Redeeming the Time

Св. Иоаким и Анна - Родители Богородицы

2011-12-04T16:40:00.002-06:00

Сегодня мы отмечаем праздник введения во Храм Пресвятой Владычицы Нашей Богородицы и Приснодевы Марии. В этот день св. Богоотцы Иоаким и Анна принесли свою трехлетную дочь в Храм, чтобы она там жила. Это был Еврейский обычай, связанный с посвяшением ребенка Богу.

Я хотел бы поразмышлять сегодня о действиях Св. Иоакима и Анны. Мы поминаем их как «святых и праведним Богоотец» в отпусте каждого Богослужения, и их роль в сегодняшнем празднике может помочь нам понять это почитание.

Вера родителей имеет большое влияние на детей. Рождество Марии было плодом их молитвы. Они действительно были святыми, праведными, и глубоко веруюшими людьми. Они посвятили себя Закону Божию, и научили дочь этотому образу жизни. Они с надеждой ожидали обещаного Спасителя, и научили дочь этой надежде. Они посвятили дочь Богу, и хотели, чтобы ее воспытивали в Храме Божием.

И что произошло? Архангел Гавриил явился Марии когда ей были 14 лет, сказал, «зачнешь во чреве, и родишь Сына, и наречешь Ему имя: Иисус». Она ответила, «се, Раба Господня; да будет Мне по слову твоему». И после этого, она имела младенца во чреве. Таким образом, наше спасение было достигнуто и действием Божиим, и послушанием Пресвятой Девы, и верой ее родителей.

Родители! Мы имеем великое влияние на детей. Вводим ли мы их ближе к Богу, как сделали святые Иоаким и Анна? Или выводим мы их от Него через наше неверие, через нашу греховную жизнь? Посвящаем ли мы их Богу? Обучаем ли мы их закону Божию? Или исключительно преподаём или поощряем светские науки и предметы? Читаем ли мы с ними Св. Писания, или только светские книги? Объясняем ли мы ими значение греха и добродетели?

Св. Апостол Павел говорит: «воспитывайте их в учении и наставлении Господнем». Давайте будем посвящать и себя и детей своих Господу Богу. Давайте и мы, как призывает нас диакон в ектениях, «сами себе и друг друга и весь живот наш Хрису Богу предадим».

Путь Креста

2011-03-27T15:00:00.001-06:00

English version here.

Возлюбленные братья и сестры,

В прошлые два воскресенья мы слышали о пути веры, и сегодня мы слышим слова Самого Господа об этом пути. Ибо если бы мы действительно верили во Христа, то мы поспешили бы последовать за ним. И Он сказал народам – «Кто хочет идти за Мною, отвергнись себя, и возьми крест свой, и следуй за Мною» (Мк 8:34).

И Так, возлюбленные, путь веры – это путь Креста. Как мы слышали в день Торжества Православия, праведники, всецело доверяя Богу, добровольно приняли всевозможные лишения чтобы последовать его словам.

Это трудный прызыв, братья и сестры! Неужели это доступно нам? Да, это доступно, именно во Христе. Ибо Апостол Павел нам говорит что «мы имеем не такого первосвященника, который не может сострадать нам в немощах наших, но Который, подобно [нам], искушен во всем, кроме греха» (Ев. 4:15).

Вся земная жизнь Спаса Нашего был Крест. Когда Он родился, Ирод пытался его убить. Когда Он учил и исцелял тысячи людей, правительсва его поругали и преследовали. В течение 3-х лет, когда Он проповедывал и учил Апостолов, он жил как странник, переходя от одного места к другому. Он был голодным, жаждущим. Он мало спал – и все это не из ненавести ко плоти, а потому чтокак он сам сказал, «у Меня есть пища, которой вы не знаете... Моя пища есть творить волю Пославшего Меня и совершить дело Его» (Ин 4:32,34) – то есть, чтобы не потерять время, чтобы трудиться для нашего спасения.

И в конце его земной жизни, он умер страшным умеранием нас ради и нашего ради спасение. Мы видим посреди нас его Крест. Мы видим посреди нас его Крест. И так, давайте трудиться с Ним. Давайте отвергнем себя, и возьмём кресты свои, и последуем за Ним. «Ибо,» как говорит Господь, «кто хочет душу свою сберечь, тот потеряет ее, а кто потеряет душу свою ради Меня и Евангелия, тот сбережет ее» (Мк 8:35).

Что это значит? Создатель наш Бог дал нам великий и бесценный дарь: Свой Образ. Человек – уникальное сушество. Мы можем рассуждать, молиться, любить. Мы можем быть похожими на нашего Творца. Но мы можем также злоупотреблять этими дарами, для удовлетворения нашей похоти и страстей. Это то, что нам надо потерять ради Христа и Евангелия, чтобы сберечь предназначенные нам Богоподобие и спасение.

«Итак», как говорит нам Апостол, «имея Первосвященника великого, прошедшего небеса, Иисуса Сына Божия, будем твердо держаться исповедания [нашего]» (Ев. 4:14), и будем следовать за Ним по пути Креста, воссылая Ему всякую славу, честь и поклонение, со Отцем и Св. Духом, во веки веков. Аминь.

О Вере и Молитвы

2011-03-20T13:27:00.000-06:00

Возлюбленные братья и сестры,

Сегодняшые чтения продолжают тему прошлой воскресенье. В Апостольском чтений мы еще раз слышим о важности жить верой -- то есть всецело посвяшать жизнь свою Богу, полностью доверяя его слова. Апостол скажет нам:

"Мы должны быть особенно внимательны к слышанному, чтобы не отпасть. Ибо ... как мы избежим, вознерадев о толиком спасении, которое, быв сначала проповедано Господом, в нас утвердилось слышавшими от Него" (Евр. 2:1-3).

Сегодняшние чтения рисует нам как бы картина этого Господа, который сначала проповедывало этого спасение.

Он Сынь Божий, Корорый "в начале основал землю и небеса," и Который еще пребываешь, когда все материальные вещи погибнет.
Он Первосвященник, который освобождает нас от греха, "принеся в жертву Себя Самого", и который "воссел одесную престола величия на небесах..."
Он "пастырь добрый", который "полагает жизнь свою за овец" -- то есть, за нас.
Он дверь, входяшиеся которым спасутся.
Он Бог, корорый может и видеть помышления сердца книжников, и прощать грехи расслабленнаго, и дать ему возможность "возьмить свою постель и ходить."

А какого спасение было проповедано им и слышавшими от него апостолами и учителями церкви? Своим воплошением, крестным смерти и воскресением он возобновлял нашу человеческую природу по образу своему. И он дает нам возможность, с усилием с нашей стороны и с его Благодатной Помощи, достигать его подобию в тесным обшением с ним.

Сегодня Св. Церковь возпоминает Ст. Григорий Палама, который своим учением против ереси Варлаама утвердил возможност этого обшения, возможность действително знать Богу через молитвы.

Братья и сестры, вера наша может спасти нас, если мы «покажешь веру нашу из дел наших,» как зделали други расслабленного, когда они с большим трудом принесли его к Господу, ожидая его изцеление.

Это то, что нам надо и делать: принести – иногда с большим тридом – и самого себя и наших друзях ко Господу для исцеления – главным образом в молитве. Он спасает нас, а не мы себя. Но нам надо прибегать к нему через молитву. И через нашу молитву он преобразует нас, и покажет нам путь, по которым надо поидти.

Братья и сестры, давайте «сами себе и друг друга и весь животь наш Христу Богу предадим!»

Аминь.

Путь Веры / The Path of Faith

2011-03-14T13:13:00.000-06:00

(English version here)

Во имя Отца, и Сына, и Святаго Духа.

Возлюбленние братья и сестры, Сегодня Св. Церковь отмечает праздник Торжества Православия, победы Православной Веры над всеми ересями, и сегодняшние чтения обясняет нам что за сушность Православия, обясняет нам отличие между Православием и ересью.

Ап. Павел пишет о том, как веткозаветные праведники «верою побеждали царства, творили правду, получали обетования, заграждали уста львов, угашали силу огня, избегали острия меча, укреплялись от немощи, были крепки на войне, и прогоняли полки чужих» (Евр. 11:33-34). А как они это достигли? Как они жили? Моисей добровольно принял «поношение Христово» (Евр. 11:26), и другие «испытали поругания и побои, а также узы и темницу, были побиваемы камнями, перепиливаемы, подвергаемы пытке, умирали от меча, скитались в милотях и козьих кожах, терпя недостатки, скорби, озлобления...» (Евр. 11:36-37) - то есть, они возлагали все доверие, все упование на Бога, и поэтому поспешили последовать за Ним, даже если это означало большие лишения при земной жизни. Апостол также наставляет нас, «имея вокруг себя такое облако свидетелей, свергнем с себя всякое бремя и запинающий нас грех и с терпением будем проходить предлежащее нам поприще, взирая на начальника и совершителя веры Иисуса» (Евр 12:1-2).

Братья и сестры, это путь веры. Святые верили в Бога, и веровали Ему когда Он сказал через пророка Исаию: «Если захотите и послушаетесь, то будете вкушать блага земли» (Иса. 1:19). И это то, что отличает Православие от других религий. Нашим моральным идиалом является Богоподобие – совершенство в жертвенной любви к Богу и ближнему. А мы можем к этому стремиться, потому что мы действуем не нашими силами, а силой Живого Бога, действующего в нас. С нашей стороны нужны добровольное хотение стать тем, что Бог предопределил нам быть, и смиренное послушанние Ему.

Понимая это, мы слышим и евнгелский призыв: "прииди и виждь" (Ин. 1:46). Филипп сказал Нафанаилу: Приди и увидь на Того, Кто спасет мир от греха, Того, Кто дал обет спасения Мойсею и спас его через веру. А Церковь сегодня скажет нам: придите и видите Того, кто спасет вас, придите и видите Того, на Которого вы можете возложить все упование ваше.

На афише одной мега-церкви в Далласе написано: «Придите и видите — не на нашу Церковь, а на нашего Христа». Как часто бывает в инославии, в этом тексте есть и правда и ложь. Ибо мы, и христиане с древнейших времен, веруем не только во Христа, но и в Его Единую, Святую, Соборную и Аполстолскую Церков, которая является его Телом. В крещении мы с вами переродились и стали частями этого Его Тела. В тайнсве миропомазания мы приняли печать дара Святаго Духа, корорый сохраняет нас до последнего дихания. Через Святую Евхаристию мы живем во Христе, и Он в нас. Его пресвятое Тело соединяется с нашим телом, и его пречестная Кровь течет в наших жилах.

Таким образом, мы не только можем спастись сами, но можем сказать и другим – и словом, и делом, и самой нашей жизьню – «придите и видите» Того Бога, который силен не только прощать грехи, но и преобразить человека. Богу нашему да будет слава, честь и поклонение - Отцу, и Сыну, и Св.Духу, во веки веков. Аминь.

дНП

Цель Великого Поста / The Goal of Great Lent

2011-03-06T16:00:00.001-06:00

(English version below)

Возлюбленные братья и сестры, какова цель Великого Поста?

Цель Великого Поста - та же самая, что и цель всей нашей жизни – приобретение Богоподобия. В прошлое воскресенье мы слышали, как в день второго пришествия Христова мы все будем судимы по мере наших дел милосердия, по мере нашего подобия Богу, Богу Любви.

"Ночь прошла, а день приблизился," - пишет Апостол, "итак отвергнем дела тьмы и облечемся в оружия света."

Ночь – это жизнь грешного мира, жизнь плоти, жизнь вне Христа. А день – это жизнь во Христе, жизнь в Церкви, просвешение Светом Христовым. Великый Пост дан нам для того, чтобы приобрести эту жизнь во Христе, стяжать Бодоподобие.

А какое "оружие света" даёт нам пост? Как нам поступать, чтобы являться чадами света? Во-первых, надо помнить, что "Бладатью мы спасены, чрез веру, а не от себя" – и Св. Церковь также насталвляет нас смириться и прибегать к Богу за помощью. И во время Поста, мы должны с большим усердием прибегать к источникам Божественной Благодати: Святым Таинствам Покаяния и Причащения.

Но это ещё не всё. Есть и такие источники Благодати Божией, которые требуют применения усилия с нашей стороны – и это важно, потому-что невозможно спастись без активного участия нашей собственной воли. Эти усилия – молитва, пост, чтение Св. Писания и раздача милостыни. Дай Бог, чтобы все мы пользовались этими орудиями стяжания Благодати Божией!

Но Св. Церков предупреждает нас: используя эти орудия – молитву, пост, милостыню – взирайте только на Бога и на свою душу. Видят ли другие ваши добрыя дела – не важно. Наоборот, нам будет безопаснее, если всё будет делаться втайне. "Когда постишься, помажь голову твою и умой лице твое, чтобы явиться постящимся не пред людьми, но пред Отцом твоим, Который втайне. Не собирайте себе сокровищ на земле, где моль и ржа истребляют и где воры подкапывают и крадут, но собирайте себе сокровища на небе, где ни моль, ни ржа не истребляют и где воры не подкапывают и не крадут."

Делают ли другие добро или зло — не наше дело. "Кто ты, осуждающий чужого раба? Перед своим Господом стоит он, или падает. И будет восставлен, ибо силен Бог восставить его." И если ближний ваш обидет вас, то простите его. "Ибо если вы будете прощать людям согрешения их, то простит и вам Отец ваш Небесный, а если не будете прощать людям согрешения их, то и Отец ваш не простит вам согрешений ваших."

Да поможет нам Господь успешно провести время Великого Поста, чтобы достойно встретить светлый день Пасхи Христовой, чтобы досойно встретить день кончини нашей земной жизни, и чтобы достойно встретить второга Пришествия Христова.

English version:

Beloved brothers and sisters, what is the purpose of Great Lent?

The purpose of the Great Fast is the same as that of our entire life: the attainment of God's likeness. Last Sunday we heard about the Last Judgment, when at the 2nd coming of our Lord we will all be judged on the basis of our works of mercy -- on the extent to which we have become like our merciful and loving God.

"The night is past, the day is at hand," says the Apostle Paul, "therefore, put aside the works of darkness and clothe yourselves in the armor of light."

The night is the life of this sinful world, life according to the flesh, life without Christ. The day is life in Christ, life in the Church, illumined by the Light of Christ. Great Lent is given us in order that we might obtain that life in Christ, that we might acquire the divine likeness.

And what "armor of light" does the fast give to us? What must we do to become children of light? First, we must remember that "by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves" -- and the Holy Church thus instructs us to humble ourselves and run to God for help. And during Lent, we should fervently run to the sources of Divine Grace given us in the Church: the Holy Mysteries of Repentance and Communion.

And this is not all. The Church also provides us with sources of Divine Grace which involve an effort on our part -- and this is important, because salvation is impossible without the active participation of our own will. These are prayer, fasting, reading the Holy Scriptures and almsgiving. May the Lord grant that all of us would make proper use of this armor, of these means of acquiring the grace of God!

But the Holy Church also warns us: when using this armor - fasting, prayer, almsgiving -- keep your eyes on God and on your own soul. Whether other people see your good works is not important. On the contrary, it is safer for you if all these works are done in secret, for our Lord says, " when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

Are others doing good? This is not our business. " Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." And if your brother offends you, then forgive him. For our Lord says, "if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

May the Lord help us all to successfully struggle during this time of Great Lent, so that we might worthily meet the bright and glorious day of Christ's Pascha, so that we might worthily meet the end of our own lives, and so that we might worthily, by God's grace, meet Christ as His second coming.

На реках Вавилонских

2011-02-19T13:29:00.002-06:00

Неделя о Блудном Сыне: "На реках Вавилонских."

Иер. Мефодий (source)

"На реках Вавилонских, сидели мы и плакали, когда вспоминали о Сионе." В первый раз в этом богослужебном году услышали мы, братие, псалом сокрушения, воскрешающий пред нами скорбные для еврейского народа времени Вавилонского плена.

Израиль в плену... Умолкла торжественная Сионская песнь, осталась только память о Сионе... Напрасно настаивают враги: "воспойте нам от песней Сионских."

"Как нам петь песнь Господню на земле чужой? - Если забуду тебя, Иерусалим, пусть будет забыта моя десница, пусть язык мой прилипнет к гортани моей" - трепещет в груди правоверного иудея.

Такова история 136 псалма ...

Но не только как историческое воспоминание предлагает его нам Святая Церковь. Не только, как свидетельство Божественной кары и грозного Божьего гнева, поучителен он.

Здесь нечто большее... Здесь извечная тоска человеческого духа по Нем, по Святом и Животворящем, Дивном во Святых Своих, но далеком от оскверненных и грешных.

На Вавилонских берегах пребывает человеческий дух с того момента, когда первый Адам причастился "неразумные снеди," когда изгнаны прародители из райского Сада, когда пламенное оружие Херувима стало преградой между Богом и человеком.

Грех вошел в мир... И с грехом - горечь духовного вавилонского плена, горечь отдаления от Бога, Его любви и Его Святыни.

И только Христос - Сын Мира и Отец его сынов, разбив оковы этого плачевного плена, в тайне подвига Своего смертью умертвил грех и положил конец владычеству окаянной и злосчастной Дочери Вавилона - матери греха.

И к Нему Единому, истинному источнику Радости и Жизни, в предшествующие великому покаянному подвигу дни, обращает взоры наши св. Церковь. Она призывает нас с Вавилонских берегов обратиться к Царству Его крепости и Его непоколебимой твердыни, у Него испросить средства и пути к исцелению. И как пример этого обращения, предлагает Она нам образ блудного сына, обратившегося и взыскавшего отвергную им любовь Небесного Отца.

Из тропаря воскресного дня, посвященного воспоминанию о блудном сыне, Святая Церковь раскрываешь нам всю глубину переживаний кающегося грешника.

"Объятия Отча отверсти ми потщися, блудно мое иждих житие, на богатство неиждиваемое взираяй щедрот Твоих, Спасе, ныне обнищавшее мое да не презриши сердце, Тебе бо, Господи, умилением зову: согреших на небо и пред Тобою."

Отец! Открой Свои объятия отеческой любви!

Отец! Не возгнушайся Твоего согрешившего, но от всего сердца возвращающегося к Тебе сына.

Не отврати Своего лица от его духовной скудости, от его обнищавшего сердца ... прими покаянный вопль его: "Отец! я согрешил пред небом и пред Тобою!"

Какова бездна падения, такова и сила покаяния исторгающего из этой бездны.

Таковы любовь и попечение о нас матери нашей Церкви, призывающей нас на грядущий подвиг покаяния.

Откроем же наши сердца... Представим себя в смрадной одежде своих беззаконий пред огненными очами Того, Кто Один может дать нам исцеление.

С вавилонских берегов обратимся к Нему и вместе с блудным сыном воскликнем:

"Отче, я согрешил против неба и пред Тобою, и уже недостоин называться сыном твоим; прими меня в число наемников твоих."

Неделя Мытаря и Фарисея

2011-02-12T22:24:00.000-06:00

"Мытарь же, стоя вдали, не смел даже поднять глаза на небо, но, ударяя себя в грудь, говорил: Боже! будь милостив ко мне грешному!"

И невольно переходишь к Евангелию прошлой недели. Там говорилось тоже о мытаре, Закхее. Мы видели, как Господь перевернул всю его душу. Мы видели, как, после всей его греховной жизни, он покаялся, как он был готов пол-именья своего отдать нищим, и всякому, кого обидел, воздать четверицею. Так несомненно он и поступил. И невольно мытарь Закхей и мытарь сегодняшнего Евангелия сливаются в один образ, в одного человека. Ведь оба они были мытарями, были людьми грешными, и оба покаялись. И если мы так примем, что сегодняшнее Евангелие есть продолжение Евангелия прошлого Воскресенья, что сегодняшний мытарь, ударяющий себя в грудь, и есть, хотя бы психологически, Закхей - то нам откроется великая наука, великий урок в жизни кающегося. А ведь кающимися и должны быть мы все. Ведь всю неправду, которую делал Закхей, он делал для наживы, чтобы быть господином. И вот, когда это господство пришло, и когда он себя уже почувствовал властителем, - в этот самый момент пришла и Правда Божия. А правда Божия говорит нам о том, что если человек в утробе матери находится девять месяцев, то в утробе земли он пребывает от силы восемьдесят лет, а после этого начинаются страдания и болезнь. И наконец, через смерть человек переходит в утробу вечной жизни уже навсегда. И Закхей это теперь все видел: он понял все свое безумие, неправильный путь жизни... И тогда он стал искать выхода. И вот в таком состоянии он увидал идущего Христа. Для него это был равви. Подойти к Нему он так просто не мог и не хотел. Сначала он хотел обследовать, что это за равви. Тут мы видим смоковницу, тут мы видим его на смоковнице, этого в сущности "пэра" еврейского народа... и тут толпа. Представляете себе, что мог пережить этот гордый человек? Но Христос подошел и сказал: "Днесь с тобою будем, у тебя буду." И когда Христос был у него, то тут раскрыл ему ту силу, которая сразу преисполнила его сердце. И вот тут Закхей сказал: "Все раздам, и тому, кого обидел, воздам четверицею." И так все сделал.

В чем же теперь дело? Теперь он стоит и бьет себя в грудь, и говорит: "Боже, милостив буди мне, грешному!"

А тут же рядом с ним стоит другой, может быть его общества человек, фарисей... Стоит и наоборот, в полном удовлетворении, говорит: "Я все сделал, я сделал и то, и то, я...я" А почему же мытарь не сказал: "А я тоже сделал. Я пол-имения раздал. Я тому-то четверицею воздал." Почему же он не говорит этого? А наоборот говорит: "Боже милостивый, буди милостив ко мне, грешному!"?

Дело в том, что Господь его одарил. Сделал широким его сердце. Но как началось делание, то получилась трагедия: навык, навык... Ведь его внутренний человек был порабощен навыком. А навык это страшная сила. Тут невольно являлись мысли о корысти, и жажды еще большей наживы... И взгляды уже были в прелести, которая шла через мысль... И то сердце, которое было освобождено Христом, вдруг стало опять грязным... И он чувствовал все это... "Господи Боже, буди милостив ко мне грешному!" Что же делать?

И вот тут св. Церковь приводит нам в сегодняшний день всю силу этого психологического момента, всю силу этого вопроса: что нам делать? И с такой же силой дает нам через мысли Святых Отцов ответ на этот вопрос. Ведь наши Святые Отцы с точностью показывают нам, что происходило в душе Мытаря: благодаря тому, что совесть его была теперь свободна, освобождена Христом, его сердце было широко, мир был в сердце. И воля его тоже была свободна: свобода была в Боге. А расстояние между сердцем и Богом - грех. И вот у мытаря и получилось так, что тени начали появляться в сердце, и он стал кричать ко Господу о помощи. А как же получаются эти тени? А получаются они так, как Владыка Феофан Затворник раскрывает в одном из своих писем: "Мысль, - она приходит, и если только она не захватывает чувства сердца, то это еще не грех. Она прошла, и как сегодняшний снег завтра растает, так и ее не будет, и сердце остается чистым. Если же мысль захватит сердце, попадет в сердце, - и это еще не беда, есть еще момент в который можно воскликнуть: "Господи помилуй!" и сердце будет чисто. Но когда уже попала в сердце мысль, и когда уже воля твоя сказала "хочу," - вот тогда получается тень. А раз тень только попала, то тут уже сочувствие получилось, и дело. Тогда получается, как Владыка говорит, "падение." Грех стал действием, и совершилось падение. А как только духовно пал, грех в сердце попал, дело совершил, от Бога ушел, и начинается страдание, так, как у человека, который упал физически. И мы знаем, какую трагедию представляют собой духовные страдания. Человека гложет гордость, сребролюбие, честолюбие, всякая похоть.., и он мучается. Сердце такого человека каменеет. Вот, что произошло, как мы видим по чтению Евангелия, после того, как Закхей-мытарь сознал свой грех и покаялся. Христос разрешил его грех. Совесть стала свободной. Но теперь ему надо действовать. А когда он начинает действовать, то тут и получаются мысли, а за мыслями идут чувства... Как же быть? Вот он и кричит: "Боже, милостив буди ко мне грешному, не допусти..." И Господь дает Благодать недопускающую, и спасает грешника. Что же нам нужно делать, чтобы получить эту Благодать? Нужно активное волеизволение. А как его приобрести, об этом будет учить нас св. Церковь в следующее Воскресенье.

--Еп. Андрей. Source.

Translation (source):

"The publican, standing afar off, would not lift so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner!" (Lk. 18:13).

And involuntarily one turns to last week’s Gospel. There it also told about a publican — Zacchaeus. We saw how the Lord overturned his whole soul. We saw how, after all his sinful life, he repented; and how he was ready to give half his possessions to the poor, and everyone he had defrauded, he would repay fourfold. And undoubtedly he did this. Involuntarily, Zacchaeus the Publican and the publican in today’s Gospel blend into one image, into one person. After all, both of them were publicans, sinful men, and both repented. If we accept that today’s Gospel is the continuation of last Sunday’s Gospel, that today’s publican, beating himself on the breast, is really Zacchaeus, at least psychologically, then a great science will be revealed to us, a great lesson in the life of one who repents. You see we must all repent.

All the injustice which Zacchaeus did, he did for gain, to be dominant. And here, when this dominance came and he considered himself to be a man of power — at this very moment came the Truth of God. The Truth of God tells us that if a person is in his mother’s womb for nine months, then he abides in the womb of the earth if strong eighty years, and after this begin suffering and sickness (Psalm 89:10 (90:10 King James Version). And finally, through death man passes into the womb of eternal life for ever.

Zacchaeus saw all this now: he understood all his foolishness, his wrong way of life. And then he began to search for a way out. He was in such a state of mind when he saw Christ walking by. For him this was a rabbi. He couldn’t just go up to Him, and he didn’t want to. First he wanted to find out what kind of rabbi He was. Here we see the fig tree, then we see him in the fig tree, this man who was virtually a dignitary of the Jewish people. And then the crowd. Imagine what this proud man was going through. But Christ approached and said: Today we will be together, I will be in your home. And when Christ was in his home, then He revealed to him that power which immediately filled his heart. Here Zacchaeus said: I will give away everything, and whomever I have cheated I will repay fourfold (Lk. 19:1-10). And so he did all this.

But what is the matter now? Now he is standing and beating himself on the breast, saying: "God be merciful to me a sinner!" And here, right next to him stands someone else, maybe his peer in society — a Pharisee. He stands there and, on the contrary, in complete satisfaction says: I have done everything, I did this and this, I.. .1. Why didn’t the publican say: I also did this. I gave away half of my possessions. To that one I paid back fourfold. Why didn’t he say this? But on the contrary, he said: "Merciful God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

The point is that the Lord endowed him with a gift — He expanded his heart. But as active life resumed, then a tragedy resulted: habit...habit. His inner man was the slave of habit; and this habit was a terrible force. Involuntarily, there appeared thoughts of avarice and the thirst for more and more gain. His looks were already in temptation which came through thought. The heart which had been liberated by Christ suddenly became dirty again. And he felt all this. "Lord God, be merciful to me a sinner!" What to do?

Today the Holy Church brings us the full strength of this psychological moment, the full strength of this question: what are we to do? And with similar force, she gives us the answer to this question through the teachings of the Holy Fathers. In fact our Holy Fathers show us precisely what was going on in the soul of the publican. Because his conscience was now free, liberated by Christ, his heart was expansive, there was peace in his heart. His will was also free, and the freedom was in God. But the distance between the heart and God is sin. And here it happened to the publican that shadows started to appear in his heart, and he began to cry to the Lord for help.

How do these shadows come about? As Bishop Theophan the Recluse explains in one of his letters, they come about like this. Thought — it comes, and only if it does not captivate the feeling of the heart, then this is still not sin. It comes and, as today’s snow melts tomorrow, so it will not exist, and the heart remains clean. Even if the thought captures the heart, enters the heart — even this is not yet a misfortune; there is still a moment in which it is possible to cry, "Lord have mercy!" and the heart will be clean. But when the thought has already entered the heart, and when you have already said, "I desire," this is when shadow appears. The mere fact that a shadow has entered, then here sympathy has already taken place, an action. Then, as the Bishop says, a fall has resulted. Sin has become action, and a fall has occurred. And as soon as one has fallen spiritually, sin has entered the heart, a deed has been accomplished, the person has departed from God and has begun to suffer, just as with a man who has fallen physically. We know what a tragedy spiritual sufferings represent. Pride, greed, ambition, all kinds of lust gnaw at a man, and he is tormented. The heart of such a man becomes like stone.

As we see from the Gospel reading, this is what happened after Zacchaeus the Publican recognized his sin and repented. Christ absolved him of his sin. His conscience became free. But now he had to act; and when he started to act, then thoughts arose, and from thoughts came feelings. What to do? Here he cried: "God be merciful to me a sinner; don’t let this happen." And the Lord gives the Grace to prevent it from happening and saves the sinner. What must we do in order to receive this Grace? An active exertion of the will is needed. And next Sunday the Holy Church will teach us how this is acquired.

Неделя о Закхее (Лук. 19:1-10).

2011-02-05T14:16:00.000-06:00

Евангельским чтением о Закхее предваряются подготовительные недели к Великому Посту. Ободряя нас, грешников, говорит Господь: "Сын Человеческий пришел призвать и спасти погибших."

Направляясь в г. Иерусалим, Иисус Христос задержался на отдых в г. Иерихоне. Двумя наиболее выдающимися классами в населении г. Иерихона были священники и мытари. Это был по преимуществу священнический город, в котором одним из начальников мытарей был Закхей. Как начальник сборщиков податей в пользу римлян, Закхей был ненавидим народом. И естественно было ожидать, что Мессия - Сын Давидов - будет принят в доме одного из священников, потомков Аарона, но случилось не так: место отдыха Иисуса Христа определило нежданное жителями города событие.

Грешник Закхей имел глубокое желание увидеть своими глазами, что за личность был Иисус Христос, слава о Котором гремела среди народа. Будучи мал ростом, он не мог, из-за тесной толпы, даже взглянуть на Христа. Поэтому, когда Иисус проходил через город, Закхей забежал вперед и взобрался на развесистые ветви смоковницы, стоявшей у дороги. Под этим деревом должен был пройти Иисус Христос, и Закхею предоставлялась полная возможность видеть Его, видеть Того, Который не только не питал обычной для всех ненависти к мытарям, но и одного из них возвысил в звание апостола.

Когда Иисус Христос приблизился, Закхей действительно увидел Его и радовался этому. Но, представьте себе, какой радостью забилось его сердце, когда признанный Мессия Своего народа остановился под деревом, взглянул вверх и, называя его по имени, велел ему скорее сойти вниз, потому что намеревался быть у него в доме. Ему, грешнику, презренному сборщику податей, дается возможность не только видеть Иисуса Христа - Света мира, Мессию, но и принять Его в своем доме, ужинать с Ним и предложить Ему ночлег у себя! С радостью поспешил Закхей слезть с дерева и повел Великого Гостя к себе в дом.

Но народ единодушно и громко возроптал. Народу казалось непристойным и унизительным, чтобы Мессия, в самой восторженной среде Своих последователей, остановился в доме презренного грешника-мытаря, одно занятие которого было символом национального унижения народа. Но милостивое слово Иисуса для Закхея значило больше, чем ропот и оскорбления толпы. Слово Господне, с которым Иисус Христос обратился к мытарю, переродило грешника и с силой животворной воскресило в Закхее те добрые качества его души, которые были задавлены в нем жаждой наживы, своекорыстием и окружающим к нему презрением. В восторге от оказанных ему внимания и чести, Закхей, встав из-за стола, торжественно заявил: "Господи! половину имения моего отдам я нищим, и если кого чем-либо обидел, воздам вчетверо."

Это благородное самоотвержение презренного мытаря, который с таким прямодушием низвергал кумир своей жизни, оправдало ему, Христом оказанную, честь и Спаситель благостно воскликнул: "ныне пришло спасение дому сему, потому что и он сын Авраама," сын отца верующих. Этими словами изобличил Господь тех, кто осуждал Его за то, что вошел Он в дом грешника, изобличил тех, кто и ныне не духовно, а физически воспринимает "сыновство Аврааму."

И мы с вами "сыны Авраама," если храним веру в Бога Истинного, если сохраняем верность Тому, Кто для всего человечества является Светом Разума и Солнцем Правды - верность Господу Иисусу Христу. Слово Божие - слово вечное, Оно и ныне возрождает души грешников и всех, кто приуготовил сердце свое для встречи с Господом. Аминь.

-Еп. Митрофан. Source.

My translation, with apologies for the poor quality:

The Gospel reading about Zacchaeus precedes the four weeks of preparation for Great Lent. Encouraging us sinners, the Lord says: “The Son of Man is come to seek and save that which was lost.”

While traveling toward Jerusalem, Jesus Christ stopped to rest in Jericho. The two most prevalent classes in Jericho were the priests and the tax collectors (publicans). It was by and large a city of priests, in which one of the chief publicans was a man named Zacchaeus. As a chief among those who collected taxes on behalf of the Romans, Zacchaeus was hated by his people. It was natural to expect that the Messiah, the Son of David, would be received in the home of one of the priests, the descendents of Aaron. This, however, did not occur; the place where our Lord chose to rest was determined by an event quite unexpected by the residents of the city.

The sinner Zacchaeus had a deeply-felt desire to see with his own eyes this Jesus whose praises were being sung by all the people. Being small of stature, he was unable on account of the tightly-packed crowd to even set eyes on Christ. Therefore, when Jesus passed through the city, Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed onto the broad branch of a fig tree that stood by the road. Jesus Christ had to pass under this tree and Zacchaeus was thus fully able to see Him, to see Him Who not only did not nurture the usual hatred of publicans but Who even elevated one of them to be an Apostle.

When Jesus Christ came near Zacchaeus indeed saw him and rejoiced in this. But imagine to yourself the joy in his heart when the one Who was generally recognized as the Messiah of His people stopped under the tree, looked up, called Zacchaeus by name, and directed him to quickly come down because he intended to visit his house. He, a sinner, a despised collector of tribute money, was able not only to see Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, the Messiah, but also to receive Him in his own home, to dine with him and to give Him hospitality for the night! Zacchaeus joyfully descended from the tree and lead his Great Guest to his home.

But the people complained loudly and with one voice. It seemed inappropriate and degrading to them that the Messiah in the midst of his followers should stop in the house of a despised sinner and publican, the very occupation of whom was a symbol of the subjugation of the nation. But the merciful words of Jesus meant more to Zacchaeus than the shouts and insults of the crowd. The word of the Lord with which Jesus Christ turned to the publican gave rebirth to the sinner and with life-giving strength awakened in Zacchaeus those good qualities of his soul which had been repressed by the desire for gain, by self-interest and by the general disdain of others toward him. Delighted by the attention and honor shown him, Zacchaeus rose from the table and triumphantly announced: “Lord! The half of my good I give to the poor, and if I have wronged anyone in anything, I will restore it to him fourfold.”

This noble self-denial on the part of the despised publican, who with such a direct assault threw down the idol of his life, justified the honor which Christ had shown him, and the Savior kindly proclaimed: “salvation is come now unto this house, for he also is a son of Abraham” - a son of the father of the faithful. With these words, the Lord denounced those who condemned him for entering into the home of a sinner, and with these words he denounced also those who even now understand “sonship of Abraham” in a physical rather than a spiritual sense.

We are also “sons of Abraham,” if we preserve faith in the True God, if we remain faithful to Him Who is the Light of Reason and the Sun of Righteousness for all mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God is the eternal word, and it even today gives new birth to the souls of sinners and to all those who have prepared their hearts to meet the Lord. Amen.

Во Христе воссиял над миром вечный истинный свет...

2011-01-30T16:36:00.000-06:00

Неделя 31-я по Пятидесятнице.

(Лук. 18:35-43).

Еп. Митрофан

Когда Господь Иисус Христос приблизился к городу Иерихону, у его ворот совершилось одно из последних чудес на благо страждущего человечества.

У ворот сидели нищие, которые просили милостыню. Среди них был слепец Вартимей. Надеясь на хороший сбор милостыни, он не предполагал, какое ожидало его счастье. Заслышав необычайный шум проходящего народа, он узнал, что тут проходит Иисус Назарянин, слава о чудесах Которого гремела по всей стране. Это возбудило в слепце радостную надежду, и он забыв об ожидаемый милостыни, стал кричать: "Иисусе, Сыне Давидов, помилуй мя!" Народ хотел заставить его замолчать, считая этот громкий крик непристойным в присутствии Того, Который вот-вот должен был войти в Иерусалим, как Мессия Своего народа. Но Христос услышал его вопль и Его сострадательное сердце тронулось им. Он остановился и велел подозвать слепца к Себе. Тогда толпа меняет свой тон и говорит слепцу: "не бойся, вставай, зовет тебя." В порыве радости, он, как свидетельствует Евангелист Марк, поспешно сбросил свой плащ, вскочил и подошел ко Христу. "Чего ты хочешь от Меня?" - спросил его Спаситель. "Раввуни," отвечал слепец, "чтобы мне прозреть!" "Прозри, - сказал Христос - вера твоя спасла тебя." Он прикоснулся к глазам слепого и тотчас прозрели глаза его. И недавний слепец пошел за Христом, прославляя Бога.

Слепец прозрел не только физически, его сердца коснулся тот Свет, о котором ап. Иоанн говорит: "Свет во тьме светит, и тьма не объяла его" (Иоан. 1:5). Посему и пошел Вартимей за Христом, как на землю сошедшим "Светом разума и Солнцем правды." Пошел он за Христом, прославляя Бога, стал благовестником Бога Истинного, Который чрез Иисуса Христа возвестил нам о том, что всем людям дана "власть быть чадами Божиими" (Иоан. 1:12), что все мы, даже самые слабые и грешные из нас, являемся детьми Божиими, имеющими нашим общим Отцом Царя Небесного, и что, как Его дети, все люди равны в своем достоинстве, а посему в отношении их не имеет силы различие между эллином и иудеем, рабом и свободным, так как все мы одинаково дети Божии.

Во Христе воссиял над миром вечный истинный свет, и этот свет неугасим и непобедим, хотя и окружен он непроницаемой толщей тьмы, окружен упорно от света прячущейся злой волей сынов противления. "В Тебе источник жизни... и в свете Твоем узрим свет," - восклицал некогда пророк и псалмопевец Давид (Пс. 36:10). "Бог темные бездны отверзает и выводит тьму к свету," - говорит праведный Иов Многострадальный (Иов. 1:22).

Дорогие мои во Христе братья и сестры! Христа Свет Истинный, просвещающий всякого человека грядущего в мир, прославляли мы с вами в дни праздников Рождества и Богоявления, ныне же зовет нас Промыслитель Господь последовать примеру бывшего слепца Вартимея, для которого Христос стал не предметом веры, а содержанием жизни, Наставником и Водителем, жизненной силой недавнего слепца. Аминь.

source: http://www.holytrinitymission.org/books/russian/sermons_episkop_mitrophan.htm

Неделя по Просвещении

2011-01-22T23:50:00.000-06:00

Проповедь Архиепископа Андрея (Рымаренко)

Апостол Павел в послании к Ефесянам (гл.4:7-13) говорит: "Каждому из нас дана благодать по мере дара Христова... И Он послал одних Апостолами, других пророками, иных Евангелистами, иных пастырями и учителями, к совершению святых, на дело служения, для созидания Тела Христова, доколе все придем в единство веры и познания Сына Божия, в мужа совершенного, в меру полного возраста Христова..." А Евангелие сегодняшнего Воскресения (Матф. 4:12-17) кончается такими словами: "С того времени Иисус начал проповедовать и говорить: покайтесь, ибо приблизилось Царство Небесное."

В Рождество Христово мы получили дар усыновления, в День Обрезанья Господня мы получили начало Нового Года, в День Крещенья нам была указана цель всей нашей жизни и дана Благодать, помогающая нам идти к этой цели: "И се, глас с небес глаголющий: Сей есть Сын Мой Возлюбленный, в Котором Мое благоволение." И это все суммирует Апостол: "Каждому из нас дана благодать по мере дара Христова... для созидания Тела Христова, доколе все придем в единство веры и познания Сына Божия, в мужа совершенного, в меру полного возраста Христова." Апостол также указывает нам, где мы должны искать поддержки и укрепления: в Церкви Христовой: "И Он послал одних Апостолами, других пророками... иных Пастырями и Учителями." "Истину сию, говорит Владыка Феофан, знают самоотверженно идущие путем Господним, и без жаления себя ведущие брань со врагами спасения. Они в пастырях своих всегда встречают помощь и вразумление, когда со стороны смотря ее и ожидать бы нельзя было, ибо не к человекам приходят, а ко Господу, всегда готовому руководить и вразумлять через пастырей всякого искренно с верою ищущего у Него себе помощи. Светлая цель последняя есть "мера возраста исполнения Христова." Вот видите сколько нам дано. А что же от нас ожидается? Только одно усилие нашей воли: "Покайтесь!" Но и в этом нам будет помогать св. Церковь, начиная с подготовительных недель к Великому Посту. Будем же внимательны и приложим свою волю.

Source.

English Translation

The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians says: "unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:7, 11-13). And the Gospel reading for this Sunday ends with these words: "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Mt. 4:17).

At Christmas we received the gift of adoption; on the Day of the Lord’s Circumcision we received the beginning of a new year; on the Day of the Lord’s Baptism we were shown the goal of our whole life and were given Grace, helping us to proceed toward this goal: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:17). And the Apostle summarizes all this: "unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ... for the edifying of the Body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’ The Apostle also shows us where we should search for support and strengthening — in the Church of Christ. "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets... and some, pastors and teachers."

"This truth," says Bishop Theophan the Recluse, "is known by those who selflessly go the way of the Lord and, without pitying themselves, fight the enemies of salvation. In their pastors they will always find help and good advice, while looking from the outside you wouldn’t even expect it; because they do not come to men, but to the Lord, Who through these men is always ready to guide and advise all those who sincerely and with faith are seeking from Him help for themselves. The final radiant goal ‘is the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’"

Look here how much we are given. And what is expected from us? Only one effort of our will — Repent! But even in this the Holy Church will help us, starting with the preparatory weeks for Great Lent. Let us be attentive and apply our will.

Source.

1st Vigil in the New Temple, Part 1

2010-06-14T21:39:00.000-05:00

The High Priestly prayer of Jesus Christ.

2008-07-28T14:11:00.000-05:00

LISTEN NOW

Holy Fathers Of The First Six Ecumenical Councils (celebrated on the Sunday on or after July 13)

The High priestly prayer of Jesus Christ contains not only sublime dogmas about Jesus Christ, but also a two-fold definition of salvation, and an example of how to attain it: we must care for others as Jesus Christ did.

John 17:1-13These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser:
http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/feasts-of-the-saints-07-13_2008-07-27+holy-fathers-of-the-first-six-ecumenical-councils.m3u

If this file does not work for you, try the direct link to the actual mp3 file:http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/feasts-of-the-saints-07-13_2008-07-27+holy-fathers-of-the-first-six-ecumenical-councils.mp3

RSS feed of Sunday and some weekday homilies:http://feeds.feedburner.com/OrthodoxChristianSermonsOnTheGospelsEpistlesAndOtherTopics

Archive of Audio and text homilies:http://www.orthodox.net/sermons

6th Fri after Pentecost - Parables of the field & pearl

2008-07-25T12:17:00.000-05:00

6th Week After Pentecost – Friday

Matthew 13:44-54 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. 53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

The following are notes about a portion of this Gospel.

The parables about the Kingdom variously describe the power of the Gospel to save, the great worth of the Gospel, and the way of living that those who will attain the Kingdom must have.

"And the former indeed, of the leaven and of the mustard seed, was spoken with a view to the power of the gospel, and to its surely prevailing over the world; but these declare its value, and great price." (St John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of St Matthew, Homily XLVII,
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf110.iii.XLVII.html)

Each parable gives us a different piece of information. We must believe in the ability of God to save us, must value the way of the Kingdom above all else, and must live in a certain way.

One must be careful to not over analyze any parable, otherwise, according to St John: "the parables must not be explained throughout word for word, since many absurdities will follow." (Ibid)

The parable of the field is a good example. In the parable, the field is the world. Remembering the proscription against worldliness, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?", (Mat 16:26) one wonders, why would the Lord urge us to buy the world?

It is because, as St John teaches, the Gospel is hidden within the world. The treasure is this Gospel. The way of life that leads to eternal life is hidden within the world; those who do not believe do not usually even see it, and when they do, it is "foolishness" to them. We fulfill the resurrection within us, by living the way of life in the world. We need the world in order to be saved. If it were not for the temptations and difficulties of the world, we would not value the treasure that is hidden within it. This is our nature; we forget easily, and become inured to Holy things, unless we continually struggle, and have temptations, and do everything possible to attain the treasure in the world.

The parable of the pearl says the same thing as the parable of the field, with an important addition: there is only one truth.

"One seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one of great price, sold all and bought it. For the truth is one, and not in many divisions." (Ibid)

The size of the pearl is also of great importance. The Gospel treasure is very small (it is hidden in our heart), so those in the world cannot see it, and see that we are truly rich.

"And much as he that hath the pearl knows indeed himself that he is rich, but others know not, many times, that he is holding it in his hand (for there is no corporeal bulk); just so also with the gospel, they that have hold of it know that they are rich, but the unbelievers, not knowing of this treasure, are in ignorance also of our wealth." (Ibid)

Temptation / искушение

2008-07-23T23:12:00.000-05:00

St. Theophan the Recluse. Thoughts on every day of the year.

(1 Cor 3:18-23; Mt 13:36-43) “And they shall cast them (those who offend of do iniquity) into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth; then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” In this manner, evil and good, light and darkness will be divided. Now, during this life, they are commingled, as it was pleasing to the Lord to order things such that his creation would grow and become stronger in good through the struggle against evil. Evil is allowed to freely exist within us and to influence us from without, but it does not determine our actions. Rather, it tempts us. When tempted, we must not fall but fight. Gaining the victory, we are freed from one temptation, and move onward and upward to meet a new temptation, and thus it is until the end of our life. O, when will we understand the meaning of the evil which tempts us, so as to order our life in accordance with this understanding! Those who struggle are crowned, and in the end, pass on to another life, where there is no sorrow or sickness externally, and where internally, like God’s angels, they will be pure, without the defilement of tempting movements and thoughts. Thus we may be prepared for the festival of light and good, which will be revealed in all its glory in the last day of the world.

Святитель Феофан Затворник. Мысли на каждый день года.

(1 Кор. З, 18-23; Мф. 13, 36-43). "И ввергнут их" (творящих соблазны и беззакония) "в печь огненную; там будет плач и скрежет зубов; тогда праведники воссияют, как солнце, в Царстве Отца их". Так совершится разделение добра и зла, света и тьмы. Теперь течет период смешения их. Господу угодно было так устроить, чтобы тварная свобода возрастала и крепла в добре через борьбу со злом; зло допущено и в сопредельности с свободою внутри, и в соприкосновении с человеком во вне. Оно не определяет, а искушает. Чувствующему искушение необходимо не падать, а вступать в борьбу. Побеждающий освобожается от одного искушения, и подвигается вперед и вверх, чтобы там вступить в новое искушение. Так до самого конца жизни. О, когда бы уразуметь нам это значение искушающего нас зла, чтобы по этому уразумению устроить и жизнь свою! Борцы увенчиваются, наконец, переходя в другую жизнь, где нет ни печалей и болезней во вне, и где они извнутри, как ангелы Божии, становятся чистыми без приражения искусительных движений и мыслей. Так заготовляется торжество света и добра, которое во всей славе своей откроется в последний день мира.

Why speakest Thou in parables?

2008-07-21T16:14:00.000-05:00

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:10-23)

St. Theophan the Recluse writes that we "seeing see not, and hearing hear not, neither understand" the word of God because we our hearts are so strongly tethered to worldly concerns. Our hearts are waxed gross, our ears are dull of hearing, and we have closed our eyes... This is why it is so difficult to read the scriptures, to listen to the church services, and to say our prayers. We are, by our own free choice, entirely enslaved to earthly cares. But in the end, all these cares will pass away, and only heaven will remain. And we, being strangers to heaven, will be left out in the darkness…

But Our Lord gives us hope, saying, "therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." In other words, as Archbishop Averky of Syracuse explains, the parables make divine truths accessible to our earthly minds. If we attend to the Lord’s parables and attempt to live according to their teaching, then we will come nearer to the Lord and be enlightened by His grace. Gradually, then, we will grow closer to heaven, and will be able to understand the more sublime teachings of the Lord, and will find ourselves amid the guests at the heavenly banquet. Glory to our God!

St Nicholas is building a new temple!

2008-07-21T12:58:00.000-05:00

Brothers and sisters:

I know many of you personally, and some only by email or the phone. Many of you know me, and I am always amazed and gratified when I travel to encounter people who thank me for our web ministry. http://www.orthodox.net is over 10 years old, and has reached literally over several million people (we have over 100,000 viewers a month). Our blog is slowly becoming more popular too.

I treasure the good will and friendships that my web presence has garnered. I have been privileged to hear some amazing stories and help missions from afar with our materials. I am also quite sure that our web presence has been a significant part of the conversion to the true faith of more than a few, and helped direct many to Orthodox churches all over the world.

I am writing you today to attempt to trade a little bit on this good will. We are a small and growing parish, at a critical time. We are about to build a new church on a beautiful piece of ground. We are a little bit short of the projected cost. At this point, we think we need to raise $20,000 dollars before we finish building in the Fall.

I am appealing to you, if your heart so leads, to help us in any way you think is right. Of course, we could use donations, but low or no interest loans, or being put in contact with a potential benefactor is helpful too.

The last part of this appeal is the content our building fund page - "http://www.orthodox.net/aboutus/building-fund.html.

May God bless you and help you in all things.

------------

St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church Building Fund

"The ... founders, benefactors, and the brotherhood of this holy temple ... may the Lord God remember in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages."
From the Divine Liturgy

Would you like to be the benefactor of an Orthodox temple?

Every additional $130 in our building fund pays for a sq. ft. of our 1700 sq. ft. temple & hall which we plan to worship in by late Fall, 2008.

You may also send funds to "St Nicholas Orthodox Church', with memo "Building Fund" to St Nicholas Orthodox Church Treasurer, Reader Nicholas Park, 316 Corporate Dr. Lewisville, TX 75067

We are an active Russian Orthodox Christian community. Our Sunday services are in English with many hymns repeated in Slavonic. We have outreaches to the community in the form of prison ministry, nursing home visitations, and a very full liturgical and teaching schedule. We are the only church in the Metroplex which follows the same calendar used in Russia and regularly includes Slavonic and English in our services and homilies. We have purchased land in McKinney Texas, and are building a 1700 sq. ft. chapel with small hall, to be completed in late Fall, 2008.

We have a two phase building plan.

We plan to build our chapel, with a small hall affixed, for services in the Fall, 2008. The chapel will look like a "real church", with two cupolas, and it will be our worshipping home as we grow and get ready for phase two, which is to build our permanent temple on the same grounds; the chapel will be converted to a church hall with offices. The chapel will cost about $221,000 to build (about $130 per sq. ft., with a 120,000 loan at 7%, paid off in ten years). We are seeking benefactors to "donate a sq. ft.", or a part thereof.

We have set up an account to receive tax-free donations. We will be happy to send you a receipt, and to pray for you and your family as benefactors if you desire. You may also send checks, made out to "St Nicholas Orthodox Church Building Fund", to our treasurer, Reader Nicholas Park, 1.316 Corporate Dr. Lewisville, TX 75067. Email Fr Seraphim, with a list of your immediate family members, so we can begin commemorating you in the Divine Liturgy.

McKinney Texas is the fastest growing city in Texas, with a current population of over 100,000. City projections are a population of over 300,000 by 2020. We will be the only Orthodox Church in McKinney; the closest sister church, in Plano, will be about 20 minutes away by car (on a good day!).

5th Sun after Pentecost 2008, Every occurence in our life is a meeting with Christ.

2008-07-20T21:04:00.000-05:00

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The Healing of the Gergesenes demoniacs

Every occurence in our life is a meeting with Christ.

Matthew 8:28-9:1 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. 1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

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Holy Royal Martyrs Of Russia 07/04/08 How were the martyrs "called according to his purpose"? How are we?

2008-07-17T15:41:00.000-05:00

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The reading from Romans describes in perfect detail the attributes of the martyrs. They and we are all "called according to His purpose", and whether we be martyrs or not, it is the same exact purpose, which the Apostle describes clearly.

Rom 8:28-39 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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St Nicholas Building Project Status and appeal

2008-07-16T11:08:00.001-05:00

Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church

Русская Православная Церковь Святителя Николая

708 South Chestnut, McKinney, Texas

Mailing Address: PO 37, McKinney, TX 75070

Priest Seraphim Holland, 972-529-2754

http://www.orthodox.net

July 3/16, 2008

Dear brothers and sisters,

Independent Bank in McKinney has finished processing our loan application, and the news is good, but challenging. Simply put, they will give us a loan and we will be able to build our temple, but we have to do a little extra work to make it possible. We will start building as soon as we get the loan, and will be in our new temple before the end of the year. All of the financial details are available for anybody who asks, but the gist is as follows: 1. We had asked for a loan of $150,000. The bank is willing give us a loan of $120,000. We need to make up at least part of this shortfall. We think we can make everything work if we raise $20,000. Our current cash must pay off the land, and pay for all building costs above the loan amount. We are probably about 10,000 short of having enough cash at this moment. We can scrape by with only 10,000 more, but I feel that $20,000 is a reasonable goal (see point #2), if we all work together to reach it.

Therefore, we need more money, in the short term.

Do you have any money laid away that you'd planned to give or loan when it was truly needed? Now is the time!
Do you know anybody who might be willing to help us out with a gift or a loan towards this amount? Now is the time!
Is there a family member or former parishioner with whom you are still in contact, or someone you know who likes our parish? Now is the time to contact them!

View of our new temple and hall, from the North

2. If everybody pays all of their pledges and we see a reasonable amount of growth over the next few years, this is all we need; we will be able to meet our obligations to the bank. I hope this will happen, but things happen in our lives sometimes, and it is possible that all of our pledges will not be paid 100%. If only 90% of pledges are paid, we will absolutely need to raise $20,000 to meet our obligations over the next four years.

This illustrates both the importance of the pledges

and the need to seek additional help wherever we can find it.

3. Our income has increased significantly since the start of 2008, and our projections based on the pledge drive show a further increase. These figures are quite encouraging, and will enable us to meet our financial obligations and complete the building project. Because a lot of this is based on projections rather than on prior year income records, the bank requires guarantors until we can give them an end-of-year report showing that we are meeting our projections. This will mean that we will likely need guarantors only until the end of 2009.

The bank officer explains this requirement as follows:

"Due to the high reliance on projected cash flow, we need to have few guarantors for the loan. A guarantor is not on the actual note and the bank does not report to their credit or send correspondence to them unless there is a situation of default. If this is the case, the bank sends notice that the church is unable to pay and that the guarantors will need to step up and bring the loan/keep the loan current.

"We can have anywhere from 1 to 4 guarantors with financial capacity to support the debt payments. (has accumulated assets, has outside income, etc.)

"Payments monthly after the interest only period will be ~$1,078 and a group of guarantors would need to be comfortable with this number and having a total debt of $120,000 contingent on the church’s well being.

"Being a local bank, we like to have local guarantors as well and would highly prefer members of the church to be considered first. Anyone with a vested interest to make sure the church succeeds is a good candidate.

"The guarantors will be temporary, until the church can show that it can service it’s debt on a historic basis at a rate that is standard in the industry, say: 30% of revenue is used for debt payments. It currently (in 2007) shows that it would use 43% of the church’s revenue for future principal & interest payments."

Here is what all this "bank speak" boils down to. Since Independent Bank is local, they are willing to work with us. Our income in 2007 was not too good, and their figures are based on that year. They are willing to loan to us, but because our historical income was not as good as it is now, they need "guarantors" to be willing to pay off the loan if we default.

Of course, we have always met ALL our obligations, and with our income rising, and great results in our pledge drive, and prospects for growth in our new area, the future is very bright. We also will actually have LOWER operation costs once we get our new temple built, because it is very energy efficient, and the total mortgage will be LESS than the amount we are paying now for our land and current location.

The bank knows all this, but they have rules they need to follow. Our very conservative forecasts show that they will not require guarantors past 2009. This means that a guarantor will only be obligated until the end of 2009 - about one and a half years. They much prefer local guarantors.

My family believes in this project, and will apply to be a guarantor. Who will join me?

In Christ,

Priest Seraphim.
Rector, St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, MCKINNEY, TX

5th Sunday after Pentecost, 2002“ This is eternal life”

2008-07-15T13:46:00.000-05:00

Next Sunday, July 7/20, 2008, we will read about the Gergesenes demoniacs. This homily touches on that reading, as well as the text of the Lord's High Priestly prayer, which was read that year on the fifth Sunday after Pentecost.

5^th Sunday after Pentecost, 2002

“This is eternal life”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What is eternal life? We should know this very well. The Lord came to the earth as a man in order to allow us to have eternal life, in order to make us capable of eternal life. Many people do not understand what eternal life is, what it is that the Lord wants us to be able to have. The Lord defines it in His high priestly prayer just before He was arrested to be crucified: “And this is eternal life: that they may know Thee, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou didst send.” To have eternal life is to know Christ.

But what is it to know Christ?

He says also in His high priestly prayer that “they have received the word.” The word that He received from His Father He faithfully transmitted to His apostles and disciples, and they received the word.

What is it to receive the word?

It means to do what He says! It means to live as He lived! It means to love the commandments as He loved them! It means to struggle for virtue! Receiving is not just believing. The devil believes! The devil knows more about Christ than we do. He knows the Scripture better than we know it. His intellect is far superior to ours. But he has not received the word because he does not want to follow it.

Many people, within the Church and outside of the Church, have not received the word. Yes, indeed, those in the Church too! Those tares, those weeds that grow up and at the end of the age will be gathered and made separate and burned, those people have not received the word. Receiving it is to obey. Receiving it is to know, and know intimately, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ve just been teaching about the Creed in the past few Saturdays, and this passage, more than any other in the Scriptures, shows the utter equality of Jesus Christ with His Father. He says, “the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son might also glorify Thee: As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.” And then He goes on a little later and makes it very clear that He and the Father are One. He once said it in this way: “I and the Father are One.” He says, “Glorify Thou Me with Thine Own Self, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.”

This should call to mind the beginning of the Symbol of Faith: “begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, True God of True God; begotten, not made.” Our Lord was not made; our Lord proceeds from the Father eternally, and is Light of Light just as He is God and God the Father is God. And yet, with His glory which He had before the world, with all of His prerogatives and His magnificence, He obeyed His Father to come down, to be made a little lower than the angels, and to teach us – and most of the people that He taught did not want to hear; we hear this in another reading, with the Gergesene demoniac – and to die for us, and to make us capable of living.

In order to appropriate this eternal life, we must live as He has taught us, because otherwise we won’t know Him. People make great mistake when they define Christianity by things that they should do or not do, or membership, or the traditions they hold. Christianity is to be one as the Father and the Son are One.

Near the end of His prayer, He says, “Father, keep through Thine Own Name those whom Thou hast give Me, that they may be one, even as We are.” I was talking yesterday about how all dogma is moral. All of that which we believe about God has moral significance, it is not just facts that we should be able to recite. The Holy Trinity is the quintessential perfect example of love, and of unity, and of cooperation, and of humility, and of all of the virtues. And our Lord Jesus Christ came down to earth in order to make us capable of being one, even as He is One with His Father.

Can we imagine the immensity of this statement? We can only become one as His is One with His Father if we live with virtue, with purity. Only the pure in heart shall see God. The Lord has made us capable! Eternal life is not just that you are going to go to heaven or that you are not going to go to hell; eternal life is to be one with God! We’re just flesh, how can this be? No, we can never be in the Essence of God, but we will be sharing in all that He wishes to give.

And eternal life is joy, because the Lord says, “And now come I to Thee,” talking to His Father, “and these things I speak in the world, that they might have Me joy fulfilled in themselves.” Eternal life is joy, because it is perfect love, perfect obedience, perfect humility, perfect happiness. We’re so far from perfection. So much that goes on every day is so temporal, and will go away. But the Lord came so that we could have permanence. The only way to achieve this permanence is to enter into the life of virtue, to struggle to follow the Lord’s commandments.

This idea of unity – to be one with God – is the reason why we do such things as, as a Church, we fast together, we pray together, with the same kind of prayers all over the world. We have dogmas which it is imperative to believe -- else we are not Christians -- that are defined in our Symbol of Faith. And there are many other dogmas as well, that we must believe if we are to be one with God. For example, if we don’t forgive our brother, we will not be forgiven. That is a dogma as well. There are many, many dogmas, and all of them have moral significance. If we believe in the Trinity and if we dare to call God our Father, then we had best be His sons and daughters in how we live!

Our Lord Jesus Christ could dare to call God His Father, because He is perfect, and He has said, be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. He has commanded us to become perfect. Nothing that the Lord said was false. Nothing was hyperbole. Perfection is possible for us. If He said and commanded it, then certainly it is possible. He will provide us with the ability. We must struggle in the path of virtue, and then we’ll know Him. Eternal life is to know God.

I remember one time a person was talking to me who had fallen into serious sin, of fornication, and she was saying, “Well, I know it’s wrong, but he just doesn’t understand and we’re going to be married in a year or two, and then God will forgive us.” And then, in another conversation on the same day, we were talking about the end times – I think some book by Hal Lindsey had just come out; and she said: “Well, I’m not worried about becoming deluded or anything, because it says that if anyone says ‘He is there,’ or ‘He is there,’ it’s not the Christ. The Lord is going to come like a lightning flash, it’s going to be instantaneous, and so if anybody is reporting that ‘Here is Christ, there is Christ,’ as the days go by, that obviously can’t be Christ. I won’t be deluded.” And I remember thinking, “How foolish you are. Perhaps the Lord will allow you to be preserved, but delusion can come upon all of us if we don’t live a life of virtue.”

Eternal life is not just being able to know the dogmas. Eternal life is following the dogmas, so that we can have intimate knowledge of and participation with God, and His Grace. Eternal life is to know God intimately. You likely won’t gain eternal life on your deathbed by saying you’re sorry! It is possible for that to happen, but it is rare, very rare. And the reason it is rare is because at the time of death, a person who has not lived virtuously and struggled will be so taken up with the stuff of dying and the terror of it all that they won’t be able to turn to God! It isn’t that God would not receive them; it’s that they can’t turn to Him!

We read today, “The sheep follow Me because they know My voice.” The sheep know the voice of the shepherd because they are around the shepherd, and they listen to the shepherd, and when the shepherd speaks to them, they know that the shepherd is leading them to better pasture, to clear water, to good grass. They know by experience that every time the shepherd speaks, it is for their benefit – so they know his voice very well. But that’s from following the shepherd. If they don’t follow him, then they could get confused, they could hear another voice, and think it’s the shepherd, because they haven’t heard his voice in such a long time. They could be confused.

So this girl who thought that she could be able to discern things in the end was sadly mistaken. May the Lord preserve her and give her salvation, but she was in danger, because we can become deluded if we don’t follow the Lord in virtue every day. The idea that the Lord will forgive me for this sin later – later may not come for you! Salvation is the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of God in those who have become pure is joy, but those who have not purified themselves – or shall I say (I always want to be careful to be clear here, so people do not misunderstand), those who attempt, those who desire, those who struggle to purify themselves – they, when they see God, will be glad.

I didn’t say those who have become pure. The Lord will make you pure, in His time, according to His will. For the most part, the reason why we who desire to no longer sin keep falling into sin is so that we don’t fall into the greatest of sins, pride and vainglory, which will cast us down to the abyss as surely as Satan was cast down by his pride. That’s why we often just continue in our sins: because of our pride.

Eternal life is the knowledge of God. The knowledge of God can only be gained by following the example Jesus Christ gave to us, and the example of all the saints who followed after Him. And then eternal life is unity, unity with God. What an amazing thing! Flesh, which would burn in the Fire of Divinity, will instead by glad and be full of joy.

Follow the Lord, brothers and sisters, in everything you do. Listen carefully for His voice. You’ll hear it in everything that happens! There is nothing that occurs in your life that the Lord does not either allow or cause. Everything is in His Providence, and everything according to His will is for your benefit. But you must learn to see His will, and His will is found by listening to His voice, and His voice is understood by following Him. To some, this might seem to be a circular argument, but not to a Christian. You follow the voice of the Lord, and He will with His Grace enlighten you and illuminate you, so that you cannot be deluded, so that you’ll know Him in all things.

Don’t be like those people of the Gergesenes. We like to think that we’re not like those people. We’re not swine-herders; we wouldn’t disobey the Lord’s Law that terribly, right? Keeping swine was against the Law of Moses. Eating swine, keeping them, touching them was against the Law of Moses. And these were Jews that were keeping swine. Well, just as it is today, people flock to anything that is sinful. So they loved their swine. And when the Lord delivered one of their members from a terrible affliction which had been visited upon this man because of their sins, they lost their source of income because the swine went and were drowned. So what do they do? They go to the Lord and they ask Him to leave. They didn’t hear His voice, they didn’t see Him as the shepherd, they saw Him as a frightening person who has incredible power and was ruining their business!

Don’t think you’re not like these swine-herders, because when we judge our brother, this is much worse than keeping swine. When we allow ourselves lustful thoughts, when we are angry, this is much worse than keeping swine. And many times, when we ask the Lord to depart from us – yes, we ask Him to depart from us – this is much worse than what these people did, because should live within us as Christians. How do we ask Him to depart from us? By not receiving His word, by not wanting to follow to the letter what He has told us to do.

Let’s not be like these Gergesene swine-herders. Let’s instead be like the saints. Let’s be like the sheep, the rational sheep. Let’s follow the Lord’s voice. Let’s equate what we believe with what we should do. St. James says, you show me a man’s faith, and I’ll show you his works. Faith without works is dead. Let our faith be alive, living, so that we will have joy, so that we will know the Lord intimately.

May God bless you and help you.

Priest Seraphim Holland

This, and other Orthodox materials are available from:

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas
Mailing Address	2102 Summit, McKinney TX 75070
Rectory Phone	972/529-2754
Email	seraphim@orthodox.net
Web Page	http://www.orthodox.net

This and other sermons may be found at: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons

Visit of sisters of Mercy from Minsk, Belarus to St Nicholas

2008-07-14T13:58:00.001-05:00

Our parish hosted the sisters from St Elizabeth Convent, Minsk, Belarus, Friday July 11 - Sunday July 13. The following is a video we took after the Liturgy on Sunday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkPMMK-K-dk

4th Sunday after Pentecost 2008, How we think matters, Romans 6:18-23

2008-07-14T08:55:00.000-05:00

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Freedom and Slavery
Romans 6:18-23, Matthew 8:5-13
2002
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2003

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2004

4th Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
How we think matters
Romans 6:18-23
2008

Romans 6:18-23Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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My yoke is easy / иго Мое благо

2008-07-10T21:41:00.000-05:00

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:30)

St. Theophan the Recluse. Thoughts for every day of the year
(Translation from the Russian below)

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." O how divine, how loving, how sweet is Thy voice! Let us all follow in the footsteps of the Lord who calls us! But first, we must come to realize that which is very difficult to realize - namely, that we have many sins, and that those sins are very great. This feeling gives birth to the need to find relief for one's self. Our faith then shows us that our only refuge is the Lord and Savior, and our steps direct themsleves toward Him. The soul which desires to be freed from sin knows to say to the Lord, "take from me this heavy burden of sin, and I will take up your easy yoke." And thus it happens: the Lord forgives sins, and the soul begins to walk in His commandments. The commandments are a yoke, but sins are also a burden. But as it turns out, the soul learns that the yoke of the commandments is as light as a feather, while the burden of sins is as heavy as a mountain. Let us not fear, therefore, to willingly take on the Lord's easy yoke and His light burden! In this way - and in this way only - we may find rest for our souls.

"Придите ко Мне все труждающиеся и обремененные, и Я успокою вас; возьмите иго Мое на себя и научитесь от Меня, ибо Я кроток и смирен сердцем, и найдете покой душам вашим; ибо иго Мое благо, и бремя Мое легко." (Мф 11,30)

Святитель Феофан Затворник. Мысли на каждый день года
(days.pravoslavie.ru)

(Рим. 11, 13-24; Мф. 11, 27-30). "Придите ко Мне, все труждающиеся и обремененные, и Я успокою вас". О, божественного, о любезного, о сладчайшего Твоего гласа! Пойдемте же все вслед зовущего нас Господа! Но наперед надо восчувствовать, что нам трудно и тяжело восчувствовать, то есть, что у нас грехов много, и грехи эти тяжки. От этого чувства родится потребность искать себе облегчения. Вера укажет тогда нам единственное прибежище в Господе Спасителе, и шаги наши сами собою направятся к Нему. Душа, возжелавшая избавиться от грехов, знает, что сказать Господу: "возьми бремя от меня тяжкое, греховное, а я возьму иго Твое благое". И бывает так: Господь прощает грехи, а душа начинает ходить в заповедях Его. И заповеди - иго, и грехи - бремя. Но сличив то и другое, душа находит, что иго заповедей легко, как перо, а бремя грехов тяжело, как гора. Не убоимся же охотно принять иго Господне благое и бремя Его легкое! Так только, а не иначе, можем обрести покой душам нашим.

Nuns from Belarus to speak at St Nicholas this Sunday

2008-07-09T11:57:00.002-05:00

Sisters Olga and Natalia, two nuns from the Orthodox Monastery of St. Elizabeth in Minsk, Belarus, will speak at St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, on Saturday July 29 , after Divine Liturgy (about 11 AM).

The monastery is situated on the premises of a state-supported psychiatric hospital that treats about 12,000 patients a year. The sisters offer spiritual help to the mentally disabled adults and children, alcoholics, drug addicts and other disadvantaged people. The monastery has also acquired a parcel of land where about 60 people -- previously homeless, alcoholics, drug addicts, or prisoners -- live and work. The sisters try to help them start a new life. Work has begun on the organization of an orphanage.

On the premises of the monastery are a variety of workshops producing religious items such as hand-painted and printed icons, ceramics, embroidery, beeswax candles, vestments, woodwork, and CDs.

The sisters will speak and show a film about their life and service and accept donations for their charitable work and for the further construction of the monastery.

The sisters should be arriving Friday, and celebrate the services for the Apostles Peter and Paul with us (Friday 6:30 PM, Sat liturgy 9:00 AM) and possibly vigil on Saturday.

Call 972 529-2754 for more information.

The icon was painted at St. Elizabeth's of Soviet-era martyr Pavlin, Bishop of Mogilev (1879-1937)

4th Sun after Pentecost, Freedom and Slavery, Romans 6:18-23, Matthew 8:5-13

2008-07-08T13:28:00.000-05:00

4^th Sunday after Pentecost, 2002

Freedom and Slavery

NOTE:

This coming Sunday, June 30/July 13th, 2008) is the 4th Sunday after Pentecost

See the bottom of this post for links to other homilies for this day

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Freedom. The epistle today mentions freedom. Freedom is a favorite word in our society. So few know what freedom is. The Apostle says, “Being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” Then he says, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh.” He is speaking of an exalted topic that only can be understood with spiritual knowledge, and the only way to obtain this knowledge is by spiritual struggle. Our weak will, desiring to do works of righteousness, being joined to the Powerful Will, to the Everlasting Will of God to make us capable of doing those things which are righteous.

He’s going to give us a way of thinking, sort-of a mnemonic device that you should take to heart and use because it is a very useful device. He says, “as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your members servants unto righteousness, unto holiness.” In other words, just as before you were enslaved to various sins, now consider yourself a slave to righteousness. Just as before – or even, God forgive us, even now perhaps – you have been a slave to a particular way of thinking or doing something, think of yourself now as being required to do works of righteousness, just as if you had a taskmaster behind you ordering you to do your work.

Now, he is speaking in the manner of men because of our infirmity.

Actually, the only way to understand how the heart is compelled to do righteousness is to compel yourself. Then you will understand how sweet the Lord is, how beautiful His doctrines are, and how there is nothing more perfect, and more holy, and more fulfilling than to follow God’s law.

So he says, “for when ye were servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” In other words, you didn’t do righteousness, you did sin, and you couldn’t stop yourself. But what Jesus Christ offers us is the power to become holy! Now He offers us that we would become, willingly, His servants. Now, at the end of the age, those who have been good servants He will call friends, no longer servants. But we, in the here and now with all of our sins and all of our forgetfulness and our intransigence, should consider ourselves to be servants – servants of a Benevolent Master, not having a choice whether we should do righteousness or not. Our Lord commands it so we do it.

“What fruit did we have in these things,” the Apostle asks, “wherein ye are now ashamed?” The things that were unrighteous only gave us pleasure for a season, and then we were unhappy. The end of these things is death. He is giving us another idea here, something we should call to mind often. He is saying, “The end of these things is death.”

In order to be able to think such a thought, we must be able to look towards the future. We must be able to see our actions not in the moment, but after the moment, perhaps even far after the moment. If we think of how unhappy we will be if we commit a sin, we will not commit many sins.

Think of your unhappiness after you have fallen into something that shames you. Think about your unhappiness about such a thing before you sin, and then you won’t sin. The end of such things is death. We know this!

We must learn to live for the future, not to live in the here and now, because after all, aren’t we supposed to be setting our eyes upon the heavenly Jerusalem? Isn’t that supposed to be our goal, our purpose: to become righteous so that we can be in the presence of God and not only not be ashamed, but be happy; to be completely free?

Imagine being completely free. Not freedom as the world defines it, to do what one chooses, choosing things that actually cause enslavement, but to be completely able to be righteous, to not be touched by any sin, to not have any wavering in our heart towards evil.

The Church thinks this is very important because in every service we say, “deliver us from tribulation, wrath, and necessity.” That necessity is enslavement to unrighteousness. People make excuses for their enslavements all the time. “Well, I smoke because it’s a bad habit I picked up and I haven’t been able to break it.” “I’m always so tired, so I oversleep.“ “You know, with all of the impure things all about, I just have so much trouble having pure thoughts.” These are all excuses. When you say such things, or even think such things, then you are saying, “I’m a slave to unrighteousness. My master is the evil one.”

How can we say such things? We are slaves to righteousness. Our Master is our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lived the life that He requires us to live. And He made us capable of living such a life. So we must consider ourselves slaves to Him. So when it comes time that there is a temptation for you, you have to say, “I can’t do that, I’m a slave. I don’t deserve to do that. I don’t have any right to do that. My Lord has told me to do the other thing. I’m a slave. I don’t have a right. I only have a right to do righteousness.” If you think in such terms, you will be saved from many, many sins.

Let freedom be that which is in your heart, brothers and sisters, which allows you to always choose correctly, and not to be forced to do that which is unrighteous. That’s the freedom God offers. It’s not the freedom that society offers. Their definition of freedom is that you can indulge in pleasures as you wish. But pleasures have a price. Indeed, even good pleasures have a price. Even the happiness that we will have with God has its price—our Lord paid that price. We’ve been bought with a price. So since we’ve been bought with a price, we’re no longer our own. We’re not owned by the devil, nor do we own ourselves – our Lord is our Master, so we must do as He tells us to do. And it just so happens that everything He tells us to do – every single thing – is for our welfare, so that we would become completely free.

All of us have things in our life that we wish we could change. Don’t you hate those things? Don’t just despise that you fall into something again and again? You don’t want to, and yet you do? Well, start thinking of yourself as a slave to righteousness, and then act as a slave would act when considering doing something. You have no right to commit that sin. You have no right to become angry at someone, because your Lord said that you cannot do that. You have no right to have a lustful thought, because your Lord said, “He who looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery in his heart.” And adultery is forbidden. You have no right!

You do have a right to do works of righteousness, and your Lord has given you a blanket blessing to do righteousness in whatever you do. You need not ask Him for permission to do righteousness. But He will check with you; He will require of you works of righteousness. But He allows you to choose, so that you can learn what true freedom really is. Freedom is always to make choices for righteousness – that is what freedom is. Freedom is to have no regrets, no unhappiness, to be complete, whole, lacking nothing.

What a wonderful thing freedom is! And what a terrible thing that this word has been hijacked in our society, to mean something it isn’t, to mean slavery and not freedom. You’ve been made free from sin by your baptism. The Lord has bought you with a price, now we’d best act like we’ve been bought with a price. And he says, “being made free from sin” – that is, being made capable of being free from sin. We’re capable of it. Don’t let anyone tell you differently, including the evil one in your ear. You’re capable of being free from sin because the Lord made you such. The Lord bought you with a price. And our Lord is a good trader; He doesn’t make foolish purchases. You’ve been bought with a price, so you’re capable of being free from sin. But you must give your will to the Lord, and give your struggles to the Lord, in order to realize this perfect freedom. Being made free from sin and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end – everlasting life!

So the Apostle teaches us, as it were, two ways of thinking, two mnemonic devices. One is that when you are presented with the possibility of sin or of righteousness, you say “I am a slave to righteousness. I have no right to commit that sin. I’ve been bought with a price. I’ve been made free as regarding sin. There is nothing compelling me to sin as long as I beg the Lord to help me.” And the other is that when you are presented with the possibility of sin, you think that the end of such things is death. “And if I endure but for a little while, I will have fruit unto holiness, and eternal life.

Every sin, every decision in your life, every fork in the road, you should be thinking these things. You have no right to sin. The Lord has told you. You don’t have a right to do it. He has told you that you must do righteousness. You must follow Him. You must desire to be righteous. And He will help you. But you are not a slave any more – not of unrighteousness. So don’t think of yourself as such. And if you fall into unrighteousness, then beg the Lord to forgive you, beg Him to strengthen your will, beg Him to bring to your mind your sadness in this moment so that in the next moment you will recall it and you won’t fall into sin.

This can only be understood by experience. Experience is the great teacher of the soul. The Lord, bit by bit, as we are capable, gives us enlightenment. But He only enlightens those who are struggling, only those who are trying, only those who know their position. And that is that they are slaves of Him. Now, He is a benevolent Master, and He doesn’t require of us anything, but we had best think that we are required! As soon as we turn towards righteousness even a little, He is there to help us. Let us turn to Him all the time, so that He will help us.

We have an example of experience in the Gospel. When I was thinking about the Epistle and the Gospel today, I thought I wanted to talk about both of them. Well, I can’t do that exactly, but I want to say something about Cornelius. A Centurion, he was a Roman. He was officially of a pagan religion. He couldn’t go into the synagogue. He couldn’t say that he was a Jew. But he had Jewish sacred writings, and he read them, and he loved the Jewish nation, and although he was an occupying soldier, the Jews loved him because he loved them. So when Jesus comes into Capernaum, Cornelius meets Him and says, “my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, paralyzed.” And Jesus says, “I’ll come and I’ll heal him.”

But Cornelius is a man with experience. Cornelius is a man who knows something about righteousness. He knows something about authority. He says, “I’m not worthy that you come under my roof,” partially because he is a pagan, and a Jew is not to go into a pagan’s household – it defiles him. “Only speak the word, and my servant shall be healed, for I am a man under authority, and I have soldiers under me. And I say to this soldier, ‘go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘do this,’ and he does it.” And the inference is, “I know how to do what I’m told, too.”

He was a righteous man – so righteous that the Lord said that He had not found so great faith, not in all of Israel. Now that must have made the Pharisees quite angry, don’t you think? Pointing to an occupying soldier, the hated enemy, of the army that they hoped the Messiah would annihilate, and have their blood flow in the streets, and say, “This man is more righteous than all of you put together.” Why was he righteous? Why did he have such faith? Because he knew about obedience. He expected those under him to be obedient because he was obedient to those over him. So let us know something about obedience, brothers and sisters; let us know something about authority. Let us realize that we are under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Priest Seraphim Holland

St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney Texas.

Scripture for the 4^th Sunday after Pentecost

Romans 6:18-23 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Matthew 8:5-13 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Homilies on the 4th Sunday after Pentecost

4th Sunday after Pentecost (HTML format)

Freedom and Slavery
Romans 6:18-23, Matthew 8:5-13
2002
Also in Format: Adobe PDF or RTF or Word DOC

4th Sunday after Pentecost (Word DOC format)

2003

4th Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)

2004

4th week after Pentecost - Tuesday - Matthew 11:16-20

2008-07-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

4^th Week After Pentecost – Tuesday

Matthew 11:16-20 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Who is who?

"This generation" is the Jews who were not accepting Jesus' preaching and way of life. They found excuses (with excuses in sins) to not follow the righteous way of life. They are also referred to as the "fellows" who would not listen to the rebuke of the "children sitting in the markets" (who are St John the Baptist and Jesus, and, by extension all righteous).

The righteous way of life "speaks" to the unrighteous, whether it be from St John or Jesus, or our poor efforts. They are hearing from their own conscience.

“To make excuse with excuses in sins”

The unrighteous judged the Baptist, because his way of life was too severe for them. He is indicated as one who "mourned". His dedication to righteousness was evident by the way he lived - and their judgment of him was a classic example of the judgment that people heap on others who are righteous because they are not righteous which the Lord described elsewhere: "Is thine eye evil because I am good?" (Mat 20:15) They were chastened by his way of life - it exposed the hypocrisy of their self-indulgence. Rather than repent, they used judgment of St John, with a fabricated charge (having a devil) to mollify their conscience.

They also judged Jesus, whose way of life did not appear to be as severe as St John's, so He is indicated as one who has "piped". This does not mean that Jesus way of life was frivolous merrymaking, but rather, that in the eyes of the Jews, his way of life was not as severe and physically self-mortifying as the Baptist's. Amazingly, they considered Jesus to be guilty of their sins, which they did not recognize in themselves (gluttony and drunkenness).

The self-indulgent sinner will be inherently judgmental of others, and very often, judges another for the very sins they commit. Feeling superior to others keeps us from seeing our own sins. Their prejudice against publicans and "sinners" made it easier to take the focus off themselves. Seeing someone who epitomized the love of God by loving all men cut them to the quick and challenged their prejudices.

In essence, both righteous men were judged for the same reasons - their conduct pricked the conscience of the Jews, and an unrepentant person does not want to be reminded of his sins, so he manufactures reasons to reject the person who pricks his conscience.

"But Wisdom is justified of her children"

Wisdom is another title Christ uses for Himself. The OT uses this title extensively also. The children of Wisdom are those who follow His way of life.

Justified is a word that encompasses righteousness. We are justified when we become righteous. Jesus is saying that He, Wisdom, will have righteous children - Christians.

We have the wrong idea of "justice" in our culture, which thinks of it as something that is imposed as a punishment on someone who has done wrong, or when something is given to someone to correct a wrong. This is not justice, but fallen human nature looking out for its own interests. Justice does not involve revenge or punishment. It is to live in a certain way - the way which Wisdom has taught us.

3rd Sun after Pentecost - 2008. The Light of the Body is the Eye, and other homilies

2008-07-06T21:57:00.000-05:00

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All homilies for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost:

3rd Sunday after Pentecost (HTML format)
2000
Also in Format: Word DOC

3rd Sunday after Pentecost (RTF format)
2002
Also in Format: Word DOC

3rd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
2004

3rd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
The light of the body is the eye.
Matthew 6:22-33
2008

Matthew 6:22-33 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you

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Independence Day

2008-07-04T23:08:00.000-05:00

"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." (U.S. Declaration of Independence)

Like all human governments, ours is an institution of this world, established as a matter of expediency "in the course of human events." And yet there is much that we have to be thankful for in this nation. Our nation acknowledges fundamental human rights, granted by God, which have often been denied in the course of history. We have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to worship as we wish -- freedoms which many Orthodox Christians have not had during the Church's 2000-year history.

Let us be thankful for this gift, and let us show our gratitude to God by using it properly. How do we properly use our life, our liberty, our right to pursue happiness? By pursuing true life, true liberty, and true happiness. Our Lord said, Happy are the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the peacemakers, the merciful, those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:1-12). Let us use the freedom given us, imitate the life of our Lord, and thus attain to the fullness of life, liberty, and happiness!

There is nothing hidden / Нет ничего сокровенного

2008-07-02T20:57:00.000-05:00

St. Theophan the Recluse. Thoughts for every day of the year

Translated from the Russian text below. Corrections are welcome.

(Rom 8:22-27; Mt 10:23-31). "There is nothing hidden, that shall not be revealed; nothing secret, that shall not be made known". It follows that no matter how much we hide our sins now, it will be of no use in the end. The time will come -- and is it far away? -- when everything will be made known. So what should we do? There is no need to hide anything. If you have sinned, go and disclose your sin to your spiritual father. When you receive absolution, the sin vanishes, as if it never existed. After that, nothing will ever be revealed or disclosed. But if you hide your sin and don't repent, then you are storing it up within yourself, so that it may be revealed as your accuser in due time. God has revealed all of this to us in advance, so that we may even now eliminate the accusation against us sinners at His righteous and fearful judgment.

Святитель Феофан Затворник. Мысли на каждый день года

из Веб-страници days.pravoslavie.ru

(Рим. 8, 22-27; Мф. 10, 23-31). "Нет ничего сокровенного, что не открылось бы, и тайного, что не было бы узнано". Следовательно, как ни прячемся мы теперь с грехами своими, пользы от этого нам никакой нет. Придет срок, а далеко ли он? - и все выйдет наружу. Как же быть? Не надо прятаться. Согрешил - иди и открой грех свой духовному отцу твоему. Когда получишь разрешение, грех исчезнет, будто его не было. Нечему будет потом быть открываему и являему. Если же спрячешь грех и не покаешься, то сбережешь его в себе, чтоб было чему обнаружиться в свое время на обличение тебя. Все это нам наперед открыл Бог, чтоб мы еще теперь ухитрились обезоружить Его праведный и страшный суд на нас грешных.

The Law of the Flesh / Закон Плоти

2008-07-01T15:56:00.000-05:00

In today's epistle reading the Apostle Paul says, "in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. . . . O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

How clearly he has set forth for us the fruits of our fall into sin! Truly, who can deliver use from the body of this death? The Apostle answers, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." Thus we see that while the law of the flesh continues to war in our members, we need not live according to it, we are not subject to its power. Why?

Because "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." For "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Christ Jesus, our Saviour, gives us the ability to live not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit - the ability to serve not the law of the flesh but the law of God, not the law of death, but the law of Life! Glory to our compassionate Lord!

Russian version (Corrections are welcome):

В сегодняшнем чтении сказано Ап. Павла, "знаю, что не живет во мне, то есть в плоти моей, доброе; потому что желание добра есть во мне, но чтобы сделать оное, того не нахожу. Доброго, которого хочу, не делаю, а злое, которого не хочу, делаю. . . . Бедный я человек! кто избавит меня от сего тела смерти?"

Как дивно он обясняет плоды нашего грехопадения! Вероятно, кто может избавить нас от сего тела смерти? Апостол ответут, "Благодарю Бога моего Иисусом Христом, Господом нашим. Итак тот же самый я умом моим служу закону Божию, а плотию закону греха." Так мы видим что пока закон плоти постоянно пребывает внутри нас, нам не надо жит по нем, мы не порабошен нему. Почему?

"Потому что закон духа жизни во Христе Иисусе освободил меня от закона греха и смерти." Ибо "Бог послал Сына Своего в подобии плоти греховной в жертву за грех и осудил грех во плоти, чтобы оправдание закона исполнилось в нас, живущих не по плоти, но по духу." Христос Иисус, Спаситель наш, даст нам возможност жить не по плоти, а по духу, не служить закон плоти, а закон Божий, не закон смерти, а закон Жизни!

2nd Sun after Pentecost , 2008, All Saints of Russia, You are not alone!

2008-06-30T06:56:00.000-05:00

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Hebrews 11:33-12:2 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

All homilies for this day:

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Word DOC format)

All Saints Of Russia
1999

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Word DOC format)

All Saints Of Russia
2000

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (HTML format)

2001

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (Word DOC format)

2003

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)

2004

2nd Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)

All Saints of Russia
You are not alone!
Hebrews 11:33-12:2
2008

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Living in Christ

2008-06-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

Today I listened to an excellent talk by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, whose thoughts in a significant way echo what Father Seraphim said this Sunday, and which also relate directly to the Epistle and Gospel readings that we read today. Righteousness, he explained, does not consist in fulfilling any law - whether of the Old Testament of of the New - but rather of fulfilling our calling to be fully human, to live according that image in which we were created, the image of Christ. The law, the scriptures, the lives of the saints, the prayers of the Church -- all of these are signposts or guides, pointing us toward that Image according to which we should be living. To truly live is to live in Christ.

1st after Pentecost 2008. Sunday of All Saints. The Answer for every question.

2008-06-22T19:19:00.000-05:00

LISTEN NOW

Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

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Other Homilies on the Sunday of All Saints:

1st Sunday after Pentecost (Word DOC format)
Sunday Of All Saints
1999
1st Sunday after Pentecost (HTML format)
Sunday Of All Saints
2000
Also in Format: Word DOC
1st Sunday after Pentecost (RTF format)
Sunday Of All Saints
2002
1st Sunday after Pentecost (Word DOC format)
Sunday Of All Saints
2003
1st Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
Sunday Of All Saints
2004
1st Sunday after Pentecost (mp3 format)
Sunday of All Saints
The answer to every question.
Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38: 19:27-30
2008

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Resist not evil / Не противься злому

2008-06-20T08:03:00.000-05:00

Saint Theophan the Recluse. Thoughts for every day of the year

Translated from the Russian text below. Corrections are welcome.

(Rom 2:14-29; Mt 5:33-41). "But I say unto you: resist not evil"; rather, offer yourself as a sacrifice to the other people's willfulness and hatred. Does it seem that it is impossible to live in this manner? Do not be troubled. He Who gave this commandment is also our Provider and Caretaker. When you desire with complete faith and with all of your heart to live in such a manner that you do not "resist evil," then the Lord will himself arrange your life so that it is not only bearable, but even happy. In fact, it often happens that resistance further irritates one's opponent, causing him to devise further troubles, while concession disarms and humbles him. Thus it happens that if you merely endure the first onslaughts of evil, people will be pacified and leave you in peace. Resistance and revenge, on the other hand, flare up into hatred that passes from an individual to a family, and then from one generation to another.

Святитель Феофан Затворник. Мысли на каждый день года

(из days.pravoslavie.ru)

(Рим. 2, 14-29; Мф. 5, 33-41). "А Я говорю вам: не противься злому"; иначе отдай себя на жертву своенравию и злобе людской. Но этак и жить нельзя? Не беспокойся. Кто заповедь эту дал, тот же есть и Промыслитель и Попечитель наш. Когда с полною верою, от всей души пожелаешь так жить, чтоб не противиться никакому злу, то Господь сам устроит для тебя образ жизни, не только сносный, но и счастливый. К тому же на деле бывает так, что противление больше раздражает противника и побуждает его изобретать новые неприятности, а уступка обезоруживает его и смиряет. Оттого бывает, что претерпи только первые натиски злобы, - люди сжалятся и оставят тебя в покое. А противление и месть разжигает злобу которая от одного лица переходит в семью, а потом из поколения в поколение.

On the Action of the Holy Spirit / О действий Св. Духа

2008-06-18T15:06:00.000-05:00

Saint Theophan the Recluse. Thoughts for every day of the year

Translated from the Russian text below, with some assistance from translate.ru. Corrections are welcome.

(Eph 5:9-19; Mt 18:10-20). Comforting His disciples, the Lord said that it is better for them that he ascend into heaven, since after His ascension He would send in His place another Comforter, the Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended and remains present in the Church, completing the work of Christ in each one of the faithful. Every Christian is a partaker of the Spirit. This is so essential that whoever does not have the Spirit does not belong to Christ. Give yourself a good look - do you have the Spirit of grace? After all, He doesn't remain in everybody; He can leave. Here are some signs to look for. At first, you will find the spirit of repentance, who teaches the Christian to turn toward God and correct his life. The spirit of repentance, having completed its work, then passes the Christian along to the spirit of holiness and purity, which is in turn replaced by the spirit of adoption. The first stage is marked by a labor-loving zeal, the second by warmth and a heart that is aflame with sweetness, and the third by a spirit of sonship, from which the heart cries out to God, "Abba, Father"! Look and see on which at which of these stages you can be found – and if you aren’t on any of them, take care and begin to work on yourself.

Святитель Феофан Затворник. Мысли на каждый день года

из http://days.pravoslavie.ru/Days/ivn'3.htm

(Еф. 5, 9-19; Мф. 18, 10-20). Утешая учеников Своих, Господь говорил, что для них лучше, чтоб Он взошел на небо, ибо, возшедши, Он пошлет вместо Себя Утешителя - Духа. Нисшел Дух Святый и пребывает в Церкви, совершая в каждом человеке верующем дело Христово. Всякий христианин - причастник Духа. Это так необходимо, что кто Духа не имеет, тот и не Христов. Присмотрись же хорошенько - есть ли в тебе Дух благодати? Ибо он не у всех остается, а бывает так, что и отходит. Вот приметы: сначала находит дух покаяния. и учит христианина обращению к Богу и исправлению жизни; дух покаяния, совершив свое дело, передает христианина духу святости и чистоты, которому преемствует, наконец, дух сыноположения. Черта первого - трудолюбная ревность; черта второго - теплота и горение сердца сладкое; черта третьего - чувство сыновства, по которому исходит из сердца воздыхание к Богу: "Авва отче"! Смотри, на которой из этих степеней находишься. Если ни на какой, прими заботу и попечение о себе.

Дорожа Временем - Пятидесятница 2008

2008-06-16T14:09:00.002-05:00

Дорожа Временем

Православная Церковь Святителя Николая,

МакКини, Техас

Настоятель: Иерей Серафим Холланд 972-529-2754 cell:972 658-5433 seraphim@orthodox.net

Вебсайт Прихода: http://www.orthodox.net

«Дорожа Временем» Блог: http://stnicholasdallas.blogspot.com

Итак, смотрите, поступайте осторожно, не как неразумные, но как мудрые, дорожа временем, потому что дни лукавы (Еф. 5:16).

Пятидесятница 2008

«При наступлении дня Пятидесятницы все они были единодушно вместе. И внезапно сделался шум с неба, как бы от несущегося сильного ветра, и наполнил весь дом, где они находились. И явились им разделяющиеся языки, как бы огненные, и почили по одному на каждом из них. И исполнились все Духа Святаго, и начали говорить на иных языках, как Дух давал им провещевать. . . . Петр же, став с одиннадцатью, возвысил голос свой и возгласил им: . . . это есть предреченное пророком Иоилем: И будет в последние дни, говорит Бог, излию от Духа Моего на всякую плоть, и будут пророчествовать сыны ваши и дочери ваши; и юноши ваши будут видеть видения, и старцы ваши сновидениями вразумляемы будут. И на рабов Моих и на рабынь Моих в те дни излию от Духа Моего, и будут пророчествовать. . . . Сего Иисуса Бог воскресил, чему все мы свидетели. Итак Он, быв вознесен десницею Божиею и приняв от Отца обетование Святаго Духа, излил то, что вы ныне видите и слышите. . . . Итак твердо знай, весь дом Израилев, что Бог соделал Господом и Христом Сего Иисуса, Которого вы распяли. . . . Итак охотно принявшие слово его крестились, и присоединилось в тот день душ около трех тысяч. И они постоянно пребывали в учении Апостолов, в общении и преломлении хлеба и в молитвах.” (Из книги Деяний Святых Апостолов, глава 2).

Слова от Настоятеля

Дорогие братья и сёстры! Поздравляю всех вас со светлым праздником Пятидесятницы! Вспоминая о сошествии Святого Духа на Апостолов Христовых и о начале деятельности Церкви в миру, мы благодарим Бога за основание Своей Церкви, которая помогает нам познать Бога, научиться любить Его, приводит нас к единению с Ним, к нашему освящению и к наследию жизни вечной!

В этот день нам полезно вспомнить о нашей собственной роли в той миссии, которую Церковь выполняет в миру. Каким бы ни было наше индивидуальное служение, - будь то проповедничество, пение в церковном хоре, щедрая финансовая помощь храму, приготовление пищи, поддержание чистоты в храме, или даже просто молитвенное присутствие на церковной службе, - каждый из нас имеет определённую роль в нашей общине, которая есть Церковь, Тело Христово.

В настоящий момент ваш приход нуждается в вашей помощи, больше чем когда-либо за всё время его существования. Каждый из нас должен внести посильный вклад в наше общее начинание: это может быть финансовая поддержка, помощь в поиске спонсоров и жертвователей на строительство храма, работа на нашем земельном участке, помошь в посадке лавандового мемориала, а также усиленная молитва друг за друга.

По милости Божией вы приобрели прекрасный участок земли рядом с "Честнат Сквер" в исторической части города МакКини в штате Техас. Город Мак Кини является быстро растущим и развивающимся районом со значительным славянским населением. В данном районе нет ни одного Православного храма, так что у нас есть замечательная возможность обосновать здесь нашу общину. Мы являемся единственной Русской Православной церковью во всей округе Далласа, которая придерживается традиционного Церковного (Юлианского) календаря, и где часть богослужения проводится на церковно-славянском языке. Когда у нас будет постоянное и благолепное место для богослужения, наша община разрастётся и станет наследием для ваших детей и внуков, а также будет частью нашего христианского служения в миру и проповедания Евангелия на "нивах, которые побелели, поспели к жатве". (Евангелие от Иоанна, гл. 4, стих 35)

Планы по разработке первой части нашего строительного проекта завершены, и мы готовы начать строительство часовни и приходского дома площадью в 1700 кв. футов уже СЕЙЧАС. Часть вторая данного проекта будет состоять в постройке православного храма площадью в 2600 кв. футов на этом же земельном участке. Вторая часть планируется к осуществлению в течение ближайших 10 лет.

Вы все являетесь основателями этого храма, и вас поминаются, и будут поминаться, на каждой церковной службе. Это благодатное звание несёт в себе ещё и большую ответственность. Я прошу вас сделать дерзновенный шаг веры и предоставить в письменном виде записку о том, какую сумму вы обязуетесь жертвовать на храм ежемесячно. Нам необходима эта информация в письменном виде, так как банк, который предоставляет нам ссуду, требует письменную информацию о нашем предпологаемом доходе. Если мы сможем предоставить им письменно заверенную информацию, демонстрирующую значительный прирост нашего дохода, это очень благоприятно скажется на их отношении к нам.

Нам необходим прирост по крайней мере в $500 ежемесячно, чтобы сдержать наши обязательства по строительству нового храма. Я обязуюсь вносить 20% от этой суммы, плюс $100.00 сверх ежемесячных 10% пожертвований на храм от нашей семьи. Я буду разговаривать с каждым из вас и предложу вам конфидициальную карточку для заполнения информации о ваших финансовых обязательствах.

Я прошу вас молитвенно подумать: "Должен ли я делать или давать для моей общины больше, чем я делаю или даю сейчас? Могу ли я делать или давать больше?" И пока вы размышляете об этом, мне хотелось бы также вам напомнить о том, что я часто говорю вам в течении уже многих лет (и если мне суждено иметь какое-либо начертание на моём надгробном камне, то возможно это и будет данная фраза, так как она суммирует всю мою пасторскую философию): "Всегда делай всё возможное, что в твоих силах, тогда со временем ты сможешь делать и то, чего сейчас не можешь." Этот принцип обращается ко всему в нашей жизни, и наш Бог его преподавал: "в малом ты был верен, над многим тебя поставлю; войди в радость господина твоего" (Мф. 25,21).

Сошествие Святого Духа на апостолов

первый вздох человечества Божественным Духом

Св. Феофан Затворник

http://www.stjohndc.org

Сошествие Святого Духа есть первый вздох человечества Божественным Духом. Припомните пророчества Иезекииля о поле, полном костей человеческих (Иез. 37, 1-14). Помните, как по слову его соединялись кости с костями, как они покрывались потом жилами, плотью и кожей,- но духа еще не было в них. И сказано было Иезекиилю: "изреки пророчество духу". И он изрек пророчество,-"и вошел в них дух, и они ожили" (Иез. 37, 9).

Это поле костей есть образ падшего человечества, которое, в удалении от Бога, не имело в себе жизни и не имело духа, как говорит апостол. Но Господь не оставлял его и готовил к оживлению разнообразными промыслительными действиями. Ко времени явления Христа Спасителя оно, можно сказать, совсем было готово принять новую жизнь, походило на труп цельный, в котором кости соединены с костями и покрыты жилами, плотью и кожей, только духа не было в нем. В Евангелии говорится ясно, что время оживления его уже настало; оставалось немногое: не Было Духа Святого,- отчего? - ибо Иисус не был прославлен. Но вот Господь воскрес, вознесся на небеса во славе; Божественный Дух сошел, и человечество ожило, вдохнув Его.

Апостолы, или вся собравшаяся в Сионской горнице Церковь, были только устами, которыми приняло человечество этот первый вздох Духа. Принятый в дыхании воздух обыкновенно проходит в легкие, из большого канала во все более мелкие, пока дойдет до последних пределов. Таким образом, приемники живительного воздуха - легкие, а способ сообщения его живительности есть само дыхание, вдох и выдох. Так и по отношению к Духу Святому: дохнув однажды Божественным Духом, род человеческий дышит Им с тех пор непрестанно.

Легкие, в которых это совершается, есть святая Церковь; каналы в легких - это Божественные таинства ее и другие освятительные действия; колебание груди - это годовое движение всех священнодействий Церкви, например, Великий пост со всем чином своим, потом пятидесятидневные празднества, потом опять пост, и опять светлые дни, и так далее, точь-в-точь - колебание груди. Так дышит Христова Церковь, или все и повсюду верующие христиане. А так как христианство - в человечестве, то все человечество и дышит в нем, хоть и не все причастно животворным действиям этого Божественного дыхания.

Причина этому та, что в одной части человечества повреждены органы дыхания, другая часть не подвергает себя влиянию этого благотворного дыхания. Ибо как для того, чтобы человек имел полное дыхание, необходимо, чтобы каналы его легких не были повреждены и засорены, так и для того, чтобы Божественный Дух оказывал Свое полное действие, необходимо, чтобы органы, Им Самим учрежденные для сообщения Себя, были целы, то есть чтобы все Божественные таинства и священнодействия сохранялись в том виде, как они установлены святыми апостолами, по внушению Духа Божия. Где учреждения эти повреждены, там дыхание Божественным Духом не полно и, следовательно, не имеет полного действия. ...Однако не будем обольщать себя тем, что мы обладаем здоровыми орудиями дыхания Божественным Духом, то есть истинными священными таинствами и настоящим устроением Церкви. Без дыхания Божественным Духом нет жизни. Церковь дышит этим Духом; и все мы должны дышать Им. Уста, которыми приемлется Божественный Дух, или отверзается сердце для принятия Его, есть живая вера. Соприкосновение с Ним есть участие в таинствах и священнодействиях по уставу святой Церкви; усвоение Его есть действия по Его внушению, выражаемому в требованиях совести и в заповедях евангельских. Кто живет так, тот дышит Духом и оживляется Им. Верное же свидетельство одухотворения есть молитва, которую справедливо называют дыханием Духа. Кто хорошо, собранно и тепло молится в церкви и дома, тот дышит Духом.

"Агнца Божия проповедавше, и закланы бывше якоже агнцы..."

Отрывка из Звезды Востока: Памяти мучеников Боксерского,

Марк Маркиш

(http://www.orthodox.cn/localchurch/stars/index.html).

Июнь 1900 года, когда боксеры заливали христианской кровью захваченный ими Пекин, дал китайской земле первых православных мучеников.

"Из 1000 человек православной паствы Русская Духовная миссия потеряла 300 человек; некоторые из них отреклись от Православия, но другие, в числе 222, явились святыми исповедниками и мучениками за веру Христову"^.

Приведем описания подвига некоторых из них со слов тогдашняго Начальника Духовной миссии архимандрита, впоследствии митрополита Иннокетия, и архимандрита Авраамия:

"Главным днем мученической смерти православных китайцев в Пекине было 11 июня 1900 г. Еще накануне по всем улицам были расклеены прокламации, призывавшие язычников к избиению христиан и угрожавшие смертью каждому, кто осмелится их укрывать. В ночь с 11 на 12 июня боксеры с горящими факелами, появившись во всех частях Пекина, нападали на христианские жилища, хватали несчастных христиан и истязали их, заставляя отречься от Христа. Многие, в ужасе перед истязаниями и смертью, отрекались от православия, чтобы спасти свою жизнь, и воскуряли фимиам перед идолами. Но другие, не страшась мучений, мужественно исповедывали Христа. Страшна была их участь. Им распарывали животы, отрубали голова, сжигали в жилищах. Розыски и истребление христиан продолжались и все последующие дни возстания. По истреблении жилищ христиан, их самих выводили за городские ворота в языческие кумирни боксеров, где производили им допрос и сжигали на кострах. По свидетельству самих язычников-очевидцев, некоторые из православных китайцев встречали смерть с изумительным смоотвержением. Православный катехизатор Павел Ван (нужно отметить, что как русская, так и английская транскрипция китайских имен далека от единообразия, и имена китайских новомучеников иногда встречаются в совершенно непохожем виде) умер мученически с молитвой на устах. Учительница миссийской школы Ия Вэн была мучима дважды. В первый раз боксеры изрубили ее и полуживую забросали землей. Когда она очнулась, ее стоны услышал сторож (язычник) и перенес ее в свою будку. Но через несколько времени боксеры вновь схватили ее и на этот раз замучили до смерти. В обоих случаях Ия Вэн радостно исповедала Христа перед своими мучителями... Среди пострадавших за Иисуса Христа были албазинцы, потомки тех славных албазинцев, которые понесли свет Христовой Православной веры в 1685 г. в столицу Китая -- Пекин... За преданность св. Православию Господь наградил их потомков славою исповедничества и мученичества. Албазинцы Климент Куй Лин, Матфей Хай Цюань, брат его Витт, Анна Жуй, и многие другие, не боясь убивающих тело, души же не могущих убить (Мф. 10:28), без страха встретили мучения и смерть за Спасителя мира, моля Бога о просвещении гонителей и о прощении им грехов... Среди мучеников и исповедников Христовых из китайцев особо славен священник Митрофан Цзи-Чун со всею своею семьею. Он родился в 1855 г. и 25 лет от роду принял посвящение в сан от рук Японского Епископа Николая... Митрофан был человек смирного характера, очень осторожный и молчаливый, миролюбивый и незадорный; когда случалась хотя бы и очень тяжелая обида, он не старался оправдывать себя. Он не хотел принимать священного сана и постоянно отказывался, говоря: "Малоспособный и малодобродетельный человек как осмелится принять этот великий сан?" Но, понуждаемый архимандритом Флавианом и убеждаемый учителем, повиновался, хотя и знал, что с принятием священства конец его не будет благоприятен. При арх. Флавиане свящ. Митрофан был ему помощником в переводе и проверке книг (речь идет о переводах богослужебных книг на китайский язык, выполнявшихся членами Русской Духовной Миссии; вместе с церквами боксеры сожгли и типографию, уничтожили шрифты и наборные доски). В продолжении пятнадцати лет он неутомимо служил Богу, терпя и от своих, и от внешних мнго обид и оскорблений, и наконец впал в тихое помешательство. После этого он более трех лет жил вне ограды Миссии, получая половину прежняго жалования. Во всю свою жизнь свящ. Митрофан не был любостяжательным, а многие злоупотребляли этим. В 1900 г. 1 июня (по китайскому календарю 17-го числа 5-го месяца) вечером здания Миссии были сожжены боксерами. Многие христиане, укрываясь от опасности, собрались в доме священника Митрофана. Среди собравшихся были и прежние недоброжелатели о. Митрофана, но он не гнал их. Видя, что некоторые малодушествуют, он укреплял их, говоря, что наступило время бедствий, и трудно избежать их. Сам он по нескольку раз в день ходил смотреть на сожженную церковь. 10-го июня вечером, часу в десятом, солдаты и боксеры окружили жилище о. Митрофана. В это время там было человек до семидесяти христиан; более сильные из них убежали, а о. Митрофан и многие другие, преимущественно женщины и дети, остались и были замучены. О. Митрофан сидел на дворе перед домом; боксеры искололи ему грудь, как соты, и он упал под финиковым деревом. Соседи оттащили его тело на место, где была богадельня Миссии. Потом о. иеромонах Авраамий подобрал тело о. Митрофана, и в 1903 г., когда в первый раз совершался праздник в честь мучеников, оно вместе с другими положено было в храме мучеников под алтарем. На месте, где был замучен о. Митрофан, теперь (1920-е г.г.) поставлен крест, и в праздник мучеников туда заходит крестный ход и там совершается поминовение. В семействе о. Митрофана были жена Татьяна из фамилии Ли, и три сына: старший Исаия, второй Сергей -- теперь он протоиерей, и третий Иван. 10 июня вечером Татьяна спаслась от боксеров при помощи невесты своего сына Исаии, но на другой день, 11 числа утром, и вместе с другими, всего 19 человек... казнена была через отсечение головы на месте, где теперь "Треугольник" -- богадельня для нищих. Исаия, 23 лет, служил в артиллерии. 7 июня боксеры казнили его через отсечение головы на большой улице около ворот Пин-цэ-мынь, так как раньше известно было, что он христианин. Мария, 19 лет, невеста Исаии, за два дня до боксерского погрома пришла в дом о. Митрофана, желая умереть в семъе своего жениха... Сергей, сын о. Митрофана, трижды пытался убедить ее скрыться, но она отвечала: "Я родилась около церкви Пресвятой Богородицы, здесь и умру", и осталась на месте, где была церковь. Вскоре пришли туда солдаты и боксеры, и она мученически скончалась, почитая смерть отшествием в место блаженного упокоения. Ивану было тогда 8 лет. 10 июня вечером, когда убили его отца, боксеры разрубили ему плечи и отрубили пальцы на ногах; нос и уши были отрезаны. Невесте брата его Исаии удалось спасти его от смерти, и она спрятала его в отхожем месте. На вопрос людей, больно ли ему, он отвечал, что страдать за Христа не больно. Мальчишки издевались над ним... Иван просил у соседей воды, но они не только не дали ему, но и прогнали. Протасий Чан и Иродион Сюй, тогда еще не крещеные, свидетельствуют, что они видели этого мальчика с израненными плечами и ногами; раны были в вершок глубины, но он не чувствовал боли и, будучи опять взят боксерами, не обнаруживал страха и спокойно шел. Один старик выражал о нем сожаление, говоря: "Чем виноват мальчик? вина родителей, что он стал дьявольским последователем". Другие поднимали его на смех и поносили, или просто бросали на него презрительные усмешки. Так он был веден, как агнец на заклание"

Announcements

Thank you to the following florists for donations of Rose Petals for Pascha!

In Bloom, 1912 E. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton TX
Shaw Florist, 2710 N. Josey Ln, Carrollton TX
C's Florist, 3108 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton TX

Congratulations to our parishioners with recent or upcoming name days!

Olena Dudar, Elona Hurt, Elena Mishenev, Elena Witte - May 21 / June 4
Dmitri (Jeff) Smith - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Alexandra (Estrella) Smith - July 4 / 18
Kyriake Izotova - July 7 / 21

Fr. Seraphim asks that everyone would try to read each week's scripture readings, according to the church calendar. These readings are sent on a weekly email, along with services and fasting rules. They are also available online in various places.
One way to support and serve one another is to assist in the preparation of our common meal (Trapeza) after Liturgy. Each team of families prepares the meal one time per month. To join a team, please contact Matushka Marina.
Please use our bookstore. We have books, icons, CD's, Pascha and Nativity cards, souveniers and other items. To make a purchase, please put the following into the donation box, together with the payment: the item name and the dollar ($) amount of the payment. There are pads for your use for this purpose in the bookstore.
We also have a library of books and CDs for your use. When you borrow from the library, please write the name of the book or CD on the clipboard, and return the items within four weeks. If you have materials to donate to the library, please speak to Natalia Hawthorne.
The sisterhood is always open to new members! To join, please speak to Raisa Dudar.
We welcome new choir members! To join, please speak to Genevieve (Jenny) Park.
Donations of olive oil are needed.

Regular Service Schedule
Wednesday	6:30 PM	Vespers Followed by a discussion about the spiritual/dogmatic content of various prayers in the church services.
Thursday	Time Varies	Divine Liturgy
Saturday	4:00 PM 5:00 PM After Vigil	Confession Vigil (Vespers, Matins, the First Hour) Confession Earlier confessions or confessions on other days by appt.
Sunday	9AM-10AM 9:40 AM 10:00 AM 12 Noon 12:30 PM	Confession (please call before the night before if possible) Hours Divine Liturgy Trapeza (public meal for EVERYONE) Church School following on most Sundays.

Русская Православная Церковь

Святителя Николая

Записка о финансовом обязательстве

в поддержку строительного фонда храма

"Создателей, благотворителей, братию святаго храма сего...да помянет Господь Бог во Царствии Своем, всегда, ныне и присно, и во веки веков."

Имя (Имена): _____________________

Сумма пожертвования: ________________

(обведите нужное слово)

Ежемесячно Еженедельно

2008-06-16T14:05:00.001-05:00

Redeeming the Time

St Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, TX

Rector: Priest Seraphim Holland 972-529-2754 cell:972 658-5433 seraphim@orthodox.net

St Nicholas Web Site: http://www.orthodox.net

Redeeming the Time BLOG: http://stnicholasdallas.blogspot.com

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.(Eph. 5:16)

Pentecost 2008

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. . . .Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them . . .this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: . . . This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. . . . Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. . . . Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2).

A Word from the Rector

Dear brothers and sisters, congratulations and greetings on the radiant feast of Pentecost! As we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's Apostles, and the beginning of the Church's activity in the world, we give thanks to God for establishing His Church, whereby we have been taught to know and love Him, and brought into union with Him, unto our sanctification and the inheritance of life eternal!

It behooves us at this time to reflect on our own role in the Church's mission in the world. Whether by preaching, singing, giving generously financially. cooking, cleaning, or simply showing up and praying, each of us has a role to play in our community that is the Church, the Body of Christ.

Your parish needs your participation and commitment at this critical time more than at any other time in our history. Whether by increasing our financial gifts, helping to find donors, maintaining the land, planting the lavender memorial garden or working on public relations, along with increasing our prayer for one another each of us must contribute to this endeavor.

Through God's grace, you have purchased a beautiful plot of land near the historic "Chestnut Square" area of downtown McKinney, TX. McKinney is a rapidly expanding community with a significant Slavic population. There is no Orthodox Church in the area, and it is a fantastic place to establish our community. We are the only Russian Church in the entire Dallas area following the traditional Church calendar and holding portions of our services in the Slavonic language. When we have a permanent and beautiful place to worship, our community will grow and become a legacy for your children's children and be part of ministering the gospel to the "fields that are white for harvest" (John 4:35)

Plans for phase I of our building project are complete, and we are ready to begin construction of a 1700 square foot chapel & parish hall NOW. Phase II will include the building of a 2600 square foot temple on the same property. I plan for this to occur within 10 years.

You are the founders of this temple, are commemorated in every service, and always will be. With this blessing comes a great responsibility. I am asking you to step out in faith, and commit in writing what you are willing to give to on a monthly basis. We need pledges in writing because the bank which is processing our loan has asked for written information about our projected income. They would look most favorably upon us if we presented them with written promises showing a sharp increase in our income.

We need an increase of at least $500 monthly to honor our building commitments. I have pledged to contribute 20% of this total, and give $100.00 above our family's 10% tithe. I will talk to each of you and present you with a confidential pledge card.

I am asking you to prayerfully consider: Should I do more? Can I do more? As you ponder this, I wish to remind you of something I have been saying for many years, and, if I were to have anything inscibed on my tombstone, this would likely be it, because it sums up most of my pastoral philosophy: "Always do what you can do, so that you will be able in time to do what you cannot". This principle applies to everything in our life, and our Lord has taught it: "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Mat 25:21)

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles – mankind draws its first breath of the Spirit of God

by Saint Theophan the Recluse

from http://www.stjohndc.org

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles was mankind’s first inspiration of breath from the Spirit of God. Remember Ezekiel’s prophecy about the valley full of human bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Remember how, by his word, bone joined to bone, how the bones were then covered with sinews, flesh and skin, but how they as yet had no breath in them. And Ezekiel “prophesied unto the wind.” He prophesied, “and the breath came into them, and they lived” (Ezekiel 37:9-10).

That valley full of bones is fallen mankind, which, estranged from God, did not have life in it. As the prophet said, it did not have breath in it. However, the Lord did not abandon [mankind]. Through a variety of providential actions, He prepared it for life. By the time Our Lord and Savior had appeared, mankind could be described as completely prepared for new life; it resembled a solid body, with bone upon bone, covered with sinew and skin, lacking only breath. The Holy Gospels clearly state that little more was needed, and that the time for it to quicken had arrived. Why was the Holy Spirit yet lacking? Because Jesus had not yet been glorified. But then the Lord was Resurrected and Ascended in glory to Heaven. The Spirit of God descended, and, drawing It in, mankind came alive.

The Apostles, all the Church gathered together in the Upper Room on Mt. Zion, were the lips through which mankind drew its first breath of the Spirit. In ordinary respiration, air is inhaled into the lungs. It passes through a large channel to progressively narrower ones until it has spread throughout. The lungs receive the life-giving air, and the process of respiration, inhaling and exhaling, is the actual means by which its life-giving power is distributed. So it is with the Holy Spirit. Once mankind has inhaled the Spirit of God, it continues to breathe with it.

The Holy Church is the set of lungs where this takes place. The Holy Mysteries of God and other actions of sanctification comprise the channel into the lungs. The rhythmic movement of the chest is the annual rhythm of all of the church’s liturgical actions, e.g. Great Lent and its attendant rites, followed by the celebrations of the Pentecostarion, followed once again by the fast, and then festal days, and so on, just like the rhythmic movement of the chest. The Church of Christ, the Christian faithful - wherever they might be – thus breathe. Because Christianity exists within mankind, all of mankind draws breath from It, but not everyone communes of the quickening action of that Divine Breath. This is because one part of mankind has damaged organs of respiration, while another does not submit itself to the benevolent influence of this respiration.

Full inspiration requires that the pathways in the lungs be neither damaged nor clogged. Likewise, for the Spirit of God to have Its full effect upon man, the organs He Himself had ordered to communicate Himself must be whole. That is to say, all of the Divine Mysteries and liturgical functions, as established by the Holy Apostles under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, must be preserved intact. Where they have been damaged, the breathing of the Spirit of God is incomplete, and, it follows, does not impart Its full effect. ...At the same time, let us not exalt ourselves, asserting that we possess the healthy means to breathe with the Spirit of God, true Holy Mysteries and the real structure and organization of the Church. Wherever we do not breathe the Spirit of God, there is no life. The Church breathes with this Spirit, and we must as well. The lips through which the Divine Spirit is received, the heart that opens to receive It, is living faith. Participation in the Mysteries and liturgical actions according to the order of the Holy Church brings one into contact with It. To make It one’s own, one must act upon Its inspiration expressed in the demands of conscience and the Commandments of the Gospel. One who follows that way of life breathes with the Spirit and is enlivened by It. True evidence of spirituality is prayer, that which is justly called the breathing of the Spirit. One who prays well, in a collected manner and fervently, both in church and at home, breathes with the Spirit.

"Preaching the Lamb of God, ye were also slain as lambs..."

On June 11, we celebrate the memory of the New Martyrs of China, slain during the Boxer rebellion. In their honor, we present an excerpt from Stars of the Orient: In Memory of the New Martyrs of China, by Mark Markish (from http://www.orthodox.cn/localchurch/stars/index.html).

The month of June of 1900, when Boxers were soaking Beijing in Christian blood, gave China her first Orthodox martyrs.

"Of the 1,000 flock of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission about 300 have been lost. A few of them renounced the Faith, but most, numbered 222, became holy confessors and martyrs for Christ."

Archimandrite Innocent, then Chief of the Mission, later Metropolitan, and Archimandrite Abraham, testify of their martyrdom in the following words:

"The day of reckoning for most Orthodox Chinese was June 11, 1900. On the eve of that day leaflets were posted in the streets, calling for the massacre of the Christians and threatening anyone who would dare to shelter them with certain death. In the middle of the night gangs of Boxers with flaming torches spread over Beijing, attacking Christian houses, seizing Christians and forcing them to deny Christ. Some, terrified by torture and death, indeed renounced the Faith in exchange for life and burned incense before idols. Others, undaunted, confessed Christ. Their fate was horrible. They were ripped open, beheaded, burned alive. After that day search for Christians and killings continued: Christian houses were destroyed, people brought out of town to where Boxers' temples were set up, interrogated and burned at the stake.

"As even the non-Christian bystanders would admit, Orthodox Chinese faced their death with astounding courage. Orthodox catechist Paul Wang died with a prayer on his lips. Ia Wang, a Mission school teacher, suffered martyrdom twice. First time the Boxers slashed her with swords and buried half- dead. An attendant, non-Christian, heard her groaning and carried her to his cabin. There Boxer seized her again, and this time they tortured her to death. In either instance Ia Wang fervently confessed Christ in the face of her tormentors.

"Among those who died for Christ were Albazinians whose ancestors first carried the light of holy Orthodoxy to Beijing in 1685. Their faith has now been crowned with the glory of martyrdom conferred upon their descendants. Albazinians Clement Kui Lin, Matthew Chai Tsuang, his brother Witt, Anna Chui, any many more, fearless of those who kill the body but cannot harm the soul (Matt. 10:28) met agony and death with courage, praying the Savior for their tormentors.

"Of all Chinese Orthodox martyrs, the most famous are priest Mitrophan Tsi-Chung and his family. He was born in 1855, and at the age of 25 was baptized by Bishop [St.] Nicholas of Japan. Mitrophan was a low-profile kind of a man, shy and reticent, peaceful and humble; even in case of a grave insult he would never seek to justify himself. He was unwilling to become a priest, saying: A man of poor talent and little virtue, how dare I accept this great rank? Encouraged by Archimandrite Flavian and the teacher, he finally consented, yet knowing that priesthood will never bring him happiness. He served under Archimandrite Flavian, helping with translation and proofreading of liturgical books [along with the churches, Boxers burned down the print shop and destroyed all plates and types]. For fifteen years he served God tirelessly, suffering much pain and contempt from everyone near and far, and finally was struck with a mental illness. After that he settled outside of the Mission, receiving half of his former salary as a pension. Throughout his life Fr. Mitrophan was always generous, and many took advantage of him.

"On June 1, 1900 (the 17th day of the 5th month, according to the Chinese calendar), in the evening Boxers set the Mission ablaze. A number of Christians, seeking shelter, gathered in the house of Fr. Mitrophan. Among them were those who had done him much harm in the past, but he didn't mind. Seeing that some were falling in despair, he tried to encourage them, saying that the time of tribulations has come, and it is hard to avoid them. Several times a day he would go out to look at the cinders at the church site. On June 10, at about 10 PM, soldiers and Boxers surrounded his house. There was about 70 people inside; some stronger ones ran away, and those who remained, Fr. Mitrophan and many others, mostly women and children, were all martyred. He was sitting in the front yard; Boxers stabbed his chest like a beehive, and he fell under the date tree.

"Neighbors dragged his body to the site of the Mission's hospice. Fr. heiromonk Abraham found it later, and in 1903, when the Feast of the New Martyrs was first celebrated, it was placed with other bodies in the church of the Martyrs under the Altar. Today (1920es) there is a Cross standing where he was killed; on the Martyr's Feast a procession goes there for the memorial service.

"Fr. Mitrophan had a wife Tatiana, born Li, and three sons: Isaiah, the oldest, Serge, who is now an Archpriest, and John. On the 10th of June in the evening Tatiana escaped the Boxers with the help of her son's bride, but on the next morning she was beheaded among others on the place where now is the hospice for the poor. Isaiah was 23, and he served in the military. He was beheaded on June 7, on the main street near the Ping-tse-Min gates, since it had been known that he was a Christian. His bride Mary, 19, two days before the massacre came to Fr. Mitrophan, willing to die in the house of her bridegroom. Three times tried Isaiah's brother Serge to convince her to leave and hide, but she refused, saying: I was born near the church of the Mother of God, and I will die right here. When the soldiers and Boxers overtook the place, she found her rest in the horrible death.

"John was 8. On June 10, when his father was killed, Boxers slashed his shoulders and chopped off his nose, ears and toes. Isaiah's bride helped him escape death by hiding in the outhouse. When people asked him if it hurt, he answered that it does not hurt to suffer for Christ. Children were mocking him... John asked the neighbors to drink, but they didn't give him and drove him off. Protasios Chang and Irodion Tsui, who had not yet been baptized at that time, testify that they saw John with wounds shoulders and legs: wounds were deeper than an inch, but he didn't seem to feel pain and, taken again by the Boxers, showed no fear and walked steadily. An old man protested, saying: What is the boy's fault? Blame the parents for his becoming a devil's disciple. Others jeered at him, scoffed him, or simply grinned with derision. Thus he was led away, as a lamb to the sacrifice."

Announcements

Thank you to the following florists for donations of Rose Petals for Pascha!

In Bloom, 1912 E. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton TX
Shaw Florist, 2710 N. Josey Ln, Carrollton TX
C's Florist, 3108 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton TX

Congratulations to our parishioners with recent or upcoming name days!

Olena Dudar, Elona Hurt, Elena Mishenev, Elena Witte - May 21 / June 4
Dmitri (Jeff) Smith - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
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Kyriake Izotova - July 7 / 21

Fr. Seraphim asks that everyone would try to read each week's scripture readings, according to the church calendar. These readings are sent on a weekly email, along with services and fasting rules. They are also available online in various places.
One way to support and serve one another is to assist in the preparation of our common meal (Trapeza) after Liturgy. Each team of families prepares the meal one time per month. To join a team, please contact Matushka Marina.
Please use our bookstore. We have books, icons, CD's, Pascha and Nativity cards, souveniers and other items. To make a purchase, please put the following into the donation box, together with the payment: the item name and the dollar ($) amount of the payment. There are pads for your use for this purpose in the bookstore.
We also have a library of books and CDs for your use. When you borrow from the library, please write the name of the book or CD on the clipboard, and return the items within four weeks. If you have materials to donate to the library, please speak to Natalia Hawthorne.
The sisterhood is always open to new members! To join, please speak to Raisa Dudar.
We welcome new choir members! To join, please speak to Genevieve (Jenny) Park.
Donations of olive oil are needed.

Regular Service Schedule
Wednesday	6:30 PM	Vespers Followed by a discussion about the spiritual/dogmatic content of various prayers in the church services.
Thursday	Time Varies	Divine Liturgy
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Pentecost 2008 - If any man thirst... 3 Important things

2008-06-15T18:09:00.000-05:00

LISTEN NOW

John 7:37-52; 8:12
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. 44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. 47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. 50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? 52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

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Pentecost - Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water

2008-06-13T17:23:00.001-05:00

From http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pentecost-sunday-00_2004.doc

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

“He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water”. So our Lord said on a feast of Pentecost-- before the feast of Pentecost that we celebrate-- during His earthly ministry when He promised the Spirit; because the living water is the Spirit. Now what a wonderful image this is: Out of his belly shall flow forth rivers of living water.

Now what is the belly for, what does the belly signify? There’s a place where it says their god is their belly. The belly can be about corruption, selfishness, death, indulgence; the belly is about the earth. The belly commands that we eat every day. Sometimes the belly commands that we eat too much. It makes us tired, unwilling to pray, unwilling to work. The belly is one of the least honored members of the body. Certainly, couldn’t there be a better place for the waters to flow? What about from the head, from the eyes, from the hands? The Lord said from his belly shall flow forth rivers of living water. Why is this? The Lord Jesus Christ came to make it possible for us to be incorrupt. The belly, certainly, is the sign of corruption, the sign of our being rooted to the earth. He can clean up everything.

When he sent His Holy Spirit upon mankind it was so that the things of Christ would be revealed to those who would be willing to listen, and they would become completely alive. Everything would be cleaned; just as water that is rushing, cleans and freshens everything. So that even those parts of us which are dirty, even those parts of us which resist becoming perfected, the Lord will indeed perfect. Water can not be held back when it is in a torrent; everything in its path is pushed out of the way. So it is with the Holy Spirit. But there is a difference: when a flood comes upon us it’s not of our own will that the water comes, and the water destroys things that are precious to us. But the flood of the Holy Spirit comes only if we desire it. If, of our will, we desire to follow the things of God, then indeed the torrent will come. The torrent will flow and never end. Anything that is ungodly that is in our way of the keeping of the commandments will be scoured away, will be pushed away, and the water will flow eternally-- out of our belly, out of every part of us.

Now, the Pharisees’ captains-- the soldiers who were attending to their dirty work-- certainly spoke correctly: never had any man spoken as this man; never has any man done as this man. He lived the life of perfection in the body, and made us capable, and He promised that He would make us capable. And the Holy Spirit enables us to realize the power of the Resurrection, to become eternally fresh and new, to become perfected, even out of our belly.

Now, the Holy Spirit is also fire. Not just water, but also fire; Now these are two things that in Nature do not exist together—one destroys the other. But according to God, these things can coexist. Fire burns away that which is trash, that which is unclean. Fire purifies. Fire softens. Fire warms. And we need the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn away impurity in our soul, and we need the warmth of the Holy Spirit to encourage us. He is called Comforter—He comforts with fire; He comforts by warming our hearts, by giving us that sure and certain hope that indeed we can be changed. And He is water, eternally giving us life, refreshment, invigorating us; a spring that never, ever ends. A drought will never come upon he who has the Spirit; fire and water in the soul of a Christian, each doing their part, each from the same Spirit.

The Holy Spirit abides in a Christian. Until the promise was given, the Holy Spirit did not live in men; all the things that were accomplished were accomplished by the Spirit outside. Even the prophets who spoke by the Spirit: the Spirit did not live in them. He inspired them, and they were still unable to accomplish perfection. But now the Comforter is given to us, and we can become perfected. Anything that’s impure, anything that’s temporal can all be changed-- can become perfected, can become clean, can become light, life. Today when we celebrate the fulfillment of the Resurrection in man the Lord has given us everything now we need.

He lived on the earth and showed us the way of life that is perfect; the way of life that leads to eternal life, to true happiness, no other kind of happiness is possible. Only by following the will of God can we truly be happy. He showed us this. He showed us the way to live, of having priorities, to follow the commandments. But showing this would not do us any good, unless He also made us capable of doing what He shows us, because we weren’t capable of following His examples; we’re strangers and aliens as the apostle said, far from God, unable to follow the commandments, not completely, not so that we could have rivers of living water in our belly springing out; not so that we could be completely perfected, have nothing ever that is corruptible in us. So He died, and resurrected Himself so that our bodies can be resurrected, can defeat corruption.

But even this is not enough. How many people live in the Resurrection? We still see sin, suffering, unbelief, sadness in the world. The Resurrection is for all men, but not all men are able to apprehend it, to clasp it to their bosom. We need a Comforter, a Guide, a Helper; that is the Holy Spirit. He is given so that we can live in the Resurrection; so we can apply the lessons the Lord has given us-- and continues to give us on a moment by moment basis-- of how to live, how to think, how to be, how to feel. All these lessons can be applied because the Comforter tells us in groanings that can not be uttered. Most of what the Holy Spirit does for us we do not see, or feel, or even know, but he does enlighten, and He does change, and He does make alive, Without the Holy Spirit, the Resurrection would only be a painting on the wall inaccessible to us, beautiful to be sure, but not something that belongs to us. The Holy Spirit makes it belong to us, because we can be changed. We don’t have to live with incorruption.

Out of our belly shall flow forth rivers of living water, because our Lord showed us how to live. He made us capable of living, and gave us a Guide to show us, continually, how to live and to strengthen us. May the fire and the water of the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten and help all of us, and make us incorrupt forever. Amen.

Pentecost. Do you hear the sound?

2008-06-13T17:18:00.000-05:00

From http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pentecost-sunday-00_2000.html
Other homilies about Pentecost are also at http://www.orthodox.net/sermons

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I greet you today on the Holy Day of Pentecost. And on this day, we hear, "As many as have been baptized in to Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia." [1] And we also hear today, "Their sound hath gone forth into all the world." [2]

What is this sound? The sound is of the rushing wind, the mighty wind. But even in the midst of this sound there are people who are deaf, like the adder that stoppeth up his ears [3], because the Pharisees heard the same sound. The Pharisees saw Christ, saw his miracles, and they didn't believe. They heard -- they heard well -- and they did not believe.

Whether or not there are triflers who cannot believe the bare truth, and sing "Alleluia" [4], the sound is throughout all the world, there is no doubt about that. The apostles have spread, and their apostles, and their apostles, and even now to this time, such a lowly one as myself, being of their line -- not an apostle, but a priest. And the word is still being spread, and you have the option to listen or not to listen.

The Good News is not only that Christ has made our flesh able to live by His Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection of His own power, making flesh capable of obtaining God. Not only that news, but the good news today is that the Holy Spirit will help us. He is called the Comforter [5]. The Holy Spirit searches out the things of God, the deep things of God, things that we cannot even utter, things that we cannot even think, but which motivate us and can change us. He searches out those things, and He gives them to us.

He would to give them to everyone, but everyone will not hear. Christ also said in another context, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" [6] The Holy Spirit enlightens a man when he wishes to be enlightened. The Holy Spirit fills a man when he empties out of himself that which fills him which is impure and corrupt. But again, I say that the good news is that the Holy Spirit helps us even in emptying ourselves. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live. Without the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to actualize the Resurrection in our life ; we would not have the ability.

Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit speaks incessantly, eternally of Christ. He reveals to us the things of Christ. [7] He doesn't speak of Himself; He speaks of Christ. And Christ occasionally, as well as speaking of His Father and of Himself, will tell us, in a dark way, about the Holy Spirit. Because I tell you, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, which is pivotal in the Christian faith, is a dark thing. It is not something which is talked about in extreme exactitude. The Holy Spirit enlightens a man like the wind blows [8]. We don't know how the wind blows, we don't know where it's going to, we don't know where it's coming from. But it brings life to the earth. Somehow, the wind brings water to the earth. We don't know how. We might know something of the science, but we don't know exactly how. The same thing is true about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit blows through the church, and enlightens those who will stop, and stand in the wind, and desire to change.

Christ said, " He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.." [9] We should take pause sometimes to meditate on the indescribable beauty of the scriptures. "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." What a beautiful image this is -- but not just an image, because out of his belly shall flow the grace of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will enliven a man, and just as water flows down the mountain and cannot be stopped, and enriches and enlivens everything, so the Holy Spirit will flow through a man and will never stop, will well up, and up, and never be extinguished, and will enlighten not only this man, but all those who are around him, if he lives in the Spirit.

And what is this, "in the Spirit"? We talk about living in the Spirit; what is this? It is nothing less than hearing the will of God, the word of God, the law of God, and doing it. Being obedient to the teachings of the All-Holy Trinity; living according to who God is. That's being in the Spirit. And I tell you, if you live in that way, then you will be enlightened by the Spirit, in things great and small. And you will not be doubting, and God will help you in all things.

But there is an effort involved, an effort involved to allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit. We don't talk today that much about the particulars of the difficulties living the Christian life; that is for other times. Did you notice that in the Acts it just was the event of the apostles speaking in other tongues to everyone that we speak about. We don't really go into yet how the Spirit enlivens a man, but if you read the book of Acts, you will see. And if you read the Epistles, you will see. And if you read the Gospels, you will see. And if you come to the services and listen to the beauty of our chant, you will see. God will be there. You will feel and know Him. "Out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water." You won't be corrupt anymore; you will be alive. The purpose of our life is to know God. Because to know God is to become like Him, because it cannot be otherwise, because he who loves becomes like the one he loves. It always is this way.

Now we have desire. Maybe it's a small desire, maybe it's a large desire, maybe, in some cases, it is only a desire to have the desire ! Regardless, if we have some desire somewhere, God will help us to become like Him. The purpose of our life. There's nothing else that's important. And today we celebrate that God has given us a great gift, so that we can do these things we desire. The Holy Spirit is that great gift. May we be worthy of such a great gift. Amen.

[1] During the Divine Liturgy, instead of the usual Trisagion Hymn ("Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Have mercy on us", we sing "As many have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia"

[2] The prokeimenon for Pentecost and the Holy Apostles chanted and sung before the reading of the Epistle.

[3] (Psa 58:3-4) The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. {4} Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

[4] From the Akathist

[5] (John 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (and other places)

[6] (Mat 23:37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

[7] (John 16:13-15) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. {14} He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. {15} All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.

[8] (John 3:8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

[9] John 7:38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acts 2:1-11 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. {5} And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. {6} Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. {7} And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? {8} And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? {9} Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, {10} Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, {11} Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

And forgive us our debts / И остави нам долги наша

2008-06-13T00:07:00.001-05:00

On forgiveness

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Lk 11:4)

Often when we forgive someone an offense, we continue to harbor in our souls some sort of aversion to the person who offended us. In this case, we should expect the same treatment from the Lord: "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you" (Mt. 7:2), says the Lord. If we excuse ourselves by saying, "I would like to forgive, but I can't," then we are unworthy to approach the Lord with a prayer for our own forgiveness. It is best to leave everything - your prayer, your work - and first be reconciled completely and entirely with everybody, and then turn again to God. Take care that the Lord does not say to you, as to the unmerciful servant: "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?" (Mt 18:32-33). We will be forgiven to the extent that we forgive.

Only the power of the Lord's Cross can deliver us from the remembrance of wrongs and give us the ability to forgive as the Lord forgives us. "God in Christ reconciled the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:19). "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn 1:9).

In the early days of the Church, two friends lived in Antioch: a priest, Sapricius, and a layman, Nicephorus. For some reason that began to argue, and stopped speaking to one another. Meanwhile, a persecution of Christians began, and Sapricius was seized and offered the choice of sacrificing to idols or being condemned to death. Sapricius chose the latter, and the led him to his death. Nicephorus, who had sought reconciliation once before, hurried to ask forgiveness and be reconciled with the martyr. Meeting him on the way to the place of execution, he fell at his knees and begged, "Martyr of Christ, forgive me". Sapricius did not answer him, and turned away. This was repeated several times. Nicephorus followed him to the place of execution, and once again fervently asked his forgiveness, but Sapricius remained unmoved. And what happened?

At the very last minute, from fear of the punishment, Sapricius denied Christ and agreed to offer sacrifice to the idols. The words of the apostle John were fulfilled in him: "He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (1 Jn 2:11). Nicephorus, on the other hand, fearlessly confessed himself to be a Christian, and received a martyr's crown.

Original russian text, from http://www.pagez.ru/days/index.php?id=month&month=06&day=09:

О прощении
"И прости нам грехи наши, ибо и мы прощаем всякому должнику нашему" (Лк. 11, 4)

Часто, прощая обиды, мы в глубине души питаем все же некоторое отчуждение к обидевшему нас. Но в таком случае мы должны ожидать того же от Господа: "Какою мерой мерите, возмерится и вам" (Мф. 7, 2), - говорит Господь. Если мы думаем при этом про себя: "Я бы хотел простить, но не могу", - мы недостойны приступить к Господу с молитвой о прощении. Лучше оставь все, твою молитву, твой труд, и прежде помирись вполне, всецело со всеми, и тогда обратись снова к Богу. Берегись, чтобы Господь не сказал тебе, как худому рабу: "Злой раб! Весь долг тот Я простил тебе, потому что ты упросил Меня, не надлежало ли и тебе помиловать товарища твоего?" (Мф. 18, 32-33). Нам будет прощено настолько, насколько мы прощаем.

Только Сила Креста Господня может избавить нас от злопамятства и дать нам возможность прощать так же, как нас прощает Господь. "Бог во Христе примирил с Собою мир, не вменяя людям преступлений их, и дал нам слово примирения" (2 Кор. 5, 19). "Если исповедуем грехи наши, то Он, будучи верен и праведен, простит нам грехи наши и очистит нас от всякой неправды" (1 Ин. 1, 9).

В первые времена христианства жили в Антиохии два друга, священник Саприкий и мирянин Никифор. По какому-то случаю они поссорились и перестали видеться. Между тем открылось гонение на христиан, схватили Саприкия и предложили ему принести жертву богам или идти на смертную казнь. Саприкий избрал последнее, и его повлекли на смерть. Никифор, который уже и раньше искал с ним примирения, поспешил проститься с мучеником и, встретив его на пути, пал к ногам его, умоляя: "Мученик Христов, прости меня". Саприкий ничего не отвечал и отвернулся. Это повторилось несколько раз. Никифор последовал за осужденным до места казни и тут еще настоятельно просил у него прощения, но Саприкий оставался непреклонен. И что же?

В самую последнюю минуту, испугавшись казни, Саприкий отрекся от Христа и согласился принести жертву идолам. Исполнились на нем слова апостола Иоанна: "Кто ненавидит брата своего, тот находится во тьме... и не знает, куда идет, потому что тьма ослепила ему глаза" (1 Ин. 2, 11). Никифор же бесстрашно исповедал себя христианином и принял мученический венец.

Our Daily Bread / О хлебе насущном

2008-06-11T15:34:00.003-05:00

On our Daily Bread

"Give us this day our daily bread" (Lk 11:3)

Further in the Lord's prayer we find three petitions about us and our needs. How the Lord cares for the nourishment of His children! He fed His people with "the bread of angels," sending this bread directly from heaven each day. He brought forth water for them from a rock in the wilderness. Christ fed the hungry, healed the sick, and suffered need with us not only spiritually, but also physically. In this petition, he teaches where we ought to first seek help. Turning to other people for help and being offended when they are refused, peopls should instead turn directly and simply to the Giver of everything good.

One very poor woman, when asked where she turned for help, responded: "to God, and to other peopl only through Him alone. The heart is in His power, and He can incline it to pity when He so desires." The further we go in our spiritual life, the more we learn about our complete dependence on the will of God the Father, relying on Him in everything, every minute of our lives, until we learn the truth of the words, "without Me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). "The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body" (1 Cor 6:13).

Even when the Lord refuses us anything, He Himself fills all an hundred times over. His children need not depend on external circumstances, but only on "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Deut 8:3). Even if our earthly bread is sometimes poor, then the Lord may place on it a blessing, may lay in our heart such joy, patience and gratitude, that this poor bread becomes for us rich spiritual food, from which the soul is strengthened through the deprivation of the flesh.

Original Russian text: from http://www.pagez.ru/days/index.php?id=month&month=06&day=08

О хлебе насущном
"Хлеб наш насущный подавай нам на каждый день"
(Лк. 11, 3)

Далее в молитве Господней следуют три прошения, касающиеся человека и его нужд. Как заботится Отец о пропитании Своих детей! Он "ангельским хлебом" питал Свой народ, посылал этот хлеб прямо с неба каждый день. Он из камня извлекал для них воду в пустыне. Христос кормил голодных, исцелял больных, сострадал нуждам не только души, но и тела; Он учит нас и в этом прошении, куда обращаться прежде всего за помощью.
Люди обращаются к людям за помощью и огорчаются, получая отказы, а надо обращаться прямо, просто, к Подателю всех благ.

Одна очень бедная женщина, которую спросили, куда она обращается за помощью, ответила: "К Богу и к людям, только через Него. Сердца в Его власти, и Он их склоняет к жалости, когда хочет". Чем дальше мы подвигаемся в нашей духовной жизни, тем более учимся мы этой полной зависимости от воли Бога Отца, полагаясь на Него во всем, каждую минуту нашей жизни, пока не поймем великую истину этих слов: "Без Меня не можете делать ничего" (Ин. 15, 5). "Тело для Господа, и Господь для тела" (1 Кор. 6, 13).

Когда же Господь отказывает в чем-нибудь, Он Сам восполняет все сторицею. Дети Его ни в чем не зависят от внешних обстоятельств, а зависят лишь от "всякого слова, исходящего из уст Божиих" (Втор. 8, 3). Если и скуден бывает подчас земной хлеб, то Господь может приложить к нему такое благословение, вложить в сердце человека такую радость, терпение и благодарность, что скудный хлеб превратится в Его руках в богатую духовную пищу, от которой при лишениях для тела окрепнет душа.

The Best Portion / Лучшая доля

2008-06-09T23:46:00.001-05:00

Continuing this series of translations of the commentary on the Lord's prayer from the book "Day by day," here is a short article on the third clause - "Thy will be done." The original Russian text can be found at :

По-русски: http://www.pagez.ru/days/index.php?id=month&month=06&day=07

The Best Portion

“Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Lk 11:2).

The best portion for a person on the earth is to do the will of God. Not sometimes, superficially, or unwillingly, but in the manner that it is done in heaven.

The first three petitions of the Lord’s Prayer related directly to the Father: Thy name, Thy Kingdom, and Thy will. Christ is teaching us to put God first, where He belongs, to place things of heaven before things of earth, spiritual things before material things, and things of God before things of man. Christ tears away man’s gaze, chained as it is to his material surroundings, and directs it to the Father and to that which pertains to Him.

We, on the other hand, place ourselves first. Everything else is eclipsed by our own cares, needs, and business and we run with them to God as to the only possible escape from difficult situations in life. He himself, however, has no place in our lives. Because of this, our life is incorrectly led, sinful and aimless. Christ recognizes only one order of things, and proclaims it in this wondrous prayer: “in the beginning, God.”

Only when a person accepts this truth in his heart can he begin to live a genuine Christian life. Seeking first the will of God and fulfilling it as well as he can with the understanding which he has been given, he comes under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of God and begins to recognize and glorify the name of Him, from Whom proceeds all grace and the fulfillment of every need. Balance is then restored to his soul, and he then begins to accept the will of God, no longer with a spirit of reluctant submission, but with energy and with trust in God’s devoted love.

In one school they ask the children, “How is God’s will done in heaven?” Many write answers such as “willingly,” “immediately,” or “joyfully.” The last voice was that of a very small girl, who piously said, “without asking why!” Yes, those who consciously pronounce these three petitions and arrange their life in accordance with them fulfill God’s will with a trust that doesn’t need to ask any questions.

7th Sun of Pascha 2008 - What is heaven? >John 17:1-13

2008-06-09T09:07:00.000-05:00

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John 17:1-13 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

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Don't Waste Time! / Не теряйте время!

2008-06-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

The following short excerpt from the works of Fr. John Krestiankin is directly related to the title of our Journal, "Redeeming the Time."

Don't Waste Time!

Friends, let us wash, let us cleanse ourselves by tears and the confession of our sins while there is time. Let us struggle in our life to acquire the Holy Spirit, Who will open to us the gates of the heavenly mansions. And let us use all of our earthly possessions to obtain heavenly treasures, by giving alms from a merciful and loving heart. Let us use our earthly life to come to know God, to come to know ourselves, and to prepare our eternal inheritance. Let us not waste time.

Russian original, from http://www.pravoslavie.ru/put/080608145048:

Не теряйте время!

Други наши, благовременно омоем, очистим себя слезами и исповеданием грехов своих. Стяжем трудами жизни благодать Святого Духа, открывающую нам врата в небесные обители. И всякое наше земное имение употребим на приобретение небесных сокровищ раздаянием милостыни от милующего и любящего сердца. Употребим земную жизнь нашу на познание Бога, на познание самих себя, на устроение своей вечной участи. Не будем терять времени.

Из слова о памяти смертной
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/put/080608145048

The Lord's Prayer / Молитва Господня

2008-06-06T13:37:00.001-05:00

The Lord's Prayer

translated from the Russian at
По-русски: http://www.pagez.ru/days/index.php?id=month&month=06&day=06

"Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come" (Lk. 11, 2)

Thy name, the name of my Heavenly Father, I will reverence and hallow above every name. If I defile or soil my own name, I can cleanse it in the name of my Father. Do not rejoice in your works, or in your service, or in your power over evil spirits; rather, rejoice "that your names are written in heaven" (Lk 10:20). Christ alone can teach us how to pray. It is only through Him that we have peace with God and "access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:1-2).

Lord, your Name is Truth, Life, Righteousness, Purity, Wisdom, Compassion, Peace, Holiness, Humility, Meekness -- It is everything great, radiant, and good. Let your name be hallowed in my soul, in my heart, in my mind, in my life, and on my lips. Let it be my holy relic, which sanctifies me and by which I sanctify myself! Let it not be blasphemed or defiled by anything, and let it not depart from me!

Thy kingdom come! In this vicious world, where we fight against sin, against the passions, against our very selves - in this world of evil and temptation, where there is so much noise, emptiness, unrighteousness, impurity, and suffering, where evil reigns - in this world we call to God, thirsting for the coming of His Kingdom. We pray that evil be subjugated, that God's righteousness reign, that every tear be removed, that death be no more, that we ourselves may, like the repentant thief, approach His feet and that we may all be united in brotherly love at the Throne of His glory in His Kingdom. O Lord, hear our prayer, and may Thy Kingdom come in our soul, transforming, cleansing and renewing it completely.

Adoption to Sonship

2008-06-06T13:36:00.001-05:00

"Our Father, Who art in the heavens"
(Lk. 11:2)
by St. Theophan the Recluse

From the Russian book, "Day by Day." Translated from the Russian text at
По-русский: http://www.pagez.ru/days/index.php?id=month&month=06&day=05

Our Father! How little we understand what this means! Christ gave us the Father; often during His earthly life He repeated the words: "your Heavenly Father," and he proclaimed the news of this adoption with additional strength just before and after His death. He says to the Father, "You have loved them as you have loved me" (John 17:23). These words should cause us to be gripped with fear: is it really possible that the Father loves us with the same measure of love that he has for his Beloved, Only-Begotten Son? This is what Christ said! Knowing the Father, he asked for him that we be giving this adoption, as the reward for His suffering. Rising from the grave, He proclaimed: "I ascend to my Father, and to your Father" (John 20:17). The adoption which He accomplished was complete.

The Apostle John, fully understanding the great value, the joy, the abundant inheritance of this adoption, proclaims: "Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the children of God" (1 John 3:1)!

This adoption unites all of the faithful. "Our Father"... and in Him we are brothers and sisters of one another. This is relationship is higher, closer, and stronger than any other. We have unlimited access to the Father, and we should bring to Him all of our sorrows and cares. He is an inexhaustible fountain of all good things for those who trust in Him, and in Him all hearts are united, for "There is one God and Father of all, Who is above all, in through all, and in you all" (Eph 4:6).

6th sun of Pascha - The Blind Man - It really is about character too.

2008-06-02T08:25:00.000-05:00

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John 9:1-38And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clayp, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. 13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

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В день Вознесения / On Ascension Day

2008-05-31T22:17:00.003-05:00

On Thursday, we celebrate our Lord's Ascension into Heaven, which is described in Acts 1. I found a wonderful homily online, which describes the meaning of this feast for us and for our salvation. I have attempted a rough translation into English (I welcome corrections), and I hope you find it edifying. We will celebrate the Vigil service for the Ascension at 6:30 on Wednesday evening, and the Divine Liturgy at 9:00 on Thursday morning.

В Четверг, мы праздуем Вознесение Господня, которое описано в Деяние 1. Я нашел в сайте pravoslavie.ru поучительная проповедь об этом празднике, которая обясняет значение для нас и для нашего спасения. Смотрете внизу, после ангийского перевода. У нас будет Всеночная Бдение среда в 18.30 ч, и Божественная Литургия четверг в 9.00 ч.

A Homily on Ascension Day, by the Holy Hierarch Thaddeus Uspenskij

It isn't that Christ didn't wish to remain with the apostles visibly for ever. Rather, the world, which hates Christ, was not able to abide his Christ's continual presence. The world, hating Christ, was able again and again to condemn Him to death. The world was unable to see Christ any longer because of its unrighteousness, for which it would be reproved by the Holy Spirit when He came into the world (Jn 16:8-10).

The sin that man committed introduced the corruption of death and made man's eternal blessedness on earth impossible. The body, having received the seed of corruption, had to decay and die, for corruption doth not inherit incorruption (1 Cor 15:50). Sin itself, being the sting of death and its very source, could not be destroyed without the destruction of the perishable body, as the soul of fallen man had become fleshly and the flesh had become the bearer of sin. Even the earth had, through the sin of man, become the dwelling-place of corruption, tethering the heart of man to itself by means of the passions it incites. Therefore, "the earth also and the works that are therein" must eventually be burned up, melted away, destroyed, so that a new heaven and a new earth might appear, (2 Pet 3:10-13), the dwelling-place of the righteous.

First of all, the soul of man must be removed from earthly attachments, since the beginning of sin is in the soul. The heart, also, must be lifted up to God. Then, when sin is destroyed, then the body also can become incorruptible and spiritual, able to live in heaven.

By His Ascension, Christ prepared a place for man in heaven. He said that His Father has "many mansions," and that it is "better" that he go and prepare a place therefore those who believe in Him and love Him, so that they may be where He is (Jn 14:2-3, 16:7). In order to estrange man from the passions of the earth and to lead him to the mansions above, the Lord endured death, Rose and Ascended into heaven. After the Ascension, His work is continued by the Holy Spirit, Whom He sent into the world, cleansing from sin and granting spiritual life to man. Abiding at first with men in the flesh in order to lead them into communion with God, visibly at first, after the Ascension Christ appears to the disciples only occasionally, also in the body, but now a spiritual body, as if arranging our ascent from visible communion to spiritual. After the Ascension, He leads people into spiritual communion with Himself in the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery of the joy of the holy apostles after the Lord's Ascension. Their sorrow over separation from the Lord turned into the great joy of spiritual communion with Him in the Holy Spirit. Through faith this joy enters the hearts of those who love Christ, as it entered into the hears of the apostles.

Let us glorify Christ, who promised after his Ascension to be with us until the end of the world, who continues to see us, to hear us, to appear to us in various ways, leaving perceptible traces of his invisible presence in our lives, making all new (Rev 21:5).

Слово в день Вознесения. Святитель Фаддей Успенский

Не Христос не хотел пребывать с апостолами видимо во веки, а мир, ненавидящий Христа, не мог вместить пребывания в нем Христа. Мир, ненавидя Христа, мог снова и снова осуждать Его на смерть. Мир не мог долее видеть Христа по причине своей неправды, которую и должен был обличить Дух Святой, пришедший в мир (Ин.16,8-10).

Грех, содеянный человеком, внес тление смерти, сделал невозможным вечное блаженство человека на земле. Тело, восприявшее семя тления, должно было разрушиться, умереть, потому что ''тление не наследует нетление'' (1Кор.15,50). Самый грех, бывший жалом смерти, ее источником, не мог уничтожиться без разрушения тленного тела, т. к. душа падшего человека как бы вся растворилась в плоти и плоть сделалась седалищем греха. И земля через грех человека стала жилищем тления, прилепив к себе сердце человека страстями, ею возбуждаемыми, а потому ''земля и все дела на ней'' должны некогда сгореть, стихии растаять, разрушиться, чтобы явились новое небо и новая земля (2Пет.3,10-13), жилище праведных.

Сначала должен был оторваться от пристрастий земных дух человека, потому что в нем начало греха. Должно было возвыситься к Богу и сердце. Когда же будет уничтожен грех, тогда и тело может стать нетленным и духовным, способным к обитанию на небе.

На небе через Свое Вознесение приготовил место человеку Христос. Говорил Он, что у Отца Его ''обителей много'' и что ''лучше'' Ему пойти и приготовить там место верующим и любящим Его, чтобы и они были там, где Он (Ин.14,2-3;16,7). Для отрешения человека от страстей земных и введения в горние обители претерпел Господь смерть, Воскрес и Вознесся на небо. По Вознесении Его дело спасения человека продолжает совершать Дух Святый, посланный Им в мир, очищающий от греха, дарующий жизнь духовную человеку. Пребывая сначала с людьми во плоти, чтобы ввести их в общение с Богом, начальное, видимое, Христос по Воскресении является ученикам лишь по временам, и в теле, уже одухотворенном, как бы устраивая переход от видимого общения к духовному. По Вознесении же Он вводит людей в духовное общение с Собой во Святом Духе. Вот тайна радости святых апостолов после Вознесения Господа, причина, по которой скорбь разлучения с Господом превратилась в великую радость вечного духовного общения с Ним в Святом Духе. Через веру эта радость входит в сердца любящих Христа, как вошла в сердца апостолов.

Прославим же Христа, обещавшего и по Вознесении пребывать с нами до скончания века, продолжающего нас видеть, слышать, являть себя различным образом, оставляя ощутительные, осязаемые следы своего невидимого пребывания в нашей жизни, творя все новое в ней (Апок.21,5).

http://days.pravoslavie.ru/Life/life6950.htm

Audio talk on: Vespers, An overview of the themes of Vespers, and the Jewish character of Orthodox worship.

2008-05-29T14:26:00.000-05:00

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In this catechetical talk, we give an overview of the themes of Vespers and the "Jewishness" of Orthodox worship.

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