56 posts tagged “orthodox christian”
Rio Grande Valley of Tropical South Texas
www.stgeorgepantry.org
http://matushkaelizabeth.vox.com/
Another SoundSlide experiment for your viewing pleasure: This is Home!
Or see at: http://www.webng.com/mateliza/This%20Is%20Home/
Chronicles Of Narnia Prince Caspian Movie
This Is Home
I've got my memories
They're always
Inside of me
But I can't go back
Back to how it was
I believe now
I've seen too much
But I can't go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place
I've never known
Chorus:
This is home
Now I'm finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching
For a place of my own
Now I've found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
Belief over misery
I've seen the enemy
And I won't go back
Back to how it was
And I got my heart
Set on
What happens next
I got my eyes wide
It's not over yet
We are miracles
And we're not alone
(Chorus)
And now after all
My searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see
The sunset
I'm gonna call it home
(Chorus)
Now I know
Yeah, this is home
I've come too far
Now I won't go back
This is home
Okay, folks. This is my very first ever try at this sort of thing. After many hours of editing, trial and error, I think it's almost okay to watch. The format (SoundSlides) won't let me put it up on YouTube, so you'll have to view my "baby" production on this WebNG site.
So - without further adieu - here's "Man in Black" - a tribute to all the men in black we know and love so well.
Man in Black To read the captions/lyrics of the song as you watch, click on the bottom right hand side of the media screen where it says, of all things, "Captions."
Or link at: http://www.webng.com/mateliza/Man%20in%20Black/
Let me know what you all think, okay? Our Parish website (which tells about activities at which these photos were taken) can be found at: www.stgeorgepantry.org
Our Flickr photo site with many sets of pics is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8135007@N03/sets/
Gnomic
- For the poetic form, see Gnomic Poetry.
In Ancient Greek, a general truth may be expressed in the present, future, or aorist tenses. This usage of these three tenses is called the gnomic (gnomic present, etc.).
A gnomic present states that something does happen or that something is true. A gnomic future, the rarest of the three usages, similarly states that certain events often occur, without being concerned with any specific impending event. A gnomic aorist (the most common of the three usages) likewise expresses the tendency for certain events to occur under given circumstances and is used to express general maxims (a rare English example of the gnomic expressed in a past tense is the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat"). The gnomic aorist is thought to derive (as the English example does) from the summation of a common story (such as the moral of a fable).
The Gnomic Will
The notion of 'gnomic will' belongs to Eastern Orthodox ascetical theology, being developed particularly within the theology of St Maximus the Confessor. The term 'gnomic' derives from the Greek gnome, meaning 'inclination' or 'intention'. Within Orthodox theology, gnomic willing is contrasted with natural willing. Natural willing designates the free movement of a creature in accordance with the principle (logos) of its nature towards the fulfilment (telos, stasis) of its being. Gnomic willing, on the other hand, designates that form of willing in which a person engages in a process of deliberation culminating in a free choice.
Within the theology of St Maximus, which was upheld by the Sixth Ecumenical Council, Jesus Christ possessed no gnomic will. St Maximus developed this claim particularly in his Dialogue with Pyrrhus. According to St Maximus, the process of gnomic willing presupposes that a person does not know what they want, and so must deliberate and choose between a range of alternatives. However, Jesus Christ, as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity was omniscient. Therefore, St Maximus reasoned, Christ was never in a state of ignorance regarding what he wanted, and so never engaged in gnomic willing.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnomic
The Gnomic Will was illuded to by Abbot Jonah during his inspiring homily given at the final Divine Liturgy at the recent OCA Diocese of the South Assembly held in Dallas, Texas.
To see more photos, check out: The Gnomic Will Beware! He has been recently sighted a number of times darting about, bird in hand, in various spots within our South Texas garden...
Photo: The "Hermit Elder" - a Sage on "Little Mount Athos" - came out to talk to the young people after they boated
over to the holy island.
St. Peter the Aleut Orthodox Summer Camp, a Pan-Orthodox Christian Summer Camp, held in June/July 2008 at the YMCA Camp in Possum Kingdom Lake in North Texas. Clergy Chaplains were Fr. John Anderson, of St. Seraphim's Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas, Texas and Fr. Antonio Perdomo, of St. George's Orthodox Church in Pharr, Texas. In addition to daily prayers and various liturgical services, there were many fun activities throughout the week. These included archery, sailing, riflry, canoeing, swimming, some very puzzling craft projects, blobbing, horseback riding and a ride out to what has been dubbed as, "Little Mount Athos Island" where a wise old sage, a hermit of the mountain, came out and spoke to the young people. The week was sprinkled with spiritual topic sessions. This year's topic was on relationships: between friends, family, courtship and marriage. Nightly campfire question and answer discussions also took place with the older youth, young adults and clergy. The week ended with a talent show and some truly - amazing - skits and musical presentations. Before everyone left, each camper received an "award" for that which they contributed to this year's camp experience. After the obligatory group photos, all were sad to leave. Until next year... enjoy the photos.
All of the photos we have from the St. Peter the Aleut Orthodox Summer Camp can be viewed at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8135007@N03/sets/72157606112852751/ Have fun, folks!
P.S. Just a Musical Hint: I found that it's really nice watching the photos as a slide show while listening to Aaron Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and then "The Rodeo Ballet", "Billy the Kid", "Appalachian Spring" et all...
11 “Green” Things Any Church Community Can Do!
Matushka Elizabeth Perdomo
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof;
the world, and all that dwell therein.” ~ Psalm 24:1
With energy costs rising daily and consequential scenes of global warming nearly nightly on national news, it is easy to succumb to a sense of helplessness. We could spend years discussing the theology of “Christian environmentalism” and still do nothing at all. What we need, as with the wholeness of our faith, is praxis to accompany our theology. As with other parts of our life, we need to embrace a balanced “ecological asceticism.’” That is, an active and ongoing repentance and purification of heart which changes the choices we make on how to live at home and within our Parish. As Orthodox Christians and for the love of Christ and His Church, we must ask, “What can we do?” The simple suggestions below can be used as springboards for other ideas within our Parish facilities and in our homes. These suggestions can be used to inspire and engage Parish youth and young adults. Every small alteration we make can add up to big results when embraced as a permanent change. Especially when made within many parishes and countless homes! These suggestions include varying degrees of change and commitment. If you’re parish is only ready for simple baby steps, take them rather than doing nothing at all! If your Parish is ready to embrace the more difficult challenges, take longer strides. With time and commitment, any Parish can make the more challenging changes. The earth belongs to the Lord. He calls all of creation “good.” Because we love Him, let us take care of that which He loves, “the world and all that dwell therein.”
1) Change Parish Buying Habits! What is the common denominator of most Parish coffee hours, dinners and feasts? Styrofoam disposable cups, plates and bowls! Yet, styrofoam virtually never disintegrates, and if burned, releases highly toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Here are some simple suggestions, starting with the easiest first: As a Parish (Parish Council, Women’s Group, Youth Group – whatever!) make a commitment to purchase only non-styrofoam disposables. Rather, purchase paper coffee cups, plates, bowls, etc. These cost slightly more, but the end cost to us all are much less. Even disposable plastic cold drink cups are better than Styrofoam! When we first moved to our current Parish, my teenage daughters wrote a letter to the Parish Council making argument for this cause, which the Council approved. Occasionally, purchasers forget this and the girls “remind” them to buy paper next time. If plastic cups are used for cold drinks, for example, during Church School, Meetings, Youth Retreats or Youth Group Meetings, other Retreats, etc., we always provide several “sharpie” water proof markers for participants to use. We ask them to write their name on their cup and to use it more than once, rather than grabbing a new cup each time they want a sip of water. Think about “Real” Coffee Mugs! One Parish we often visited when we lived in New Mexico had a large board with cup hooks on it. People in the Parish brought and hung up their own cups, with plenty of extras donated for use by guests. After every coffee hour or dinner, each person just washed their own cup (or, if it was being used, placed them in the dish washer) and they were hung up for use “next time.” I once had a fantasy about real cups becoming a “standard issue” to each new Orthodox seminarian. A nice, large, enameled coffee mug (with school logo on it, of course!), for them to use in seminary activities, cafeterias, dorms, etc., could easily be slipped into or clipped onto those heavy college backpacks! What about “real” everything? Yes, I know, that means dishes to wash. But, a lifetime of using inexpensive flatware, plates, cups, etc. really adds up in environmental costs. Maybe teams from the teen youth groups could take turns hand washing or filling church dish washers? Believe it or not, washing dishes with friends at events can be a fun and memorable event. Perhaps the youth could then be rewarded in some way by the parish? Maybe they would enjoy a special pizza night? Or better, assistance with Orthodox camp scholarships? Be creative!
2) Recycle! How many aluminum cans generated from Orthodox Parishes and Parish-sponsored fundraising events held throughout America are simply thrown into trashcans and hauled off to local landfills each week? The number would be staggering. Yet, one of the easiest forms of recycling is to set up specially marked repositories for the disposal of aluminum cans. Label and place aluminum can repositories in easy to find and use places, in your church hall or festival grounds. Perhaps the youth group could collect these, cash them in, and use the funds for a special project or, again, for camp or retreat scholarships? Perhaps the women’s or men’s group could take charge and use the funds for purchasing consumable goods for the parish? If there is space, interest and those who can clearly follow up on the process, place notices in Church calendars and bulletins. Ask Parishioners to bring their crushed aluminum cans to church – perhaps the 1st Sunday of each month – to add to those used within the Parish and its special fundraising events. When at all possible, do not buy non-recyclable plastic individual serving sized soft drinks, waters, etc. Rather, use larger sizes of soft drink bottles and large, insulated thermal or other water coolers, which can hold 5 gallons of water. For camp, youth retreats, vacation Bible school, seminars and other events, give each participant a non-disposable water bottle – and the obligatory sharpie with which to write their name – and have them refill and use the bottle throughout the event. Keep plenty of refill water available and easy to access! In our Parish, we also ask people to bring plastic grocery bags for us to recycle and use in our St. George’s Food Pantry. Our Food Pantry also reuses and recycles cardboard boxes. In addition, scrap office paper and printer ink cartridges can be recycled in nearly any parish.
3) Go Native! Using native plant and tree species in designing or renovating parish grounds can help conserve water and enhance the food and shelter of local wildlife species. Adding water-conserving soaker hose systems can also help with precious water use and expenses. The Youth, Young Adults and/or Scout Troops of your parish might be interested in becoming involved in a planting or re-planting project of this kind. Choose native species or those well adapted to the local climate and geography, not simply because they are used in commercial plantings! If you don’t know what species to choose, talk to local plant conservation organizations, nature centers or your local agricultural extension office. They will likely recommend both species and local nursery sources for use on a Parish’s property. If your climate and property allow, think about planting food-producing fruit or nut trees to feed the parish and the hungry. If you have the space, think about establishing Community Vegetable Gardens or gardens to feed the poor. Make new or renovated plantings in the proper season, so plants can establish themselves before the hot summer season. This will take considerably less water and reduce the possibility of losing plants. In very hot, dry climates, consider xeriscaping options. Xeric means dry. A xeriscape utilizes plants requiring very little or no watering, often interspersed in landscaping stones. Consider plant and tree species that will specifically add food sources, nesting sites and shelter for birds and other native wildlife. Strongly consider adding at least one water feature to your parish’s property – even if just a simple birdbath. If your local parish owns a considerable amount of property, consider leaving (or ‘cultivating’) a portion of it as a wild space – a mini-wildlife pres erve. Development in most urban areas has considerably reduced suitable habitat for native wildlife species. Doing just a little with our Parish properties can do a lot towards nurturing and preserving birds and other species. Local nature societies are great resources and possible partners in any such effort. A neighbor of our church has only 2 acres, but they have created a wonderful wildscape, with native plants and trees, feed and water sites, trails, etc. People come from all over the nation to photograph the rare birds and other animals that come to this urban wildlife preserve. In the case of Orthodox Parishes and other properties, outdoor icon shrines and benches for prayer and quiet meditation would be perfect additions as well! A “Children’s Garden” with paths and special sites can be a wonderful outdoor, nature and teaching addition to your property.
3) Go Native! Using native plant and tree species in designing or renovating parish grounds can help conserve water and can help enhance the food and shelter of local wildlife species. Adding water conserving soaker hose systems can also help with precious water use and expenses. The Youth, Young Adults and/or Scout Troops of you parish might be very interested in becoming involved in a planting or re-planting project of this kind. Choose native species or those well adapted to the local climate and geography, and not simply because they are used in commercial plantings! If you don’t know what species to choose, talking to local plant conservation organizations, nature centers or your local agricultural extension office. They could likely recommend both species and local nursery sources for use on a Parish’s property. If your climate and property allow, think about planting food-producing fruit or nut trees – to feed the parish and the hungry. If you have the space, think about establishing Community Vegetable Gardens or gardens to feed the poor as well. Make new or renovated plantings in the proper season, so plants can well establish before the hot summer season. This will take considerably less water and will reduce the possibility of loosing plants. In very hot, dry climates, consider xeriscaping options. Xeric means dry. A xeriscape utilizes plants requiring very little or no watering, often interspersed in landscaping stones.
Consider plant and tree species which will specifically add food sources, nesting sites and shelter for birds and other native wildlife. Strongly consider adding at least one water feature to your parish’s property – even if a simple birdbath. If your local parish owns a considerable amount of property, consider leaving (or ‘cultivating’) a portion of it as a wildspace – a mini-wildlife preserve. Development in most urban areas has considerably reduced suitable habitat for native wildlife species. Doing just a little with our Parish properties can do a lot towards nurturing and preserving bird and other species. Local nature societies would be great resources and partners in any such effort. Williams Wildscapes, a neighbor of our church, is composed of only 2 acres. However, they have created a wonderful wildscape, including pathways surrounded by native plants and trees, feed and water sites, trails, etc. People come from all over the nation to photograph the rare birds and other animals which come to this urban wildlife preserve. In the case of Orthodox Parishes and other properties, outdoor icon shrines and benches for prayer and quiet meditation would be perfect additions as well! A “Children’s Garden” with paths and special sites can be a wonderful outdoor, nature and teaching addition to your property.
4) Turn it down or turn it off! When office machines, kitchen appliances or media equipment are not being used, turn it off! This can reduce energy costs by 25%. Turning off computers at the end of the day can save an additional 50%. When rooms or portions of a facility are not in use, turn off lights and adjust the air conditioning and/or heat accordingly. Timed controls for larger facilities can help save considerably on unnecessary utility usage.
Hot water heaters should be turned down as well. In most cases, the lowest setting is perfectly adequate.
5) Paper Use: Reduce, recycle, reuse! Church offices and educational departments can conserve and use printer paper as wisely as possible. If something is a draft, print it on the back of used paper to “recycle” the other side. Print it on “draft” to conserve expensive ink. Use both sides of paper when possible, especially when printing materials to distribute. Buy and use only recycled printer paper and recycle your used paper as well. If one must send a fax, use a fax cover sheet only when required. Write phone messages on “recycled” papers which are printed on one side. Stacks of these can easily be cut into ¼’s and stapled together at the top. Church school teacher and teaching materials can be laminated or put into plastic sleeves and notebooks so they can be better preserved and used for many years. Whenever possible, encourage inter-parish communications by email, including news, event notices, newsletters and more. Print only those things for which you actually need a hard copy. File, label and reuse as many times as possible printed copies for choir and church school use.
6) Don’t Flush Away Extra Water! Most older bathroom toilets waste gallons of water with each flush. This adds up to a considerable amount of precious fresh water in the course of a Church Year! Place one or two plastic containers filled with sand or stones [not bricks] in the toilet’s reservoir tank. It will displace about 4 litres of water per flush. When remodeling, renovating or building a new facility, strongly consider purchasing water conserving toilet units.
7) Watch those costly leaks! Running toilets, dripping faucets and leaky spigots can waste more water than one can imagine! Simple repairs are often all that is required. One water drop per second wastes 10,000 litres per year!
If an exterior spigot leaks, or there water is released from an air conditioning system, at least place some sort of shallow container under the drip so birds and other small wildlife can access the water for drinking.
8) Fan Away the Heat! Whether your parish is in an older facility, or you’re considering renovations or the
building of an entirely new structure, remember that ceiling fans can help reduce the need for more costly air conditioning. The liberal addition of relatively inexpensive ceiling fans can distribute the cool air from air conditioning, making a room feel much more comfortable at less cost and energy use. Likewise in winter, fans set on low speed can help distribute heat.
Ceiling fans can even help in covered outdoor spaces. We have two on our Parish Hall's patio, and it keeps the space much more comfortable - enough so that it is often used as a "class room" for Church School sessions for the older teens and young adults.9) Let there be light! Where possible, retrofit newer fluorescent type light bulbs to replace hot and more energy-costly incandescent bulbs. If renovating space or building a new facility, plan in both fluorescent lighting and sky lights, to allow natural light into rooms. One women’s monastery we often visit has wonderful sky lights. I often think an electric light is already on in the bathroom and try to turn off the switch before leaving! Well placed windows and sky lights can greatly reduce the need for day-time electric light sources.
10) Explore Alternative Energy Sources. We think about adding good insulation, double paned windows, energy-efficient heat and air conditioning sources and appliances when we build and/or renovate our homes. Why not consider the same things in your parish? The choice of better energy efficient building materials and insulation are readily available. More hard-core additions, such as solar panels, wind powered generators and such, should at least be explored when new structures are being planned. Plan for the future, not only of our Parish buildings, but also of the good earth in which God has placed us as stewards and caretakers.
11) Reduce Gas Consumption from Commuting! No, don’t reduce the number of Church Services! Rather, cluster other activities and meetings around the central liturgical services of the Church. Pastors, Parish Councils, Church Choirs, Youth Programs and more can consider gas consumption required from commuting when planning events, activities or staff office work time. For those parishes fortunate enough to have full or part time office staff or an office used by its clergy, consider going to a 3-4 day work week for “in office” activities. Spend the other days “telecommuting” – working from a home computer and home or cellular telephone. Try to schedule meetings, such as catechumen classes, youth group activities and parish council meetings around liturgical services, which people (hopefully) will already be attending. For example, rather than scheduling an extra evening Parish Council meeting to which people must make an extra drive, hold them on Sunday afternoon, after Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour. Or, schedule meetings or classes after a Wednesday night Daily Vespers Service. This can also be a good time for Church School or Catechumen/Inquirer’s Classes as well. One parish in our Diocese holds Church School for Children only once a month, for several hours on Saturday afternoon, ending just prior to Great Vespers. Teen and Young Adult meetings can also take place on Sunday afternoons, and then people are already assembled at the Church. Our Parish’s choir practices take place on Sunday mornings, just prior to Hours, when people are already heading for Church. These considerations are especially helpful in areas where those attending a parish come from a widely disbursed geographical area. Offer a ride to church or church activities and "car pool" with an elderly person, college student or others who live nearby. You'll not only save cas and vehicle use, but you will also have a wonderful opportunity to get to better know your neighbors and family in Christ.
"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all..." ~ Psalm 103
Working together, as stewards of God’s Good Earth
within the Body of Christ; the Church,
we CAN make a difference!
For Other Reference Sources (in no particular order) See:
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Environmental_ethics
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/environment/
http://www.ottawacathedral.org/news.html#orthodoxEnvironment08
http://www.ottawacathedral.org/news.html#orthodoxEnvironment08-02
http://www.arcworld.org/faiths.asp?pageID=121
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2065/is_3_54/ai_92136466/print?tag=artBody;col1
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2065/is_3_54/ai_92136466/pg_2
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=14-01-066-b
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=221
http://methodius.blogspot.com/2007/10/orthodox-environmentalism.html
http://www.christianecology.org/CarlPope.html
More on the Environment
Analyzing Ethically Orthodox Sources for Addressing Ecological Issues. By Rev. Dr. Stanley Harakas
The Black See in Crisis. By Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon
Ecological Asceticism: A Cultural Revolution. By Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon
Globalization. By Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo
Orthodoxy and Ecological Problems: A Theological Approach. By Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon
Orthodoxy and the Environment. By Robert Flanagan
Orthodoxy and the Environment: A Life of Wonder. By Robert Flanagan
Orthodoxy and the Environment: Holiness of Place. By Robert Flanagan
Celebration of Faith Sermons, Vol. 2, "The Church Year"
Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann
"The feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit." I say these words I've known since childhood, and all at once they strike me as if I'm hearing them for the first time. Yes, from the time I was a child I knew that ten days following the Ascension, meaning fifty days after Pascha, Christians from time immemorial celebrated and continue to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit in a feast known by its church name as Pentecost, or more popularly as "Trinity," the day of the Trinity.
For centuries, to prepare for this feast the churches were cleaned and adorned with greenery and branches, and grass was strewn about the floor... On the day of the feast, at the solemn vespers, the faithful stood in church holding flowers in their hands. These customs explain how the feast of Pentecost entered Russian popular consciousness and literature as a kind of sun-filled, bright celebration, the feast of flowering, a kind of joyful encounter between human beings and God's world in all its beauty and grace.
All religions, including the most ancient and primitive, had a feast of summer flowering, a feast to celebrate the first appearance of shoots, plants, fruit. In ancient Judaism, this was the feast of Pentecost. If in Old Testament religion Passover celebrated spring's resurrection of the world and nature, then the Jewish Pentecost was the feast of movement from spring to summer, celebrating the victory of sun and light, the feast of cosmic fullness. But in the Old Testament a feast common to all human societies acquires a new meaning: it becomes the annual commemoration of the ascent of Moses up Mount Sinai, where in an inexpressible mystical encounter God revealed himself, entered into a Covenant, gave commandments, and promised salvation. In other terms, religion ceased being simply nature, and now became the beginning of history: God had revealed his law, his commandments, his plan for humanity, and had shown the way. Spring, summer, the eternal natural cycle, became a sign and symbol not only of nature, but of man's spiritual destiny and the commandment to grow into fullness of knowledge, life and perfect wholeness... Finally, in the very last phase of the Old Testament, through the teaching and insight of the prophets, this feast became a celebration directed toward the future, to God's final victory in his creation. Here is how the prophet Joel speaks of this:
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the men-servants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will give signs in the heavens and on the earth...before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered... (Joel 2:28-32)
Thus, the Jewish feast of Pentecost is a feast of nature and the cosmos, a feast of history as the revelation of God's will for the world and human beings, a feast of future triumph, of God's victory over evil and the coming of the great and last "day of the Lord." All this must be kept in mind in order to grasp how the first Christians experienced, understood, and celebrated their feast of Pentecost, and why it became one of the most important Christian celebrations.
The Book of Acts, devoted to recounting the history of the first Christians and the initial spread of Christianity, starts precisely with the day of Pentecost, describing what took place fifty days after Christ's resurrection and ten days after his ascension into heaven. Just before his ascension Christ had told the disciples "not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, 'you heard from me..." (Acts 1:4). So in ten days, according to St Luke's account,
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance... And all who heard were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." (Acts 2:1-4, 12.13)
To those witnesses who remained skeptical, the apostle Peter explained the meaning of the event using the words of the prophet Joel quoted above. "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel," he said, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." (Acts 2:16,17).
For the Christian, therefore, the feast of Pentecost is the completion of all that Christ accomplished. Christ taught about the Kingdom of God, and here it is, now opened! Christ promised that the Spirit of God would reveal the truth, and now this is fulfilled. The world, history, life, time, are all illumined with the final, transcendent light-all are filled with ultimate meaning. The last and great day of the Lord has begun!
The birthday of the Church...
In the Old Testament Pentecost was the feast which occurred fifty days after Passover. As the passover feast celebrated the exodus of the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt, so Pentecost celebrated God's gift of the ten commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In the new covenant of the Messiah, the passover event takes on its new meaning as the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection, the "exodus" of men from this sinful world to the Kingdom of God. And in the New Testament as well, the pentecostal feast is fulfilled and made new by the coming of the "new law," the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ.
The Holy Spirit that Christ had promised to his disciples came on the day of Pentecost (Jn 14:26, 15:26; Lk 24:49; Acts 1:5). The apostles received "the power from on high," and they began to preach and bear witness to Jesus as the risen Christ, the King and the Lord. This moment has traditionally been called the birthday of the Church. In the liturgical services of the feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit is celebrated together with the full revelation of the divine Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The fulness of the Godhead is manifested with the Spirit's coming to man, and the Church hymns celebrate this manifestation as the final act of God's self-disclosure and self-donation to the world of His creation. For this reason Pentecost Sunday is also called Trinity Day in the Orthodox tradition. Often on this day the icon of the Holy Trinity -- particularly that of the three angelic figures who appeared to Abraham, the forefather of the Christian faith - is placed in the center of the church. This icon is used with the traditional pentecostal icon which shows the tongues of fire hovering over Mary and the Twelve Apostles, the original prototype of the Church, who are themselves sitting in unity surrounding a symbolic image of "cosmos," the world.On Pentecost we have the final fulfillment of the mission of Jesus Christ and the first beginning of the messianic age of the Kingdom of God mystically present in this world in the Church of the Messiah. For this reason the fiftieth day stands as the beginning of the era which is beyond the limitations of this world, fifty being that number which stands for eternal and heavenly fulfillment in Jewish and Christian mystical piety: seven times seven, plus one. Thus, Pentecost is called an apocalyptic day, which means the day of final revelation. It is also called an eschatological day, which means the day of the final and perfect end (in Greek eschaton> means the end). For when the Messiah comes and the Lord's Day is at hand, the "last days" are inaugurated in which "God declares: ... I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." This is the ancient prophecy to which the Apostle Peter refers in the first sermon of the Christian Church which was preached on the first Sunday of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1 7; Joel 2: 28-32). Once again it must be noted that the feast of Pentecost is not simply the celebration of an event which took place centuries ago. It is the celebration of what must happen and does happen to us in the Church today. We all have died and risen with the Messiah-King, and we all have received his Most Holy Spirit. We are the "temples of the Holy Spirit." God's Spirit dwells in us (Rom 8; 1 Cor 2-3, 12; 2 Cor 3; Gal 5; Eph 2-3). We, by our own membership in the Church, have received "the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit" in the sacrament of chrismation. Pentecost has happened to us. The Divine Liturgy of Pentecost recalls our baptism into Christ with the verse from Galatians again replacing the Thrice-Holy Hymn. Special verses from the psalms also replace the usual antiphonal psalms of the liturgy. The epistle and gospel readings tell of the Spirit's coming to men. The kontakion sings of the reversal of Babel as God unites the nations into the unity of his Spirit. The troparion proclaims the gathering of the whole universe into God's net through the work of the inspired apostles. The hymns 0 Heavenly King and We have seen the True Light are sung for the first time since Easter, calling the Holy Spirit to "come and abide in us", and proclaiming that "we have received the heavenly Spirit." The church building is decorated with flowers and the green leaves of the summer to show that God's divine Breath comes to renew all creation as the "lifeÄcreating Spirit." In Hebrew the word for Spirit, breath and wind is the same word, ruah.
The Great Vespers of Pentecost evening features three long prayers at which the faithful kneel for the first time since Easter. The Monday after Pentecost is the feast of the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church, and the Sunday after Pentecost is the feast of All Saints. This is the logical liturgical sequence since the coming of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled in men by their becoming saints, and this is the very purpose of the creation and salvation of the world. "Thus says the Lord: Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I your God am holy" (Lev 11:44-45, 1 Pet 1:15-16). From: www.oca.org
© 2008 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America www.goarch.org | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last week, my hubby went to Mexico City for a mission trip. Bp. Alejo of Mexico City and the local clergy, including our beloved "son-in-Christ" the seminarian Sub-Deacon Abraham, invited Father to come as they, for the first time ever, hosted a visit by Archbishop Seraphim of Otawa, Canada as he visited Mexico. It was a wonderful visit for all. Our friend, the "New Yorican" (New York Puerto Rican) Father Ernesto Rios, who is a Pastor in Port St. Lucy, Florida, also joined the gathering. Besides many liturgical services, including the cathedral's namesday patronal feas of the Ascension, they also took Archbishop Seraphim to some of the local tourist sites - such as the pyramids and the volcanos. In addition, they visited the Orthodox Monastery of St. Anthony the Great, and the mission of the Holy Trinity, pastored by our dear friend, Padre José Luis Serna Estrada. I will include a few of my favorite photos here, but the entire set of pics can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8135007@N03/sets/72157605482072084/ On the way back home, Father stopped to visit in Monterrey, the 3rd largest city in Mexico, which is about 3 hours drive from us here on the border. There is no Orthodox church in Monterrey, and Bp. Alejo has asked Father to help reach out to those Orthodox and interested in Orthodox Christianity who live in that region. So, with the blessing of our hierarch, Archbishop Dmitri, Father has been visiting Monterrey when he can during the last several years. (Mexico City and its clergy are a 15 hour bus ride away from Monterrey and we are only 3 hours away!). So, Father met with several young men in Monterrey, who are interested in helping develop an Orthodox mission there. It was good that he went and very good to have him home again. Our 24th Anniversary occured on June 2nd while he was in Mexico City.
Visiting the Monastery
Sub Deacon Abraham, Father Ernesto Rios and Father Antonio Perdomo on top of the pyramid
Bp. Alejo and Archbishop Seraphim taking shelter under an umbrella at the pyramids
In front of the Cathedral of the Ascension in Mexico City - Fr. Jose Luis, Fr. Dennis, Fr. Ernesto, Archbishop Seraphim, Bishop Alejo and Father Antonio
At the volcanos - Fr. Jose Luis, Fr. Ernesto, Bp. Alejo, ABp. Seraphim, Fr. Antonio, Fr. Dennis
Visiting the Holy Trinity Mission in Mexico City - Fr. Dennis, Bp. Alejo, ABp. Seraphim, Fr. Ernesto, Fr. Antonio and some neighborhood children
With the monks at the monastery of St. Anthony... tour of orchards and monastery grounds...
Photo of the altered interior of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Consantinople, first built by the Roman Emperor Constantine I and consecrated in 360 AD. A thousand years later, after being severely weakened by attacks made on it by (supposed) Christian Crusaders from Western Europe, (in 1453 AD) Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire was finally conquered by Muslim invaders. The Hagia Sophia, crown of Christiandom for over a thousand years, was then turned into a mosque.
I have no idea how well done this is or not, but wanted to send the link to this video of the History of the Fall of the Byzantine Empire. Byzantium was the longest lasting empire in the world, yet in history books (at least here in the USA) there is usually no more than a paragraph describing it...The presentation includes much of the art work taken from Byzantine and into Western Europe as well as the history...
In English -- lasts 71 minutes. In Russian: The text of the narration -- in Russian
http://vizantia.info/docs/73.htm
http://vizantia.info/docs/13.htm
http://vizantia.info/docs/1.htm
The Greek version is with subtitles:
http://vizantia.info/docs/74.htm
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