEBZTxMWO3E5i44NCq59bhexY2lMN0zr_fHS7clHb-H_S1L6ieSAw8Juqj6MpFWkDC8KdvgYZ2xKEkKhCPg8wywxd6v1o82jeArf6w7nFhwSsMsy7Trxz4q1QBu_ZMV4oe4VoMM3rYg/s400/cebf-cf83cf85cebbcebbceb5ceb9cf84cebfcf85cf81ceb3cf8ccf82-3.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">The Divine Liturgy is a </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">betrothal</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"> to Christ, it is a wedding. It places us in His Kingdom.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Later, we will go out again, we will go back to our house with our passions, with our sins, and with our miseries.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">It doesn't matter. Again we will go to Liturgy, and again we will seize Christ, He will deify us again. And thus, with continuous struggle, with a continuous path, with the Priest before us and we behind, we will reach the Kingdom of Heaven.</span></div>
<span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Do we go to the Liturgy with this desire? We obtain the Kingdom of the Heavens.</span></div>
</span><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">-Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Source: <a href="http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com.au/">http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com.au/</a></span></div>
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"></span></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-24623265044265065872016-03-14T22:01:00.001+11:002016-03-14T22:01:47.938+11:00Catechetical Homlily on the Occasion of Holy and Great Lent 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div abp="334" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="335" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PnH9pdV733ghBJDyjF9Dz7wWnk8jU8c_UxbNVoPmAAewJ03feX5if9Ch5J0jgXDBFCjJiMq_MU5EZQZDk2ewZ22jWd2SZV3Vg3dFID548Q6LNdqnxp0omAPBMCGX7VW0c2T8UkrZgos/s1600/NOV_1666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="336" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PnH9pdV733ghBJDyjF9Dz7wWnk8jU8c_UxbNVoPmAAewJ03feX5if9Ch5J0jgXDBFCjJiMq_MU5EZQZDk2ewZ22jWd2SZV3Vg3dFID548Q6LNdqnxp0omAPBMCGX7VW0c2T8UkrZgos/s320/NOV_1666.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div abp="233" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div abp="144">
</div>
<div abp="147">
† B A R T H O L O M E W<br abp="148" /><br abp="149" /> BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE,<br abp="150" /> NEW-ROME, AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH,<br abp="151" /> TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH,<br abp="152" /> GRACE AND PEACE<br abp="153" /> FROM OUR SAVIOR CHRIST,<br abp="154" /> TOGETHER WITH OUR PRAYER, BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS<br abp="155" /><br abp="156" /><br abp="157" /> Beloved and blessed brethren and children in the Lord,<br abp="158" /><br abp="159" /><br abp="160" /> Yet again this year, through the God-inspired words, the holy Psalmist ushers the Orthodox faithful into the “mystery” of Holy and Great Lent, pointing out the benevolence of the Lord and the workings thereof as he cries out, the Lord works mercy and righteousness for all the oppressed (Psalm 102,6). For the Lord satisfies our desire with good things so that our youth is renewed like that of the eagle (c.f. .5).<br abp="161" /><br abp="162" /> As we all know, each person, created in the image and the likeness of God, constitutes a temple of the Lord. All the more, those of us who have been baptized in Christ, anointed with Holy Chrism, and grafted onto the olive tree of the Orthodox Church, are temples of the Holy Spirit Who resides in us. This is the case even as we distance ourselves from the Lord by committing sin—voluntary or involuntary—for if we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Tim 2:13).<br abp="163" /><br abp="164" /> Unfortunately, the stain of sin hinders the Grace of the Holy Spirit to work in us. For this reason, our Holy Orthodox Church established the forthcoming period of fasting during Holy and Great Lent to allow us to cleanse ourselves through repentance, and thereby becoming worthy to receive the life-giving Passion and the glorious Resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ. The poet of the Great Canon, Saint Andreas of Crete, urges: Come, my wretched soul, and confess your sins in the flesh to the Creator of all. From this moment forsake your former foolishness and offer to God tears of repentance (Great Canon, Monday Ode 1).<br abp="165" /><br abp="166" /> The Church, always concerned about our salvation and spiritual perfection, initiates her members into this period of repentance, urging them all to struggle against the materialistic and covetous way of life, which, as a “heavy yoke,” grounds the soul and drags it upon the earth, hindering its ability to spread its wings toward heaven and the kingdom of God. <br abp="167" /><br abp="168" /> In this way, through repentance and purifying tears, we are clothed again with our original beauty and our God-spun shroud that we lost after the fall, covering ourselves, instead, with the coat of shame similar to the fig leaves worn by Adam.<br abp="169" /><br abp="170" /> The fast and abstinence from food, idle talk, and deceitful thought represent the start of the correct, restrained, and temperate use of material goods, with the common good as its goal. In this way, we eliminate the negative impact that irrational use of goods may have upon society and the natural environment. This, therefore, allows for the prevailing of the philanthropic fast, which should not render judgment over the oppressed, but offer mercy, grace and comfort for them and for us on our journey toward the likeness of God (St. Basil Great). <br abp="171" /><br abp="172" /> In this way, a temperate use of goods sanctifies both matter and our lives since perishable matter is not the goal per se of sanctification, but rather, its means. Therefore, according to the evangelical periscope, the fast should constitute a motive for restraint, with a final goal to abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13), according to the word of the Great Apostle of the Nations Paul. This holds true even for today’s poor “Lazarus” and for those seeking refuge.<br abp="173" /><br abp="174" /> Furthermore, the true spirit of the fast and of abstinence should not be forgotten, since this is what renders them acceptable to the Lord, as James the Apostles teaches: religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1, 27). For we shall not obtain grace—offered to us in abundance through the fast and through abstinence—simply by refusing and abstaining from food. The Prophet Isaiah wonders: Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists; is this the kind of fast I have chosen? (Isaiah 58: 4). The Lord declares, through the Prophet, I have not chosen such a fast, but one that asks you to share your food with the hungry, that encourages you to invite the homeless into your home, and to clothe the naked when you see them (Isaiah 58, 5-7).<br abp="175" /><br abp="176" /> Especially in our times, the financial and refugee crises, as well as the multitude of hardships that plague the world today offer to us Orthodox Christians the possibility to cultivate the authentic spirit of the fast, linking abstinence from food with acts of charity and solidarity toward our brethren most in need—those who suffer, the poor, the homeless, the refugees, those who have no place to rest their head (Math. 8: 20), and those who are forced by the harsh conditions of war, challenges, and grief to abandon their paternal homes and to travel amid countless risks, dangers, and sorrows.<br abp="177" /><br abp="178" /> When our fast is accompanied by an increase in philanthropy and love toward the least of our brethren in the Lord, regardless of their race, religion, language and origin, then the fast shall ascend to the throne of God as a fragrant incense, and angels shall stand by us while we fast, in the same way they ministered to the Lord in the desert.<br abp="179" /><br abp="180" /> We offer our heartfelt fraternal and paternal prayers to all, that the imminent phase the Holy Fast will prove fruitful and sanctifying, replete of grace and holiness, and that God will render us worthy and without tribulation to enter into the eternal and life-giving Chalice—the life-bearing Side of the Lord—from which sprang as the fountain of deliverance and wisdom (Great Canon, Wednesday, Ode 4)<br abp="181" /><br abp="182" /> May the Divine Grace and the abundant Mercy of the Lord be with you all, brethren and children, so that you may receive, through the evangelical ethos, the Gift of the Feast of feasts and the Celebration of celebrations—the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom all glory, dominion, honour, and thanksgiving now and to the endless ages. Amen.<br abp="183" /><br abp="184" /> Holy and Great Lent, 2016<br abp="185" /> Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople<br abp="186" /> Your fervent supplicant to God<br abp="187" /></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-58137633182606131602016-03-13T17:16:00.001+11:002016-03-13T17:16:44.552+11:00"The Stadium of Virtue is Now Open"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsrczVmKw_guxLs67tybVQXuHKwYIDGSleYHzaOCWsfNQCauJiqxtZP1DJoS10VbLzJJNowG3r_nK5Rs5P5c0xwwMKh96_34nLY_SH-KynMQks78WuW45L0kcgrwb0mWk91lSNxTI51o/s1600/CRUCIFXN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsrczVmKw_guxLs67tybVQXuHKwYIDGSleYHzaOCWsfNQCauJiqxtZP1DJoS10VbLzJJNowG3r_nK5Rs5P5c0xwwMKh96_34nLY_SH-KynMQks78WuW45L0kcgrwb0mWk91lSNxTI51o/s320/CRUCIFXN.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow we enter the most beautiful period of our Church calendar, Great Lent. It is the perfect opportunity to get our spiritual lives back on track as we prepare to follow Christ through His Crucifixion and Holy Resurrection. In today's Matins service, we chanted:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"The stadium of virtue is now open; those who wish to compete, enter therein, girded for the good contest of Lent, for those who compete according to the rules shall receive their laurels rightfully. Taking up the full armor of the Cross, let us do battle against the Enemy. As an impregnable wall, we have the Faith, prayer as our breastplate, and acts of mercy as our helmet. Instead of sword, there is fasting, which cuts every evil from the heart. He who does this shall attain a true crown from Christ, the King of all, on Judgment Day."</span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we struggle through Lent, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice that Christ showed for us leading up to His Crucifixion. Below is an extract from a Homily by St Ephraim the Syrian on the Passion of Christ:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Come, observe well</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the abundance of compassion,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the forbearance and mercy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of our sweet Master.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He had a useful slave</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in the Paradise of delight,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and when he sinned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">he was given to the torturers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But when the Good One</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">saw his weakness of soul</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">he took compassion on the slave</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and had mercy on him</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and presented Himself</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">to be scourged by him.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wished to remain silent</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">because my mind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">was utterly amazed;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but then again I was afraid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">lest I reject</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">by my silence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">my Saviour’s grace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For my bones tremble</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">when I think of it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fashioner of all things,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">our Lord Himself,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">was today arraigned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">before Caiaphas,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">like one of the condemned;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and one of the servants</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">struck Him a blow.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My heart trembles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">as I think on these things:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the slave is seated,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the Master stands,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and one full of iniquities</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">passes sentence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">on the One who is sinless.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The heavens trembled,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">earth’s foundations shuddered;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Angels and Archangels</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">all quailed with terror.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gabriel and Michael</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">covered their faces</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">with their wings.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Cherubim at the throne</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">were hidden beneath the wheels;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Seraphim struck their wings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">one with the other</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">at that moment,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">when a servant gave</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">a blow to the Master.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How did earth’s foundations</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">endure the earthquake</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and the tremor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">at that moment,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">when the Master was outraged?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I observe and I tremble</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and again I am stunned,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">when I see the long-suffering</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">of the loving Master.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For see my inward parts</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">tremble as I speak,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">because the Creator,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">who by grace fashioned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">humanity from dust,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He the Fashioner is struck.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.5625px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let us fear, my brethren</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and not simply listen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Saviour endured</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">all these things for us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The full homily can be read here: <a href="http://preachersinstitute.com/2011/04/21/on-the-passion-of-the-savior/">http://preachersinstitute.com/2011/04/21/on-the-passion-of-the-savior/</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-49006247517056912032016-03-10T20:12:00.000+11:002016-03-10T20:12:03.812+11:00Why I believe in God? - Metropolitan Anthony Bloom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div abp="202" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="334" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="335" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZZXRyJHJjGW-SyJD3vvFPy3iK56WD0ZNlk0IeNI3mzpKdktvLn6_vQrRwHGWAe31K6qMQWVEMJd0M8r8nkGZ0Lylem4Zy2w4aDxyJaK4KNykjP5msBGP3QLrHtcbGG0ZMNUg64S8f-g/s1600/metropolitan_anthonyofsourozh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="336" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZZXRyJHJjGW-SyJD3vvFPy3iK56WD0ZNlk0IeNI3mzpKdktvLn6_vQrRwHGWAe31K6qMQWVEMJd0M8r8nkGZ0Lylem4Zy2w4aDxyJaK4KNykjP5msBGP3QLrHtcbGG0ZMNUg64S8f-g/s320/metropolitan_anthonyofsourozh.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div abp="205" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="206" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
met Christ as a Person at a moment when I needed him in order to live, and at a
moment when I was not in search of him. I was found; I did not find him. I was
a teenager then. Life had been difficult in the early years and now it had of a
sudden become easier. All the years when life had been hard I had found it
natural, if not easy, to fight; but when life became easy and happy I was faced
quite unexpectedly with a problem: I could not accept aimless happiness.
Hardships and suffering had to be overcome, there was something beyond them.
Happiness seemed to be stale if it had no further meaning. As it often happens
when you are young and when you act with passion, bent to possess either
everything or nothing, I decided that I would give myself a year to see whether
life had a meaning, and if I discovered it had none I would not live beyond the
year.<u1:p abp="207"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="208"></o:p></div>
<div abp="209" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="210" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="211" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Months
passed and no meaning appeared on the horizon. One day, it was during Lent, and
I was then a member of one of the Russian youth organizations in Paris, one of
our leaders came up to me and said, 'We have invited a priest to talk to you,
come'. I answered with violent indignation that I would not. I had no use for
Church. I did not believe in God. I did not want to waste any of my time. Then
my leader explained to me that everyone who belonged to my group had reacted in
exactly the same way, and if no one came we would all be put to shame because
the priest had come and we would be disgraced if no one attended his talk. My
leader was a wise man. He did not try to convince me that I should listen
attentively to his words so that I might perhaps find truth in them: 'Don't
listen,' he said. 'I don't care, but sit and be a physical presence'. That much
loyalty I was prepared to give to my youth organization and that much
indifference I was prepared to offer to God and to his minister. So I sat
through the lecture, but it was with increasing indignation and distaste. The
man who spoke to us, as I discovered later, was a great man, but I was then not
capable of perceiving his greatness. I saw only a vision of Christ and of
Christianity that was profoundly repulsive to me. When the lecture was over I
hurried home in order to check the truth of what he had been saying. I asked my
mother whether she had a book of the Gospel, because I wanted to know whether
the Gospel would support the monstrous impression I had derived from this talk.
I expected nothing good from my reading, so I counted the chapters of the four
Gospels to be sure that I read the shortest, not to waste time unnecessarily.
And thus it was the Gospel according to St Mark which I began to read.<u1:p abp="212"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="213"></o:p></div>
<div abp="214" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="215" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="216" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I do
not know how to tell you of what happened. I will put it quite simply and those
of you who have gone through a similar experience will know what came to pass.
While I was reading the beginning of St Mark's gospel, before I reached the
third chapter, I became aware of a presence. I saw nothing. I heard nothing. It
was no hallucination. It was a simple certainty that the Lord was standing
there and that I was in the presence of him whose life I had begun to read with
such revulsion and such ill-will,<u1:p abp="217"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="218"></o:p></div>
<div abp="219" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="220" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="221" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
was my basic and essential meeting with the Lord. From then I knew that Christ
did exist. I knew that he was thou, in other words that he was the Risen
Christ. I met with the core of the Christian message, that message which St
Paul formulated so sharply and clearly when he said, 'If Christ is not risen we
are the most miserable of all men'. Christ was the Risen Christ for me, because
if the One Who had died nearly 2000 years before was there alive, he was the
Risen Christ. I discovered then something absolutely essential to the Christian
message — that the Resurrection is the only event of the Gospel which belongs
to history not only past but also present. Christ rose again, twenty centuries
ago, but he is the Risen Christ as long as history continues. Only in the light
of the Resurrection did everything else make sense to me. Because Christ was
alive and I had been in his presence I could say with certainty that what the
Gospel said about the Crucifixion of the prophet of Galilee was true, and the
centurion was right when he said, 'Truly he is the Son of God'. It was in the
light of the Resurrection that I could read with certainty the story of the
Gospel, knowing that everything was true in it because the impossible event of
the Resurrection was to me more certain than any event of history. History I
had to believe, the Resurrection I knew for a fact. I did not discover, as you
see, the Gospel beginning with its first message of the Annunciation, and it
did not unfold for me as a story which one can believe or disbelieve. It began
as an event that left all problems of disbelief because it was direct and
personal experience.<u1:p abp="222"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="223"></o:p></div>
<div abp="224" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="225" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="226" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Then
I went on reading the Gospel and I discovered a certain number of things which
I believe to be essential to the Christian faith, to the attitude of the
Christian to the world and to God. The first thing that struck me is that God,
as revealed to us in Christ, is everyone's God. He is not the God of a nation,
or a confession, or of a denomination, or a more or less peculiar group, he is
everyone's creator? Lord and Saviour. In him I discovered that the whole world
had cohesion; that mankind was one; that differences and divergencies were not
final and decisive, because we were loved of God; all of us equally, although we
were called to serve him in a variety of ways, with a variety of gifts, and
with a very different depth and width of knowledge. But the greater the
knowledge, the greater the closeness, the greater the responsibility in a world
that God loved so much that he gave his only begotten Son, for him to die that
the world may live.<u1:p abp="227"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="228"></o:p></div>
<div abp="229" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="230" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="231" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
second thing I discovered was that God not only does not want us to be
subservient to him, but that he stands as none other for the dignity of man. He
refuses to accept us as slaves; he does not permit us to forsake our dignity of
sons and of children. Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son. In his
humiliation the Prodigal Son is prepared to recognize that he is not worthy to
be called any more a son, but in his longing to be accepted again into the
forsaken household of the father he is prepared to be admitted into it as a
servant. Yet when he comes to making his confession the father allows him to
say, only 'I am not worthy to be called thy son,' but he interrupts him then because
his son can be an unworthy son, but cannot be a worthy servant. Sonship is a
gift that cannot be lost, although it can be profaned. This vision of a God who
has respect for human dignity, who stands for it, who will not accept any
debased relationship with man, filled me with admiration and with respect and
with incipient love for him. And as a corollary — the acceptance by God of
utter humiliation and abasement. All the gods of the Ancient World were great:
they were the sum total of all that was valued and admired — justice, wisdom,
goodness, power. Only God revealed in Christ defeats human imagination, could
not be invented by man: a God made in the image of the servant, vulnerable,
despised, humiliated, rejected, contemptible, defeated, killed, ruled out,
unredeemed in the eyes of men. A God no one would wish to invent or to have — a
God one can discover when he reveals himself. A God one accepts with awe and
with fear-because he calls us to be like him, upturning all values and giving
new meaning to all things.<u1:p abp="232"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="233"></o:p></div>
<div abp="234" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="235" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="236" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Then
I discovered that the world was dear to God. That he had not only made the
world to remain afterwards its Creator and become later its Judge. He had
created the world in an act of love, and he had never become alien and
indifferent to this world he had thus created. The Incarnation unfolded itself
(and I am now speaking no longer of this first primeval experience of mine, but
of something that has developed in the course of years), the Incarnation
unfolded itself in a variety of meanings of depth. But not only of meanings,
for the basic experience of reality remained always untouched.<u1:p abp="237"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="238"></o:p></div>
<div abp="239" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="240" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="241" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
we read the Old Testament we may at moments think of the world once created by
God moving and developing before the face of its Creator, and called one day to
be judged. This vision is so poor and so inadequate to what the Old Testament
teaches us. The fact that God called us, all the world visible and invisible,
the fact that God called all things and beings out of naught, out of radical
non-existence, into existence is already a relationship. We are related to God
by this act of creation and in this act of creation. When we think that
whatever and whoever he called into existence is called to be a companion of
God for all eternity, we can see the depth of the divine love and the extent of
the divine risk. Because we are free to accept the love of God and to reject it
we can frustrate this love or fulfil this love. But God's love remains
immutable and he remains faithful for ever. He creates each of us in hope and
in faith, and at moments when our faith vacillates and our hope sways and
wavers we can rest in the divine faith and in the divine hope. When we think
that the cost of our faithlessness and our waverings is paid by God in the life
and death of the Incarnate Word then we can rest assured in his love.<u1:p abp="242"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="243"></o:p></div>
<div abp="244" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="245" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="246" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There
is a relatedness and a deep relationship between us and God in the very act of
creation, and in the very gift of freedom. Freedom is an absolute condition of
love, because love is the gift of one's self in perfect freedom, and has no
meaning apart from freedom. But there is more to it — the English word
'freedom' is rooted in the Old English word that means 'beloved'; 'my free'
meant 'my beloved'. The word Liberty which signifies freedom in other languages
defines the status of the child born free in a freeman's household. The Russian
word for freedom indicates that we are called to be our own selves, not to
imitate, not to ape, not to resemble, but to be ourselves in the image of the
One who is perfect freedom and perfect love-truly himself. In all this the
relatedness there exists between us and God is revealed particularly in this
final act of solidarity which we call the Incarnation. Not only did God remain
concerned with us throughout history, but he became one of us through history,
and this not for a moment, but forever; not escaping the heaviness, the
limitations and the pain of our human destiny, but in order to carry on his
human shoulders the consequences of his divine act of creation and of our human
rebellion, our rejection of him, lovelessness, godlessness itself. The
Incarnation of the Word of God, the becoming man, meant for him that he entered
into the realm of time and of death and of limitation and of all the
consequences of human godlessness. This solidarity was not for a moment, it was
definitive. He became a man, in human history, and he remains a man for ever
because 'He sitteth on the right hand of the Father' as a man with hands and
feet pierced by the nails, and with his side pierced by the spear. Throughout
history and throughout eternity we can see this vision of divine solidarity
with us.<u1:p abp="247"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="248"></o:p></div>
<div abp="249" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="250" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="251" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
solidarity goes infinitely further than we often imagine. It is not simply that
he was tired and hungry and thirsty, that he had to face ill will and
unfriendliness and eventually hatred. He had to face something more basic to
our mortal condition and more essential than this. He had to face the coming of
death and the actual dying. This is more than we can imagine, because in the
natural course of events Christ could not die! A human body and a human soul
united indissolubly and for ever with the Godhead in the mystery and the
miracle of the Incarnation was beyond dying. Death was not only like ours — a
result of our lack of life — it was the result of an act of divine will which
inflicted death on One who was, not only in his Divinity but even in his
humanity, alive with life eternal, because life is defined by oneness or union
with God. We see him in the garden on the Mount of Olives face to face with
death coming upon him, abandoned by human friendship; by those who were his
disciples and were no longer solid with his destiny at that moment. He accepted
death, which meant already the loss of what was his own being in life. Again
upon the Cross the decisive, the most tragic words of history: 'My God, my God,
why hast Thou forsaken Me?' Why? Because death is possible only through
separation from the source of life, from the Godhead, and for him to die meant
that he went through the experience of total, radical, real deprivation of God;
of godlessness not only as a world-outlook, not only as an absence of the sense
of God, but as a positive loss of the Father. There is not one man on earth who
can claim to have known godlessness as Christ knew the absence of God at that
moment, without which absence he could not die. This is the extent of the
divine solidarity with us. This also is the measure of the divine love and
consideration God has for the friend he has created to be his companion of all eternity.
People are often prepared to believe in the death of the Cross but not in the
Resurrection. How strange! To believe that life can die, and not to be able to
believe that life can live. How strange also that we are so poor in the
experience of things of our own faith that the only event of history which
belongs to our own day is so obscure, and we do not know the Risen Christ while
we imagine we are capable of knowing the Christ of the flesh; that Christ of
whom Paul said, that we do not know him any more while we now know the Christ
of the Spirit, revealed and known to us by the Spirit of God.<u1:p abp="252"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="253"></o:p></div>
<div abp="254" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="255" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="256" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">But
in Christ we do not discover only this Divine solidarity and incipiently, as I
have tried to show, the value which God attaches to us. We discover also what
man is, because he is not only Very God he is also Very Man. Our vocation is to
be what he is. This is the meaning of our belief in the Church as the Body of
Christ. We are called to be live, real members of a real enlived body, the head
of which is the Lord Jesus — one real body, what St Ignatius of Antioch in the
first century called the 'Total Christ', Head and Body together. We are called
to such intimate community of life with him that what he is we also are to
become, in the words of one of the greatest writers of the fourth century,
Athanasius of Alexandria, who says, 'God has become man in order that we should
become gods'. Before we become gods we must become men in the image of the One
who became what we are. The extent to which we are called to be identified with
him who chose to be identified with us is greater than we think. It is because
we have a very mean vision of our calling that we are not aiming at the full
stature of Christ. Irenaeus of Lyons taught in the second century that, if it is
true that we are the Body of Christ, that in him we are one, that our life is
hid with Christ in God, then the final vocation of men is, together with Christ
because of our oneness with him, to become the only-begotten son of God, an
extension in time and in space and in eternity of this incredible, unfathomable
relatedness and relationship with the Father.<u1:p abp="257"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="258"></o:p></div>
<div abp="259" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="260" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="261" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In
that sense we can say soberly, yet with what exultation, that Christ is the
very center of history as he is the beginning of all things ('by the Word were
all things created') and the end of all things, because in him, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, we shall in our total humanity have reached to the fullness of
our human vocation and God shall be all in all. When we think of the life of
Christ and of the death of Christ it is with anguish that we think of the
extraordinary insensitiveness and indifference with which we partake in what we
see in him. The act of perfect intercession, the act by which he took a step
that brought him to the core of the human tragedy; the act by which he became
that man of whom the Book of Job speaks in the ninth chapter, who could take
his stand between God and one who was judged by God, in order to bring both
together. The One who is an equal of both and therefore can bring them together
in his own self, but also at his own cost, because every act of intercession is
an act of sacrifice.<u1:p abp="262"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="263"></o:p></div>
<div abp="264" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="265" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="266" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
would like to illustrate this vision of a sacrifice and its consequences for us
by something taken from the late history of the Russian Church. In the years of
the Civil War when the opposing armies were contending for power, conquering
and losing ground in the course of three years, a small town fell into the
hands of the Red army which had been held by the remnants of the Imperial troops.
A woman found herself there with her two small children, four and five years of
age, in danger of death because her husband belonged to the opposite camp. She
hid in an abandoned house hoping that the time would come when she would be
able to escape. One evening a young woman of her own age, in the early
twenties, knocked at the door and asked her whether she was so-and-so. When the
mother said she was, the young woman warned her that she had been discovered
and would be fetched that very night in order to be shot. The young woman
added, 'You must escape at once'. The mother looked at the children and said,
'How could I?' The young neighbour, who thus far had been nothing but a
physical neighbour, became at that moment the neighbour of the Gospel. She said,
'You can, because I will stay behind and call myself by your name when they
come to fetch you'. 'But you will be shot,' said the mother. 'Yes, but I have
no children'. And she stayed behind.<u1:p abp="267"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="268"></o:p></div>
<div abp="269" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="270" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="271" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
can imagine what happened then. We can see the night coming, wrapping in
darkness, in gloom, in cold and damp, this cottage. We can see there a woman
who was waiting for her death to come and we can remember the Garden of
Gethsemane. We can imagine this woman asking that this cup should pass her by
and being met like Christ by divine silence. We can imagine her turning in
intention towards those who might have supported her, but who were out of
reach. The disciples of Christ slept; and she could turn to no one without
betraying. We can imagine that more than once she prayed that at least her
sacrifice should not be in vain, and here we can see the image of another man
who stood before death and hesitated. The greatest of those born to a woman,
John the Baptist, who as death was coming to him, sent two of his disciples to
Christ to ask him, 'Is it really you, or should we expect another one?' If it
is really you then all the sacrifices of my youth, all the years in the
wilderness; all the hatred I was surrounded by; the coming of death; my
diminishing in order that you might grow, is a blessedness; but if it is not
you then I have lost my life, I have lived and I shall die in vain. Here again
the prophet received the reply of the prophet, but no word of consolation.<u1:p abp="272"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="273"></o:p></div>
<div abp="274" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="275" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="276" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
young woman probably asked herself more than once what would happen to the
mother and the children when she was dead, and there was no reply except the
word of Christ, 'No one has greater love than he who lays down his life for his
friend'. Probably she thought more than once that in one minute she could be
secure! It was enough to open the door and the moment she was in the street she
no longer was that woman, she became herself again. It was enough to deny her
false, her shared identity. We can see again one of the strongest men in
history, Peter the apostle, challenged by a woman in the coldness of night and
in his desperate loneliness denying in order to save his life. She died, shot.
The mother and the children escaped, and here we see one more thing which will
be the last I wish to mention.<u1:p abp="277"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="278"></o:p></div>
<div abp="279" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="280" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="281" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">St
Paul tells us, 'It is no longer I who live, it is Christ who lives in me'. We
often wonder at the meaning of these words. How can Christ live in one? We can
have an inkling of this meaning from the life of this mother and her children.
They remained alive because another died. They have remained aware throughout
their lives that they lived on borrowed life. Their life was cut off the earth
by the hatred of men and it was given back by the love of this woman. If they
were alive it was because she had lived; her life was theirs. They had to live
and fulfil her life. They had to live as she had taught them. Is not this
something which we can learn also? Is not this what we must learn from the act
of perfect solidarity which we find in the Incarnation, from the insuperable
courage and love of God, from the Garden of Gethsemane and the death upon the
Cross? Solidarity not only between ourselves, but with every man, because God
is solid with the godless as with the saint. The victory of life is in us not
only because we receive the miraculous gift of life from God, but because if we
live as he taught us he will be alive in us, and we shall be alive in him, now
and for all eternity.<u1:p abp="282"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="283"></o:p></div>
<div abp="284" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="285" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="286" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div abp="285" style="text-align: justify;">
<span abp="286" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-Metropolitan
Anthony Bloom<u1:p abp="287"></u1:p></span><o:p abp="288"></o:p></div>
<div abp="289" style="text-align: left;">
<!--EndFragment--></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-41048216047237644492016-03-07T19:41:00.001+11:002016-03-07T19:41:43.812+11:00Saint Paisios on Praying for the Departed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div abp="247" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="248" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrnXXvtKANITUWgS80f128GzJbK8xbXT8D_aVxHhtcaG9mtWrvs64mKSdJROzIFd6-z3s77wt4dYMvlnzbDQagL4hGsr07Chgp-tCN4RI7VW1Lww7NgjzyhtoI5owEasCIUA0qdfa0z6P/s1600/paisios1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="249" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrnXXvtKANITUWgS80f128GzJbK8xbXT8D_aVxHhtcaG9mtWrvs64mKSdJROzIFd6-z3s77wt4dYMvlnzbDQagL4hGsr07Chgp-tCN4RI7VW1Lww7NgjzyhtoI5owEasCIUA0qdfa0z6P/s400/paisios1.JPG" /></a></div>
<div abp="132">
</div>
<div abp="135" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<b abp="136" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span abp="137" style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it possible,
Elder, for the dead (other than the Saints) who have not entered yet into
judgment to pray?<o:p abp="138"></o:p></span></b></div>
<div abp="139">
</div>
<div abp="140" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="141" style="font-family: Calibri;">They regain awareness and seek help, but they’re not able to
help themselves. All those who are in Hades for only one offence, would ask if
Christ could give them only five minutes to repent. We who are alive still have
time for repentance, but the unfortunate reposed, they cannot improve their
condition, so they await our help. Therefore, our duty is to help them with our
prayer.<span abp="142" style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p abp="143"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="144">
</div>
<div abp="145" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="146" style="font-family: Calibri;">My thoughts tell me that only ten out of a hundred of those
who are dead are in a demonic state, and where they are, they curse God, like
the demons. They do not ask for help, nor do they want help. What would God do
with them otherwise? Like a child that distances themselves from their father,
who after squandering their fortune they go on to curse their father. What can
the father do? Others who have died, if they have a little philotimo, sense
their guilt, repent and suffer for their sins, they ask for help and are helped
positively with the prayers of the faithful.<o:p abp="147"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="148">
</div>
<div abp="149" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="150" style="font-family: Calibri;">Thus, God gives them a chance, even now, as they are
awaiting judgment, to find help before the Second Coming happens. And, as in
this earthly life, the one who is a friend of the king may intervene to the
king and help on behalf of someone awaiting trial, so it is the same with
someone who is a friend of God, they may with their prayer help the dead move
from one prison to another better one; from one jail cell to a better one. He
can even move them into a room or into an apartment.<o:p abp="151"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="152">
</div>
<div abp="153" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="154" style="font-family: Calibri;">Just as we relieve prisoners by bringing them refreshments
and other things, so also we relieve the dead, with the prayers and alms we do
on behalf of their souls. Prayers and memorials from those who are still alive
on behalf of the reposed is the last opportunity that the Lord gives to help
the reposed, until the Last Judgement. After their trial, it will not be
possible to help them anymore. <o:p abp="155"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="156">
</div>
<div abp="157" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="158" style="font-family: Calibri;">God wants to help the reposed, because He hurts for their
salvation, but He does not do it, because He has nobility. He does not want to
give the right to the devil to say: "Why did You save him, although he has
not laboured?" When we pray for the reposed, we give God the right to intervene.
God is more moved when we pray for the reposed rather than the living.<o:p abp="159"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="160">
</div>
<div abp="161" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="162" style="font-family: Calibri;">This is why our Church has kollyva (boiled what) and
memorials. Memorials are the best lawyers for the souls of the reposed. They
have the ability to remove souls even from hell. So also should you, in every
Divine Liturgy, to read memorials and have kollyva for the reposed. There is
meaning to the wheat: It is sown in corruption, and raised in incorruption,
that is, it symbolizes the death and resurrection of humanity, as Scripture
says.<o:p abp="163"></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="252" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqN8OBUGZ8WaFgkh2sx9ThMSB1BxxKucw3N3qes3EzO5AEWXRDnEo-HCLwKgSt_fNQ60A26J7vCGT5JiCGtrpxuL0fOYQcW9J4YYLp39UscuBzjBXxQ2cLo9WfsrYF1d6L03LfmWpFYFZ/s1600/paisios2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="253" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqN8OBUGZ8WaFgkh2sx9ThMSB1BxxKucw3N3qes3EzO5AEWXRDnEo-HCLwKgSt_fNQ60A26J7vCGT5JiCGtrpxuL0fOYQcW9J4YYLp39UscuBzjBXxQ2cLo9WfsrYF1d6L03LfmWpFYFZ/s400/paisios2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div abp="164">
</div>
<div abp="165" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<b abp="166" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span abp="167" style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder, do the ones
who recently died have greater need of prayer?<o:p abp="168"></o:p></span></b></div>
<div abp="169">
</div>
<div abp="170" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="171" style="font-family: Calibri;">When they sentence someone to jail, isn’t it true that it is
more difficult for them at the beginning? We have to pray for the reposed who
didn’t please God while alive, so that God will do something for them.
Particularly when we know that someone was hardened - because we might have
thought they were hardened, but in reality they weren't - and lived a sinful
life, then we have to pray a lot - with Divine Liturgies. Forty Liturgies are
to be served consecutively for their soul, alms should be given to the poor for
the salvation of their soul, so that the poor will pray for them saying,
"May their bones become sanctified," so God will have mercy on them.
Thus whatever they have not done, we will do for them. Meanwhile one person who
had goodness even if their life was not good, can be helped much with a little
prayer.<o:p abp="172"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="173">
</div>
<div abp="174" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="175" style="font-family: Calibri;">I am aware of events that testify how much the reposed are
helped through the prayers of spiritual people. Someone once came to my Hut and
said to me in tears, "Elder, I didn't pray on behalf of a certain reposed
man who was known to me, and he appeared in my dreams. He told me that it had
been twenty days and I did not help him, but now he suffers because I forgot
him. Indeed, for twenty days I had forgotten due to the various concerns of
life, and I had not even prayed for myself."<o:p abp="176"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="254" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="255" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VF5PY1_KndNLCxmWd3qR7ZrKCRHKu945fPejaZFeJ3ZSWa5LnikiUoQCzf2WWZyLpfBTqnP2Cy5p-F2tMrfMv9TKYOD3Gg2y55iIjh6vnPDQ7duxe-Tr47G60TQjBghN3lE-PCEQb2fi/s1600/paisios3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="256" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VF5PY1_KndNLCxmWd3qR7ZrKCRHKu945fPejaZFeJ3ZSWa5LnikiUoQCzf2WWZyLpfBTqnP2Cy5p-F2tMrfMv9TKYOD3Gg2y55iIjh6vnPDQ7duxe-Tr47G60TQjBghN3lE-PCEQb2fi/s400/paisios3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div abp="177">
</div>
<div abp="178" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<b abp="179" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span abp="180" style="font-family: Calibri;">When someone dies and
we’ve been asked to pray for them, is it good, Elder, to pray a full prayer
rope on their behalf for forty days?<o:p abp="181"></o:p></span></b></div>
<div abp="182">
</div>
<div abp="183" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="184" style="font-family: Calibri;">If you pray the full prayer rope for them, pray at the same
time for all the reposed. Why should the whole train go to its destination for
only one passenger, when it is able to fit many others? How many unfortunate
dead have need and seek for help, but there is no one to pray for them! People
sometimes only do memorial services for someone who was their relative or very
close. By doing it this way they do not help even their own, because their
prayer is not so pleasing to God. As they have made so many commemorations for
their close one, let them also make commemorations for all those who are
strangers.<o:p abp="185"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="186">
</div>
<div abp="187" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<b abp="188" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span abp="189" style="font-family: Calibri;">Elder, the dead who
do not have people to pray for them, are they helped by those who generally
pray for the reposed?<o:p abp="190"></o:p></span></b></div>
<div abp="191">
</div>
<div abp="192" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="193" style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course they are helped. When I pray for all the reposed,
I see my parents in my dreams, because they are at rest from my prayers. Every
time I have a Divine Liturgy, I do a general memorial for all the reposed. If I
sometimes do not pray for the reposed, then the reposed who are known to me
appear before me. A relative of mine, who was killed in the war, I saw him in
front of me after the Divine Liturgy, during the memorial, because I didn't
have his name written with the others who had reposed, since he was
commemorated during the Preparation of the Gifts with those who had fallen
heroically. You also, at the Holy Prothesis, do not only commemorate the names
of the sick, but also the names of the reposed, because the reposed have
greater need.<o:p abp="194"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="195">
</div>
<div abp="196" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="197" style="font-family: Calibri;">After death people continue to maintain the powers of their
consciousness, and can continue to communicate with God. I do not mean that the
soul will pray to God asking for this or that thing, or this or that favour.
When I say pray, I mean the energy that unites people with God.<o:p abp="198"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="199">
</div>
<div abp="200" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="201" style="font-family: Calibri;">With this kind of prayer, the dead can communicate with the
entire human race, in the same way we communicate and pray for the souls of the
dead. This is why we have memorials. It is the way we use to communicate,
through the grace of the Holy Spirit, with those who have already left for the
great journey.<o:p abp="202"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="203">
</div>
<div abp="204" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="205" style="font-family: Calibri;">Death does not separate us!</span></div>
<div abp="204" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="205" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div abp="204" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span abp="205" style="font-family: Calibri;">Source: <a href="http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2016/03/saint-paisios-on-praying-for-departed.html#more">http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2016/03/saint-paisios-on-praying-for-departed.html#more</a><o:p abp="206"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="207">
</div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-76047447302825654482016-02-22T21:36:00.000+11:002016-03-15T15:29:42.991+11:00Welcome to Semester 1 2016!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div abp="718">
Dear FOCUS UNSW blog readers,</div>
<div abp="719">
</div>
<div abp="720">
We have an exciting semester planned ahead with a range of talks, bookstalls, and bibles studies. This semester, we will be meeting every Tuesday from 1-2pm in the UNSW Religious Centre, Level 3 of the Squarehouse, Building E4. Below is our weekly schedule for this semester:</div>
<div abp="721">
</div>
<div abp="722" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="723" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 1 </span><span abp="724" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(1/3)<o:p abp="725"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="726" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="727" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the new academic year) Father Athanasios</span></div>
<div abp="728" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="729" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 2 </span><span abp="730" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(8/2)<o:p abp="731"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="732" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="733" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Great and Holy Lent - Professor Socrates Dokos</span></div>
<div abp="734" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="735" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 3 (</span><span abp="736" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">15/3)<o:p abp="737"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="738" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="739" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Do we worship Icons? - Mr Andrew Boucas</span></div>
<div abp="740" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="741" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 4 </span><span abp="742" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(22/3)</span></div>
<div abp="743" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="744" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Stories that are finally told: The migrant experience - Dr Anna Demetriou<o:p abp="745"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="746" style="text-align: center;">
<span abp="747" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 5 </span><span abp="748" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(5/4)</span></div>
<div abp="749" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="750" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Bookstall outside Library Walkway</span></div>
<div abp="751" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="752" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 6 </span><span abp="753" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(12/4)</span></div>
<div abp="754" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="755" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Behavioural incentives in Orthodox Ethical life - Fr Apostolos</span></div>
<div abp="756" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="757" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 7 </span><span abp="758" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(19/4)</span></div>
<div abp="759" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="760" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Bible Study</span></div>
<div abp="761" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="762" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 8 </span><span abp="763" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(26/4)</span></div>
<div abp="764" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="765" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Why do the Orthodox celebrate Easter different to the West? - Professor Socrates Dokos</span></div>
<div abp="766" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="767" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 9 </span><span abp="768" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(3/5)</span></div>
<div abp="769" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="770" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Bible Study</span></div>
<div abp="771" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="772" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 10 </span><span abp="773" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(10/5)</span></div>
<div abp="774" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="775" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Bookstall outside Library Walkway</span></div>
<div abp="776" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="777" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 11 </span><span abp="778" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(17/5)</span></div>
<div abp="779" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="780" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">The relevance of Theology on our daily lives - Dr Philip Kariatlis</span></div>
<div abp="781" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="782" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Week 12 </span><span abp="783" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">(24/5)</span></div>
<div abp="784" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span abp="785" lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt;">Bible Study<o:p abp="786"></o:p></span></div>
<div abp="787" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div abp="788" style="text-align: left;">
We currently have a O-Week stall in between the Main Walkway and the Quad, where we have been signing up new and old members. We even exhibited a live demonstration of Byzantine Music! See video below:</div>
<div abp="869" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwui95tPHQps28FjZvn1aYCGxxe3pkjW7zDW6HwWCYlQj7UGqXY__qCkNwXvvnzbRcaTjSJX5JuXB28VmIibQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div abp="788" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="871" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div abp="789" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div abp="792">
</div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-13788365383340834432016-02-21T23:00:00.000+11:002016-02-21T23:14:33.374+11:00Never lose hope in your Salvation - from the Evergetinos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYzEqsC7gIHa3oYP9bN-G8s2sVlIRJ_AFDj2SlALBe3glbjWtjiLisa0DOtQyNfTXSvbMNCdbLnROhKjfOvHt7GTipAtWR3BrAq0a1erdfcVdP2AdfA6L1bZVIEnQ2inJf6dAfqW_DZ0/s1600/goodshepherdcomparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYzEqsC7gIHa3oYP9bN-G8s2sVlIRJ_AFDj2SlALBe3glbjWtjiLisa0DOtQyNfTXSvbMNCdbLnROhKjfOvHt7GTipAtWR3BrAq0a1erdfcVdP2AdfA6L1bZVIEnQ2inJf6dAfqW_DZ0/s1600/goodshepherdcomparison.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">A certain brother, overcome by the passion of wantonness, sinned every day. However, each time, with tears and prayers, he would fall before the Master and Lord and receive forgiveness from Him. And as soon as he had repented, the next day, being misled again by shameful habit, he would fall to sin.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Afterwards, having sinned, he would go to the Church, where he would prostrate himself before the honourable and revered Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ and tearfully confess to Jesus: “Lord, have mercy upon me and take away from me this fearful temptation, for it troubles me fiercely and wounds me with the bitter taste of the pleasures. I, my Master, cleanse my person once more, that I may gaze upon Thine Icon and see Thy holy form and the sight of Thy face, brighter than the sun, that my heart might be sweetened and thankful.”</span></b></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> And though his lips had just whispered these words, no sooner would he leave the Church than he would fall once again to sin. </span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Despite this, however, he did not despair of his salvation, but, returning from his sinful deed, would cry out in the Church the same words to God - to the Lord, who loves mankind - adding the following:</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “My Lord, I swear to Thee on my word that I shall no longer commit this sin. Only forgive me, Good and Most Merciful Lord, whatever sins I have committed, from the beginning to this moment.”</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> No sooner would he utter these awe-inspiring words, than he would find himself the captive of this evil sin. Let no one cease to marvel at the sweet love of God towards mankind and at His boundless goodness, with which He each day tolerated the uncorrected and evil transgression and ingratitude of the brother. Indeed, God, because of the greatness of His mercy, persistently accepted the repentance of that sinful brother and his inevitable return. For this happened not for one or two or three years, but for more than ten years.</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Do you see, my brother, the measureless forbearance and boundless love of the Master? How He continually endures, showing to us kindness, tolerating our terrible transgressions and sins? And what evokes astonishment and wonderment with regard to the rich mercies of God is that He did not become wrathful with the brother in question, though the brother, agreeing not to fall to sin again, continually broke his word.</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> At any rate, one day when all that we have described again occurred, the brother, having fallen to sin, rushed to the Church, lamenting, groaning, and crying with anguish, to invoke the mercy of God, that He might have compassion on him and take him from the sin of immorality.</span>
</span></span><br />
</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No sooner had he called on God, the Lover of man, than the Devil, that evil of old and destroyer of souls, seeing that he could gain nothing, since whatever he accomplished by sin, the brother expunged by his repentance, became infuriated and appeared visibly before the brother. Facing the Icon of Christ, the Devil said to our compassionate Saviour: “What will become of the two of us, Jesus Christ? Your sympathy for this sinner defeats me and takes the ground I have gained, since You keep accepting this dissolute man and prodigal, who daily mocks You and scorns Your authority. Indeed, why is it that You do not burn him up, but rather, tolerate and put up with him? ...Is it because one day You intend to condemn all of the adulterers and the dissolute, and You will destroy all sinners?</span></span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Actually, You are not a just Judge. But by him Your power is sometimes applied leniently and overlooks things. So, while I was cast from the heavens down to the abyss for a little breach of pride, to this fellow here, even though an immoral man and a prodigal, You calmly show Your sympathy, just because he throws himself down in front of Your Icon.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“In what way can You be called a just Judge, then? But, as I see it, You receive individual people with great kindness, but ignore justice in general.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Devil said all of this, poisoned with great bitterness, whilst there poured forth from his nostrils a black flame.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Having said these things, he fell silent. A voice was heard in response, coming forth from the Divine sanctuary, saying the following:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“O all-cunning and ruinous dragon, are you yet not satisfied with your evil and destructive desire to gobble up the world? Now you have even the nerve to try to do away with this man, who has come with contrition to entreat the mercy of My compassion - to devour him, too? Can you offer up enough sins that, by them, you can tilt the balance of justice against the precious blood which I shed on the Cross for this man? Behold My murder and death, which I endured for the forgiveness of his sins.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You, when he turns again to sin, do not turn him away, but receive him with joy, neither chastising him nor preventing him from committing sin, out of the hope that you might win him over. Yet, I, Who am merciful and love mankind, Who counselled My laudable Apostle Peter, to forgive sins seven times seventy (Matt. 18:22), do I not show him mercy and compassion? Indeed - simply because he flees to Me - I will not turn him away until I have won him over. Furthermore, I was crucified for sinners and for their salvation; My immaculate hands were nailed to the Cross, that those who so wish might take refuge in Me and be saved. For this reason, then, I neither turn away nor reject anyone, even if he should fall many times a day and many times return to Me; such a person will not leave My Temple saddened, for I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repent.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">During the time that this voice was heard, the Devil was fixed in his place, trembling and unable to run away. The voice then again began to say: “We have heard from all that you say, O Seducer, that I am not just; to the contrary, I am just beyond all. In whatever moral state I find a person, in that state I judge him. Look at this man, who a few moments ago repented, having returned from sin and having fallen at My feet with a sincere resolution to abandon sin, and thereby having conquered you.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Therefore, I will accept him immediately and save his soul, since he did not lose hope in his hard toil for salvation.</span></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Look how much he merits by his repentance before Me, for which he is honoured. As for you, let your hatred be shred to pieces and you disgraced.”</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While this was being said, the repentant brother had thrown himself before the Icon of the Saviour. With his face to the ground and lamenting, he surrendered his spirit to the Lord. At the same time that the repentant brother departed to the Lord, a great tempest fell upon Satan, like a fire from Heaven, and devoured him. From this incident, my brothers, let us learn of the limitless compassion of God and of His love of man - what a good Master we have! - that we might never again be disheartened by our sins, but rather look after our salvation with zeal.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span> </b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<br /></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-90768505771695947742016-02-18T19:25:00.000+11:002016-02-18T19:25:41.348+11:00"For narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life" (Mat. 7:14)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp-7W7-at9Qndx3WVsVXjvij2YhwAbbe5VaJqtVyNUUzAcoxYFW0psWv6sqIRgdaw-pC0EkF8xKQlxZ7y9wFzJhv8UFT-kWILYaHm89tz2zGIP7yq9JpfY1ZyH8pSX58TdR6f5m0hCCY/s1600/carryingthecross-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp-7W7-at9Qndx3WVsVXjvij2YhwAbbe5VaJqtVyNUUzAcoxYFW0psWv6sqIRgdaw-pC0EkF8xKQlxZ7y9wFzJhv8UFT-kWILYaHm89tz2zGIP7yq9JpfY1ZyH8pSX58TdR6f5m0hCCY/s400/carryingthecross-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The following was written by Elder Ephraim of Katounakia, when asked for advice on how to deal with the struggles of life:<br />
<br />
"I remember when I went to Jerusalem, an elderly nun approached me and wanted to tell me about a vision she'd seen. 'Elder, I saw the three Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the midst of Paradise. I told them, "I want to come there too." "Come," they said. "From where?" "From the road." "What road?" They showed me a path six inches wide, with thorn bushes at the edge. "But if I come from there I'll tear my clothing." "Ah, eldress, that is where we ourselves came from."'<br />
<br />
"We won't get to Paradise on sweets. There are some bitter medicines! With these, however, the soul is purified."<br />
<br />
-From <u>Obedience is Life: Elder Ephraim of Katounakia</u> by Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-25993948518179303182016-02-15T22:35:00.000+11:002016-02-15T22:35:23.927+11:00Abba Tryphon: The Non-Orthodox<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="133" href="http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/02/unnamed-1-4.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-22729" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="134" alt="unnamed-1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22729" height="300" scale="0" sizes="(max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px" src="http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/02/unnamed-1-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div abp="132">
</div>
<div abp="135">
It is always a pity when people who claim to be Orthodox make judgements against fellow Christians. In the tradition of Orthodoxy, wherever we find beauty and truth, it is of God, and it is our calling, as Orthodox Christians, to rejoice when we see others have at least some portion of the Truth. Slamming others for what they do not have, does nothing to further their journey into Orthodoxy, and in fact may delay or sideline their journey towards the fullness of Truth.</div>
<div abp="136">
There is the wonderful true story of Saint Silouan the Athonite who was traveling by train with an archimandrite, a zealot who was quick to correct others about the True Faith. Coming upon a group of traveling Roman Catholics, Saint Silouan’s traveling companion proceeded to tell them that they must become Orthodox because their faith was without grace. The saint asked him if it were indeed a fact that the Roman Catholics believed that Christ was true God, and that He was present in the Eucharist. The saint asked was it not true that these Catholics believed in the Trinity, and venerated the Holy Virgin and the relics of the saints. The archimandrite answered yes to all the questions. Saint Silouan responded that of all humility’s faiths we must know that we have perhaps more, but not to judge those who are not Orthodox. We must rejoice in the knowledge of what they do have. The saint told him that we should not be filled with such pride as to think we have the right to judge, correct or teach others.</div>
<div abp="137">
This does not mean that we see the Church as divided, or that the Orthodox Church is anything less than the Church Christ founded. What it does mean is that we do not allow ourselves to think we have the right to correct or teach anyone. We must honor other peoples beliefs and not give in to the prideful stand that we have the right to teach or correct them. The truth that is found within Orthodoxy must be shared by living our faith in love, not in judging or correcting others. Truth, where ever it is found, is Orthodox Truth. If other religions embrace some of these truths that are Orthodox, we must rejoice and give thanks for what they do have.</div>
<div abp="138">
People who love God and are trying to live holy lives pleasing to Him, according to the knowledge they have been given, are to be respected. They may not have the fullness of Apostolic Truth, but if they are believers in God and are trying to live a life pleasing to God, we must give thanks to Christ for what they do have. They have God as their Father, just as do we. They can have the Church as their Mother only if they see in us the difference Orthodoxy has made in our lives. Being arrogant in our evangelism does nothing to express the truth of Orthodoxy, and makes us no different than the pushy salesman at the door.</div>
<div abp="139">
That arrogant archimandrite would better have shared the beauty of Orthodoxy had he embraced those Roman Catholics as fellow disciples of Christ. Then they would have seen Christ in him and known that Orthodoxy was indeed a faith centered in Christ. They would have known the truth of Orthodoxy by seeing in him, the love of Christ.</div>
<div abp="140">
All this having been said, it is important that we remember Our Lord Himself has charged us to speak the truth. We must never fail to share the truth of our Orthodox faith for fear we might offend someone, for by “Speaking the truth in love, let us grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head (of the Church), even Christ (Ephesians 4:15).”</div>
<div abp="141">
Love in Christ,<br abp="142" /> Abbot Tryphon</div>
<div abp="141">
</div>
<div abp="141">
<a href="http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2016/02/the-non-orthodox/">http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2016/02/the-non-orthodox/</a> </div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-66848449134663838772016-02-12T22:35:00.002+11:002016-02-12T22:35:52.647+11:00Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh: On Doubts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div abp="198" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a abp="199" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDfd2pejGqLHcRmnDk1c3sbvUYgPy_q-HI8RZVp-rW0NNLmNsrzcFQxSeEsJ_Ij7C6nl-jbap7A0OYEoGrWbu2lkBBHUym_0QVDJcdXN-6GJ-uMkvDYa1mxAQ_fu7eQy1ttPrtWQzKBY/s1600/metropolitan_anthonyofsourozh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img abp="200" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDfd2pejGqLHcRmnDk1c3sbvUYgPy_q-HI8RZVp-rW0NNLmNsrzcFQxSeEsJ_Ij7C6nl-jbap7A0OYEoGrWbu2lkBBHUym_0QVDJcdXN-6GJ-uMkvDYa1mxAQ_fu7eQy1ttPrtWQzKBY/s320/metropolitan_anthonyofsourozh.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div abp="143">
<span abp="144" style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div abp="147">
<span abp="148" style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">"People
are afraid of doubt, and they shouldn’t be, since doubt is born of the fact
that we do not know the entire truth, and pose a question. . . When doubts
appear in me it means that I have outgrown my incomplete idea of God, my
imperfect knowledge of Him, and God is telling me, “Look, you have learned all
this, and now look at Me—I am bigger than all of it. You cannot be satisfied
with the picture which you have painted for yourself. It is as small as you
yourself, your intelligence, your education, as your imagination. Open yourself
and pose the question: What can the others think of this? What other answers
may be there? And do not be afraid. I will not be insulted by you questioning
Me, because you are not questioning Me as Me, but your notions about Me . . ."
</span></div>
<div abp="149">
<span abp="150" style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div abp="151">
<span abp="152" style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Source: <a abp="153" href="https://throughthegraceofgod.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/metroploitan-anthony-of-sourozh-doubts/">https://throughthegraceofgod.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/metroploitan-anthony-of-sourozh-doubts/</a> </span></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-35698676986246951792016-02-08T22:14:00.000+11:002016-02-08T22:14:30.037+11:00My Soul Thirsts for the Lord<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnC_y3gbnu69qS0aYCy4EPuHQT2ueKaHhdgotw8V-AS-7CIHdA5mo6nGn8N9jWvmtexA1LrFjKUuONsXeVzDkbU-eTElscBgJOWHyZdNPbie_IYTPk7fDzsylXD4OGeHvXhtPfiNUMXA/s1600/s1880009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnC_y3gbnu69qS0aYCy4EPuHQT2ueKaHhdgotw8V-AS-7CIHdA5mo6nGn8N9jWvmtexA1LrFjKUuONsXeVzDkbU-eTElscBgJOWHyZdNPbie_IYTPk7fDzsylXD4OGeHvXhtPfiNUMXA/s320/s1880009.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Below is a song written by St Silouan the Athonite:</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My soul thirsts for the Lord, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and with tears do I seek Him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How can I not seek You, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For You sought me first,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And you granted me to delight in the sweetness of Your Holy Spirit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My soul has loved you until now!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the first year of my life in the Monastery, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My soul encountered the Lord,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And this I learnt from the Holy Spirit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That the Lord loves us greatly!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have now grown old,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I am preparing for death.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As a gift to all people,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I write the truth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, my brethren,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I fall on my knees and entreat you,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Believe in God,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Believe in the existence of the Holy Spirit,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which bears witness concerning God,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To all of your Churches and in my soul.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a great sinner,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I have seen the boundless Love and Mercy of the Lord.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Gladsome and Meek sight of the Lord,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Has consumed my soul!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, the Love of the Lord!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am unable to describe it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because it is infinitely great and wonderful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will never forget You,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My soul yearns for You my Lord,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And with tears do I search for you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s3hBVWsuSts/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s3hBVWsuSts?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
-From <i>St Silouan the Athonite</i>, by Archimandrite Sophrony.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Amateur translation from the original Greek</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-40104130594658482312016-02-04T23:30:00.000+11:002016-02-04T23:30:27.534+11:00Why do we pray for others?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdI5bJZoF4BR0Uv90Txj5L0HuX9dGomJexrNOamUgCno314O6VrNBpCtQZua-EUh7OyHo6rPg5oBE4RBASOWg2GGnIXfQjqdmycQMdyyt9zb1W7Oj5X293X5zTMPf-dfNL4MXjEaFbEc/s1600/Christ-Icon-with-Lampade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdI5bJZoF4BR0Uv90Txj5L0HuX9dGomJexrNOamUgCno314O6VrNBpCtQZua-EUh7OyHo6rPg5oBE4RBASOWg2GGnIXfQjqdmycQMdyyt9zb1W7Oj5X293X5zTMPf-dfNL4MXjEaFbEc/s400/Christ-Icon-with-Lampade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>PROFESSOR</b>: Now, there again, that is a thought which I do not very
easily understand. It is a general custom among all of us Christians to
ask for each other’s prayers, to want another to pray for me, and to have
special confidence in a member of the church. Is not this simply a demand
of self-love? Is it not that we have only caught the habit of saying what
we have heard others say, as a sort of fancy of the mind without any
serious consideration? Does God require human intercession, since He foresees
everything and acts according to His all-blessed providence and
not according to our desire, knowing and settling everything before our
petition is made, as the holy gospel says? Can the prayer of many people
really be any stronger to overcome His decisions than the prayer of one
person? In that case God would be a respecter of persons. Can the prayer
of another person really save me when everybody is commended or put to
shame on the ground of his own actions? And, therefore, the request for
the prayers of another person is to my mind merely a pious expression of
spiritual courtesy, which shows signs of humility and a desire to
please by preferring one another, and that is all.<o:p></o:p><br />
<b>MONK:</b> If one take only outward considerations into account, and with
an elementary philosophy, it might be put in that way. But the spiritual reason
blessed by the light of religion and trained by the experiences of the interior
life goes a good deal deeper, contemplates more clearly, and in a mystery
reveals something entirely different from what you have put forward. So that we
may understand this more quickly and clearly, let us take an example and then
verify the truth of it from the Word of God. Let us say that a pupil came to a
certain teacher for instruction. His feeble capacities and, what is more, his
idleness and lack of concentration prevented him from attaining any success in
his studies, and they put him in the category of the idle and unsuccessful.
Feeling sad at this, he did not know what to do, nor how to contend with his
deficiencies. Then he met another pupil, a classmate of his, who was more able
than he, more diligent and successful, and he explained his trouble to him. The
other took an interest in him and invited him to work with him. "Let us
work together," he said, "and we shall be keener, more cheerful and,
therefore, more successful." And so they began to study together, each
sharing with the other what he understood. The subject of their study was the
same. And what followed after several days? The indifferent one became
diligent; he came to like his work, his carelessness was changed to ardor and
intelligence, which had a beneficial effect upon his character and morals also.
And the intelligent one in his turn became more able and industrious. In the effect
they had upon one another they arrived at a common advantage. And this is very
natural, for man is born in the society of people; he develops his rational
understanding through people, habits of life, training, emotions, the action of
the will—in a word, everything he receives from the example of his kind. And,
therefore, as the life of men consists in the closest relations and the
strongest influences of one upon another, he who lives among a certain sort of
people becomes accustomed to that kind of habit, behaviour, and morals.
Consequently the cool become enthusiastic, the stupid become sharp, the idle
are aroused to activity by a lively interest in their fellow men. Spirit can
give itself to spirit and act beneficially upon another and attract another to
prayer, to attention. It can encourage him in despondency, turn him from vice,
and arouse him to holy action. And so by helping each other they can become
more devout, more energetic spiritually, more reverent. There you have the
secret of prayer for others, which explains the devout custom on the part of
Christian people of praying for one another and asking for the prayers of the
brethren.<o:p></o:p><br />
And from this one can see that it is not that God is pleased, as the great
ones of this world are, by a great many petitions and intercessions, but
that the very spirit and power of prayer cleanses and arouses the soul for
whom the prayer is offered and presents it ready for union with God. If
mutual prayer by those who are living upon earth is so beneficial, then in
the same way we may infer that prayer for the departed also is mutually
beneficial because of the very close link that exists between the heavenly
world and this. In this way souls of the Church Militant can be drawn
into union with souls of the Church Triumphant, or, what is the same
thing, the living with the dead.<o:p></o:p><br />
All that I have said is psychological reasoning, but if we open holy
Scripture we can verify the truth of it. (1) Jesus Christ says to the
Apostle Peter, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail
not." There you see that the power of Christ's prayer strengthens the
spirit of St. Peter and encourages him when his faith is tested. (2) When
the Apostle Peter was kept in prison, "prayer was made without ceasing of
the church unto God for him." Here we have revealed the help which
brotherly prayer gives in the troubled circumstances of life. (3) But the
clearest precept about prayer for others is put by the holy Apostle James
in this way: "Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one
another.... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much." Here is definite confirmation of the psychological argument above.<o:p></o:p><br />
And what are we to say of the example of the holy Apostle Paul, which is
given to us as the pattern of prayer for one another? One writer observes
that this example of the holy Apostle Paul should teach us how necessary
prayer for one another is, when so holy and strong a podvizhnik
acknowledges his own need of this spiritual help. In the Epistle to the
Hebrews he words his request in this way: "Pray for us: for we trust
we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly"
(Heb. 13:18). When we take note of this, how unreasonable it seems to rely
upon our own prayers and successes only, when a man so holy, so full of
grace, in his humility asks for the prayers of his neighbors (the Hebrews)
to be joined to his own. Therefore, in humility, simplicity, and unity of
love we should not reject or disdain the help of the prayers of even the
feeblest of believers, when the clear-sighted spirit of the Apostle Paul felt
no hesitation about it. He asks for the prayers of all in general, knowing that
the power of God is made perfect in weakness. Consequently it can at times be
made perfect in those who seem able to pray but feebly. Feeling the force
of this example, we notice further that prayer one for another strengthens that
unity in Christian love which is commanded by God, witnesses to humility in the
spirit of him who makes the request, and, so to speak, attracts the spirit of
him who prays. Mutual intercession is stimulated in this way.<o:p></o:p><br />
<b>PROFESSOR:</b> Your analysis and your proofs are admirable and exact, but
it would be interesting to hear from you the actual method and form of
prayer for<br />
others. For I think that if the fruitfulness and attractive power of prayer
depend upon a living interest in our neighbors, and conspicuously upon the
constant influence of the spirit of him who prays upon the spirit of him
who asked for prayer, such a state of soul might draw one away from the
uninterrupted sense of the invisible presence of God and the outpouring of
one's soul before God in one's own needs. And if one brings one's neighbor
to mind just once or twice in the day, with sympathy for him, asking the
help of God for him, would that not be enough for the attracting
and strengthening of his soul? To put it briefly, I should like to know
exactly how to pray for others.<o:p></o:p><br />
<b>MONK</b>: Prayer which is offered to God for anything whatever ought not,
and cannot, take us away from the sense of the presence of God, for if it
is an offering<br />
made to God, then, of course, it must be in His presence. So far as the method
of praying for others is concerned, it must be noted that the power of
this sort of prayer consists in true Christian sympathy with one's
neighbor, and it has an influence upon his soul according to the extent of
that sympathy. Therefore, when one happens to remember him (one's
neighbor), or at the time appointed for doing so, it is well to bring a
mental view of him into the presence of God, and to offer prayer in
the following form: <i>"Most merciful God, Thy will be done, which
will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,
save and help Thy servant (Name). Take this desire of mine as a cry of
love which Thou hast commanded.”</i> Commonly you will repeat those words
when your soul feels moved to do so, or you might tell your beads with
this prayer. I have found from experience how beneficially such a prayer
acts upon him for whom it is offered.<br clear="all" />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<b>PROFESSOR:</b> Your views and arguments and the edifying conversation and
illuminating thoughts which spring from them are such that I shall feel bound
to keep them in my memory, and to give you all the reverence and thanks of my
grateful heart.<o:p></o:p><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The Way of Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His
Way, pg. 179-183. </span></i></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-5130947274791105132016-02-02T19:35:00.000+11:002016-02-02T19:36:36.765+11:00On God's Providence - St John Chrysostom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-A4dIKDhAAJKwGxlTx37-Ki9kytjb825OGKjlknZjXzq3RTdyt01t0fO6wiOlYuB2nwN-5uMeNiH9hUvQFPAIEl2BwNnBbPmC_AjAQ_mnw_zgPqpo9EaIToJaL4I9gRMNBQrO-JYGDg/s1600/jesus-knocking-door-pg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-A4dIKDhAAJKwGxlTx37-Ki9kytjb825OGKjlknZjXzq3RTdyt01t0fO6wiOlYuB2nwN-5uMeNiH9hUvQFPAIEl2BwNnBbPmC_AjAQ_mnw_zgPqpo9EaIToJaL4I9gRMNBQrO-JYGDg/s320/jesus-knocking-door-pg.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
Above all, we must not be overly inquisitive, either at the outset or
afterwards. But if you are so curious and inquisitive, wait for the final
outcome and see how things turn out. And do not be thrown into confusion, do
not be troubled at the start. When an inexperienced man at first sees a
goldsmith melting the gold and mixing it with ashes and chaff – if he does not
wait till the end – he will think the gold is ruined. And if a man who has been
born and raised on the sea and is completely ignorant of how to care for the
land is suddenly moved to the interior of the country, when he sees the wheat that
has been stored away and protected behind doors and bars, and kept free from
moisture, suddenly brought out by the farmer, scattered, thrown about, lying on
the ground before all passersby, and not only not kept free from moisture, but
given over to mire and mud without any protection, will he not consider the
wheat to be ruined and pass judgment on the farmer who did these things? But
this condemnation does not come from the nature of what is done, but from the
inexperience and folly of him who is not judging well, casting his ballot
immediately at the outset. If he waited for the summer and saw the fields
waving, the sickle sharpened, and the wheat that has remained scattered
unprotected and rotted and ruined and given over to the mire now raised up and
multiplied, appearing in full bloom, having put away that which is obsolete,
set upright with great strength, as though having guards and a watch, raising
its stalk up high, delighting the beholder, as well as providing nourishment
and great benefit – then he would be highly amazed that, by way of such
conditions, the fruit had been brought to such abundance and splendor.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
Therefore, you too, O man, especially do not be inquisitive about the common
Master of us all. But if you are so contentions and daring as to rage with such
madness, then wait for the final outcome of events. For if the farmer waits the
whole winter, considering not what the wheat is undergoing during the time of
frost, but the benefit he will get from it, much more so, before Him who
cultivates the whole world, as well as our souls, is it fitting for you to wait
for the final outcome. But by outcome I do not mean only the outcome in the
present life – for often it will be here, as well – but also that in the life
to come.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
God's economy is directed toward a single end in each of these lives: our
salvation and good repute. Even if it is divided in two with regard to time, it
is united with regard to objective. Just as at first it is winter and then it
is spring, and the passage of each season has a single goal – the ripening of
the fruit – so it is with our affairs.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
Therefore, when you see the Church scattered, undergoing the utmost
sufferings, its prominent members attacked and flogged, its leader carried afar
off, consider not only these things, but also the things that will result from
them: the rewards, the compensations, the prizes, the awards. He that endureth
to the end shall be saved, says the Lord (Matt. 10:22). In the time of the Old
Covenant, when the teaching of the resurrection was not yet well known, both
things came to pass in the present life. But in the time of the New Covenant,
this is not always so. Rather, there are instances where there are painful
things here in this life, and the good things await our departure from here.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
Nevertheless, since under the Old Covenant the good things of life were
coming to pass for them in this present life, especially admirable are they who
did not enjoy these things, since without clearly knowing the teaching on the
resurrection, and seeing events occurring which were contrary to the promises
of God, they were not scandalized, they were not thrown into confusion, they
were not troubled. Rather, they submitted themselves to God's incomprehensible
providence, not being scandalized by adverse events. Knowing the
resourcefulness and inventiveness of His Wisdom, they waited for the end.
Moreover, everything that was done to them before the end they endured with
thankfulness, and they continued to glorify the God Who allowed these things to
take place.<u5:p></u5:p><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> - St John Chrysostom: On God's
Providence</span></div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-29237062926836286392016-01-08T13:39:00.001+11:002016-02-04T23:31:09.487+11:00A great miracle that occured in Romania<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaYbXKwXcbF8OPnAwla82HQmncuLV2kGGcX77MCtQG8RE22ky5QV6MeeMk-I0yJbN-DI2CdpQmDlG9pzr48cfugDCtqOk7Qz0cqrJNcQ76mw-VzZ68gvySbf6yJ3WoMEFT0b0Ok0FaMA/s1600/village-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaYbXKwXcbF8OPnAwla82HQmncuLV2kGGcX77MCtQG8RE22ky5QV6MeeMk-I0yJbN-DI2CdpQmDlG9pzr48cfugDCtqOk7Qz0cqrJNcQ76mw-VzZ68gvySbf6yJ3WoMEFT0b0Ok0FaMA/s400/village-large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a small village in Romania no priests existed and the residents went often to the Patriarch and demanded him to fulfill the empty spot. However the Patriarch did not have the means of satisfying the demand for a priest. The villagers went over and over again but their was nothing their Patriarch said that was any different... that he did not have any extra priests or else he would send one to the village.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Meanwhile people died unread (no services), others had relationships and children without marriage vows, the children and adults alike were unbaptized.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then one day, outside of the Church a car pulled up and stopped and out stepped a priest shouting. The village was astonished.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The villagers went to the church to welcome him and asked him, "How did you come to the village after our Patriarch had said that he doesn't have a priest to send us?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The priest answered, "Isn't that what you wished for? You wished for a priest? Now one has come."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All the villagers were glad in the presence of the new priest.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The priest began immediately working. He went to all the graves and read the [funeral] prayers. He baptized and married everyone in the village and administered Holy Communion.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One day he invited all the villagers to church and told them, "I must leave now, my mission work is done."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The villagers were saddened and confused by his announcement and asked, "Now that you came, you are leaving?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">However the priest didn't change his mind and proceeded with his decision.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When the villagers realized that their wasn't anything they could do, they thanked him.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After days, the villagers went to Patriarch and they thanked him for sending them a priest and to let him know that they would kindly appreciate it if he could send them another priest soon, but the Patriarch didn't know anything.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He said to them I didn't send a priest because I don't have one, however let me check with the [Chancellor] to see if he had sent a priest to you to serve your needs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He phoned the [Chancellor] but he too didn't send anyone.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Patriarch inquired, "What did this priest do for you?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The villagers answered, "He married us, baptized us, performed funerals for our parents, he did what any other priest would have performed for us."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then the Patriarch asked if he gave them any papers or logged the mysteries.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Of course," said the villagers, "he gave us papers and he wrote them in the Church's books."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Then did anyone see what he wrote? And with what name he signed?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"All the documents were written in Romanian and we are not well educated and the signature he signed in a language we have not seen before."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Patriarch requested they go bring the books in order to see who was this clergyman.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When they returned with the book the Patriarch remained speechless. He couldn't believe his eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Indeed all the documents were written in Romanian while his name was written in Greek with the name of his signature, </span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 85%;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis</span>.</span></strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/great-miracle-of-st-nektarios-in.html">http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/great-miracle-of-st-nektarios-in.html</a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPayb4paWtGqK-_OsujG3uRTDBVfMjjgQK3x2lPK7Wg73nwIqtc91fiiuxXkpuzRZuj6fADZGr8RP209Qr2Sdx9_Ol1WWcZR-q8q19vcAV1Bl0yBpahwUTHMVAHcv-hwJwCI-KovXqqrk/s1600/LastLiturgy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPayb4paWtGqK-_OsujG3uRTDBVfMjjgQK3x2lPK7Wg73nwIqtc91fiiuxXkpuzRZuj6fADZGr8RP209Qr2Sdx9_Ol1WWcZR-q8q19vcAV1Bl0yBpahwUTHMVAHcv-hwJwCI-KovXqqrk/s320/LastLiturgy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 85%;"></span> </div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658400389748240946.post-18018074074628909922016-01-07T14:47:00.001+11:002016-01-07T14:47:37.063+11:00All this for me?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bhWRYQBZBtLX9fpvk0YRAcZhmNG5k2qHWA5TTPY-S9KTW5nz7NK1779e2y-3TrQFapR7CrBS9K064ThfwSCwrBR3Yp-30KN9lytln0udJXi8b_VreMJGptB-dloaRDm5VY1RJ_fbP6A/s1600/963bfcfe9ec4599f17ccb333d9f9e8c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bhWRYQBZBtLX9fpvk0YRAcZhmNG5k2qHWA5TTPY-S9KTW5nz7NK1779e2y-3TrQFapR7CrBS9K064ThfwSCwrBR3Yp-30KN9lytln0udJXi8b_VreMJGptB-dloaRDm5VY1RJ_fbP6A/s320/963bfcfe9ec4599f17ccb333d9f9e8c2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What is this that is happening to me! I asked for forgiveness and what I receive is beyond any notion of pardon and absolution. I was seeking to find some serenity and the peace which is given to me cannot be expressed. I am aware that I was created to receive and give love but this love that I come upon is beyond my expectations. I was struggling to grasp onto some hope but what I find here is tangible serenity, real happiness. I don't want to expect anything else. I don't wish anything higher. I am at a loss with all this. I am puzzled and I say, "All this for me? Why? What have I done? How come I deserve this? Has a mistake been made?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Source: The Struggle in Christ in the Apostasy of Our Times, Holy Monastery of St. Gregorios</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.orthodoxbookstore.org.au/products/52462">http://www.orthodoxbookstore.org.au/products/52462</a></div>
</div>
FOCUS UNSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02254339318432914434noreply@blogger.com0