| Photo: Youtube Father Joseph Hazar and Subdeacon David Rayahin of St. George Cathedral, Charleston, West Virginia, have launched a remarkable new video series called “The New Testament” in two versions: for adults, and for children. Father Joseph explains the genesis of the series. “When I was a youth director, I was assigned the Middle School class to teach. I looked at all kinds of curricula … and couldn’t find resources that could keep my students’ attention. A year later I was in seminary and began working on a thesis project to come up with a new idea for a church school curriculum. As a Pastoral Assistant still overseeing the youth programs, I wanted to put my ideas into a plan. “As we got through our first year, I noticed that our students did not have even a basic understanding of Scripture. As a result, I stopped trying to teach Orthodox Theology by using the Scriptures as examples, and I began teaching the Bible, showing how it applies in our lives both personally and liturgically.” Father Joseph notes that he began with the Old Testament, breaking up the course between the Pentateuch in the first year and then teaching the remainder of the Old Testament the second year. “However, due to my ordination and moving several times, I had never really gotten to the third year: ‘The New Testament,’ which we’re doing now.” The structure of the program was as follows: Fr. Joseph would meet with his Church School teachers every Monday so that he could teach them the lesson on an adult level; then they would make an age-appropriate lesson for their classes based on that information. In time, he also began to develop supplementary resources for the lessons, from books, music, websites, and other sources. In the Sunday bulletin he would publish a one-page summary of the lesson so that parents and other parishioners could learn along with the children. Everyone was encouraged to discuss what was being learned over dinner on Sunday or Monday evening. This past summer, the Cathedral hired Subdeacon David Rayahin as a Pastoral Assistant. “He is very talented at making videos,” says Fr. Joseph. “We put our heads together and came up with this new video series on the New Testament. Each lesson includes two sets of videos; one for adults and teens, and one for kids. Our Church School teachers are writing questions and discussion topics for each lesson to share with the parents, so that parents and students can watch the videos together and have a discussion. I write the scripts, and Subdeacon David records them in his voice and produces and edits the videos. |
| The Patriarch of Jerusalem: The relics of Saint John the Hozevite are indisputable testimony of the Resurrection Source: Basilica.ro Photo: Jerusalem Patriarchate (archive) The incorrupt and fragrant body of Saint John Jacob the new Hozevite are “indisputable and irrefutable testimony of the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ”, said the Patriarch of Jerusalem last week, as he officiated the All-Night Vigil at the whole relics of St. John Jacob of Neam, whose entire incorrupt body reposes at the Hozeva Monastery in the Holy Land. Archimandrite Constantine, Hegumen of the monastery, greeted Patriarch Theophilos, asking him to “pray that the Good Lord, through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos of Hozeva, and our Holy Father John the new Hozevite, will lead all the people … to a safe harbour and path of repentance and salvation”. His Beatitude’s co-celebrants were Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, the Hieromonks Chrysogonos and Marcellus, Archdeacon Mark and Hierodeacon Patrikios. “We have before our eyes the guarantee of the heritage in the heavens that is incorruptible and immaculate and does not wither”, Patriarch Theophilos said. “And that guarantee is no other than the incorrupt and fragrant relics of our Holy and wonder-worker Father John the new Hozevite from Romania.” “W e did not come here today in the feast of Saint John to honour him, but rather to participate in the honour the Lord does to him, who is His Saint. Moreover, we came to be taught the ordinances of the true life in Christ by him, Holy John the new Hozevite and the multitude of the Saints of Hozeva before him,” he added. The Patriarch of Jerusalem prayed during the service for the victims of the Greece fires. The chanting was delivered by Hierodeacon Simeon and the Monastery Monks. Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Clergy and faithful from Central Florida gathered at Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church in downtown Orlando on the evening of Tuesday, June 14, 2016 to pray for the victims of the tragic mass shooting that occurred two days earlier. Fr. John Hamatie leads prayers at Orlando’s St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. “I found out about the shooting from a parishioner ten minutes before Sunday’s Liturgy,” said Priest Daniel Hickman, Rector of Saint Stephen Church [OCA] in suburban Longwood. “I called Father John Hamatie, the President of our local clergy group, on Sunday afternoon to suggest the idea of a pan-Orthodox prayer service at his parish—Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church—which is closest to where the shootings occurred. We celebrated the Canon of Supplication to the Theotokos, after which Father John offered words of encouragement and we shared a meal together.” Despite the short notice, over 40 people attended the service. “Everyone joined their voices in asking God to heal the wounded, show mercy on the departed, and bring peace to the city of Orlando,” Father Daniel added. “The Orthodox community of Central Florida offers its prayers for those who were killed and wounded in this hateful act of terror and for their families…. The tragic event has shown us the darkness of anger and hate, but in the Eucharist ‘we have seen the true Light,’ and we pray for that Light to shine on those who are suffering and on the city of Orlando.” “Our community is shaken by the tragedy we have experienced,” added lay leader Ann van den Berg, a member of Saint Stephen’s. “The suffering of the victims, both dead and wounded, of their families, of the first responders, and of the community has provided us an opportunity to co-suffer with them, to help them bear their suffering as Christ has called us to do. Our prayer service is one part of this, one that can open our hearts to greater love and other opportunities to demonstrate that love.” In addition to Fathers Daniel and John, other clergy who served included Priest Demetri Tsigas, Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, Melbourne, and Priest Joshua Schooping, Saint Sophia Church [ROCOR], Kissimmee. Also in attendance was Priest Jacob Mathew, Saint Paul Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Longwood. |
| The word “frontier” has long been associated with certain aspects of American mythology. “Frontier Days” is short-hand for log cabins, flintlocks, and the rugged life. Occasionally it takes on aspects of the “Wild West.” In recent generations it has been moved off-planet, such that we hear Captain Kirk intone, “Space…….the final frontier.” It is also a word whose meaning has been forgotten, as our mythology has overtaken it. Originally (15 th century), the word comes into use as a reference to the borders between countries. A frontier…is a boundary. This remains the case and is its primary meaning. It is also, however, a reminder that our culture was born in the actions of ignoring boundaries. It is indicative of a cultural narcissism that has afflicted us for centuries. We’re not good at boundaries. Many societies have pushed against their boundaries. France and Germany notoriously battled over what, exactly, was to constitute their border. England and Scotland did much the same. Such territorial disputes are probably inevitable (unless established by a river or a mountain range). The American experience was something unique. Here, the “boundary” (frontier) began at the Eastern shoreline and continued to the Western shoreline. The entire country was “frontier.” “Pushing the boundaries” was a way of life. This should be borne in mind when thinking about the modern mantra of progress . Progress in America has always carried with it the assumption that boundaries (frontiers) exist in order to be overcome. The ultimate paradise would thus be a condition in which all boundaries would disappear. We speak of the “frontier” of space, the “frontier of science,” even the “frontiers of morality” (all of them targets for progress and boundary-breaking). In point of fact, a healthy life is marked and shaped by various frontiers. It is only boundaries that allow us to see and know. Boundaries are an inherent and essential part of personal existence. The very heart of the Christian understanding of God is that He has a tri-personal existence: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Within the very mystery of the godhead are boundaries. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Father, on so forth. Thus, true existence, is never without boundaries. We understand that, created in the image of God, we ourselves have a personal existence. Beyond this, our spiritual fathers teach us that we do not yet fully possess such an existence, that it is something towards which we are moving. In that understanding, if we speak of “progress” in the spiritual life (which I am loathe to do), such progress would not be the violation of boundaries, but the fulfillment and perfection of boundaried, personal existence. |
| A unique, pioneer work, based on a doctoral project, presents the Orthodox perspective to addiction through the eyes of Father Dimitrios Moraitis, drawing upon religious, administrative, scholastic and social sources. His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, explains in the book’s foreword that “with a substantial bibliography, the work constitutes a compelling argument, as well as a timely opportunity, for the involvement of clergy and other religious workers in our ongoing efforts to seek reintegration of the addict into the church community.” The 179-page book seeks to define alcoholism and examine the causes of addiction from a theological perspective and offers clergymen advice on how to work with addicts. Father Moraitis believes “recovery from addiction is more of a spiritual exercise than anything else and people in recovery are generally on a wonderful spiritual journey that can be enhanced by the priest and the church community and the recovery person can also enhance the church community,” (Part 1, p.20). The author addresses a major point in an alcoholic’s recovery. How does one administer Holy Communion to an alcoholic in complete abstinence of alcohol? On page 55, the theologian addresses this issue. Father Moraitis lists and describes twelve core competencies for clergy. They include: definition and societal stigma; knowledge, signs, withdrawal characteristics, effects on individual and family and characteristics of recovery stages; awareness of indicators of disease; spiritual and religious recovery; early intervention; pastoral interactions with addicted person and network; positive communication; utilize community resources; knowledge of twelve step programs; address values and attitudes of alcohol and drug dependence; cultivate positive support from community and prevention strategies that benefit community. Father Moraitis’ book is easy to read. His candor and incisive statements keep the reader’s attention. “All things must come to an end,” said the author. The alcoholic/addict will either get sober, end up in a psychiatric institution or die…Finally there is a spiritual rock-bottom, which comes as a result of a person realizing that they are dying spiritually. This is the result of the alcoholics and addicts awareness that they have truly distorted the image and likeness of God in themselves,” (pp. 87-88). |
| The ROC Begins to Collect Material for the Canonization of Archimandrite John (Krestiankin) Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Pskov and Porkhov announced the Russian Orthodox Church began collecting information necessary for the canonization of the famous elder Archimandrite John (Krestiankin) , reports Interfax-Religion. “Fifteen years have passed since the day of Father John’s departure to the Lord. We need to prepare materials (documents and testimonies) for the glorification of Father John. Then the Lord will guide us,” said the metropolitan after the Divine Liturgy at Pskov’s Monastery of the Caves, where Father John led his ascetic life for almost 40 years. Metropolitan Tikhon asked everyone who can “testify with their conscience to something important” to report this on the monastery’s website. Father John (Krestiankin) was known in many countries. In his later years, due to age and illness, he was unable to receive those who wished to speak with him, but letters from different parts of the world continued to come to the address of the monastery, and he himself answered many of them. Several printed editions of these answers have already been translated in many languages. Those people who have not seen the elder can find comfort and help by reading his book “Letters of Archimandrite John”. In April 1950, Fr. John was arrested for his pastoral service and sentenced to seven years in forced labor camps. Returning from imprisonment ahead of schedule, five years later, he was appointed to the Pskov diocese, and in 1957 he was transferred to Ryazan, where he served as a priest for almost 11 years. On March 5, 1967, Hieromonk John entered the Pskov Monastery of the Caves, where he remained until his death in 2006 at the age of 95. You can f ollow Pravmir.com on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , Telegram , or Parler Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. |
| Image Source: Kiwihug A 1,700-year-old letter was recently unveiled by researches from the Unversity of Basil, detailing the lives of early Christian believers and their lifestyles. The letter, written from one Christian to another, is the oldest Christian letter outside of New Testament copies. The letter, written by a man named “Arrianus,” to his brother “Paulus,” is 40 to 50 years older than any other known Christian document outside of the Bible. Researches concluded that “Paulus” is most likely named after the Apostle Paul who wrote a large amount of the New Testament. In the letter, Arrianus talks about their life under the Roman empire, including their faith, politics, and even food. The letter translated reads: “Greetings, my lord, my incomparable brother Paulus. I, Arrianus, salute you, praying that all is as well as possible in your life. “[Since] Menibios was going to you, I thought it necessary to salute you as well as our lord father. Now, I remind you about the gymnasiarchy, so that we are not troubled here. For Heracleides would be unable to take care of it: he has been named to the city council. Find thus an opportunity that you buy the two [–] arouras. “But send me the fish liver sauce too, whichever you think is good. Our lady mother is well and salutes you as well as your wives and sweetest children and our brothers and all our people. Salute our brothers [-]genes and Xydes. All our people salute you. “I pray that you fare well in the Lord.” Sabine Heubner, a professor of Ancient History at the University of Basel in Switzerland, where the letter is located, explained that the letter sheds a light on the lifestyles of the early Christians. “The earliest Christians in the Roman Empire are usually portrayed as eccentrics who withdrew from the world and were threatened by persecution. This is countered by the contents of the Basel papyrus letter,” Huebner explained. “The letter contains indications that in the early third century, Christians were living outside the cities in the Egyptian hinterland, where they held political leadership positions and did not differ from their pagan environment in their everyday lives.” |
| Minneapolis Cathedral Choir to Present Virtual Concert Minneapolis, MN – The choir of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral will present a virtual concert of Paschal music on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 12 noon CDT. The concert is being offered with the blessing of His Grace, Paul, Bishop of Chicago, ruling hierarch of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the Midwest. The concert will be presented via social media on the Cathedral’s official YouTube channel and on Facebook . Choral selections will be sung by an octet led by Mark Wesche, interim choir director, featuring a variety of hymns drawn from the Cathedral Choir’s diverse repertoire for the Paschal divine services, including settings in English, Russian, Greek, Romanian, Spanish, and other languages. The concert is intended to offer hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God for the blessings received, and as prayerful inspiration for the countless health care and frontline workers, including many within the Cathedral’s membership, who are doing everything possible to care for the sick and discover a cure for the COVID-19 virus. Since March 23, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cathedral’s choir of more than 50 adult and youth members has provided sung responses in a very limited capacity, abiding by the state of Minnesota’s social distancing requirements, and guidelines set by Bishop Paul. ==================== St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral is a community of Orthodox Christians from across the Twin Cities metropolitan area and all walks of life, gathering in the oneness of Faith worshiping God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through prayer and divine services. Our faithful have a strong commitment to serving others – particularly those in need – providing a full calendar of worship services and activities for our members and friends, including education and fellowship programs for youth and adults. Our parish, founded in 1887 by faithful immigrants from Eastern Europe, is dedicated to the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God (October 1). Those who have labored in our community include St. Alexis (Toth), our first pastor, Saint Sebastian (Dabovich), our second pastor, and Saint Tikhon of Moscow, Apostle to America who consecrated the present cathedral structure. |
| On October 27, 2015, the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held its regular session in Kiev, chaired by His Beatitude Onufry , Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. In connection with the developments in Ukrainian society the Synod drafted a message to the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The message states that " the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, together with all the Ukrainian people, is seeking a path to national reconciliation. " The Synod welcomed the ongoing truce and expressed hope that it " will grow into a real lasting peace. " The message points to positive changes made to Ukrainian legislation concerning some problems of state-church relations. At the same time, it points out violations of the rights of the faithful in some regions of the country, such as seizure of churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, violation against the faithful and attempts on their lives. The Holy Synod stated once again that " some local authorities have allowed violations of the effective national legislation while law-enforcement bodies have not always defended the legitimate rights of religious communities, clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. " According to the Synod, " it does not only impede the realization of the constitutional right of Ukrainian citizens to free confession of their faith but also provokes social tension in our state. At a time when an extremely difficult peace process is going on in Donbass , we actually face a danger of destabilization of the social situation in Ukraine’s other regions. " The message makes special mention of the role played by the Synodal Legal Department and the Department for External Church Relations in opposing such violations of the legislation and in timely reporting them to international human rights organizations. The Synod called upon the faithful to not give into provocations and confrontation on religious grounds. " Our main tool in this spiritual struggle is the real Christian love of our neighbor. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Mt. 5:44-45). Any animosity between people is overcome by love. If the Lord sends us trials, it means He cares for our perfection; He gives us an opportunity to grow in the love of our neighbor. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else (1 Thess. 5:15). |
| This year, Great Lent begins on March 11. Because we are caught up in the agitation of everyday life, we often do not reflect on this Lenten season. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro Only a few days before Lent we realize that we have not the slightest plan to improve our spiritual life for Easter. In a society defined by the ‘procrastination habit,’ as regards our professional projects or other, as disciples of Christ we must prove that progress in spiritual life means a daily concern implying efficient planning. ‘Having the lamp lit’ implies a state of watchfulness that should be harmonized with a very well established spiritual program, of course in collaboration with our spiritual father. Since we carefully prepare the steps for a brilliant professional career, why wouldn’t we do the same when it comes to spiritual life? Christ is more important than any career goal that will end sooner or later, while eternity is never scattered. In this regard, we offer you some tips for an effective preparation for Great Lent that is about to start soon. Do not leave the Mystery of Confession only for the Lenten period! God to your spiritual father, confess your sins and talk to him about your desire for an efficient organization of spiritual life. Thus, working together with him you can better prepare yourself for the Lenten season. Observe the regulations of the Triodion Cycle that involve preparation for Great Lent by gradually giving up certain foods but not only. Through a sincere introspection you can identify certain dysfunctions in your spiritual life that you have to eliminate. Set specific goals on how you want to practice virtues as an antidote to the passions that affect your spiritual life. In this sense, a real help will be your spiritual director. Aim not to miss any Sunday church service and enhance your private prayer. Discipline is extremely important in spiritual life, helping us not to deviate in our pilgrimage towards the Kingdom of Heaven. Most Church Fathers have pointed out that a disciplined life leads to Christ. |
|
|
