Sunday, March 28, 2010
New Website
The Mid-Atlantic deanery for the Eparchy of Parma (UGCC) has a newish website! http://greekcatholics.com/home You can see listings for all the missions in parishes in North Carolina and Tennessee. Expect a nice blog post about Gregory Palamas coming soon once I get all my thesis stuff taken care : )
Monday, November 23, 2009
Concerning the Patriarchate and the Papacy
"It is not a question of honor, of privileges, of concessions. The patriarchal institution is a specific entity unique in Eastern ecclesiology. With all respect due to the Petrine ministry, the Patriarchal ministry is equal to it, "servatis servandis", in Eastern ecclesiology. Until this is taken into consideration by the Roman ecclesiology, no progress will be made in ecumenical dialogue. Furthermore, the Patriarchal ministry is not a Roman creation, it is not the fruit of privileges, conceded or granted by Rome."- His Beatitude Gregory III, Patriarch of Antioch for the Greek-Melkites
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b10_02.html
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_20_x-ordinaria-2001/02_inglese/b10_02.html
Monday, October 26, 2009
Some websites
Some great sites
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/about.html A bunch of texts in Latin, from the classical age to the modern.
http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/main/homepage/homepage.shtml A great resource for Greek and Latin Church fathers in the original language.
http://thepopeofchristianunity.blogspot.com/ A new blog by one of my room mates.
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/about.html A bunch of texts in Latin, from the classical age to the modern.
http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/main/homepage/homepage.shtml A great resource for Greek and Latin Church fathers in the original language.
http://thepopeofchristianunity.blogspot.com/ A new blog by one of my room mates.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Interesting quote
"For if Mary, as those declare who with sound mind extol her, had no other son but Jesus, and yet Jesus says to His mother, "Behold you have this son [John] also," then He virtually said to her "Lo, this is Jesys, who thou didst bear." Is it not the case that every one who is perfect lives himself no longer, but Christ lives in him; and if Christ lives in him, then it is said of him to Mary, "Behold they son Christ." " -Orgien's Commentary on John Book 1 chapter 6
Out of all the great things written on Mary, this is in my opinion one of the most beautiful. Origen, in this simple statement, out classes all the over the top poetry of Louis de Montfort and those who follow in his tradition.
Out of all the great things written on Mary, this is in my opinion one of the most beautiful. Origen, in this simple statement, out classes all the over the top poetry of Louis de Montfort and those who follow in his tradition.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Emperor Charles of Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, etc
I have forgotten that yesterday was the feast of Blessed Karl, the last Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Emperor and King Karl of the House of Austria: A Saint for Our Day
by Cristoph Cardinal Schönborn, O.P., D.D., Archbishop of Vienna
L’Osservatore Romano
October 3, 2004
English Translation by Br. Nathan Cochran, O.S.B.
Can a politician possible live a modestly holy life? Is it conceivable and meaningful for a man who held a responsible leadership position during World War I to be named a blessed? These
questions are constantly posed concerning the beatification of Karl of the House of Austria.
Every person – wherever God has placed him – is destined for and called to holiness. People in
positions of responsibility and decision makers, such as politicians and business leaders, as well as bishops, are challenged by special circumstances but are by no means exempt from this call to holiness.
The upright personality of Emperor Karl of Austria has become distorted in the eyes of the public through propaganda and slander, like few others of his time. The extremely careful work of scholarly historical investigations – done in connection with the beatification process – has been able to uncover and correct these manipulated distortions.
Uniquely among the responsible leaders on all sides of the First World War, Karl had frontline
experience. After assuming power he strove to alleviate the horrors of war he saw, and took
concrete steps to bring about peace. As emperor he understood peace to be his absolute, kingly duty. In his ascension manifesto, therefore, he named peace as his central goal. Only Karl took up the peace proposal of Pope Benedict XV, incorporating its principles in a set of proposed peace accords (which historians have evaluated as thoroughly realistic and having had great potential). All of these efforts failed in the long run because of the peace-through-victory delusion decided by his German ally policy-makers (Hindenburg, Ludendorff) and because of the anti-peace party of the Entente. Karl was ready to make considerable sacrifices for peace and, even after his removal from power, he wholly strove to arrange for the peace and stability of his peoples and all nations of Europe. His attempts to return to power in Hungary were undertaken at the request of the pope who was concerned with the stability and liberty there (his concerns were justified!). The emperor saw his fatal suffering as a sacrificial offering for peace and unity in Central Europe.
Although Emperor Karl did not succeed in leading the Danube monarchy in peace, due to superior counter forces, he could however (against determined German-Austrian plans) retain the independence of Austria and, through the establishment of national assemblies, cause a peaceful transition from the monarchy to various succession countries.
Not only in the sense of individual charity, as a child Karl took upon himself the needs of people in need whom he encountered. As emperor, he created a comprehensive social program. He created the first social ministry in the world, which was commissioned with overseeing rent control, child and youth protection, family rights and social insurance, industrial law and employee welfare, thereby adding new dimensions to social politics. The basic structures of these reforms are still in place today.
Emperor Karl saw his office as a commission from God. This did not mean in any way an
authorization of the arbitrary execution of power, but rather the absolute duty to follow and
imitate the example of Christ in His exalted position of being the one true King. Because of this, Karl made no important decision without prayer. An ardent reverence for the Eucharist and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (both symbols and expressions of the love of God) gave both purpose and direction to the emperor. Emperor Karl, therefore, could not simply put his commission aside. An abdication could have secured for him wealth and comfort (like Emperor Wilhelm II). Karl accepted misery, hardship and impending death (although he himself was certainly little concerned with wealth) upon himself in order to remain faithful to the duty of service to the people of Christ entrusted to him.
Karl and Zita had an exemplary marriage. In openness and confidence the emperor discussed all important affairs with his wife, who was fully respectful of his responsibility and authority. The passionate out-going nature of the empress and the quiet introspective personality of the emperor complemented each other in a mutually appreciative and affectionate way. In eleven years of marriage eight children were given to the couple. The beatification procedures were extremely careful in investigating Emperor Karl’s family life, and behavior as a husband, and proved his behavior to be completely upright and faultless. His last words, which Karl addressed to his wife, were: "I love you endlessly." Emperor Karl strove personally to ensure that his children received religious education, and he guided them in the truths of the faith and taught them their prayers.
Karl lived a lively practice of prayer. His fundamental attitude was one of prayer: consciously
standing before God, Whose Will he sought and in Whom he trusted.
From childhood and throughout his life, Karl joined his prayers with those of others. Since his
death members of the League of Prayers, in a similar way, join their prayers with his intercession for peace among peoples.
Karl's modesty, kindness and spirit of reconciliation have been held against him – particularly by cynics in power – as weakness, even stupidity. This attack is directed against the "foolishness" of the Christian, who follows the commandments of God and the example of Christ who relied upon God.
From the very beginning Karl was thrust into situations of discord (into the tensions between his parents, the tensions between Emperor Franz Joseph and the Heir Apparent Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, and into the middle of the 1st World War), that he had not created, and yet he strove to create peace – both as emperor and as a child. Could anyone have solved these problems? That question has relatively few answers, perhaps the issue should be to consider how the emperor prevented much worse things from happening.
Whether a life before God – and concomitantly before the definitive end of history – succeeds,
does not depend on immediate earthly success. (Otherwise Christ could not be our model.)
Whoever attempts to conform to the Will of God, despite all adverse circumstances and in light of his limitations, has a life that has become holy and beneficial to others.
As Christians, we all are overtaxed. To follow the example of Christ – the adversities of this world certainly exceeds human capabilities only. But we are not solely dependent upon our own strength, rather, we are invited to accept the help of God and trust that He will provide the necessary strength.
A feeling of resignation threatens to spread itself, in view of the discord and the cynical use of
power in our world. Do we have a sense to fight against it? Do not the wicked triumph
nevertheless, as already the psalmist complains? Is peace in the world generally possible? Can
the peoples of Europe ever live together in freedom and respect? Can we also simply have peace in the circle of our families?
The life of Emperor Karl is an encouraging example of faith. His beatification gives
encouragement to all who feel overtaxed by their duty – and it invites us to use his inherent
qualities (yet also limited) for the pursuit of peace, freedom and loving responsibility.
After a “wasted century” of destruction by the godless ideologies of National Socialism and
Bolshevism the peoples of Europe have again the opportunity to seek these aims together. Now it must be considered that the soul of Europe can be revived and inspired anew for this task in the spirit of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Resistant forces who oppose us requires that we do not despair, but rather asks that we seek yet more earnestly the Will of God and to act in confidence on it. Karl of the House of Austria, who lived out this spirit and gave his life for the betterment and unity of his people, is for us therefore an encouraging example and guardian-patron.
The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. Reliance upon this helps us to live.
http://emperorcharles.org/English/saintforourtimes.shtml
Emperor and King Karl of the House of Austria: A Saint for Our Day
by Cristoph Cardinal Schönborn, O.P., D.D., Archbishop of Vienna
L’Osservatore Romano
October 3, 2004
English Translation by Br. Nathan Cochran, O.S.B.
Can a politician possible live a modestly holy life? Is it conceivable and meaningful for a man who held a responsible leadership position during World War I to be named a blessed? These
questions are constantly posed concerning the beatification of Karl of the House of Austria.
Every person – wherever God has placed him – is destined for and called to holiness. People in
positions of responsibility and decision makers, such as politicians and business leaders, as well as bishops, are challenged by special circumstances but are by no means exempt from this call to holiness.
The upright personality of Emperor Karl of Austria has become distorted in the eyes of the public through propaganda and slander, like few others of his time. The extremely careful work of scholarly historical investigations – done in connection with the beatification process – has been able to uncover and correct these manipulated distortions.
Uniquely among the responsible leaders on all sides of the First World War, Karl had frontline
experience. After assuming power he strove to alleviate the horrors of war he saw, and took
concrete steps to bring about peace. As emperor he understood peace to be his absolute, kingly duty. In his ascension manifesto, therefore, he named peace as his central goal. Only Karl took up the peace proposal of Pope Benedict XV, incorporating its principles in a set of proposed peace accords (which historians have evaluated as thoroughly realistic and having had great potential). All of these efforts failed in the long run because of the peace-through-victory delusion decided by his German ally policy-makers (Hindenburg, Ludendorff) and because of the anti-peace party of the Entente. Karl was ready to make considerable sacrifices for peace and, even after his removal from power, he wholly strove to arrange for the peace and stability of his peoples and all nations of Europe. His attempts to return to power in Hungary were undertaken at the request of the pope who was concerned with the stability and liberty there (his concerns were justified!). The emperor saw his fatal suffering as a sacrificial offering for peace and unity in Central Europe.
Although Emperor Karl did not succeed in leading the Danube monarchy in peace, due to superior counter forces, he could however (against determined German-Austrian plans) retain the independence of Austria and, through the establishment of national assemblies, cause a peaceful transition from the monarchy to various succession countries.
Not only in the sense of individual charity, as a child Karl took upon himself the needs of people in need whom he encountered. As emperor, he created a comprehensive social program. He created the first social ministry in the world, which was commissioned with overseeing rent control, child and youth protection, family rights and social insurance, industrial law and employee welfare, thereby adding new dimensions to social politics. The basic structures of these reforms are still in place today.
Emperor Karl saw his office as a commission from God. This did not mean in any way an
authorization of the arbitrary execution of power, but rather the absolute duty to follow and
imitate the example of Christ in His exalted position of being the one true King. Because of this, Karl made no important decision without prayer. An ardent reverence for the Eucharist and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (both symbols and expressions of the love of God) gave both purpose and direction to the emperor. Emperor Karl, therefore, could not simply put his commission aside. An abdication could have secured for him wealth and comfort (like Emperor Wilhelm II). Karl accepted misery, hardship and impending death (although he himself was certainly little concerned with wealth) upon himself in order to remain faithful to the duty of service to the people of Christ entrusted to him.
Karl and Zita had an exemplary marriage. In openness and confidence the emperor discussed all important affairs with his wife, who was fully respectful of his responsibility and authority. The passionate out-going nature of the empress and the quiet introspective personality of the emperor complemented each other in a mutually appreciative and affectionate way. In eleven years of marriage eight children were given to the couple. The beatification procedures were extremely careful in investigating Emperor Karl’s family life, and behavior as a husband, and proved his behavior to be completely upright and faultless. His last words, which Karl addressed to his wife, were: "I love you endlessly." Emperor Karl strove personally to ensure that his children received religious education, and he guided them in the truths of the faith and taught them their prayers.
Karl lived a lively practice of prayer. His fundamental attitude was one of prayer: consciously
standing before God, Whose Will he sought and in Whom he trusted.
From childhood and throughout his life, Karl joined his prayers with those of others. Since his
death members of the League of Prayers, in a similar way, join their prayers with his intercession for peace among peoples.
Karl's modesty, kindness and spirit of reconciliation have been held against him – particularly by cynics in power – as weakness, even stupidity. This attack is directed against the "foolishness" of the Christian, who follows the commandments of God and the example of Christ who relied upon God.
From the very beginning Karl was thrust into situations of discord (into the tensions between his parents, the tensions between Emperor Franz Joseph and the Heir Apparent Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, and into the middle of the 1st World War), that he had not created, and yet he strove to create peace – both as emperor and as a child. Could anyone have solved these problems? That question has relatively few answers, perhaps the issue should be to consider how the emperor prevented much worse things from happening.
Whether a life before God – and concomitantly before the definitive end of history – succeeds,
does not depend on immediate earthly success. (Otherwise Christ could not be our model.)
Whoever attempts to conform to the Will of God, despite all adverse circumstances and in light of his limitations, has a life that has become holy and beneficial to others.
As Christians, we all are overtaxed. To follow the example of Christ – the adversities of this world certainly exceeds human capabilities only. But we are not solely dependent upon our own strength, rather, we are invited to accept the help of God and trust that He will provide the necessary strength.
A feeling of resignation threatens to spread itself, in view of the discord and the cynical use of
power in our world. Do we have a sense to fight against it? Do not the wicked triumph
nevertheless, as already the psalmist complains? Is peace in the world generally possible? Can
the peoples of Europe ever live together in freedom and respect? Can we also simply have peace in the circle of our families?
The life of Emperor Karl is an encouraging example of faith. His beatification gives
encouragement to all who feel overtaxed by their duty – and it invites us to use his inherent
qualities (yet also limited) for the pursuit of peace, freedom and loving responsibility.
After a “wasted century” of destruction by the godless ideologies of National Socialism and
Bolshevism the peoples of Europe have again the opportunity to seek these aims together. Now it must be considered that the soul of Europe can be revived and inspired anew for this task in the spirit of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Resistant forces who oppose us requires that we do not despair, but rather asks that we seek yet more earnestly the Will of God and to act in confidence on it. Karl of the House of Austria, who lived out this spirit and gave his life for the betterment and unity of his people, is for us therefore an encouraging example and guardian-patron.
The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. Reliance upon this helps us to live.
http://emperorcharles.org/English/saintforourtimes.shtml
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Tomorrow is the day in which the Holy Cross of Christ is celebrated in the Byzantine Churches. This is an interesting feast for me, as a hobby byzantine historian, because not only does it celebrate St. Helen's achievements in finding it, but it also celebrates the Emperor Heraclios' great victory over the Persian Empire. The recovery of the eastern provinces from the Persians and the recovery of the Holy Cross which was taken by the Persians when they captured Jerusalem. The triumphant entry of the Cross in Constantinople, a mixture of a classic Roman triumph and a Christian procession. Celebrating the the Cross by which we are set free from sin. I can not help but think of today's reading
"But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and m...ercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body." Gal 6:14-17
"But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and m...ercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body." Gal 6:14-17
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Roanoke Orthodox Christian Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-15210-Roanoke-Orthodox-Christian-Examiner
My Orthodox catechumenate friend has been posting articles about Orthodoxy on this site. Check em out if your interested.
My Orthodox catechumenate friend has been posting articles about Orthodoxy on this site. Check em out if your interested.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Summer = bleh
Summers are pretty bad, at least for me. I think I just require much more discipline then I can enforce upon myself to be able to have productive days over the summer.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Monastère de Chevetogne
This is a monastery in Belgium that has both a Byzantine-slav community and a Latin Benedictine community all in the same house under one Abbot. Sadly only the Latin monks are eligible to be Abbot I think, but its still a very interesting monastery. Hopefully I can see it one day.
Christ is Risen!
Since it has now been both Old Calender Pascha and Gregorian Pascha, I think its appropriate to say the greeting on my blog! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Christos Voskrese!, Voistinu Voskrese!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
“Miracles of Padre Pio”
With the blessing of Reverend Bishop Volodymyr (Viytyshyn), Eparch of Ivano-Frankivs’k, for the first time a relic of St. [Padre] Pio has been brought to Ukraine. Presently the relic is at the Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. So reports the Ivano-Frankivs’k Eparchy.
At this time many people from all corners of Ukraine are traveling to Ivano-Frankivs’k to venerate the relics of the saint and ask for different graces. However, many people do not know about this saint.
It is possible to become closer acquainted with one of the greatest Catholic saints, Padre Pio, by reading a book of the Svichado [Beacon] publishing house, “Miracles of Padre Pio.” Padre Pio for more than half a century had on his body stigmata, bloody wounds, as signs of the suffering and death of Christ, which not a single doctor could heal. Padre Pio was often accompanied with a tender floral smell which spread from his clothes; he was a wonderful confessor, could read the secret thoughts of people he never met, and performed miraculous healings. Hardened atheists were converted by his life. But, in addition to this, his life was full of ordeals and lack of acceptance.
The author of book, Renzo Allegri, used in this work very rare documents never before seen by any other biographer. He mentions facts and reliable testimonies of people who knew the priest personally, and also those who thank Padre Pio for their conversions, healing, and many others graces obtained.
http://www.ugcc.org.ua/news_single.0.html?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=837
At this time many people from all corners of Ukraine are traveling to Ivano-Frankivs’k to venerate the relics of the saint and ask for different graces. However, many people do not know about this saint.
It is possible to become closer acquainted with one of the greatest Catholic saints, Padre Pio, by reading a book of the Svichado [Beacon] publishing house, “Miracles of Padre Pio.” Padre Pio for more than half a century had on his body stigmata, bloody wounds, as signs of the suffering and death of Christ, which not a single doctor could heal. Padre Pio was often accompanied with a tender floral smell which spread from his clothes; he was a wonderful confessor, could read the secret thoughts of people he never met, and performed miraculous healings. Hardened atheists were converted by his life. But, in addition to this, his life was full of ordeals and lack of acceptance.
The author of book, Renzo Allegri, used in this work very rare documents never before seen by any other biographer. He mentions facts and reliable testimonies of people who knew the priest personally, and also those who thank Padre Pio for their conversions, healing, and many others graces obtained.
http://www.ugcc.org.ua/news_single.0.html?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=837
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monarchist Saints?
I think I am going to attempt to compile a list of those saints that were monarchs of their countries
Pre-Christian
King David
Latin Catholic
Bl. Charlemagne
Bl. Karl I of Austria
St. Louis of France
St. Edward the Confessor
Byzantine (Catholic and Orthodox)
St. Justinian
St. Theodosios
Great King, St. Constantine
Great King, St. Voldomyr and his mother Olha of Kyiv
Bl. Constantine XI
St. Nicholas, last Tsar and Passion-bearer
Protestant Churches (Anglican)
Charles I Stuart, King of England, Scotland, France, etc.
More to come, the list will be updated each time I think of more.If ye know any (like Armenians, Ethiopians, etc) that I missed then leaving a comment would be great. Plus there are many kyivan princes in the Ukrainian calender that I have missed that will require some time to go through and get them all. A fact I always find interesting is that St. Nicholas of Russia and Bl. Karl of Austria were both the last two sovereigns of empires that claimed succession from the Roman Empire, and both fought on opposing sides in WWI.
Pre-Christian
King David
Latin Catholic
Bl. Charlemagne
Bl. Karl I of Austria
St. Louis of France
St. Edward the Confessor
Byzantine (Catholic and Orthodox)
St. Justinian
St. Theodosios
Great King, St. Constantine
Great King, St. Voldomyr and his mother Olha of Kyiv
Bl. Constantine XI
St. Nicholas, last Tsar and Passion-bearer
Protestant Churches (Anglican)
Charles I Stuart, King of England, Scotland, France, etc.
More to come, the list will be updated each time I think of more.If ye know any (like Armenians, Ethiopians, etc) that I missed then leaving a comment would be great. Plus there are many kyivan princes in the Ukrainian calender that I have missed that will require some time to go through and get them all. A fact I always find interesting is that St. Nicholas of Russia and Bl. Karl of Austria were both the last two sovereigns of empires that claimed succession from the Roman Empire, and both fought on opposing sides in WWI.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Philosophy Blog
As a byzantine, I realize that Philosophy and Theology have not always gotten along together (Palamas v. Barlaam),and this has opened my mind to accept the possibility that theology does not need a philosophical system to operate (see Aquinas,neothomism,scholastics, etc)and has given me a fresh outlook on Philosophy since I find that theology is best left to be done in a way akin to the Church Fathers. This also is partly a result of constantly having to argue with several people at my school who believe that the Truths of Divine Revelation are accessible to Reason and that Philosophy and Theology are married in some inseparable way. I reject this notion as false. The Truths of Faith are not accessible to Reason, other wise Aristotle and Plato would have believed in a Triune God. I applaud Tertullian when he says "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem" and I answer him by saying that Athens only brings to the Theology terminology necessary to better define a teaching, but that this teaching exists independently of Philosophic thought. The Real Presence of Christ was true before the Scholastic theologians called it Transubstantiation.
Anyways, what's my point. The point is that I am entering into a secondary endeavor, to have a philosophy blog. Obviously there are many situations where there is serious overlap, and I won't shy away from the overlap when its necessary, but this blog is not the place to discuss how exactly causation works or the nature of time because such things are not part of Divine Revelation and there is no exact answer to them. Rather they are better left for philosophical discussion and inquiry. The blog will cover a wide variety of philosophical schools and hopefully represented as well by two of my friends whom are both Philosophy/Theology double majors like myself in order to provide and excellent overview and reflection on the topics at hand. Epistemology, metaphysics, and logic. Never fear though, this blog will not be abandoned in favor of this new blog.
http://diokomentinsophian.blogspot.com/
Anyways, what's my point. The point is that I am entering into a secondary endeavor, to have a philosophy blog. Obviously there are many situations where there is serious overlap, and I won't shy away from the overlap when its necessary, but this blog is not the place to discuss how exactly causation works or the nature of time because such things are not part of Divine Revelation and there is no exact answer to them. Rather they are better left for philosophical discussion and inquiry. The blog will cover a wide variety of philosophical schools and hopefully represented as well by two of my friends whom are both Philosophy/Theology double majors like myself in order to provide and excellent overview and reflection on the topics at hand. Epistemology, metaphysics, and logic. Never fear though, this blog will not be abandoned in favor of this new blog.
http://diokomentinsophian.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 14, 2009
American genocide
"The democratic president has brought American science back to extensive development. It is not inconceivable that the world will hold another Nuremberg Trial to condemn the destruction of human lives at the embryonic stage of development. But even Obama is unable to escape Heaven, and Heaven holds Judgment,"- Fr. Dimitry, Chairman of the Committee for Biomedical Ethics and Medical Law of the All-Russian Orthodox Youth Movement
This is a sad situation in this country indeed.... when the most vulnerable people in society are tossed aside like nothing and used as tools to make our lives more comfortable. I am glad to see the Russian Orthodox standing with us against such a monstrous action.
His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus.
This is a sad situation in this country indeed.... when the most vulnerable people in society are tossed aside like nothing and used as tools to make our lives more comfortable. I am glad to see the Russian Orthodox standing with us against such a monstrous action.
His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Catechetical Homily for Lent
+ B A R T H O L O M E W
By God's Grace Archbishop of Constantinople,
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church,
Grace and Peace from our Savior Jesus Christ
And Prayers, Blessings and Forgiveness from Us
"Come, all peoples, let us today welcome
The gift of fasting
The period of repentance granted to us by God"
(Monday, First Week of Fasting)
Brethren and beloved children in the Lord,
The fast proposed to us by our Holy Church is not any deprivation, but a charisma. And the repentance to which it calls us is not any punishment, but a divine gift.
When the Church urges us, through the words of Scripture, not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth "where most and rust consume" but instead to store up treasures in heaven, where there is no danger of corruption, it is telling us the truth. For the Church is not of this world, even though it lives in this world and knows it. It knows humanity: our real need and distress. It knows our time well: the time of great development and speed, the plethora of information and confusion, the time of maqny fears, threats and collapses.
This is why – with calmness and steadiness – the Church invites everyone to repentance. This is why it discourages its children from taking the wrong path by treasuring their labors and basing their hopes on unstable foundations. Rather, it encourages them to store up treasure in heaven; for where our treasure lies, there also our heart is.
The treasure that cannot be corrupted and the hope that does not shame is precisely God's love, the divine force that binds all things together. It is the incarnate Word of God, who stays with us forever.
He is the sanctification of our souls and bodies. For, He did not come to judge but to save the world. He did not come to criticize but to heal. "He wounds with compassion and demonstrates compassion with fervor."
He abolished he one who held the power of death, namely the devil. He annihilated the sorrow of death, namely the joyless form and dark presence of death, which darkens and poisons all of our life and joy.
This is why, when our heart and love are directed toward the divine-human Lord, who has authority over the living and the dead, then everything is illumined and transformed.
Indeed, when the Apostle exhorts us "not to set our hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Tim. 6.17), he is assuring us that the true enjoyment of life is exactly what God offers us, while we simply receive it with gratitude and thanksgiving. Then, the little becomes abundant, because it is blessed; and the fleeting and momentary shine with the light of eternity.
Then, not only do the joys of life contain something eternal; but the troubles and sufferings become occasions of divine comfort.
The divine economy of salvation is certain. For, God is "the one who provides everything with depth of wisdom and loving-kindness." And the deposit of our labors is secure, for "we surrender all of our life and hope" to the incarnate Word.
So when the Gospel refers us to heaven, it is speaking literally. It brings us down to the reality of the earth, which has become heaven.
This is the certainty experienced and confessed by the Church.
Through your Cross, O Christ, there is one flock and one church of angels and human beings. Heaven and earth rejoice together. Lord, glory to you."
The Church grants us the opportunity to experience this miracle of earth-become-heaven. Our roots lie in heaven. Without the Church, we are uprooted and homeless.
For the Church is our home. So long as we return to the Church, we are returning home; we come to ourselves. So long as we are estranged from the Church, we are lost and meaningless.
So long as we approach the Church, we perceive the authenticity of what is true. We behold the heavenly Father awaiting us outside the house.
We are convinced by the sense of goodness and beauty; we sense the presence of God's powerful love, which overcomes death; we no longer sense the corruption and doubt, which mock the world.
Therefore, let us heed the divine invitation to enter the ocean of fasting in order to reach the harbor of light and resurrection with all the saints.
Holy and Great Lent 2009
Your fervent supplicant before God,
+ BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople
By God's Grace Archbishop of Constantinople,
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church,
Grace and Peace from our Savior Jesus Christ
And Prayers, Blessings and Forgiveness from Us
"Come, all peoples, let us today welcome
The gift of fasting
The period of repentance granted to us by God"
(Monday, First Week of Fasting)
Brethren and beloved children in the Lord,
The fast proposed to us by our Holy Church is not any deprivation, but a charisma. And the repentance to which it calls us is not any punishment, but a divine gift.
When the Church urges us, through the words of Scripture, not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth "where most and rust consume" but instead to store up treasures in heaven, where there is no danger of corruption, it is telling us the truth. For the Church is not of this world, even though it lives in this world and knows it. It knows humanity: our real need and distress. It knows our time well: the time of great development and speed, the plethora of information and confusion, the time of maqny fears, threats and collapses.
This is why – with calmness and steadiness – the Church invites everyone to repentance. This is why it discourages its children from taking the wrong path by treasuring their labors and basing their hopes on unstable foundations. Rather, it encourages them to store up treasure in heaven; for where our treasure lies, there also our heart is.
The treasure that cannot be corrupted and the hope that does not shame is precisely God's love, the divine force that binds all things together. It is the incarnate Word of God, who stays with us forever.
He is the sanctification of our souls and bodies. For, He did not come to judge but to save the world. He did not come to criticize but to heal. "He wounds with compassion and demonstrates compassion with fervor."
He abolished he one who held the power of death, namely the devil. He annihilated the sorrow of death, namely the joyless form and dark presence of death, which darkens and poisons all of our life and joy.
This is why, when our heart and love are directed toward the divine-human Lord, who has authority over the living and the dead, then everything is illumined and transformed.
Indeed, when the Apostle exhorts us "not to set our hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Tim. 6.17), he is assuring us that the true enjoyment of life is exactly what God offers us, while we simply receive it with gratitude and thanksgiving. Then, the little becomes abundant, because it is blessed; and the fleeting and momentary shine with the light of eternity.
Then, not only do the joys of life contain something eternal; but the troubles and sufferings become occasions of divine comfort.
The divine economy of salvation is certain. For, God is "the one who provides everything with depth of wisdom and loving-kindness." And the deposit of our labors is secure, for "we surrender all of our life and hope" to the incarnate Word.
So when the Gospel refers us to heaven, it is speaking literally. It brings us down to the reality of the earth, which has become heaven.
This is the certainty experienced and confessed by the Church.
Through your Cross, O Christ, there is one flock and one church of angels and human beings. Heaven and earth rejoice together. Lord, glory to you."
The Church grants us the opportunity to experience this miracle of earth-become-heaven. Our roots lie in heaven. Without the Church, we are uprooted and homeless.
For the Church is our home. So long as we return to the Church, we are returning home; we come to ourselves. So long as we are estranged from the Church, we are lost and meaningless.
So long as we approach the Church, we perceive the authenticity of what is true. We behold the heavenly Father awaiting us outside the house.
We are convinced by the sense of goodness and beauty; we sense the presence of God's powerful love, which overcomes death; we no longer sense the corruption and doubt, which mock the world.
Therefore, let us heed the divine invitation to enter the ocean of fasting in order to reach the harbor of light and resurrection with all the saints.
Holy and Great Lent 2009
Your fervent supplicant before God,
+ BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople
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