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

Many come to the Holy Mountain, visit various Fathers, become enthused with what they hear from each, interpret them in their own way, muddle them up in their heads and then say, ‘We had a really good time.’ Whereas, if they visited only one Father, heeded his advice and tried to apply all that he said to their life, they would have some positive help. Now what they are doing is spiritual tourism; they are wasting their time, exhausting themselves without gaining anything. How restful and beneficial it would be if they stayed with one Father and applied what he told them! They could experience the soul’s inner repose, whereas now they wander from place to place, enjoying the Holy Mountain’s beautiful green landscape just like worldly people.

-- Elder Paisios the Athonite

Taken from Fr Josiah's blog.

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On this episode of the Orthodixie Podcast, I sit down with two Deacons of the Church – both hailing from the Old Country (i.e., one was reared in middle Tennessee and the other was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia).

Take a listen:

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

That’s Deacon Joseph Carter and Deacon Symeon Kees, both of St George Church, Houston, Texas.

I’d like to thank Carole Buleza, Director of the Antiochian Archdiocese Christian Ed Department for suggesting the interview.

Oh, and on the next episode of the Orthodixie Podcast, I interview my boss, Fr John Salem on the priesthood.

Some would say the Deacons hail from the, uh, Old Country:

Tennessee and West Virginia.

And, some would say that Fr John was reared in the Holy Land …

You know ...

Pittsburgh.

Image of Wake Forest Demon Deacon - Source
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This was sent to me by Fr Justin McFeeters. True ... and funny (as all funny things are) ... and, in a way, sad:


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I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt appreciation to former Governor George Pataki for his initiative this afternoon to address the concerns of not only our own community but also citizens across our nation and the world regarding the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church. Very soon after 9/11, the Governor expressed his commitment that this church would be rebuilt and this gathering manifests yet again that he is an honorable person who stands by his word. We are encouraged and deeply touched by this.

As it is well known, on September 11, 2001 our city and nation suffered a terrorist attack of unparalleled proportions. In addition to the tragic and horrific loss of almost 3,000 innocent victims, a number of whom were members of our own community, the world witnessed the unimaginable collapse of the Twin Towers. When the second Tower fell, it landed on and erased all traces of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the only house of worship destroyed that day. Opened in 1916 by a group of Greek immigrants, the church not only served the spiritual needs of its parishioners but was also a sacred space in which people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds working in the surrounding area would often stop, light a candle and spend a few moments in prayer and reflection.

The Archdiocese and parish leadership of St. Nicholas remain firmly committed to the rebuilding of the church at 130 Liberty Street, honoring the long-standing agreement with the LMDC and the Port Authority. We believe and affirm that the new Church of St. Nicholas will have a far greater scope and outreach than a parish house of worship and envision the site as an appropriate memorial to the 3,000 innocent people of all Faiths who lost their lives that day. Trusting in Almighty God, we are hopeful that we will be successful in this sacred endeavor especially with the assistance and support of people such as our dear friend, Governor Pataki.

I convey my warmest paternal greetings and best wishes and invoke upon all of you the abundant blessings of the Almighty.

Source

More -- HERE.

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Contrary to other voices opposed to building the "house of worship" at Ground Zero -- I say, by all means, build it!

Go here for video.

The story.
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This week's episode of the Orthodixie Podcast is taken from the forthcoming audio version of the book We Came, We Saw, We Converted ...

Here at the Orthodixie Headquarters we are blessed, from time to time, to receive letters and email from Ancient Faith Radio listeners.

Just for fun, here’s a few:


Dear Fr Joseph,

I am new to Orthodoxy, having converted last Pascha, and since that time I’ve heard the phrase “back in the Old Country” many, many times.

Just what does this mean – the old country – and, I feel stupid asking … just where is it?

Lost in Indiana


Dear Fr Joseph,

My sister goes to a church – not an Orthodox church – that is very contemporary & politically correct; they even say the Lord’s prayer beginning with the words “Our Mother, who art in heaven.” And, of course, they have a woman priest. Do you see such innovations coming to Orthodoxy?

Sally in San Antonio


Greetings Abouna,

I need some clarification. Like many good people, I receive a plethora of forwarded emails on a daily basis, many of which,during a recent political season, involved politics and the candidates running for election. For instance, some said that George Bush is the devil. Others warned that Barack Obama is the devil. Still others claimed that Sarah Palin is Ol’ Scratch.

What say ye?

Tim in Tennessee



Dear Fr Joseph,

A while back, Oxford University released their list of top ten irritating phrases, things like:

At the end of the day

I personally

At this moment in time

With all due respect

And -- 24/7

Are there any words or phrases, within Orthodox parlance, that you find irritating?

Sincerely,

Sean in Cheyenne


For answers to these questions, tune in to --

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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Metropolitan Christopher was from Galveston, Texas, and was an alumnus of Nashotah House Seminary (see below).

UPDATE: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEWLY REPOSED METROPOLITAN +CHRISTOPHER OF BLESSED MEMORY:

AUGUST 23, 2010

- Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 10:00 AM, Monday, August 23, 2010, at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60631.

- Funeral Matins, 7:00 PM, Monday, August 23, 2010, at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60631.

AUGUST 24, 2010

- Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Requiem Service, 9:00 AM, Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery 32377 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048, followed by burial at the grave site on the south side of the church.

A memorial lunch will be served at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60631, following interment.

The following note is taken from Fr Milovan Katanic's site, Again and Again:

His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of Libertyville-Chicago passed away in the Lord [August 18th]. He was a married priest, ordained in 1951. His wife Milka passed away in 1970, leaving four children. During his parochial ministry he served Serbian parishes in Johnstown, Pittsburgh and Chicago. He was elected bishop of the Eastern American diocese in 1978 which he served until 1991 when the Holy Assembly of Bishops in Belgrade raised the status of the Midwest Diocese, upon its 70th anniversary, to that of a metropolitanate. Bishop Christopher was elevated to metropolitan making him the first metropolitan of the newly formed Metropolitanate of Midwestern America in 1991. It was in 2009, during the restructuring of the dioceses in the US and Canada, that the Metroplitanate of Midwestern America became the Metropolitanate of Libertyville-Chicago.

May the memory of Metropolitan Christopher be eternal!

Вечнаја памјат!

Born in Galveston, Texas, and baptized Velimir Kovacevich, the future Metropolitan Christopher was the ninth of twelve children of Serbian immigrant parents. After graduation from high school, he attended Nashotah House and graduated from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Seminary in Libertyville, Illinois. After marriage, he was ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood. Continuing his education, he earned a B.A. at the University of Pittsburgh, the Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and completed courses and examinations for the doctorate at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Father Velimir ministered to parishes in Pennsylvania and in Chicago, also serving as chaplain to four universities. He assisted his parishes to become bilingual in their worship and education programs, and at the same time he was active in the defense of unity and canonical order in his church during a period of schism. As a priest, he served as spiritual father, counselor, youth worker, administrator, educator, and, above all, in priestly ministry at the Holy Altar. Widowed in 1970, he is the father of four, as well as the grandfather of nine.

Elevated to the episcopate in 1978 by the Assembly of Bishops in Belgrade and tonsured with the monastic name of Christopher, he became the first American-born bishop to serve a diocese of his church in North America. As Bishop of Eastern America and Canada, he soon developed a diocesan-wide program in religious education. Active also in ecumenism, he has served on the joint commission of Orthodox and Roman Catholic bishops and on the Orthodox-Lutheran dialogue, and has represented his church at high levels in both the National and World Councils of Churches. In 1991, he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan of the Midwestern Diocese of his church, thereby becoming also its Primate.

Doctor of Divinity

In recognition of his exemplary ministries as parish priest and diocesan bishop, his courageous support of education, ecumenism, and the monastic life, his championing of church unity, and his outstanding leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church in this country, Nashotah House is proud to number Metropolitan Christopher among its former students. Continuing the tradition of this House in Anglican friendship with the Orthodox churches, of which the exemplar and patron is our honorary alumnus, St. Tikhon of Moscow and New York, it is with great joy that we confer upon his Eminence, Metropolitan Christopher, the degree Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.

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I had lunch at a restaurant near the church today and they had little brightly colored signs advertising:

August 17th, 2010 - Halfway to MARDI GRAS!

The additional brightly colored chalk-written Mardi Gras drink specials revealed their aim. Drink up! Lent's only 6 months away!

Y'all?

It just seemed loopy.

(BTW, I checked, they were wrong. Fat Tuesday was six months ago.)

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The 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.

For more on Mary the Mother of God (from Bishop BASIL), go here.

For a homily by St Gregory Palamas on the Dormition, go here.

Edited from previous postings in 2006 & 2009.
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The following, just for "fun" & FYI, is excerpted from The Writer's Almanac:

Today is Friday the 13th. Twenty million Americans are feeling unlucky today — people who suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia. It's a 99-year-old word made up of a combination of the Norse and Greek roots words for "fear" and "Friday" and "13."

Folklorists say that the phobia itself is a combination of two separate superstition-induced phobias — 13 is unlucky in much of folklore and so is Friday. Whenever the first day of a month is a Sunday, there's going to be a Friday the 13th that month.

The number 13 has been unlucky for a long time. Numerologists point out that 12 is a complete number in Judeo-Christian culture: There are 12 months in a year, 12 hours on a standard clock, 12 Apostles, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 days of Christmas, 12 eggs in a dozen, and so on. There's something unsettling, even repugnant, about going just a bit "beyond completeness" — that's how academic folklorists rationalize the superstition, at least. The vast majority of skyscrapers have no 13th floor, and room number 13 is missing from many modern hotels as well.

As for Friday, it's unlucky in a handful of ancient cultures. In Christianity, it's the day of Jesus' crucifixion.

There are always the traditional folk remedies to ward off bad luck today: burning any socks with holes in them, or eating some gristle while standing on your head, or climbing to a mountaintop. And here's the good news: There's only one Friday the 13th this year and one next year. Some years can have up to three of them.

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Critics of the Manhattan Declaration -- specifically those believing "members of communions other than their own should not be considered Christian" -- are taken to task by S.M. Hutchens in a TOUCHSTONE editorial (Mar/Apr '10, pp.3-4) wherein he quotes, among others, Father Seraphim Rose:

"We should view the non-Orthodox as people to whom Orthodoxy has not yet been revealed, as people who are potentially Orthodox (if only we ourselves would give them a better example). There is no reason why we cannot call them Christians and be on good terms with them, recognize that we have at least our faith in Christ in common, and live in peace especially in our own families. St Innocent's attitude toward the Roman Catholics in California is a good example for us. A harsh, polemical attitude is called for only when the non-Orthodox are trying to take away our flocks or change our teachings. (Cited in Damascene Christensen, Not of this World: The Life and Teachings of Fr Seraphim Rose, p.758.)"

Interesting.

Nice quote.

But would Fr Seraphim Rose have signed the Manhattan Declaration?

Heh! Who knows?

(I'm sure many of you answered that question definitively in your own mind -- but the tally, in my mind, is still too close to call :).


For further consideration:

Rose

Manhattan

TOUCHSTONE

This just in!
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While at Camp St Raphael in July, I was pleasantly surprised when one of the teens asked: “Whatever happened to Fr Danislav Gregorio?”

I said, “What do you mean – What happened to him?”

“After you spoke with him about his book An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, you knocked him out,” he said. “So, whatever happened to him?”

You know, the young camper had a point.

So, having not seen him since that interview back in November of 2007, I set out to find Fr Danislav Gregorio …

Searching the Internet for Fr Danislav proved futile … the only thing that kept popping up was his interview on the Orthodixie Podcast. St Swithuns by the Swamp parish website in Appleton, Indiana, listed only his name, no hyperlink, email address, or phone number. As he had originally contacted us, hoping to promote his book An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church – to our embarrassment we discovered that we hadn’t even bothered to write down a call-back number!

About eleven pages into a Google search, I finally found a single comment logged by a Fr Danislav on an Orthodox forum list whereon, in response to someone complaining that Orthodox Church services are too long, Fr Danislav wrote: “Buy my new book, Speedy Sacraments for Liturgical Losers. It will answer all of your questions – and quickly.”

I responded to that statement on the forum list, inviting Fr Danislav to stop by the Orthodixie Studio for another interview, and I am very pleased to report that he is with us today promoting his brand new book, Speedy Sacraments for Liturgical Losers –

FrJ: Welcome back, Fr Danislav!

FrDan: Thank you, Fr Joseph. I hope this interview will turn out better than the last one.

FrJ: Ah, yes, if I recall … last time you had, as we’d call in the South, a bit of a sinking spell.

FrDan: Actually, Fr Joseph, as it said on the police report, I believe you assaulted me with a weapon.

FrJ: Uh, er, hmmm. Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry.

FrDan: You said it.

FrJ: I said what?

FrDan: You are sorry.

FrJ: No, what I meant was …

FrDan: You see, Fr Joseph, that’s the problem with words: they can mean different things. Take, for instance, the oft misunderstood word gay …

FrJ: Uh, let’s not. I mean …

FrDan: You mean what, Fr Joseph? Is gay not a good word in your vocabulary?

FrJ: You’re referring to, say, the Fred Flintstone cartoon song where they sing: “We’ll have a Gay Ol’ Time!” -- right?

FrDan: No ...


The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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