ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.

O most holy Mother of God, O only Lady who art utterly pure in both soul and body, look upon me, abominable and unclean, who have blackened soul and body with the stains of my passionate and gluttonous life. Cleanse my passionate mind; set aright my blind and wandering thoughts and make them incorrupt; bring my senses to order and guide them; free me from my evil and repulsive addiction to unclean prejudices and passions which torment me; grant my clouded and wretched mind the sobriety and discernment to correct my intentions and failings that, freed from the darkness of sin, I might be worthy to boldly glorify and praise thee, O only true Mother of the true Light, Christ our God; for all creation, visible and invisible, blesses and glorifies thee, both with Him and in Him.

-- From A Spiritual Psalter, St Ephraim the Syrian.


Icon Source.
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As many prepare for the Dormition Fast, in honour of the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God, Seraphim writes on MARY.

The Orthodox Church year begins on September 1st and contains 12 Great Feasts. The first Feast of the year is the Birth of Mary (the Theotokos) on September 8th. The final Feast of the Church Year is the death of Mary -- or, the Dormition -- on August 15th.

THEOTOKOS: Theotokos is a compound of two Greek words, θεος "God" and τοκος "parturition, childbirth." Literally, this translates as "God-bearer" or "One who gave birth to God." However, since many English-speaking Orthodox find this literal translation awkward; in liturgical use, "Theotokos" is often retained in Greek or translated as "Mother of God." This last is not precisely synonymous, as it describes a family relationship but not necessarily physical childbearing. Furthermore, "Mother of God" (Greek Μητηρ Θεου) has an established usage of its own in certain hymns, but especially on icons of the Theotokos, in which case it is usually abbreviated as ΜΡ ΘΥ.

Source.

Appellations of the Theotokos.

Ark.
The Theotokos is often called an Ark, for the Glory of God settled on her, just as the Glory of God descended on the Mercy Seat of the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:10-22).

Aaron's Rod.
Just as Aaron's Rod sprouted miraculously in the Old Testament, so too, the Theotokos has budded forth the Flower of Immortality, Christ our God (Num. 17:1-11).

Burning Bush.
On Mt. Sinai, Moses saw the Bush that was burning, but was not consumed. So too, the Theotokos bore the fire of Divinity, but was not consumed (Ex. 3:1-6).

(Golden) Candlestick.
In the Old Testament Tabernacle, there were found in the Sanctuary golden candlesticks. The Theotokos is the Candlestick which held that Light that illumines the world (Ex. 25:31-40).

(Golden) Censer.
Just as the censer holds a burning coal, so too, the Theotokos held the Living Coal. In the Apocalypse, there stands an Angel before the Throne of God, swinging a censer, representing the prayers of the Saints rising up to God. This is also seen as a symbol of the Theotokos, for it is her prayers that find special favor before her Son.

Cloud.
In the Exodus, the Israelites were led out of Egypt by a Cloud of Light, symbolizing the presence of God in their midst. So too, the Theotokos is a Cloud, bearing God within.

Fleece.
In the book of Judges we read the account of the dew which appeared miraculously on Gideon's fleece (Judges 6:36-40). So too, the Dew Christ, appeared miraculously on the Living Fleece the Theotokos.

Holy of Holies.
Into the Holy of Holies only the High Priest could enter. So too, the Theotokos is the Holy of Holies into which only the Eternal High Priest Christ entered (Heb. 9:1-7).

Ladder.
In a dream Jacob saw a ladder ascending to Heaven, with Angels ascending and descending on it. The Theotokos is a Ladder, stretching from earth to Heaven, for on It God descended to man, having become incarnate.

Mountain (from which a Stone was cut not by hand of man).
The Prophet Daniel saw a mountain, from which was cut a stone, not by the hand of man (Dan. 2:34, 45). This is a reference to the miraculous Virgin Birth which was accomplished without the hand of man.

Palace.
The Theotokos was the Palace within which the King Christ our God dwelt.

Pot.
[See Urn]

Stem of Jesse.
In the Nativity Service, the Lord is referred to as the Rod from the Stem of Jesse (Is. 11:1), indicating His lineage from David, which was fulfilled through the Theotokos, who was a scion (or stem) of the line of David, the son of Jesse.

Tabernacle.
The Tabernacle was the place where the Glory of God dwelt. So too, the Glory of God dwelt in the Theotokos the Living Tabernacle (Ex. 40:34).

(Holy) Table.
This refers to the Holy Table (Altar Table) on which, at the Divine Liturgy, the Divine Food is offered. So too, the Theotokos is the Holy Table which bore the Bread of Life.

Temple.
The Prophet Ezekiel speaks of the Temple whose East gate remains sealed, through which only the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered. This clearly prophesies the Virgin Birth of the Theotokos (Ez. 44:1-2).

Throne.
The Theotokos is the Throne upon which Christ, the King of All, rested.

(Golden) Urn.
In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant contained within itself a golden urn filled with the heavenly manna. The Theotokos is the Urn which contained Christ, the Divine Manna (Heb. 9:1-7).

Vine.
The Theotokos is the Vine which bore the Ripe Cluster (of Grapes), Christ our Lord.

Source.

More info here & here.


For a homily by St Gregory Palamas on the Dormition of the Theotokos ...
go H E R E.
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The following originally appeared H E R E (complete with comments, 3/05).

What if we were held accountable for posts & comments within a classroom? All posting members -- bloggers & commentators -- would be required to gather periodically within an academic setting of accountability. We'd have to brush up on particular terms and their definitions in order to: (1) understand the professor's moderation, (2) correct our own errors, and (3) grow, both personally and communally. Here are some examples:

AD HOMINEM: Appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect. Marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.

APPEAL TO IGNORANCE (fallacy): Assuming that because a statement can't be disproved, it must be true.

ARGUMENT: A statement (the conclusion) and one or more additional statements (the premises) offered in support of the conclusion.

BEGGING THE QUESTION: Assuming what one is trying to prove; presenting a version of the conclusion as if it were an additional statement in support of the conclusion.

CAUSAL LAWS: Inevitable patterns in nature, such that when certain events occur ("the cause") certain other events must occur ("the effect").

CONSEQUENTIALIST ETHICAL THEORIES: Those ethical theories which claim that what makes actions right or wrong are their consequences.

DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICAL THEORIES: Those ethical theories which deny that what makes actions right or wrong are their consequences.

DIAKRISIS: Discernment of good and evil, of the divine and the demonic, of what is appropriate to do. Consequently, discretion, the golden mean (via media).

DIATRIBE: A bitter and abusive speech or writing. Ironical or satirical criticism.

DUCKING THE QUESTION: Avoiding answering a question.

FALLACY: A type of erroneous reasoning.

FATALISM: The view that some specified events must occur in a person's life, no matter what that person may choose to do.

FREE WILL: The concept that (at least some) human choices are not governed by causal laws.

FREE WILL DEFENSE (The): Claims that it would be contradictory for God to give people free will and guarantee that they not cause suffering; further,
that free will and suffering is better than no free will and no suffering.

GOSSIP: A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. Rumour or report of an intimate nature. Chatty talk.

HATE: Intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury.

HUBRIS: Exaggerated pride or self-confidence.

HYPERBOLE: Extravagant exaggeration.

LOGICAL IMPLICATION: If statement A logically implies statement B, that means that if A is true, then B must also be true.

LOGICAL INCOMPATIBILITY: Two statements are logically incompatible if the truth of one implies the falsity of the other and vice versa.

MORAL OBJECTIVISM: The view that where there is a moral judgment and its negation, one of those judgments must be false; that there is such a thing as the moral truth.

MORAL SUBJECTIVISM: The view that where there is a moral judgment and its negation, neither judgment need be false; that there is no such a thing as the moral truth.

NORMATIVE ETHICAL: Relating to questions about what is morally good or bad, right or wrong, required or not required.

OXYMORON: A witty statement, all the more pointed because it is presented as a paradox whereby two contradictory terms are used together, as in a
discordant concordance, an eloquent silence, and so forth.

PATHOS: "A disease of the soul." An inner evil disposition, a passion, created in the soul as the result of repeated consent of evil thoughts.

PHILANTHROPY: Spontaneous love for man. Early Christians used the term frequently when speaking of God's "love for mankind."

PHILAUTEIA: Self-love, a spontaneous attachment to oneself. A synonym for one's own will, the single root of all vices, especially in the writings of Maximos the Confessor.

PRINCIPLE OF NONIDENTITY: If the thing referred to by one phrase has characteristics differing from those of the thing referred to by another
phrase, the two phrases do not refer to the same thing.

QUIDNUNC: A person who seeks to know all the latest news or gossip.

SLIPPERY SLOPE FALLACY: Assuming, without specific evidence, that any move in a certain direction will inevitably lead to some terrible extreme.

SOLIPSISM: The view that, with the exception of the belief in one's own mind, one cannot justify any beliefs about the world.

SOUND ARGUMENT: An argument that is valid and has true premises.

UTILITARIANISM: The moral view that only happiness is good in itself and that one ought to promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

VALID ARGUMENT:

DEDUCTIVE: An argument such that if the premises are true, then the conclusion is necessarily true.
INDUCTIVE: An argument such that if the premises are true, then the conclusion is probably true, but not necessarily so.

VERIDICAL: True; genuine; nonillusory.

VIRTUE DEFENSE (The): Claims that it would be contradictory to have virtues and no suffering; further, that virtues and suffering are better than no
virtues and no suffering.

Given my proclivity toward humour, hyperbole, hubris, and worse ... I'd most likely be demoted to the remedial class for hopeless reactionaries.
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Remember the former Priestess who was leaving the Episcopal Church for Orthodoxy?

Here's an explanation ... her own words.

The Episcopal Church is so removed from the Church Fathers that the word “tradition” on revisionists’ lips causes me to shudder. ECUSA’s new gospel is madness, and this same madness is sweeping through the liberal mainline denominations. It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ once delivered to the Church. Many will be fooled by this counterfeit gospel, but in the end falsehood begins to stink like the rotten fruit it is.

HT: Serge
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by Fr Chris Metropulos

A convert to Orthodoxy was approached by a precious Orthodox lady at coffee hour. She commented that his last name on his name tag wasn’t common in the ethnicity of that parish. My friend told her that he wasn’t of that ethnic background. This dear lady got a puzzled look on her face and innocently asked, “Then what are you doing here? Don’t you have your own church to go to?”

Now before you are too harsh with this lady, please understand she was genuinely confused, not malicious. It never dawned on her that someone who did not have an ethnic connection to Orthodoxy would ever want to enter the Orthodox Church. But the truth is that thousands of converts stream into the Church every year, and not just from mixed marriages. American Christians are coming to Orthodoxy for its depth of faith, stability of theology, and beauty of worship. In fact, some of our Orthodox seminaries are filled with converts who have no ethnic connection to the countries that are traditionally Orthodox, and these men are becoming priests in our churches.

Some may see this as a bad thing, but they would be wrong. The truth is that Orthodoxy is doing what it has always done. It is baptizing the country where it finds itself, and in that respect twenty-first century America is no different from fourth-century Greece or tenth-century Russia.

How do we face honestly the inevitable “culture shock” that comes from this infusion of “new faces”? We could fight against it and attempt to keep our churches little more than “foreign embassies” of other countries, but that is a recipe for irrelevance in just a few generations. We could attempt to “fit in” so much in this country that we look just like every other religious group in the nation, but that would mean we would lose the very “distinctives” that make Orthodoxy the original Church founded by the Apostles.

No, there is another way. There is the Orthodox Way, and that is the way of transformation. This way is slower, wiser, and lasting. This way preserves the riches, with which we have been entrusted, the wisdom we have learned through the centuries, the cultural traditions that underpin deep theological truths, and the irreplaceable theology that sets Orthodoxy apart from the spiritual confusion all too often evident in today’s world.

Here are three aspects of this Orthodox Way that will help us both welcome others with traditional Orthodox hospitality and preserve that which is truly foundational to our faith.

First, this Orthodox Way Reveals. Orthodoxy is the fullness of the Christian faith, period. It is the spiritual hospital where the full potency of the Christian Gospel is preserved. An authentic Orthodox faith reveals both the divinely inspired parts of a culture and its weaknesses. Orthodoxy serves a nation best when it honestly critiques the culture of a nation. That is the blessing the faith brings to this nation. But it just doesn’t criticize, it also baptizes. There are parts of our culture that can be transformed by the faith into a vehicle of Orthodox faith. The culture offers us an unprecedented amount of freedom to practice our faith, and unparalleled economic and educational opportunities that allow us to both educate our young people and be philanthropic like no other people in the world.

Second, this Orthodox Way Restores. Orthodoxy changes people and nations. It always has. In fact, one of the marks of authentic Orthodox faith is the changed behavior of people and governments. Orthodoxy calls men and women to a serious and sober Christian faith that restores them to what they were created to be – the sons and daughters of God. Orthodoxy uniquely gives men and women a tried and true path to spiritual maturity. This faith challenges us to mimic the life of Jesus Christ in actions and attitudes. This faith produces saints! No wonder spiritually weary Americans are seeking out and finding the mature and stable theology of Orthodoxy. Our challenge as a Church is to help them find “home,” be ready to receive them, and to integrate them into our growing family.

Finally, this Orthodox Way Relates. Orthodoxy is about relationships - Our family, our nation, and our faith in God. Orthodoxy does not build walls but bridges. We seek out the lost, just like our Lord sought us out so we could enjoy right relationship with Himself and His Father. Orthodoxy always actively seeks out ways to bring this salvific message to friends and neighbors wherever the Church finds Herself. And Orthodoxy is no different in America than it is in any other nation. An authentic Orthodoxy works to make the faith available to “whosoever wills” to enter the faith. That’s why Jesus described the Church as a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. Orthodoxy is meant to be found by anyone who longs for the fullness of the Christian faith, even people who might not have had the happy accident of being born in a traditional Orthodox country.

Our Orthodox faith is drawing the spiritually seeking people of this nation. This is a trend that will only increase. It isn’t going away and it isn’t something we will be able to stop. Thank God! God loves all people and He is drawing men and women to Himself from every ethnic background, even average Americans who really don’t know their ethnic backgrounds. Orthodoxy is becoming part of the fabric of America, and we rejoice in this exciting time to be alive and serving His Church.

[August 12th] I will speak to Fr. Joseph Huneycutt. He is the author of the new book “One Flew Over the Onion Dome,” published by Regina Orthodox Press. Fr. Huneycutt, a convert himself, helps us all deal with the inevitable challenges of coming into Orthodoxy from other faith traditions. Lifelong Orthodox and converts alike will find his insights helpful in building a deeper communion with new faces in our congregations.

Until next week.

Yours for the spread of Orthodoxy,

Fr. Chris Metropulos
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Recent news reports of the ancient Psalter found in Ireland, especially those filtered through blogs, placed great weight on the book's -- prophetically, some believed -- being "open to" Psalm 83 or to that Psalm's pristine condition. Some became energized about their understanding of the prophetic nature of this Psalm about Israel coupled with their beliefs about the current war in the Middle East.

Now this ...

27-July-2006

Clarification re Psalm 83 in Ancient Book of Psalms

In the press release issued by the National Museum of Ireland on 26th July the following reference was made to Psalm 83:

“While part of Psalm 83 is legible, the extent to which other Psalms or additional texts are preserved will only be determined by painstaking work by a team of invited experts probably operating over a long time in the Museum laboratory”

The above mention of Psalm 83 has led to misconceptions about the revealed wording and may be a source of concern for people who believe Psalm 83 deals with “the wiping out of Israel”.

The Director of the National Museum of Ireland, Dr. Patrick F. Wallace, would like to highlight that the text visible on the manuscript does NOT refer to wiping out Israel but to the 'vale of tears'.

This is part of verse 7 of Psalm 83 in the old latin translation of the Bible (the Vulgate) which, in turn, was translated from an original Greek text would have been the version used in the medieval period. In the much later King James version the number of the Psalms is different, based on the Hebrew text and the 'vale of tears' occurs in Psalm 84. The text about wiping out Israel occurs in the Vulgate as Psalm 82 = Psalm 83 (King James version).

It is hoped that this clarification will serve comfort to anyone worried by earlier reports of the content of the text.

Thanks to FWD from Jean-Michel.
________________________________

I'll leave it to the industrious to look up the two Psalms (82 & 83). There's a world of difference between the two.
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Praised are you O Christ our Teacher, for you enrich with absolutely everything those who cleave to you. Lord, if someone gives his possessions to the state, then he receives in return great honour; how much more will you, Lord, magnify and praise that person who offers his whole self to you, possessing nothing besides you!

Make our souls grow by your grace, Lord, so that we may grow in you and give praise to you, for no one can grow except in you, and no one
can excel except in you.

Praise to you, without whom everything is empty; praise to you, for apart from the praise of you, all praise is but idle. Praise to you, the One who magnifies, but it is you who are thereby praised, for you are the object of praise of everything. Praise to you, Perfecter of everything, O Christ. By your divine teaching you gave wisdom to all who are instructed by you to deprive themselves of everything that belongs to this world -- then they shall be attached to you. Otherwise, as they traveled after you while still cleaving to the world, they might be drawn back by the world into it. Praise to you who bade us release ourselves and then cleave to you, seeing that, when we are not bound up with anything, nothing will separate us from you.

-- John of Apamea, in, "The Syriac Fathers On Prayer And The Spiritual Life," translated from the original Syriac-Aramaic by Sebastian Brock, Cistercian Publications.

Taken from a Yahoo group on Christian Mysticism.
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TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT AND PUBLISHED IN THE PARISH BULLETIN
July 25, 2006

Brother Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, Parish Councils and God-fearing Faithful of our Archdiocese:

Greetings in the name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write to you while the bombs are falling on Lebanon. As you have been hearing in the media (i.e. television, newspapers and the internet), Lebanon is being systematically destroyed, both the infrastructure and, more importantly, the people. Everyone agrees that the result is a humanitarian disaster for the people of Lebanon.

As of today, there are close to 400 Lebanese men, women and children who have been killed. The number of displaced Lebanese is approaching one million! We see in the news men, women and children being killed, maimed and burned by phosphate bombs. At the same time, Red Cross ambulances carrying the sick and wounded are being targeted; airports, communications systems, bridges and roads have been destroyed and entire neighborhoods have been leveled. To put things in real and human terms, we were recently informed of one of our faithful from the Archdiocese of Zahle who was driving with his two children. An Israeli bomb hit their car, seriously injuring the father and one child and killing the other, a 15 year old boy. Just yesterday, a family of eight was killed in their home by an Israeli bomb. These are but two stories from among thousands.

My beloved faithful, Lebanon is part of our Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East. So many of the people of our Archdiocese have their spiritual and cultural roots in Lebanon and especially in Beirut and South Lebanon (such as Jdeidet Marj’ayoun) where the majority of the destruction is taking place. Yesterday, I spoke with Metropolitan ELIAS of Beirut and he told me of the deplorable and dire conditions in his archdiocese and the Archdiocese of Tyre and Sidon (South Lebanon). He asked for our fervent prayers and help for Lebanon. I assured him of our unceasing prayers and that we will do our part to help. Therefore, I appeal to you to give generously to help the suffering people of Lebanon.

Finally, as we prepare to begin the Dormition Fast on August 1, let us beseech the most-holy Theotokos to intercede for the suffering people of Lebanon.

Your Father in Christ,

+Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

Please make your checks payable to your local parish, marking them Lebanon Relief.
_________________________________

358 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238
Telephone (201) 871-1355 * Fax (201) 871-7954
Website: www.antiochian.org * Email: archdiocese@antiochian.org
_________________________________

Other letters and concerns may be read H E R E.

* * I am posting this FYI; no comments will be posted concerning this post. * *
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AN ANCIENT prayer book found in a bog has been hailed as one of Ireland's most significant discoveries in decades, and perhaps centuries.

"This Irish equivalent to the Dead Sea Scrolls is being hailed by … experts as the greatest find ever from a European bog," it said.

Source.

HT: Fr Josiah Trenham

Initial impressions placed the composition date of the manuscript at about AD800, a time of Viking raids in Ireland.

Someone over at Free Republic chimed:

"It's mine. Amazon said they lost the order and credited my account. Now I gotta wait for the paperback."
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That's my boss, Fr John Salem, in the middle (Fathers Michael Pavez & Thomas Zain flanking).

The Antiochian Archdiocese held its biannual Clergy Symposium last week at Antiochian Village. Yours truly was excused due to 1) travel conflicts, and 2) I'm the assistant!

Rumour has it that the War in the Middle East weighed heavily on the souls at the gathering. (A resolution concerning the war follows.)

Not only that, but the war seems to have affected the thoughts, words, and emotions of us all. This is as it should be. God forbid that such a war were happening and no one cared.

But, much like election time, passions are roused and folks start emoting more than thinking. Friends go at friends, civil discourse becomes difficult ... and the war rages on.

I've got an old friend in Syria, parishioners in Lebanon and Ramallah. They're all Orthodox Christians. I wonder what they think of the war.

I don't watch TV, but have they been interviewing Christians in that area (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine) and soliciting their thoughts?

While on vacation, when the war first started, I only heard voices of Jews and Muslims -- and commentators that said a lot of ignorant things.


Appeal for Intervention in the Middle East

On July 20, 2006 the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America appeals to President Bush for intervention in the Crisis in Lebanon and the Middle East.

RESOLUTION

The Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba, and his diocesan bishops: His Grace Bishop ANTOUN of Miami and the Southeast, His Grace Bishop JOSEPH of Los Angeles and the West, His Grace Bishop BASIL of Wichita and Mid-America, His Grace Bishop THOMAS of Oakland and the East, His Grace Bishop MARK of Toledo and the Mid-West, His Grace Bishop ALEXANDER of Ottawa, Eastern Canada, and Upstate New York, along with the priests and deacons of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, who serve some one million faithful, and who are gathered at the Antiochian Village during their 14th Clergy Symposium make the following resolution:

Whereas for the past 60 years the Middle East region has been one of the most explosive areas in the world, and

Whereas all efforts in the past failed to bring a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and

Whereas the recent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have brought much bloodshed, death, and destruction to both Lebanon and Israel, and

Whereas the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora stated recently that over 300 Lebanese have been killed and 500,000 people have become refugees in their own country, and

Whereas much destruction and devastation has occurred to the Lebanese airport, seaports, roads, bridges, and the entire infrastructure of Lebanon that we appeal to the President of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush, to use his good office

1) To bring immediate cessation of hostilities on both sides.

2) To help in the exchanging of prisoners of all warring parties in the region.

3) And that her Excellency, the Secretary of State, Dr. Rice, be dispatched to the region to utilize her diplomatic skills to bring about a just and lasting peace for the entire Middle East.

Source.

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It was bound to happen,

One day it did ...

Orthodox Rap

HT: Greek Pilgrim


And, no, I can't offer any Mormon Rap.

(That's just an unrelated pic of Weird Al Yankovic.)

But, this cartoon sure gives Mormons a bad one ...

Rap, that is.

What Mormons Believe (Caveat Lector)

Thanks to Keith & Jean-Michel.
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From TheDay.com

New London – “We've called an emergency medical team,” announced an emissary from where the bride sat with her right hand raised high, her third finger swollen from trying vainly to transfer her wedding band to her left hand.

When an EMT from the city's fire department arrived and cut the platinum band with a special implement made just for that purpose, bridesmaids scrambled to gather the diamonds that spilled onto the floor.

“I didn't know they had weddings on Sundays,” said the fireman.

“Just us Greeks,” replied the Koumbaros, Iranthi Anastasiou of Waterford ...

Read about the life of a retiring priest H E R E.
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My brother is seven years younger than me. When we were kids, I thought he was Jesus. No, he didn't sport the beard and hair. Actually, he had a shining cotton top. He was quiet. And, most importantly, he never seemed to do anything wrong! (Mom, if you're reading this ... trust me, he really did do all those bad things I said he did and he deserved, I'm pretty sure, those spankings.) But it occurred to me around the age of 12 that, "Oh my gosh! He's Jesus. My brother is Jesus! Oh, great!" Now, when you're 12, having a sinless brother who is destined to be, well, IT ... is not cool. I only had the fantasy for a while, but there it is.

SO ... given all the hyper-heretical-hysteria of The Da Vinci Code, as tmatt says ... you knew THIS was going to happen. [The THIS being that the lady pictured here has written a book ... claiming to be one of Our Lord's (bloodline) kin.]

At church camp a few weeks ago, we offered an "Ask Abouna" session each morning after Matins. I'd never given much thought to how Dan Brown's product would affect our young people. Wow! Most questions were either about the End of Time ... or The Da Vinci Code. Many of the older kids, teens, had read the DVC. One sincere young man said, "Well, I'm just not sure who to believe." I said, "You don't know whether to believe a novel of fiction or the 2,000 year teaching of the Church?" "Yeah," he said, "I mean -- how do you know who is telling the truth?"

Another told us, in 10 minutes or less, all the things that were to occur at the End of Time, according to the Book of Revelation, which, she said, should happen about any minute now. (Research included the Book ... and a whole bunch of other books and movies. I used to be that girl.)

Perhaps their interest and knowledge in such is compounded by this kinda stuff. I dunno. I was all into the End of Time when I was a teen. But, I was Baptist, I'd read Hal Lindsey's book, I'd read other popular fiction (The Omen, The Exorcist, etc) -- even Chick Tracts! So, yeah, I was pretty knowledgeable (you could say).

PS -- I don't think I ever told my brother I thought he was Jesus. Please don't tell him! I mean, he's still my brother and all. Ya know?

Thanks.
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For many Christians today marks the Feast of St Elias the Tishbite. In fact, especially in light of the war in the Middle East, honourable memory of the Prophet Elias (or Elijah) is also kept by Jews, Muslims, and Druze.

Through the prayers of the Holy Prophet Elias, may God have mercy and save us!

Here are some excerpts from today's edition of DYNAMIS on St Elias ...

While St. James commends all the Prophets as models of patience in suffering, naming Job in particular (Jas. 5:10-11), he recognized Elijah as one who “endured” bitter conflicts with great patience. The Lord even bestowed upon the Prophet a glorious departure (vs. 11), coming in a whirlwind and chariot of fire to take him into heaven without tasting death (2 Kngs 2:11-12).

Twice in his lifetime, the Prophet Elijah spoke the truth of God to King Ahab concerning his open promotion of idolatry. As a result, he was forced to flee into the wilderness where, as a hunted man, he suffered great privation (3 Kngs 16:29-17:3 and 3 Kngs 18:16-19:4 LXX).

In the face of the increasing moral corruption and idolatrous materialism of the contemporary western world, numbers of Christians, after the manner of Elijah, are suffering shame and rejection for speaking the truth concerning the appalling state of the world and society. St. Gregory of Sinai points out that “the envy which the innocent provoke is for their benefit, while the Lord's schooling tests us so as to bring about our conversion, since it opens our ears when we are guilty.”

Therefore, St. Gregory adds this encouragement: “That is why the Lord has promised an eternal crown to those who endure in this manner.”

St. James exhorts the Faithful to speak plainly and directly, not swearing “either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment” (Jas. 5:12). Further, he exhorts the Faithful to confess their “trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed” (vs. 16).

Elijah was just such a man of direct communication. When Queen Jezebel and King Ahab conspired to appropriate the vineyard of their neighbor Naboth, the Prophet did not spare the King’s feelings, but plainly told him all the consequences the Lord would bring upon him: the end of his dynasty and the violent end of his entire family (1 Kngs 21:20-29). We, too, must not hold back in telling the plain truth, nor in searching out our own faults and sins before the Lord.

The Apostle also commends diligent prayer, reminding us that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (Jas. 5:16). At this point in his Epistle, St. James actually employs the example of Elijah as one who “prayed earnestly” (Jas. 5:17,18).

Prayer surely was the source of Elijah’s honesty, patience, strength, and faith during his trials and sufferings. He did not hesitate to submit his woes and his dependency to God quite candidly. His prayer when he challenged the priests of Baal is a classic examples of trust (1 Kngs 18:30-38). His prayer for rain reveals great persistence (1 Kngs 18:41-46). His prayer in the wilderness exhibits his self-surrender to the will of God (1 Kngs 19:4). His prayer on Mt. Horeb reveals absolute obedience (1 Kngs 19:11-19). May God establish us in such a prayer life! Archimandrite Ioannikios Kotsonis presses this truth upon us: “You cannot be called a Christian, if you do not pray often. All the saints prayed continually and with ardor. Therefore, become a practitioner of unceasing prayer. It will give enlightenment to your mind.”

O Prophet Elijah, who foresaw the great acts of God, who with a word didst stop the flow of rain, intercede thou for our sake with Him Who alone is the Lover of mankind.

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I realize that the following comments are controversial. But as I serve a parish filled with Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian Christians, I, for one, am glad to hear something other than Unanimous Talking Points on the current conflict in the Middle East.

The Lebanon that Israel, with Bush's blessing, is smashing up has a pro-American government, heretofore considered a shining example of his democracy crusade. Yet, asked in St. Petersburg if he would urge Israel to use restraint in its airstrikes, Bush sounded less like the leader of the Free World than some bellicose city councilman from Brooklyn Heights.

But where are the Christians? Why is Pope Benedict virtually alone among Christian leaders to have spoken out against what is being done to Lebanese Christians and Muslims?

When al-Qaida captured two U.S. soldiers and barbarically butchered them, the U.S. Army did not smash power plants across the Sunni Triangle. Why then is Bush not only silent but openly supportive when Israelis do this?

You can reall all of Pat Buchanan's column H E R E.
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Y'all?

I ...

* * sigh * *

I don't want to say that I'm speechless -- because, then, obviously I wouldn't be.

If I said I was, that is.

I'm not. Speechless. That is.

Not only that, but I don't want to give the wrong impression as to why I might be.

...

But, I popped by a couple of my usual haunts and found this pic here & there.

Meet Joanna Jepson, Anglican priest.

Kidding aside. We were kidding, right? Sump'n just ain't right.

Okay ...

What's wrong with this picture?
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From the site -- The generic restaurant chains and fast food outlets continue to choke the life out of the small "Mom and Pop" establishments we have grown to love so much. I am sad to report that some of our favorite places have closed their doors forever. But that bad news leaves us feeling anything but deflated. More than ever before, I urge you all to join us in our quest to support, promote, and protect the small, locally-owned soul food shacks, bbq joints, neighborhood diners, and catfish houses that have been (and should continue to be) an important part of our uniquely Southern heritage. Make the extra effort to seek them out, take the extra time to fully enjoy their charm, bring some friends along for the ride.


HT: THUNDERSTRUCK

UPDATE: The link for Dixie Dining wasn't working this morning. Check back!
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Here's a little story about the visit of an Elvis impersonator to an English Cathedral (whose Canon has a sort of unfortunate name).

Truro Cathedral is hoping to boost its congregation by enlisting the aid of an Elvis impersonator.

The special event, featuring Elvis' gospel songs, follows line dancing and jazz sessions in the cathedral.

Just in case you're wondering what the Bishop might think of this. Here's a pic of the bishop ...

Well ... I'm not sure.

Here's what we know about Bishop Bill of Truro Cathedral:

Bishop Bill, who loves cricket, poetry and bird watching, has been known to paddle a coracle, scale church towers, and even shepherd sheep through the city.

You gotta admit, folks, even as the ship takes on water in great gulps, Anglicans can still bring a smile.


HT: THUNDERSTRUCK
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About those vacation books ... It turns out I HAD read Wuthering Heights before ... at least once! It only took 20 pages or so to confirm the suspicion. Oh well, third time's a charm.

I remember a few years ago when I was lying in bed ploughing through Cold Sassy Tree. After a while I said, "You know, hon, I think I've read this before ... in fact, I'm sure of it." My wife said, "Do you think I would enjoy it?" "Sure," I said. A few days went by before she said, "I think I've read this before, too!" When we moved to Houston I believe we found at least 2 copies within our stuff. Oh well. Old age.

God willing, I shall return to the Republic of Texas tonight -- reading Catcher in the Rye. Thanks for your prayers.
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What salt is for any food, humility is for every virtue. To acquire it, a man must always think of himself with contrition, self-belittlement and painful salf-judgment. But if we acquire it, it will make us sons of God.

Let us love silence till the world is made to die in our hearts. Let us always remember death, and in this thought draw near to God in our heart--and the pleasures of this world will have our scorn.

Walk before God in simplicity, and not in subtleties of the mind. Simplicity brings faith; but subtle and intricate speculations bring conceit; and conceit brings withdrawal from God.

As a man whose head is under water cannot inhale pure air, so a man whose thoughts are plunged into the cares of this world cannot absorb the sensations of that new world.

It is a spiritual gift from God for a man to perceive his sins.

Ease and idleness are the destruction of the soul and they can injure her more than the demons.

The purpose of the advent of the Saviour, when He gave us His life-giving commandments as purifying remedies in our passionate state, was to cleanse the soul from the damage done by the first transgression and bring it back to its original state. What medicines are for a sick body, that the commandments are for the passionate soul.

A life of spiritual endeavor is the mother of sanctity; from it is born the first experience of perception of the mysteries of Christ--which is called the first stage of spiritual knowledge.

To bear a grudge and pray, means to sow seed on the sea and expect a harvest.

A small but persistent discipline is a great force; for a soft drop tailing persistently, hollows out hard rock.

The key to Divine gifts is given to the heart by love of neighbor, and, in proportion to the heart's freedom from the bonds of the flesh, the door of knowledge begins to open before it.

Dispassion does not mean that a man feels no passions, but that he does not accept any of them.

This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits.

From Orthodox America.


BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR OWN SOUL

Be at peace with your own soul
then heaven & earth will be at peace with you.

Enter eagerly into the treasure
house that is within you,

And you will see the things that are in heaven,
for there is but one single entry to them both.

The ladder that leads to the Kingdom
is hidden within your soul...

Dive into yourself and in your soul
and you will discover the stairs
by which to ascend.


Prayers of Saint Isaac of Nineveh

Do you wish to commune with God in your mind? Strive to be
merciful... One should first of all begin to be merciful in the
measure that our heavenly Father is merciful.

The purpose of prayer is for us to acquire love for God, for in
prayer can be discovered all sorts of reasons for loving God.

Love of God proceeds from conversing with Him; this conversation of
prayer comes about through stillness, and stillness comes with the
stripping away of the self.

Faith in Christ is living, noetic Light.

A monk who with the eyes of his intellect gazes intently into his
heart while praying will quickly be deemed worthy of mercy.

The Light of Jesus is noetic Light, and blessed is the soul which is
accounted worthy to see it!


PRAYERS OF SAINT ISAAC

I beg and beseech You, Lord, grant to all who have gone astray a true
knowledge of You, so that each and every one may come to know Your
glory.

0 Christ who are covered with Light as though with a garment....
May Your divinity, Lord, take pleasure in me, and lead me above the
world to be with You.

Illumine before me the path of darkness by means of the brilliance of
awareness of You.

O Name of Jesus,
key to all gifts,
open up for me the great door to your treasurehouse
so that I may enter and praise you
with the praise that comes from the heart
in return for your mercies
which I have experienced in latter days;
for you came and renewed me
with an awareness of the New World.

I give praise to your holy nature, Lord,
for you have made my nature
a sanctuary for your hiddenness
and a tabernacle for your Mysteries,
a place where you can dwell,
and a holy temple for your divinity.

Taken from a Yahoo list on Christian Mysticism.
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HT: THUNDERSTRUCK





Meanwhile, for some really good stuff on Orthodoxy ... GO HERE!

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OCEAN ISLE - Sitting on the porch and watching the waves roll in ...

A military helicopter just flew over, down the coastline. You could see the men in battle fatigues sitting in the open windows ...

Israel's pounding Lebanon; North Korea's acting badly ...

Nations are taking sides ... talking, Talking & TALKING.

Meanwhile, Ken & Barbie's extended family (pictured here) sit calmly in front of the lighthouse.

Last week, on opening night, the Huneycutts sat fourth row from the big screen and the latest adventure of Cap'n Jack Sparrow. What an extravaganza! If you like special effects and don't mind a good dose of blood and gore ... by all means, go! But, face it, people just wanna see Johnny Depp in "drag" ... and the Disney folks make good use of that longing.

When you watch the waves roll in while reading Michael Critchton's State of Fear, you obviously mull the threat (real and otherwise) of global warming. Yet, when you're reading Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, you have a different worldview entirely.

Ken and Barbie are made in China. Jack Sparrow's made in Hollywood. War is made in the Middle East. Emily Brontë lived in England -- where they're debating being shed of St George.

And the waves just keep rollin' in.

May the Lord have mercy.
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Dawn put up a pic of the moon from the other night up near NYC.
Welp, here's the same orange sphere down on the coast of North Carolina.


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When our Tuesday morning Bible Study group decided to tackle St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, the question came up: What, exactly, is “grace?”

You might ask, what kind of Christian would ask something like that? Uh, that would be me.

No doubt due to lack of diligence, I was unable to concretely and succinctly define this essential element of the Christian Faith for the group. This is not to say that I have not experienced it. (I could offer 40 definitions, mind you, but not just one.) And, as those in the group pointed out, I often use the word, grace, in teaching and preaching -- so why couldn’t I define it? It’s used throughout the New Testament.

So, what is it?

One popular and quick response refers to “saying Grace” before meals. Where does that come from? Most likely, the answer lies in the Latin -- gratias agere -- for “giving thanks” as in “Gratias Deo agamus” (“Let us give thanks to God”). Yet, thanking God and/or asking His blessing upon food at meal times does not answer the question. Other quick responses involved words such as graceful and gracefully -- as in, she’s a graceful dancer or he sure fell down gracefully. These words, which refer to beauty and form, still do not answer the Bible Study question: What is grace?

Since our Bible Study group uses the Orthodox Study Bible, here’s the definition from the OSB:

GRACE: The gift of God’s own presence and action in His creation. Through grace, God forgives sins and transforms the believer into His image and likeness. Grace is not merely unmerited favor -- an attitude of God toward the believer. Grace is God’s uncreated energy bestowed in the sacraments and is therefore truly experienced. A Christian is saved through grace, which is a gift of God and not a reward for good works. However, because grace changes a person, he or she will manifest the effects of grace through righteous living. [pp. 799-800].

It turns out that there are several meanings of the word, grace, in the Scriptures:

1) signifying the general mercy of God (I Peter 5:10)

2) referring to the grace of Christ and the whole economy of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9)

3) referring to the gifts of the Holy Spirit which have been, and are being, sent down upon the Church for the sanctification of Her members

It is this third understanding of grace (in Greek, charis) which the Apostles so often write about and its use is identical with dynamis or power.

St Symeon the New Theologian warns us that a Christian:

1) who does not bear in his heart the conviction that the grace of God, given for faith, is the mercy of God …

2) if he does not labor with the aim of receiving the grace of God, first of all through Baptism, or …

3) if he had it and it departed by reason of sin, to cause it to return again through repentance, confession, and a self-belittling life; and ...

4) if, in giving alms, fasting, performing vigils, prayers and the rest, he thinks that he is performing glorious virtues and good deeds valuable in themselves -- then he labors and exhausts himself in vain.

(Forgive me ... Writing this on vacation, I lack sources.)

Thus, [I concluded] grace is a strengthening -- given by the Holy Spirit in His mercy and love to aid us in our struggle toward the Kingdom. We participate in grace by submitting our wills to God’s will, by trusting in Him. We commune with God through prayer and in the grace-filled sacraments of His Church.

Now here's the kicker ... I summed all this up for the superb walking encyclopedia otherwise known as Fr Daniel Griffith of All Saints, Salina, Kansas and asked: "So, whaddya think?"

He said, "You're not gonna like it."

"Try me," I said. I went on to tell him how two astute Bible Study members had defined grace. He shook his head.

He said simply: "Grace IS the Holy Spirit ... Period."

Period?

"Period," he said. "I think so."


So, dear reader ... Your thoughts?
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This vacation, thus far, I've read the curious incident of the dog in the night-time -- an excellent read about an autistic adolescent detective.

Last week, in my hometown of Albemarle, NC (made famous by American Idol contestant, Kellie Pickler), the Walmart book offerings were slim to depressing. Oh sure, you could buy Rapture-Fiction and other barn burners from the likes of Joel Osteen and Rick Warren ...

OR ...

You could opt for Willie Nelson's The Tao of Willie. Yes, I did. Here's my recommendation: DON'T. Advice to Willie: Don't quit your night job.

The beach house we're in this week had some fiction left behind. So, I'm currently racing through Michael Crichton's State of Fear. Sunday, on the way home from church, I purchased Wuthering Heights -- one of my favorite stories, though I've never read it!

Just before leaving for Camp St Raphael (Pics here ... Here ... HERE ... and H E R E), I was blessed to read Dawn Eden's manuscript of her forthcoming book The Thrill of the Chaste. This will prove to be a welcome addition to many a single -- but hopeful -- woman's life. With her permission, review forthcoming.

A while back, a blog reader, Matthew, asked me about my favorite books. As noted above, on vacation I generally read for pleasure. But, here follows a partial list; first the spiritual, then the other ...

The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, Vladimir Lossky.

Presence and Thought - An Essay on the Religious Philosophy of Gregory of Nyssa, Hans Urs von Balthasar.

Orthodox Psychotherapy - The Science of the Fathers, [Metropolitan] Hierotheos Vlachos.

Hymns on Paradise, St Ephraim the Syrian.

The Philokalia (various).

The Diary of a Russian Priest, Alexander Elchaninov.

Ladder of Divine Ascent -- Holy Transfiguration Monastery edition recommended.

Screwtape Letters, CS Lewis.

Life of Christ, Fulton J. Sheen.

Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton.

And, as recently mention H E R E ... Anne Rice's Christ the Lord.




A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole.

ALL - Flannery O'Conner.

Walden & Other Writings, Henry David Thoreau.

Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell.

The Stand, Stephen King.

Philosophy: An Introduction Through Original Fiction, Discussion, and Readings, Thomas Davis.

Memories, Dreams, and Reflections, C.G. Jung.


Eclectic and partial -- but, there it is.
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Here's proof that my son has a hand ...



Here's proof that with his other hand he can hold up a floating ring ...



This is NOT proof that my son is a qualified lifeguard.




Finally ... Proof that I was in church on Sunday: St Nicholas, Myrtle Beach.
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Meet BOB ... our Caller for our Country-Western Dance on Friday night, our final night at Camp St Raphael, Session #1. BOB was a hoot!



Here he is instructing the masses. And, yes, by night's end we DID do the Hokey-Pokey!



This guy looks like a PK ... a Cremeens, in fact.



Prettiest Wallflowers you'll ever find! (Some PKs, to boot!)



That's the way we do it!



... Even the Staff.






Caller BOB ... in the zone.



Ready? Set ...



Finally, two of our wonderful Mums! Gayle, the Boss (R) and Sandy, Christian Ed & Crafts (L).

Somewhere there's video of moi jumping into the pool (aka Dunking Booth) bedecked in cassock. There's also a video of me and Caller BOB cutting the rug ... but that's another story!

YaBoy!
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The natural beauty of Camp Takatoka aka Camp St Raphael, near Muskogee, OK.



I would comment ... but then she'd have to kill me. :)



Look Mom & Dad ... your kids can set table!



Pool time's always a big hit at Camp.



Does that girl favor me?



[Insert Caption Here]


Next time ... Country Dance pics!
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Fr Mark Haas and me ... Men in Black for Session #1.



Conga line makes for happy campers.



Words of wisdom (not recorded here).



Life's hard at Camp St Raphael!



Wednesday's "Color Wars" saw the campers divided into blues and whites.



Three gals; one's mine.



This young lady walked by within a group of people ... while trying to snap the pic, my camera malfunctioned. However, she held the pose and waited. I guess you could call this a pose worth pausing for.



Though the Blue Team prevailed, the Whites gave it their best shot in the "cheer off."



"You lookin' at me?"



The Blue Team preps for their cheer.



St George "Yute Director" ... here known as Wounded Zee.


More pics to come ... especially from Friday night's country dance!

(Y'all really can't appreciate these pics unless you're aware that I'm uploading them using rural North Carolina dial-up ... at about one pic per 10 minutes!)
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