My Personal Introspections » Orthodox Catholic Church

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Lawrence — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:00:17 +0000

Truly the Son of Man, Christ our true God is this day given to us by the Holy Spirit through Mary, the Immaculate and Ever-virgin Theotokos

Today is December 25, according to the ancient Julian calendar of the Orthodox Catholic Church, the day of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The original five patriarchs of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church followed the Julian calendar that was made the calendar of the Church by the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 AD. The Church calendar was later changed by the dictate of the Patriarch of Rome, Pope Gregory. The problem with that was that the Patriarch of Rome had no authority to change the Church calendar, since it had been promulgated by an ecumenical council, only an ecumenical council, according to the canons, could vacate that act. So, for the vast majority of the Orthodox Christians of the East, today is December 25 in the life of the Church, which means today is the Holy Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With my Orthodox brethren, I salute all Christians, saying, “Christ is Born!” And my Orthodox Christian brethren answer, “Glorify Him!”

Now finally, the Lenten fast of Advent is coming to an end and tomorrow will start the twelve days of Christmas joy.

Many of you know the English song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, but I bet not too many of you know what the gifts given in that song signify.

For any who do not know the religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas, here they are:

The one True Love refers to our one triune God
Two Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
Four Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
Five Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
Six Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
Seven Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the sacraments
Eight Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
Twelve Drummers Drumming refers to the points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

To hear and see some children singing this song on YouTube click here

Joy to the World!

Christ is Born!

Glorify Him!

The Chalcedonian Formula (greatcloud.wordpress.com)
Russians ready for Orthodox Christmas (rt.com)
The Glory Of All Things Made New (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! (mpidirect.com)

Monastery, as the Soul of the Church

Lawrence — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:18:47 +0000

Interview with Mother Agapia (Stephanopoulos), Superior at the Convent of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, of the Syracuse Diocese, ROCOR (See pages 6-7 of the Missionary Leaflet)

THE MILESTONES

The first thing that struck me was the overwhelming response from clergy and laity throughout the US and even in Australia to our appeal. It was obvious that the call for a convent, a spiritual center for the ROCA under Metropolitan Agafangel was important to many people both young and old. The letters received from elderly people expressing their deep appreciation for the formation of a Convent were very moving. At the same time it was wonderful to meet young people excited about the idea of coming to visit the Convent. After the ruinous and sometimes bitter separation from friends and family because of the 2007 union between ROCOR and the MP people are deeply in need of a place where they can once again focus on their spiritual life and rebuild their communities in a positive and healthy way. The Convent can help provide direction and inspiration.

Finally buying and moving into a new property in early February was an important step but what I find to be even more significant was the joy of having services and celebrating our first Liturgy at the end of the first week of Great Lent. This above all else is the reason for our existence here at St. Nicholas.

To struggle and purify our own souls within a daily prayer cycle and to offer prayers on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ scattered throughout the world.

ROCOR ARCHIVES

Some of my most profound experiences as an Orthodox Christian took place at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville which in many ways exemplified the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. Sadly with the union between ROCOR and the MP much of the history of the the ROCOR is being distorted to fit a particular agenda.

It is important that we do what we can to collect and archive ROCOR materials (journals, magazines, books, photos, memoirs) in order to present and remind people what those luminaries in Jordanville (Archbishop Averky, Archbishop Vitaly, Fr. Konstantin Zaitsev, Fr. Michael Pomazansky, Ivan Andreyev, etc) said and wrote. Their unvarnished legacy is one that is most important for coming to a real understanding of Orthodoxy and its significance for today’s world. With Metropolitan Agafangel’s blessing we plan to build a library here on the Convent grounds first to collect in one place as many of these materials as we can and then to catalog and present them in such a way that the library can become a real learning center. Already faithful have begun to send such books and magazines to the Convent and we have begun to sort and catalog them in our residence. It is hoped within a year construction of a separate library can begin.

SPIRITUAL PATH

First, be thought of as a superior of a convent is a misnomer. The fact is that the events in 2007 caused disruption in the life of many: clergy, laity and monastics. Now we begin to pick up the pieces and just as Archimandrites Panteleimon and Joseph did in 1927 when they left St. Tikhon’s Monastery for conscience’s sake and purchased the property in Jordanville so too do we do today. I am simply a nun trying to be true to our faith.

While I was raised in the New Calendar Greek Archdiocese in my college years I had the opportunity to visit Jordanville, and in fact remember meeting Fr. Panteleimon who was in the last year of his life. The experience was overwhelming to me for it was the first time I had really seen monks, the full order of services, and a hint of what the Orthodox faith was really all about in its fullness. I visited Jordanville frequently off and on for about 4 years before a women’s monastic community was formed.

In December 1991, I was made a novice in the Community of St. Elizabeth and lived there for five years. Besides obediences such as making incense and candles, one of my chief obediences was assisting the Monastery’s printshop and it was here in the typesetting and preparation of the Monastery’s publications that I learned and absorbed much of the history of the ROCOR. Having this knowledge and experience is certainly one reason why I am so committed to the path of Metropolitan Agafangel’s Synod.

Chapel at the school’s courtyard in Bethany near Jerusalem in the Holy Land.

I then spent 10 years in Jerusalem at the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene. There was a wonderful young abbess their at the time (Abbess Anna Karipoff) who did much to instill a coenobitic order and inspire the nuns to a deeper spiritual life. Here in a much larger community of 25-30 nuns I was relieved of having to do so much physical labor that a smaller community might entail and aided by good examples and the inspiration of living and often visiting the Holy Sites, I was able to focus more on my interior spiritual life. This sweet period was only to last about a year and a half. Soon the events in Hebron happened (MP seizure of our monastery in 1997) and I was called to assist with administrative matters. As well the upheaval and strain caused by this seizure led to Mother Anna resigning her position and leaving the Convent. This led to other changes in the monastery and I was appointed to run the Convent’s Orthodox School of Bethany The experience of running a school for 325 children, caring for 12 girls from broken homes, managing the property, dealing with teachers and employees, and at the same time trying to live the life of a nun in the Holy Land, going to services and hosting pilgrims, all in a most politicized and sometime violent part of the world certainly honed skills that are most useful as we undertake the formation of a new convent here in the States. Quite frankly while there are challenges here, it somehow seems a lighter burden than those days in Jerusalem.

Finally in February 2006 essentially due to my known opposition to the coming union I moved to Australia for two years to a small skete in the outback that Abbess Anna had established. With 6 people living on 200 acres and the nearest town about 60 miles away it was as far from the tension and hustle and bustle of Jerusalem, the center of the world, that one could imagine. But it was just what my soul needed. It was refreshing to be in the quiet once again, free of distraction and able to concentrate on the inner life. Sadly Mother Anna’s community went with the union but accepted and understood my decision. So I returned to the States, my homeland, not knowing exactly what would happen.

Looking back yes it does seem that all my experiences have prepared me for this moment. Our property is rather isolated and quiet and I find this to be the perfect place for working out a life of prayer and repentance. At the same time the place was not ready made and many organizational and administrative matters, dealing with municipalities and money matters need to be dealt with and my work at the School certainly helps in this regard.

THE FIRST FEAST DAY

While in someways it is premature because we are still very much in the beginning stages, still unpacking boxes, renovating rooms 3 months after we moved in, we will open our doors for the celebration of our patronal feast day. Our Convent is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and given the weather conditions here, it was decided the feast of the Translation of his relics (May 9/22) would be more appropriate for a pilgrimage. Because the feast fell the day before Pentecost we transferred the celebration to the weekend following Pentecost this year. We expect about 50 – 75 pilgrims to join us primarily from Astoria, from our communities in Toronto and Ottawa, as well as locals.

There will be a Vigil service on Saturday evening May 29 led by Archbishop Andronik and a hierarchal Liturgy the following morning. May St. Nicholas ever guide and protect us in our small efforts to provide a place of prayer for our ROCA faithful and a witness to the Orthodox faith to those outside the fold.

Holy Father Nicholas, pray to God for us!

Source: NFTU News

*** *** ***

I became acquainted with Mother Agapia during my short stay in the Holy Land through Mother Xenia, and through some correspondence with Mother Agapia. Mother Agapia and Mother Xenia were members of the Community of St. Elizabeth, which serves and is served by the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. The convent and the church are located on the slope of the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.

In the story above, Mother Agapia mentions the events MP seizure of our monastery in Hebron in 1997 in an offhanded manner. I know something of what happened there and I know Mother Agapia as a hero in those events, and I seem to recall the then Sister Katherine was a hero right along with her. They dared to stare down the dastardly Russians who had been dispatched to seize their little outpost mastery and school. Of course the politically better connected Russians eventually prevailed in that struggle.

The incorrupt bodies of St. Elizabeth and St. Barbara, the good servant of St. Elizabeth can be visited in the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene. Both saints freely volunteered to be martyred with the sainted Russian Czar Nicholas II and the Czarina Alexandra and their children. St. Elizabeth had formerly been the Grand Duchess of Russia, having been married to the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, brother of the czar. This was, of course, before she became a nun after the death of her husband and founded the Convent of Martha and Mary. Click both St. Elizabeth and St. Elizabeth to learn more about this wonderful lady.

Incidentally, Mother Agapia has a brother named George Stephanopoulos. He is the well known television journalist and Democrat political adviser.

Yours truly

Martyred Priest Daniel Sysoev & American Orthodox Missionary Work (palamas.info)
Orthodox flock to once-banned holy site in Turkey (reuters.com)
Turkey: patriarch holds historic Mass at monastery (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
St Catherine’s Monastery, Mount Sinaï (apostcardaday.blogspot.com)
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! (mpidirect.com)

Morning Prayers of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of the East

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk Gives Hard-hitting, No Nonsense Address to Anglicans

Lawrence — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 05:08:37 +0000

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk is Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. Recently he gave an address to the Annual Nicean Club Dinner at Lambeth Palace in which he politely but firmly pointed out that the dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Anglicans, “is doomed to closure if the unrestrained liberalization of Christian values continues in many communities of the Anglican world.”

He referred particularly to the impact on this dialogue of the proposed ordination of women Bishops:

We have studied the preparatory documents for the decision on female episcopate and were struck by the conviction expressed in them that even if the female episcopate were introduced, ecumenical contacts with the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Churches would not come to an end. What made the authors of these documents so certain?

He also referred to the ordination in the USA of Gene Robertson, an openly homosexual Bishop, leading to the suspension of contact with the Episcopalian Church, and to the rupture of relations with the Church of Sweden in 2005 as a result of the ordination of the lesbian Eva Brunne as “Bishop” of Stockholm.

Metropolitan Hilarion rightly analyzed the differences within Christianity as being between traditional Christians and Christians of a liberal trend. Significantly, he referred to a growing co-operation between the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church with the aim of restoring a Christian soul to Europe:

We are not alone in our concern for the preservation of Christian values. Liberal tendencies in Protestant and Anglican communities present a challenge to those Christians and churches that have remained faithful to Gospel principles in doctrine, church order and morality. Certainly, we seek and find allies in opposing the destruction of the very essence of Christianity. One of the major tasks in our inter-Christian work today is to unite the efforts of Christians for building a system of solidarity on the basis of Gospel morality in Europe and throughout the world. Our positions are shared by the Roman Catholic Church, with which we have held numerous meetings and conferences. Together we are considering the possibility of establishing an Orthodox-Catholic alliance in Europe for defending the traditional values of Christianity. The primary aim of this alliance would be to restore a Christian soul to Europe. We should be engaged in common defense of Christian values against secularism and relativism.

From a Catholic point of view, it could be said that the close relationship of the Orthodox Church with Anglicanism, a relationship whose history Metropolitan Hilarion recalled warmly, was perhaps partly inspired by a resistance to closer links with the Roman Catholic Church. Now that it is apparent that the Anglican Communion is wantonly abandoning much of what is recognized as traditional Christianity in both sacramental and moral matters, it is very much to be welcomed that the Orthodox Church is discovering that the Roman Catholic Church is a true ally on many central questions. We have much to learn from the Orthodox Church too, in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Pope Benedict has helped that rapprochement significantly.

Source: THE HERMENEUTIC OF CONTINUITY

Edited by: LifeSigns

Benedict will bounce Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church (blogs.telegraph.co.uk)
Understanding Orthodox Anti-Catholic Rhetoric (palamas.info)
Russian Orthodox Church to Attended Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue (palamas.info)
“Pope tells British bishops they must satisfy people’s spiritual hunger” and related posts (clericalwhispers.blogspot.com)

Morning Prayers of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of the East

Lawrence — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:23:53 +0000

MORNING PRAYERS

My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matt 26:36).

On arising from sleep, stand before the holy icons with reverence and fear of God; make the sign of the sign of the Cross and say:

IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then the introductory prayers:

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, O Treasury of every good and Bestower of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

OUR Father, Which art in the Heavens, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest: For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory; both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

(Or:)

People: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Then the following Troparia to the Holy Trinity:

AS we arise from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Good One, and we cry unto Thee with the hymn of the Angels, O Mighty One: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Glory. (Abbreviation meaning say, Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;)

HAVING Raised me from bed and from sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart, and open Thou my lips that I may praise Thee, O Holy trinity. Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Both now.

OF a sudden the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each shall be laid bare. But let us cry out with fear in the midst of the night: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

And the following prayer:

AS I rise from sleep I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, for because of Thy great goodness and long-suffering Thou wast not wroth with me, the slothful and sinner, nor didst Thou destroy me in mine iniquities, but didst show Thy wonted love for man, and when I was prostrate in despair, Thou didst raise me to keep the morning watch and glorify Thy dominion. And now enlighten Thou the eyes of my mind, open my mouth to meditate on Thy words and to understand Thy commandments, and to do Thy will, and to chant unto Thee in heartfelt confession, and praise Thine All-holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

O come, let us worship and fall down before our King and God.

O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God.

O Come, let us worship and fall down before Him, Christ the King and our God.

PSALM 50

HAVE mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words and prevail when Thou art judged.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did bear me.
For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice.
Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away form Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me.
I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness.
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased.
A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded.
Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

THE CREED

I BELIEVE in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; being of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made;
Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from the Heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;
And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried;
And arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into the Heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end;
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Give of life; Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets;
In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead,

And the life of the ages to come. Amen.

A PRAYER OF SAINT BASEL THE GREAT

THEE do we bless, Thou most High God and Lord of mercy, Who ever workest with us deeds great and unfathomable, glorious and extraordinary, whereof there is no number; Who hast given unto us sleep for rest from our infirmity, and for repose of our much-toiling flesh. We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us in our iniquities, but hast shown Thy wonted love for man, and though we were prostrate in despair, Thou hast raised us up to glorify Thy dominion. Wherefore, we beseech Thine incomparable goodness: Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise our mind form the heavy sleep of slothfulness. Open our mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we may be able undistracted to sing and chant and give thanks unto Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the beginningless Father, with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thine All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Most glorious, Ever-virgin, blessed Theoto-kos present our prayer to thy Son ad our God, and pray that through thee He would save our souls.

My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my shelter the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory be to Thee.

Unto thee do I commit mine every hope, O Mother of God; guard me under thy shelter.

IT is truly meet to call thee blest, the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-immaculate, and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

FORGIVE them that hate us and do us wrong, O Lord; do good unto them that do good unto us. To our brethren and kinsmen, grant their requests that are unto salvation and life everlasting. Visit them that be in sickness, and grant them healing. Pilot them that be at sea. Accompany them that journey. Be Thou the ally of Orthodox Christians. Unto them that minister and show mercy unto us, grant forgiveness of sins. Upon them that have enjoined us, the unworthy, to pray for them, have mercy, according to Thy great mercy. Remember, O Lord, all our fathers and brethren who have gone to their rest before us, and grant them rest where the light of Thy countenance shineth. Remember, O Lord, our brethren, the captives, and deliver them from every misfortune. Remember, O Lord, them that bring oblations and do good works in Thy holy churches, and grant them their requests that are unto salvation and life everlasting. Remember, O Lord, us also, Thy humble and sinful and unworthy servants, and enlighten our mind with the light of Thy knowledge, and lead us in the path of Thy commandments; by the intercessions of Thine all-immaculate Mother, our Lady the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, and of all Thy Saints, for blessed art Thou unto all ages of ages. Amen.

THE PARYER OF SAINT EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN

This prayer is said during the Holy and Great Fast, except on Saturdays and Sundays.

O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, curiosity, ambition, and idle talk give me not. (prostration)
But a spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love, bestow upon me Thy servant. (prostration)
Yes, O Lord King, grant me to see mine own failings and not to condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)

Then we make twelve bows, after which we repeat the concluding verse of the prayer:

Yes, O Lord King, grant me to see mine own failings and not to condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)

And at the last, say:

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Source: Holy Transfiguration Monaster

In Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, the Winter Pascha