The 4th of July - A Day Worthy of Fasting

It is the custom of Orthodox Christians to fast as an offering to God. By fasting, we offer Him our entire being as an expression of gratitude and submission. When re-reading (READ THIS if you have never read it) the Declaration of Independence, you may appreciate the beauty that is in offering yourself to God today, as it is Friday, and fast. By doing this, you honor the sacrifice and total dedication to those who initiated the fight for your freedom.

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

From the Archives of the United States G

The 4th of July and Fasting

As Orthodox Christians we have been fasting every Wednesday and Friday with very few exceptions since the earliest days of the Church. In the “Teachings of the Holy Apostles to the Nations” we find this:

But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites; (Matthew 6:16) for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday).

Hypocrites was a reference to the unbelieving Jews who fasted on Monday and Thursday, not a reference to Christians. With very few exceptions during periods when fasting is forbidden (after Christmas, after Pascha, after Pentecost) these days remain the staple fasting guide of every Orthodox Christian. Even when Feasts of the Church fall on these days, there is fasting expected albeit lessened in honor of the feast. For example if August 15^th happens to fall on a Friday, the fast is lessened to allow for fish, oil and wine, but no meat is served.

Why is this important? It happens to be the simplest manner in which the Church can teach and train her believers to place God above all other realities in life. It may be difficult for those who do not fast to understand the nuance between having steak and having fish during celebrations. Please allow me another example.

My birthday is during the Nativity Fast every year. This means I must fast every year on my birthday. If my birthday celebrations are going to include meat (I really enjoy a good prime rib) then I must “transfer” my birthday celebration prior to November 15^th. “Now” I am free to celebrate with whatever food I wish in honor of my birthday. In fact, for many other reasons, we “transfer” birthdays and anniversaries to long weekends or other dates out of convenience. What does it teach our children when we can’t do the same out of respect for our Faith Tradition? The Church indeed transfers several feasts so that they can be celebrated outside of fasting periods, the most famous being the Feast of St George. When Pascha is later than April 23 (the date of the Feast of St George) then the celebration, including Divine Liturgy, is “transferred” to the Monday following Pascha. This is done in order to maintain the dignity that is Holy and Great Lent and Holy and Great Week.

HOWEVER, we can’t simply reschedule nationalized US holidays such as the 4^th of July, so what alternative do we have? We should keep the fast when the 4^th of July happens to fall on a Wednesday or, as is the case in 2014, a Friday. This is completely in keeping with the ancient and sacred Orthodox Christian Tradition. Greece, for example, celebrates March 25^th (Greek Independence Day) EVERY YEAR during the Great Fast. The fast is “lessened” by allowing fish, oil and wine, but THIS IS IN HONOR OF THE FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION and not for Greek Independence Day.

There is a uniquely American exception to this rule of fasting on Thanksgiving Day. Early in the 20^th Century, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of (then) North and South America, decided to allow for the “full celebration” of Thanksgiving including turkey, in deference to the unique fact that it is the ONLY US holiday dedicated to giving thanks to God. However, this exception is limited to Thanksgiving Day, and is not universally practiced.

As Americans who are Orthodox Christians, we owe it to our children to train them that their faith is more important than what foods we eat on the 4^th of July. Then, when the time comes for them to choose between living the life their Church teaches, and the life the secular world teaches, they will have already been trained to follow the Church.

Don’t You Think It’s Time We Take Responsibility for Ourselves?

Ever since Adam and Eve refused responsibility for their disobedience of God, (See Genesis 3.12-13) the “stain of original sin” has plagued each of us. We each have inherited a fallen world in which we EACH have a proclivity toward sin. We can’t seem to avoid it. Even Saint Paul acknowledged this “war inside” of us in which we do that which do not wish to do, and don’t do that which we wish to do. (See Romans 7.15-25)

So, when will we finally learn to take responsibility for our sins? Many people are of the opinion that their sins do not affect the “greater society” with all the talk of so-called victimless crimes. BUT the reality is that our sins DO have an effect on others. Just consider the recent recall of GRACO infant seats. In an article today, it was announced that GRACO “gave in” to pressure to include the infant seats in a recall because “Buckles can get gummed up by food and drinks, and that could make it hard to remove children.” The article STATES “The company says there have been no injuries reported because of the problem.” So let me get this correct......NOBODY has been hurt, but because some parents don’t clean their infant and car seats, food and drink “gum up” the buckles so the COMPANY has to spend millions to replace dirty buckles? PLEASE!

I’m not against product safety standards. I’m not even against reasonable oversight, but in THIS case we’re not talking about straps that didn’t safely restrain children or infants in accidents. How much you want to bet that the “new buckle design” will eventually be found not strong enough because it had to be altered to accommodate parents “lack of cleaning habits?”

Now before you get all “we have to protect our children” on me, you must understand this post isn’t about child safety, nor is about government agencies. It IS about personal responsibility. When we sin, we MUST stop trying to pass the buck. Our friends can’t make us sin. The most relaxed safety standards can’t make us sin. Even the devil can’t make us sin. WE SIN, and it’s about time we take responsibility for our behavior.

Christ understood this when He granted the Church authority to forgive sins. The Church understood this when it commanded the confessor to fully consider the heart of the penitent in “meting out mercy.” That is the gift of Holy Confession. WE take responsibility for our sin, and engage in a life of repentance to grow ever closer to Christ.

Take responsibility for your sin, and schedule Holy Confession with your Priest TODAY!

What Should I Focus on During Holy Confession?

A follow up question from our previous episode on “Preparing for Holy Communion” last week, this question focuses more attention on the actual Mystery (or Sacrament) of Holy Confession and what our attitude should while we are confessing to a Priest. The Mystery of Confession is expressed as a communion between the one who is confessing and God, once we have opened our heart to Him.

Day Trips Are a Summer Tradition

Everyone enjoys a nice day trip to a favorite beach or nature walk, but have you ever considered a day trip to an area church? There are probably many beautiful Orthodox Churches close enough to your city for an inspirational and enjoyable day trip.

Taking time to actually travel to a church for a special prayer or service has been a long-time tradition of our Holy Orthodox Church. Within driving distance to your city are at least a dozen day trips to see old and new churches and even spend time in different monasteries. Imagine the blessing your family will receive if the next time you wonder what to do for a Saturday afternoon you say, “How about going to visit the Monastery?”

A quick stop by a nearby Church to light a candle and venerate the Holy Icons brings a fresh reminder of what really matters in life. You may even get lucky and find a Church or monastery where you can venerate relics of a holy Saint. You may even wish to plan to attend different parishes for Divine Liturgy on a Sunday.

To assist us in our travels as Orthodox Christians, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States has a complete directory of parishes and monasteries. All you need to do is “plug in” your zip code and choose where to go for your day trip.

Blessed travels!

Preparing for Holy Communion

As a continuation to our “New Priest – New Gospel” question and answer  session, this episode of Be Transfigured! focuses on our preparation for Holy Communion. How should we fast? How often should we attend Holy Confession? This episode will outline, based upon the Canonical Tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church, a better understanding about the connection (or lack of connection) between Holy Confession and Fasting as they both relate to Holy Communion.

Holy Confession and Holy Communion

Last week, I mentioned that with each Priest, you may hear different perspectives on “how” to best live the Orthodox Christian Way of Life. When it comes to receiving Holy Communion, these different perspectives can be a source of confusion and frustration. How we receive Holy Communion isn’t just a personal experience, though, since we each live in communion also with each other. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we express our unity in receiving Holy Communion with each other, as commanded by the Holy Apostles who taught,

“But every Lord's Day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.” (from the Didache)

Co clearly, confession of our sins and reconciliation with others has been at the core of our preparation for Holy Communion, but how and when should we confess? Is it enough to “confess directly to God” in my personal prayers? The answer is in the connection between reconciliation and confession. Each by itself is incomplete, and it is within the Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church, this becomes possible. In Holy Confession, in the Church, with our Father Confessor, the grace of God is present and prepares us to live in communion with God and each other. How often we confess with our Father Confessor is matter of need. Some need more than others, but we all need it if we desire true unity with God and each other. 

New Priest - New Gospel

When a new or visiting Priest arrives, it sometimes seems as if he is changing the rules. Why do different Priests do and say different things? PLUS a bonus question at the end....

A Welcomed Fast

As someone who struggles daily with overheating, the first day of the Apostles Fast comes as a relief. Everyone has their particular cross to bear. I'm just thankful for the FOUR fasting periods of the Church to help me with my cross. May the Apostles Fast be a blessing to you. See you at the Feast on June 30th!

Church Seasons

Many Christians do not associate the concept of seasons with the Church calendar, except to acknowledge the calculation of Holy and Great Pascha with the full moon and spring equinox. But there are definite “seasons” within the Church calendar during which certain themes and scripture readings are expressed during these times. For example, the Feast of Pentecost which we celebrated last week as the end of the Paschal Season which began on April 20^th with Pascha.

The Sunday of All Saints is the first Sunday of a new season in the Church dedicated to the Holy Apostles. With the Ascension of Christ and His return to His Heavenly Throne, and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Holy Apostles, the Church now focuses our attention on the life, teaching and dedication of the Holy Apostles. The Gospel for the Sunday of All Saints begins, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10.33)

The Holy Apostles established a Way of Life focused upon living in Communion with Jesus Christ, and taught HOW to confess our faith in Him. The Gospel continues, “He who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10.38) Confessing our faith in Christ is not what we say, but how we live.

Do we confess Christ when we judge others? Do we confess Christ when we make shrewd business deals? Do we confess Christ when refuse to welcome visitors into our Church? The Apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, taught us to love others, share our resources, and welcome ALL people into our Church. It’s time for a new season.

Holy Communion and Marriage in the Orthodox Church

This week's question was from a parishioner who isn't Orthodox but married to an Orthodox Christian.

"If I can get married in the Orthodox Church, why can't I receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church?"

Watch other "Questions and Answer" sermon on our special by visiting the link above.

Sayings and No Sayings...

There is a long-standing strain of self-proclaimed innocence that has plagued humanity since Adam and Eve. We tend to deflect fault for our actions while accusing the actions of others....I recently posted this on Facebook to which the included discussion ensued. I post it here (with the other name deleted) to make the point of why the Church struggles to engage society....

A few sayings I can't seem to find in the Scriptures.....
"And Jesus said to them, 'I love you just the way you are, keep sinning.'"
"And Jesus said to them, 'I made you that way, so there's no need to repent.'"
or my favorite...
"And Jesus said to them, 'You're not perfect like Me and My Father. Don't bother yourself so much trying to be prefect."

But what He did say was...
"See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." John 5.14
 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4.17
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5.48

READER But you don't think of gay people if you say this, do you?

Like · Reply · 1 hr

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Why do you ask?

Like · 1 hr

READER 

Because this argument is always used against people who live their homosexuality in a partnership.

Like · 1 hr

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Why are YOU asking ME this question? Do you think I am doing this? Are you homosexual? There has to be a reason you ask at this moment.

Like · 1 hr

READER  I asked wether you do so. If so, I would feel disparaged.

Like · 1 hr

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ So are you living your homosexuality in a partnership?

Like · 1 hr

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ And do you subscribe to the belief that because we are made a certain way, we must not be asked to repent?

Like · 58 mins

READER  okay, I see you don't want to say whether you mean your posting in a homophobic way.
So I suspect that you do so. sorry for annoying you. You can delete my questians. I will go now. Good bye and God bless you.i

Like · 52 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ If you have EVER read my blog, you would know that my posts are always what they say. You would know that I believe ALL sin must be repented from, whether sexual sexual sin, financial sins, health sin. ALL SIN separates us from God. You seem to want to fight about homosexuality, I'm not......so if you want a discussion, we need to get things out in the open.

Like · 50 mins

READER  All sin must be repented. I have no problem with that. But I would have a problem with you if you would say living homolsexuality, even in a devoted partnership, is sinful.

Like · 46 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ OK. So we can discuss. I do. That being said, can you explain why you don't?

Like · 45 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Let's use the word "share" why you don't rather than explain....

Like · 44 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ One more thing.....do you consider yourself Orthodox?

Like · 42 mins

READER  Because you can't justify with the Holy Scripture that love between homosexuals is sin.
Because Christ said that to love God and our neighbor, that's all the law is about. So love never can be sinful....See More

Like · 40 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Ok, we need to agree on some terms.....when I hear/read "living homosexuality" it includes sexual activity. Do I hear you correctly?

Like · 39 mins

READER  you do, yes. Of course.

Like · 38 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Also, so we can have everything on the table.....are you gay living in a homosexual relationship?

Like · 38 mins

READER  I am gay, yes. And I had a relationship. But not at the moment.

Like · 36 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ I make a HUGE distinction between the love God calls us to and sexual activity, so let's separate the points. I am commanded to love my enemies. Does that love equal the love I have for my wife?

Like · 36 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Were you born gay? I do believe that is possible by the way

Like · 35 mins

READER  I don't want to argue this way. God made you hetero sexual, and made me gay. He allows you to have a wife and have sexual activity with her.
Why shouldn't he allow this to me, if he made me as i am?

Like · 33 mins · Edited

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ But this is my point. You and I don't have the same struggle. Are you obese? I am

Like · 32 mins · Edited

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ I can either eat my way into a coma, or accept that God desires something BETTER for me than just food. I am called to repent from gluttony and live without being able to eat whatever or whenever I desire.

Like · 30 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ This is the root of the "God made me that way" part of my original post. We are ALL made in the image of God, but we are ALL fallen, and God desires for ALL of us to repent and draw closer to Him.

Like · 29 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ I have a confession coming in soon, so I may have to pause, but I will be back.

Like · 29 mins

READER  but now you compare sinful behaviour or illness with homosexuality. And that is my point. that's unfair.

Like · 28 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ my desire for too much food in sinful, it isn't an illness

Like · 27 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ your desire is for sex, that isn't an illness either

Like · 26 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Life isn't about food OR sex, it is about living in Communion with God

Like · 26 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ We all desire certain things that God doesn't desire for us. The Orthodox Way of life is about "deny yourself, take up your cross" and following Christ. That makes each of our struggle unique. Your cross is your sexuality, mine is over-eating.

Like · 24 mins

READER  my cross is to live in a church that dares to forbid me to love. That is my problem.

Like · 20 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ NO. Your Church does NOT forbid you to love. That is my point. Your Church is here to assist you in your struggle to deny your passions and unite with God. I think our society has done you a HUGE disservice if you think the Church said, just because you can't marry, you are somehow forbidden to love. The society has projected that on the Church.

Like · 18 mins

READER  There can't be a different criterion for heteros or gay concerning gays.

Like · 18 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ I don't understand that one....

Like · 18 mins

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Your Church dares you to love God MORE than yourself and your fallen passions, just as it does for me.

Like · 17 mins

READER  Concsrning seyuality,I meant. have to struggle to deny my passions, only because I am gay. And you, because you are hetero can live you passions?

Like · 16 mins · Edited

READER  to be gay and to love men ist not fallen passsion. thats church doctrin. but from yesterday.

Like · 15 mins · Edited

Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ Let's look at it from another direction, which (I presume) neither of us has an interest.....There are arguably (if you trust social science) members of our society that "were born" sociopaths or murderers or deceitful. Would we EVER suggest 'they' don't have to repent?

Like · 13 mins

READER  There is no scriptural background for you sayings, if you do a sorrow exegesis of the handful of texts that are used against us..

Like · 13 mins · Edited

READER  Good bye. It is offending to compare me as gay with sociopaths or murderers.
I won't write anymore and block you. It's unbearable. this homophobia.

Like · 12 mins · Edited

Trust is Power!

The Feast of Pentecost commemorates the event during which the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church to fulfill a promise Jesus made shortly before His Passion. Jesus promised His Disciples, “When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 15.13) Moments before His Glorious Ascension (celebrated 40 days after Pascha) He commanded His Disciples, “Tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24.49)

Since the moment the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, the Holy Apostles have been entrusted by God to lead His Church according to His commandments. Since the day of Pentecost, the Orthodox Church has trusted in the teachings of the Holy Apostles to lead us to heaven. The trust has been confirmed in the power of the Holy Spirit, who continues to guide the Church into all truth, PROVIDED THAT we remain faithful to the way of life and teachings of the Holy Apostles.

In a day when we are bombarded with mixed messages of moral shifts and self-oriented priorities, sometimes is just helps to be reminded that the Holy Spirit, as promised by God, guided the Holy Apostles into ALL TRUTH, not just some truth, not just “a” truth, but ALL TRUTH. When we trust in that way of life and teachings of the Holy Apostles, what we call, Holy Tradition, we also are given the power of God to endure the struggle against sin and selfishness, and join ourselves to God.

The Sanctity of Life

Here is the first episode of our new Summer Sermon Series, "The Sanctity of Life."

Being One in God

Just before Christ voluntarily endured His Glorious Passion, He offered a prayer to the Father. This prayer, known as the “High Priestly Prayer” was a liturgical prayer following the model of the Old Testament Sacrifices which expressed the devotion of the person offering the sacrifice. In this prayer Jesus said, “Keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” Jesus spoke often of unity in this great prayer. You can read the entire prayer in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. In this prayer, we can arrive a deeper understanding of Christ’s desire for His Church.

It was this desire for complete unity that has been a driving force of the Church Fathers since the Apostles were first given the authority to lead the Church. This sort of unity Christ desires, is divine unity in love. Jesus is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, not simply because they share the title of Divine. The Holy Trinity is exists in complete harmony of love and will. In other words, Jesus always ‘wants’ what the Father ‘wants’ and the Holy Spirit always ‘wants’ what the Father ‘wants’ and the Father always ‘wants’ what Jesus and the Holy Spirit ‘want’; which is.....that WE should live in the same community of love and unity.

But this unity is even greater than ‘us humans’ being united. God desires that we are one with each other AND HIM. Later in this prayer Jesus prays, “That they may be one just as We are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one.” (John 17.22-23) We are made perfect in our unity with each other and God. This is realized in the living Sacred Tradition of the Church, given by Christ to the Holy Apostles, and maintained by the Holy Fathers of the Church through the centuries.

Seeing God

When life presents us with blessings or even struggles, whether or not we experience them as opportunities to draw closer to God, depends completely upon the condition of our hearts. Do you see God in the blessings and struggles of your life? It just takes allowing God to heal your vision, and open your heart to His grace.

God and Summer

It’s that time of year again when parents grit their teeth in anxiety over the next three months. School will be over in a few days, and that means THE KIDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO! With both parents working in most families, and especially in single-parent families, finding activities to keep young children involved and, maybe most importantly for the youngest of our children, SAFE, during the day can be quite the nerve-wracking experience. Compound this with the reality that most families no longer live in communities where they grew up, and the lack of extended families doesn’t even allow for grandparents to help. So parents begin to panic…

OH NO; NOW WHAT?

And then the Church “goes and makes things worse” by actually ending the various programs and ministries for youth. I’ve been in youth ministry for just over twenty years, and I could never understand the mentality, “School is over, now we end the Church programs.” Sunday School ends, Greek School ends (if you are part of a Greek community like I have always been), even youth groups tend to limit their activities during the summer months. You would think Churches would have MORE programs rather than less during the months when youth have no school. But that is not the topic of this post.

This post is about something bigger than whether or not youth groups have scheduled activities during the summer. This post is about an even more dangerous trend. This post is about the trend of taking “time off” from Church as if Church and School are only nine month activities. Of course, the lack of Sunday School plays a role in this phenomenon, because many families “only” come to Church if their children have Sunday School class to attend. You see this also during “Christmas Break” where Church attendance slips for a few weeks following Christmas.

So how can we include God in our summer plans? We have to begin with whether or not we actually include Him in our fall, winter and spring plans. I want to be clear….simply attending Church on Sunday doesn’t necessarily mean you are including God in your life. The Orthodox Way of Life PRESUMES that each day is spent living in communion with God through a life of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the sacramental life of the Church. Are you attending confession regularly? Are you regularly reading the Holy Scriptures and writings of the Fathers and Mothers of the Church? Is prayer a constant part of your life? See my post on “The Orthodox Top 10” and ask yourself, “Am I living in communion with God or simply being what has been called a ‘pew warmer’ in Church?”

You see summer is really no different than any other season except for the weather. Including God in your summer plans is the same as including Him in your winter plans. Attending Church on Sunday AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING in the Sunday Liturgy by preparing for AND RECEIVING Holy Communion is a part of that life – a central part – but a part. 

Orthodoxy’s Top 10 Disciplines for Salvation

Fasting every Wednesday and Friday

Reading the Holy Scriptures daily

Receiving the Holy Sacraments regularly

Praying the Lord’s Prayer 3 times a day

Attending Church services on time
Tithing for the support of the Church

Forgiving each other’s faults

Living a moral life

Assisting the poor

Avoiding sinful preoccupations

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Are You Blind to God’s Blessings?

In the Gospel of John heard on the sixth Sunday of Pascha, we hear of a “man born blind” who received his sight as a gift from God. Despite several attempts to convince those around him that he had been healed by God, those who had witnessed his new sight refused to accept God’s role in his healing. They chose instead to say, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” (John 9.16) And again they said, “We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from?” (John 9.29) These witnesses to healing who refused to accept God’s blessings were none other than the Jewish “elite”, the Pharisees.

It should come as no surprise that the Pharisees couldn’t bring themselves to accept God had healed the “man born blind,” since WE regularly cannot see God’s blessings WE have received. The Pharisees, although they could see with their physical eyes, couldn’t see the blessings of God with their spiritual eyes, their hearts. There is an expression “can’t see the forest through the trees” which I believe illustrates this common human failure.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our immediate, close-up reality that we cannot see how God has His blessing hand on our path. Sometimes we are so focused upon our actions, that we cannot see how God has placed good things within our reach. Sometimes we are convinced that our fortune is of our own making, that we cannot see how God has given us the means through which to succeed. Sometimes we are blind to God’s blessings, even though we can see the results. Isn’t it about time we stop being blind, and start seeing God’s blessings?

When the Church Disappoints

We have all experienced this emotion at some time in our life. We feel the Church has let us down or that her programs are inadequate or even substandard. People (young adults especially) are leaving the Church in droves, and we struggle to assign “blame” or establish some reason why so many leave the Church. It has been verified that between 60-80% of youth leave the Church after high school NEVER TO RETURN.

Upon my review of many studies and with twenty years experience working with youth, I suggest that most often, though by no means exclusively, when we feel disappointed by the Church, it is our expectations that needed adjusting, rather than the Church. You may think I am merely defending the institution for which I am invested.

Hold off on that accusation for the moment. The Church has for several decades been wrestling with the question of how best to minister to her flock. And we will continue to wrestle with these issues, which is why I offer my thoughts in this particular blog post. Too often the Church focuses upon the wrong enticements to hold on to her flock. What do I mean?

There are many program and ministries the Church attempts IN A DIRECT EFFORT to attract and hold her flock. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these ministries focus upon the fleshly passions rather than the yearning for God that exists in every human soul.

• Basketball (and various other athletics)
• Folk dance groups (and various other cultural ministries)
• Scouts (and various other leadership building groups)
• Camping trips (and various other outdoor excursions)

And in most of these activities, the Church falls short in delivering great, superior programs. Why is this? I believe the answer is right in front of our faces. When I first entered youth ministry a mentor taught me, “We can’t compete with the world.” Here is what he meant...

• We have teenage athletic programs, BUT the Middle Schools and High School will ALWAYS do athletics better than we can. Our programs are “burdened” with fairness and Christian rules of sportsmanship.
• We have teenage folk dance programs, BUT the professional dance schools will ALWAYS do dance better than we can. Our programs are “burdened” with rules that force equal time in performances for every member, whether or not they attend all the required practices.
• We have leadership programs, BUT the Chamber of Commerce will ALWAYS do leadership training better than we can. Our leadership training is limited many times because we have “teachers” who themselves are poor leaders, because they are the only volunteers to step forward.
• We take outdoor trips with our teenagers, BUT they often fall short of expectations because of poor funding sources.

I don’t mean to suggest that our programs are ACTUALLY substandard. It is only when our programs try to “compete” with similar programs sponsored by the secular world, that they appear substandard. If a teenager REALLY enjoys basketball, he (or she) looks upon our Church team as poor talent and not a place where he can shine athletically. A high school star is just another player among GOYAns at a Church tournament. So long, as someone isn’t expecting GREAT basketball, our programs meet the need for fellowship but not because it’s great basketball. I believe the same can be said of many of our programs. In other words, if the teenager is seeking great basketball, he won’t find it here.

There is only thing the Church can offer that is far superior to any secular program. Only the CHURCH can offer CHRIST. If someone is seeking Christ, then the Church will never disappoint, but Christ resides in the Church. The Church was established by Christ, SO THAT people could encounter Him when they seek Him.

So if you feel like the Church is a disappointment, consider what you are seeking. Are you seeking Christ or a great basketball program? If you seek Christ, He is present in the Eucharist for you to physically encounter. If you seek Christ, He is present in the Word for you to study. If you seek Christ, He is present in His Church for you to speak with. If you seek Christ, you will never be disappointed.

And IF you are seeking Christ, and you are still disappointed, is it because your Church is focused too much on trying to compete with the secular world? Maybe you can help by offering to host a program that focuses on Christ and an authentic relationship with Him.

I don’t mean by this blog that we should eliminate all our programs that are not directly related to our relationship with God. These programs are important in that they develop a sense of community. BUT they should stem from the genuine community that exists in the Eucharist rather than trying to attract others into the community. Otherwise, we will continue to be seen as the Church with mediocre programs, and disappointment will remain the standard emotion of our members. AND...they will continue to leave the Church.

I Have No Man

On this week's episode of Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ! we discuss the healing of the paralytic who had been waiting for Christ thirty-eight years. When Jesus asked, "Do you want to be made well," his response was poignant when he said, “I have no man to put me into the water.” Jesus is the man we all need, the only true authentic human being who has come to save us from the paid and brokenness of this world. Whatever we need, He is willing to give us for our salvation. 

What do You Want from God?

Early in Jesus' earthly ministry, He came across man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years, who was lying by the pool of Bethesda. At certain times during the year, an angel of the Lord would come down from heaven, stir the water, and the one who entered the water first after the angel, would be healed. This man whom Jesus met, time after time, was too slow dragging himself into the pool. Though he failed to be healed after so many years, he never gave up hope. He never stopped waiting for God's mercy. Then one day, God arrived.

Jesus asked this man, "Do you want to be made well?" (John 5.6) This was a common dialogue between Jesus and those who would be healed, and the Gospel shares this with us for our inspiration? We should hear the question as if Jesus is asking US, "Do WE want to be healed?" Once we can open our hearts to Him, then He can heal us. This paralyzed man shared his need, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool," and Jesus met his need.

What DO you need from Jesus? Do you need peace? He will give it to you. Do you need faith? He will give it to you. Do you need salvation? He will give it to you. Jesus Christ, who was born, crucified, buried, and raised from the dead, has the power to accomplish your every NEED. Your part in this relationship is to share your inner most needs with Him, and let Him do the healing.

The Scriptures and the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women

A special Bible study of the Scriptures passages, themes and hymns for the Third Sunday after Pascha, the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women. This study is based on the series "A Year of the Lord, Liturgical Bible Studies" by Fr Theodore Stylianopoulos, and recorded LIVE at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, SC.

The Scriptures and the Sunday of Thomas

A special Bible study on the Scripture readings and themes for the Sunday after Pascha, the Sunday of Thomas, based upon the series "A Year of the Lord, Liturgical Bible Studies" by Father Theodore Stylianopoulos. Recorded live, April 30, 2014, at the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, SC.

Jesus Reveals Himself Raised from the Dead

The Holy Apostle Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the Apostles after the Resurrection. So eight days later, He appeared again, this time so that Thomas might believe. When Jesus appeared, He said, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (John 20.27)

We all need a boost from God every now and then so that we can strengthen our faith in Him.  As we heard during the Resurrection Liturgy, the beauty of the entire story of Jesus Christ, from His birth through to His death and glorious resurrection, is that HE CAME TO US, and “As many as received Him, to them [that means us] He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1.12)

Some did not, and still do not, believe in His Gospel, and each person has the freedom to accept or to deny Him. But for those who DESIRE to believe, Jesus always appears in the fashion needed. St Thomas wasn’t the only one who needed physical proof, which is why Jesus didn’t remain separate from us in Heaven, but came to reveal Himself to us.

But for those of us living in 2014, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20.29) For us, we can take comfort in the words of Saint Paul, “He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by the Cephas [St Peter], then by the twelve. After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once.” (1 Corinthians 15.5-6)

The Scriptures and the Feast of Feasts, Holy and Great Pascha

A Bible study focused on the Themes and Scriptures readings assigned for the Feast of Feasts, Great and Holy Pascha! This study is based upon the series "A Year of the Lord, Liturgical Bible Studies" by Father Theodore Stylianopoulos. We will be using Volume 4: Easter and Pentecost.

Pascha is over, NOW WHAT!?

After the challenges of Great Lent and the special intensity that many express and share during Holy Week, once we have had our Pascha celebration, with all the singing, bell ringing, egg cracking, and lamb devouring, (not to mention the dancing!) many experience a bit of a letdown or even depression. Once the celebrations come to an end and the clean-up of the Church and our homes is complete, many begin to miss the “spiritual high” they experienced during Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. If you experience what I’m talking about, then pay close attention to what I’m going to say next…

BRAVO! GOOD FOR YOU! WAY TO GO!

That means that you accepted the Church’s invitation during Great Lent and Holy Week and actively engaged in your faith. This may even be the first time you paid attention to the words because you FINALLY bought a Holy Week book and you could follow during the long prayers and hymns of Holy Week. You just completed two months of intense spiritual exercise and now you’re wondering, what comes next?

While the Church services are fewer following Pascha, your involvement in the spiritual life doesn’t have to come to an end. The Church continues a rich and full liturgical and prayer life YEAR-ROUND, not just during Great Lent. Many Churches sponsor Bible studies, weekday services, times for Holy Confession. Contact your local Orthodox Christian Church for a full list of services, lectures, classes, etc. There are many ways you can continue your spiritual journey, even if you have just begun during Holy Week. And to bridge the gap between Pascha and the rest of the year, the Church will sing Christ is Risen, the joyous Pascha hymn for forty days. There is only one thing the Church doesn’t do following Pascha…

The Church doesn’t “do it” for you. The Church opens her doors for you to embark upon a journey to heaven, but it is up to YOU to enter. It is up to YOU to make time, just as you did during Great Lent and Holy Week, to come to Church for special services and classes. It is up to YOU to live the Orthodox Christian way of life established by the Holy Apostles. The best part about Great Lent and Holy Week is that we get a chance to recommit our lives and schedules and priorities to God and live Christ-centered lives.

It’s up to you! Will you continue to accept the invitation of the Church? Or will you return to “normal” and the life you lived before Great Lent and Holy Week? Christ is risen, and you have been given a new start! Don’t waste it!

Christ is Risen!

The Most Holy 24 Hours of the Year

This week is unarguably the most sacred week of the year, one reason the Church names this week Great and Holy Week. Beginning with this past Sunday evening and the Matins of the Bridegroom each evening the Church has asked us to dig deeper into our hearts, ponder longer within our minds, and pray fervently for the strength that we can embrace the call to repentance, and follow Christ as He ascends His Glorious Throne.

But the mood changed last night with the service of the Twelve Gospels of the Passion of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. The Church was dark and filled with candles and incense as the Priest and Chanters recited pages and pages of prayers and Scriptures. The high point of last was the procession of the Lord hanging on the cross with the words,

Today, He who suspended the earth in the waters is suspended on a cross (3x). The King of the Angels wears a crown of thorns. He who wraps the sky in clouds is wrapped in a fake purple robe. He who freed Adam in the Jordan accepts to be slapped. The Bridegroom of the Church is fixed with nails to the cross. The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We worship Your Passion, O Christ (3x). Show us also Your glorious Resurrection.

Following the sacred procession we were invited to come and humble ourselves at the foot of His Cross. This physical sign of humility must be met with a life of repentance and dedication to the Way established by Christ before ascending to heaven.

Today is a continuation of our sacred vigil at the Cross of Christ. Churches commemorate the time Christ spent on the Cross with a service called the Royal Hours. This afternoon, at the Ninth Hour, Churches will remove His dead body from the Cross and place it in His Tomb, which has been covered with flowers. And from that moment, the mood changes again as we immediately glance ahead at His Glorious Resurrection.

By the time we complete this 24 hour vigil, we will gather at the Tomb of Christ singing hymns of joyful-sorrow, called Lamentations, through which we will praise God’s saving work and expected Glorious Resurrecti

on.

If you have not yet engaged in the services of Holy Week, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! It won’t get any more sacred than these 24 hours seeing Christ on the Cross. The next time we see Him, He will be raised from the Dead, and another NEW season will blossom in our lives.

Have a blessed Pascha!

The Scriptures and Great Lent - Palm Sunday and Holy Week

A Bible study focused on the Themes and Scriptures readings assigned for Palm Sunday and Holy Week in the Orthodox Christian Church. Filmed LIVE Wednesday, April 9, 2014, in Florence, SC.

What Makes Holy Week So Special?

Every year we are invited by the Church to slow our busy lives down and spend an entire week coming to Church. This week, which is called Great and Holy Week, not only commemorates the final days of Jesus on Earth, but they are specifically set aside by the Church for us to devote our entire life to Christ. As early as 150AD there is evidence that Holy and Great Week was already a week of special devotion for Christians as they prepared to celebrate the Feast of Feasts – Holy and Great Pascha.

That means the week we begin today and the sacred and pious traditions, we are invited to participate in, are more than 1800 years old. That means millions of pious and devout Christians have shared many of the same processions, prayers, blessings, anointing services, and celebrations as we will this week. That means Holy Week is “tested and proven” by countless holy men and women, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and myriad children.

This year is YOUR opportunity to join the millions of holy men and women in the most holy week of the year. This year is YOUR opportunity to dedicate your life to Christ and growing even closer to Him. This year is YOUR opportunity to add your voice to the countless saints of the Church in prayer for the grace of God. This year is YOUR opportunity to experience a life united to God.

Glory Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be

When James and John asked Christ, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory,” Jesus responded with a challenge, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10.37-38) What the disciples were hoping for glory was not quite what Jesus had in mind.

Many of us seek glory in life. We desire to be honored by our family, friends and coworkers. We desire to be recognized for the hard work and accomplishments we collect throughout our adult careers. We expect that our worldly success will gain us influence among our neighbors and fellow citizens of society. We even dare many times to think that God will ring the bells of heaven “just because” we are entering the Holy Gates. But that isn’t the type of glory Jesus had in mind.

Jesus said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” (Mark 10.42-44)

The sort of glory Jesus had in mind was serving our fellow human beings, and worrying more about their needs than our own glory. The sort of glory Jesus had in mind was for us to become like Him, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10.45) The other kinds of glory…..let’s leave that sort of glory for those outside the Kingdom.

The Scriptures and Great Lent - Saint Mary of Egypt

A special study of the themes and Scriptures readings for the fifth Sunday of Great Lent.

STREAMING LIVE April 2, 2014 - The Scriptures and Great Lent - The Sunday of Mary of Egypt

A Bible study focused on the Themes and Scriptures readings assigned for the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent in the Orthodox Christian Church.

We will be STREAMING LIVE, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 7pm EDT

Do You Doubt God?

It is common to many who desire to believe in God to doubt His ability to actually accomplish what He says He will accomplish. His invitation for us to believe in Him is accompanied by the words, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” If YOU desire to believe, through prayer and fasting, and the Orthodox Christian way of life, you too can experience the evidence of God’s power.