HERETICAL TEACHINGS OF PATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS

HERETICAL TEACHINGS  OF PATRIARCH  ATHENAGORAS 

WHICH UNDERMINE THE TRUTH OF THE CHURCH

FIRST ABOUT DEFENDERS OF ORTHODOXY

     Orthodoxy is the  divine-human Body of Christ, was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ and is guided by the Holy Spirit whom He sent from the Father to both comfort and  remind His followers of all that He had taught  them.  There is no other entity like the Church because it is headed by the Godman. Therefore we cannot possibly  examine the Church and speak of it or its members as if it were a secular organization.  The Church is the source of all truth and the fountain of holiness which sanctifies our spirits, souls and bodies. It is unique and remains far above everything else, the holiest place on earth. For the Church’s members are vessels of Holy Spirit.

   Some people have been heard to address members of the Church as being either liberal or conservative, but these are misnomers which cannot be inapplicable to defenders of truth.  In Orthodoxy liberal or conservative factions do not exist, because there are only extreme viewpoints in one direction or another. We completely believe Christ is God or we deny Him. We believe, not on multiple churches, but only  “in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church or we believe in no church. Either we keep every commandments, preserve all sacred tradition and respect all holy canons or we don’t.  Christ says that if you break one of the least of these commandments you break them all, the same is true of truth, denying one truth, is denying all truth, for Christ is the Truth from heaven. 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND 

SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

Today the Virgin gives birth to Christ the Godman. 

What we can experience if we also give birth to Him.

      The shepherds were watching their flock by night, when suddenly standing still, they  looked up, as  heaven was suddenly filled with radiant light, and standing there was  an even brighter shining Archangel. Struck with great fear, the shepherds trembled  seeing such a sight, for  the heavens with the glory of God had opened up just for them. The angel spoke to calm them, saying:

  “Do not fear, for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born upon this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with him a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will among men”   (Luke 2: 10-14).

  What the shepherds witnessed and we  all witness is a new and world-shaking event, announced with glorious light and angelic song!  This song is still sung in the Church and we will hear it again and again: “Glory to God in the highest, peace and good will among men!”As we, the church,  gather together to celebrate this joyful Feast, our souls become filled with  blessedness as we join the shepherds welcoming the New Child who is born, he is the Logos God who has chosen to descend and become one of us.  His purpose for becoming like us should fill our hearts with joy, for it His great desire and plan to raise everyone one of us from earth to heaven to a more perfect life where there is neither pain no sorrow nor the threat of death, but eternal life. 

THREE GREAT TRUTHS DEATH – BURIAL – RESURRECTION

THREE GREAT TRUTHS

DEATH  – BURIAL – RESURRECTION

This treatise will make anyone’s Christmas more beautiful, 

looking to the future of the Child lying in a manger, 

for He is the Truth that came down from heaven!

   Christ’s death upon the Cross, His burial by Joseph and Nicodemos in a new tomb, where no other body had ever been placed, and His Resurrection on the third day after the crucifixion, are three great historical events, bound together and inseparable, whose historical truth no one can deny or doubt,

unless he has lost all logic and reasoning.

     Christ was crucified in Jerusalem by the high priests and elders of the Jewish people on the day of the Jewish Passover sacrifice, and His crucifixion is a historical event which no one can deny or doubt, for the first who bore witness that Christ did indeed die which was their desire, this being a work of their own hands.  Their cries of: “Away with Him! Crucify Him!” still are clearly recorded in Holy Scripture, and to this day the Jews believe that He deserved to die.  Also they persecuted the disciples of Christ, then called, Nazarenes, for believing in the crucified one!  

PROTESTANT GREAT ERRORS AND GREATER HERESIES Part Three of a series

PROTESTANT GREAT ERRORS

AND GREATER HERESIES

Part Three of a Series

   Christ our Head, proclaimed  that  the embryonic Orthodox Church must “go forth and preach the Gospel to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and the Holy Spirit”, that is by three immersions and emersions.  All who enter the Church through the door of baptism rid themselves of all sins in the grace-filled waters, but most of the time, converts are cheated by not being baptized at all.  Baptism is done in the name of the three persons of the Holy Trinity, and in Orthodox Baptism we effectively die into a death like His, and we  certainly rise into a resurrection like His. Both the smallest and the greatest of sins   are washed away in the baptismal waters.  Who would not desire baptism such a cleansing  baptism knowing that they were never really baptized by the Church’s baptism? 

   The preaching and baptizing performed by heretics, outside the Church, cannot save a single soul. Christ issued His great command of preaching and baptizing, to cleanse the souls of converts so that they shine like a fresh cut diamond, readying them for the precious seal of the gift of Holy Spirit.  Here in the west, we are among people where there are many different christs being preached. 

PROTESTANT GREAT ERRORS AND GREATER HERESIES Part 2 of a Series

PROTESTANT GREAT ERRORS

AND GREATER HERESIES

Part Two of a Series

Sola Scriptura or Only Scriptures

    It is not our intention to engage in a dialogue, but simply to speak the truth, however sincere dialogues are welcome.  Those who seek and yearn for truth will see its presence in these series.  When the reformation began, most of its participants believed, and maybe still believe, a gross falsehood,  which brought about disastrous results. For some reason, many Orthodox leaders do not address these issues, when they engage those who are still being mislead. For the consequences of the reformation not only did not bring truth or happiness to participants, but brought them from one falsehood to another; from Papism to Protestantism, not from the Papacy to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church – Orthodoxy.  They failed to realize how far they went from truth and the correct understanding of Holy Scripture.  Having erroneously believed the Papacy to be the true church, they believed that the Church Christ founded was corrupt.  Based on this falsehood, the early reformers were not planning to leave the Roman Church, bot to correct and change the many evils, for it had become a den of thieves and a mud pool of immorality, which history confirms. 

  The truth is that the Papacy had not been the true church for the previous  five to six hundred when the reformers went into action. The Papacy separated themselves from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, because they were unable to dominate it. The consequences of this apostasy was that they were now separate and free from the  censure of the Church. Thus countless errors and heresies to enter the papacy, piety was left behind, criminal men entered the papacy and many became popes, true Christianity disappeared.  

PROTESTANT GREAT ERRORS AND GREATER HERESIES

PROTESTANT GREAT ERRORS

AND GREATER HERESIES

Part One of a Series

     The purpose of this treatise is not to criticize but to speak the truth to anyone who is interested, and  our motivation for doing so is love. The  meaning of love is to give all the good you possess to those whom you love. There is nothing we can give that is more precious and beautiful than the true Christ and His true Church – holy Orthodoxy!  She is the continuation of the ancient Church founded by Christ and the Apostles, she is one and the same throughout the world, and the true faith has been preserved in all her churches, not by the rule of a central man, but by the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent as Comforter and Guide of His Church. We desire the salvation and eternal life of every man, but especially for those who will see their errors or heresy and abandoning their sinking ships, come  into the arms of holy Orthodoxy, wherein there is certain salvation.

    The fundamental Protestant error is their belief that they are in an imaginary church but they are far outside the true Church.  Because the plurality of many differing factions does not constitute the church for in the Church everyone must have the mind of Christ.  All those who are outside of the Orthodox Church, are not walking on the path of salvation. Christ established His Church on the fundamental doctrinal fact, which was uttered by Peter and confirmed by the other disciples: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mat. 16:16). It is important to note, that this is the fundamental law upon which the Church is built, the belief that  Christ is the Son of the Living God. The fundamental law of the papacy is that the Pope is the head, and all must recognize his authority and infallibility. The Baptists who do not want to be called Protestants have also formed other churches leaving them outside the true church. The fundamental law of most of  Protestantism is Sola Scriptura or Scriptures alone.

CHRISTMAS IS ONLY ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

CHRISTMAS IS ONLY ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

      During this holy season we hear some Christmas songs like Silent Night, Holy Night, Away in A Manger, Come All You Faithful, Jingle Bells, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, Santa Claus is coming, and others which after a few days are soon forgotten by most people.  There is a difference in how divinely inspired Orthodox hymns reach the depths of minds and hearts, filling them with  the good news of the Birth of Christ, not easy to forget. Orthodox hymnology is a special grace, and is the  richest source of hymns of praise which narrate, all the aspects and events of the Nativity of Christ. Orthodox Christmas hymns are filled with the spirit of Christmas and remain indelibly written in many hearts.  Also, the fact that the Spirit inspires many hymn-writers is another reason for their beauty; here are a few samples.

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Christ comes  from the heaven,

Go to meet Him!

Christ is on earth; Be exalted; 

Sing unto the Lord all the earth;

Praise Him in gladness O people, 

For He has been glorified!

   This Christ-centered hymn is used in Orthodoxy from mid November until Christmas, the Feast of Christ’s Birth.  Orthodox Christians observe a moderate fast beginning on November 15th and ending with the Feast Day of Christmas. This hymn begins November 21, which is the Feast of the Entrance of the Virgin  into the temple and the holy of holies where, at the tender age of three, she begins preparation that will be completed when she is betrothed to Joseph. By prayer and fasting, rejoicing in the Lord, by communion with angels, she  prepared to fulfill her awesome destiny which will cause her to become the best and  greatest person ever to come from the human race.  The greatness of her birthgiving can best be expressed in these words.  Our Father who is in heaven is giving birth and the Virgin gave birth to the same Son, our God, Jesus Christ!  At the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel joyfully bestowed upon her a new name saying Rejoice: “Full of Grace” and in her wondrous birthgiving she receives another name, the Ever-virgin Theotokos, for she gave  birth to God in the flesh, our Savior Jesus Christ!

THE HERETICAL TEACHING OF BISHOP KALLISTOS WARE

THE  HERETICAL TEACHING OF 

BISHOP KALLISTOS WARE

IN HIS BOOK THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

       I knew Bishop Kallistos Ware, when, as a very young man, he came to our youth meetings held at the Greek Archdiocese in NYC,
which was in the nineteen-fifties, we knew him then as Timothy Ware.  This article is about the re-publication of his book, “The Orthodox Church.”  Timothy Ware converted to Orthodoxy, and rose to the bishopric, and is now famous. Sadly, he has publicly surrendered the most fundamental beliefs of Orthodoxy and embraced falsehood. He is a gifted and effective speaker, which is what prompts me to write this exposure. Although a Bishop, Kallistos surrendered basic Orthodox beliefs. His high rank elevated him to chief shepherd, but now with his false teachings he is leading many sheep astray,  taking them into dangerous waters where many may perish. (RJM)

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH  Penguin Books UK

Quotes from his book are italicized. Remarks are mine.

“ Orthodoxy has been grievously impoverished by the separation.” P 61

  (RJM) There has never been an “impoverishing by the separation,”  except that of the Papacy which chose power and authority, over the humility and meekness of Jesus Christ,  and they are impoverished by the separation.  But it is impossible for Orthodoxy to be impoverished by the separation because she always remains the body of Christ, the one holy, the treasure house of divine truth and love, constantly producing saints and sanctifying her people. Filled with Holy Spirit, Orthodoxy is always enriched, and will remain so because she avoids the terrible pitfalls of  heresy and especially that of subjection to the Pope,  who claims to be the one and only source of salvation, and the infallible representative of Christ, but he is not the good shepherd. 

SECURITY-- INSECURE AND PERMANENT

SECURITY

INSECURE AND PERMANENT

   Few do not know of the federal Social Security Act, which was designed to give people security when they reached  advanced age, by  financial support. Starting  with one penny on each dollar earned, it was quickly accepted by people.  The Social security system in this country started in the 1930 period, and was touted as security for old age.  Obviously security is important to men, for real security if perfect would give us total comfort without anxieties.

   The first created, Adam and Eve, enjoyed such perfect security in Paradise where there was no opposing power or storm threatening them. So long as they obeyed the law of God they were free and secure in Paradise, having everything they needed.  Nothing could harm  them for they were secure and happy, living in the grace of God. They felt even more secure when God visited them for they delighted in His sweetness, love and beauty.  But after they sinned, everything changed, for they became criminals, having broken the law of God, and now, instead of Paradise, everything changed to bitterness, for they were threatened by the penalty of death which hung over their heads like a  sword. Instead of rejoicing and running toward Him as they always did, now when God called out to them, they hid, trembling in fear, because they were guilty and filled with shame. Sadly having lost their innocence they also lost sweet Paradise.

PROTESTANT DECLARES ORTHODOX BAPTISM IS CORRECT

PROTESTANT  DECLARES

ORTHODOX BAPTISM IS CORRECT

BAPTISM MEANS TOTAL IMMERSION

PROTESTANT RESEARCHER OF 1860

SUPPORTS ORTHODOX TOTAL IMMERSIONS

     One-hundred and fifty-three years ago, in 1860,  a Protestant scholar, named T. J. Conant D.D.,  after complete and extensive research, published the results of his efforts in a book entitled: “The Meaning and Use of Baptism, published by the  American Bible Union, 350 Broome St, Bible Revision Association, Louisville Kentucky, 1860. (entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860.  By the American Bible Union. In the clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York).”  This is taken from the book which lies before me.

     He researched in detail every possible source, hoping to solve a major denominational dispute which had arisen among Protestant sects.  This concerned the meaning of the Greek word baptizeis (baptize). Some considered immersion to be of no consequence, and others deemed it most necessary,  the author, however,  strongly supported the correct meaning, that baptism  always means immerse. Confounding the dispute was the biblical passage incorrectly translated:  “baptize with water”, instead of “baptize in water.”   

THE VOICE OF CHRIST

THE VOICE OF CHRIST

THE LAW WHICH ALL CHRISTIANS 

ARE OBLIGED TO KEEP PERFECTLY

Baptism became for all of us, the beginning of the necessary work we need to accomplish, if we desire salvation and membership in the kingdom of heaven, a task that can only be accomplished in this present life, because after death comes judgment. In Baptism, we renounced the Devil who is the ruler of this world, and by our three immersions and emersions in Baptism, we  died to sin and were resurrected into Christ’s glorious Resurrection. This is the beginning, but our Lord teaches many important things  to the  believers who were baptized into His death and Resurrection.  Christ raises His voice and speaks to us, and this  requires our dedicated attention and obedience. He established the Christian law and  commanded that we keep it, which is an impossible task if we don’t know and understand it.  For convenience we are printing it here from Scripture, in an improved translation from the original Greek, being the Gospel Law of the Lord.  In reading it, is good to remember the Lord’s words: “whoever breaks one point of the law breaks the whole law.” If we struggle to keep all of His commandments, they will develop into good habits, delighting our hearts, filling us with great hope for eternal life and the joy of our Lord!

     In the Gospel of Matthew, chapters five, six, and seven, is what was called by the Church,  the Evangelical Law; it details many things and sets the boundaries of what we are permitted or required to say or do, for in following Christ we can no longer follow our own will, but the will of God. 

  ANDREW THE FIRST CALLED 

HOLY APOSTLE

   The holy Apostle Andrew was the first called by Christ, being the son of Jonah and brother of Peter  the Apostle, whom he had brought to the Messiah.  Andrew was baptized by the John the Baptist and  Forerunner and then became his disciple; it was he who introduced Andrew to Christ as Scripture records.  Jesus came to Andrew and Peter as they were preparing to go fishing,  He said: “Follow me.”  They dropped their nets and everything else and followed him. Then these two brothers, after the Resurrection began untiringly to preach and teach.  They worked wonders, and both of them, after completing their duty to Christ, left this world and entered the kingdom of heaven through crucifixion.

    After Christ had accomplished His work, enduring His Crucifixion and Resurrection, followed by His triumphant Ascension, his promise from on high was fulfilled. For the day of Pentecost arrived and they all received the gift of the Comforter. 

SAINT KATHERINE HOLY GREAT MARTYR AND ALL THOSE MARTYRED WITH HER

SAINT KATHERINE HOLY 

 GREAT MARTYR

AND ALL THOSE MARTYRED WITH HER

November 24, 25

THE ONE-HUNDRED FIFTY ORATORS 

martyred by a fiery death. 

THE EMPRESS FAUSTINA

PORPHYRIOS 

with TWO HUNDRED SOLDIERS

slain by the sword

                                                                 

               

The wonderful and noble Katherine’s father was  King Constas, who reigned with his consort Sabinella and governed Alexandria in Egypt.  Possessing a most quick and clever mind, she became well educated in all the branches of Greek and Roman culture.  She thoroughly learned the art of rhetoric, and in a word, she was smart and proper, possessing  all the learning of the world. In fact she was the wonder of her age for she surpassed everyone. In addition to a wonderful mind she also possessed unrivaled perfection of body and form.  Being such an outstanding beauty, she was also filled with conceit and pride.

    Numerous men had sought her hand in marriage, but Katherine refused all their proposals for  she considered them to be inferior to herself, saying: Who can be found as my superior or my equal in point of beauty, wealth, nobility and learning, so as to justify my accepting him as a husband?  

   Then one day she heard about Jesus Christ from a monk, and she was sure that she had found the bridegroom she was seeking, who was not only just her equal but in reality was incomparably better than her; in respect of beauty and pulchritude, and personal attractiveness, and in respect of wealth and nobility, and of learning and wisdom, Christ greatly surpassed her.  But she was quite unworthy of Him, as was revealed when she was sleeping and in a dream, she beheld the Theotokos who appeared carrying her Son, and urging  Him to look at Katherine.  He quickly turned His head  away, making it plain that He preferred not to gaze at her, for only a brief look had aroused His aversion, as though she was extremely ugly and badly formed.

THE BEAUTY OF MATHEMATICS

THE BEAUTY OF MATHEMATICS

I found this on the net, and I have this to say. This all by itself cries out. Yes, there is a God with a mind that is infinite and he has a logos which all minds have, and a spirit of understanding that also makes it possible for you and I to understand. RJM

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 987 65
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY

   THE THEOTOKOS AND 

EVER-VIRGIN MARY

   Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God,  is being eternally born of the God the Father, and in the fullness of time, without change,  He was born of His Mother, the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea, thus He also became the Son of man. Giving thought to these things and their meaning is astounding. The eternal Father in heaven has designated Mary to be the Mother of His Son in the flesh, being a most amazing event in history, for God the Father and Mary the Mother together have both given birth to Jesus Christ the Godman!

Therefore, the Theotokos, is now enthroned next to God the Father, having a special common bond, which He has and which she has acquired, for they are both the birthgivers of Jesus Christ. What an astounding and glorious woman she is! Christ is eternally being born of the Father before the ages and in time of His mother during the ages.

   What else does this mean? That Mary, who gave birth to God, is henceforth called by the Church, the Theotokos, and because  she is  supremely honored and glorified by God, the Church also honors and supremely and glorifies her.  

ANATHEMA!

ANATHEMA!

   The Papacy  defines the Greek word “anathema”  as “accursed”, and this appears in dictionaries,  but it is not even close.  The meaning of the  word means something to “keep away from” as being dedicated  to either  God or  Satan, which we all must avoid completely (as defined by St. Nicodemos). An example is the Virgin for  being  dedicated to God, she is anathema as she belongs to God.  An anathema is placed on evil things or heretics and their false teaching, the warning is to  keep away. Whoever makes friends or brothers with those  anathematized will pick up their spiritual disease and fall under the anathema as well.

    With no disrespect for our Orthodox leaders and theologians, but with love of truth, we offer these truths which are being trampled upon.  For some years there have been meetings between the Orthodox and Coptic Monophysites as well as the Roman Catholics or the Papacy. These meetings resulted in the following action. High ranking Orthodox leaders and the Papacy or Coptics, have boldly jointly announced to the "lifting of anathemas" against both of these groups, and the deceived Orthodox  then proclaim that the Coptic heresy and the Papacy have the  same belief as the Orthodox–which not only is false but is a betrayal of the true Orthodox Faith, denying the exclusivity of the Church Christ founded. 

   Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Love and the Wisdom of God.  Truth always remains the same, despite the many attacks by the Devil who is the father of lies.  Whenever Love is separated from Truth and Wisdom, it is not only a false and deceptive  love, but is dangerous and deadly to the soul.  To protect us from heresy the Church invokes the anathema. Further understanding of its real meaning occurred to me, the writer,  when I visited Kifisia in Greece,  I saw a huge sign across a large military building, and in huge letters, the word  ANATHEMA.  Later I found out the building contained munitions, so it was a warning like Danger Keep away.

BOOK OF REVELATION ABOUT ORTHODOXY

BOOK OF REVELATION

ABOUT ORTHODOXY

 THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN IN REVELATION  CH 12

       Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, founded and established His Church against which, just as He promised, the gates of Hades have not prevailed. This Church’s existence has now attained close to two thousand years, and remains the only heavenly treasury of unadulterated divine truth in the entire world.  The Church is a divine-human institution constantly filled with the grace and  glory of God. In the Church the Holy Trinity is always present.  Angels are on watchful  guard at all times both outside the doors, and within the sanctuary, where Christ is always present in the reserved Mysteries.  The Church is clearly portrayed in the prophecies of the  Book of Revelation, as the woman clothed with the sun while the Dragon or  Devil constantly makes war against her seeking her destruction, which he continues to this day. But he has already failed and now goes after individuals, busying them with the fool’s gold treasures of this world, and blinding them that they do not see the great treasure of everlasting life.

   “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; and she cried, travailing in birth, and pained to deliver.  

THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE

THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE

     The universe has a cause for its existence and that is God. The universe came into existence in time. These are words of Holy Scripture and the truths which are revealed by Christian Orthodoxy. God created the universe and is its author, who created and designed everything that exists.

 What was there before the universe was created?  There was nothing except the thought in the mind of God. This can be understood by a house which is nothing before it is constructed. It is a mere thought in the mind of the architect.  Anything that is to be designed and constructed is a nothing in the beginning but a thought, for in order to exist it takes will and action.  Non-existence always exists until the pre-conceived thought is put into action. 

     The entire universe is first nothing, having no existence whatever,  but the beginning of its existence is the creation of matter, through which the entire universe is created and formed.  Non existence becomes existence by the unlimited power of God.  When the thought of God becomes His will, his power is always  equal to His will, matter is created.

THE GREAT SAINT PHOTINI

THE GREAT SAINT PHOTINI

 THE SAMARITAN WOMEN AT THE WELL OF JACOB

    This holy and  Great Martyr of Christ, celebrated on February 26, was the Samaritan women who conversed with Christ at Jacob’s well in Samaria. The Gospel of John records shows how  Christ knew about and revealed her history of many husbands. She was baptized along with her two sons and five sisters after Pentecost.  They went with the Apostles preaching Christ, bringing many idolaters to the truth, for their teaching was filled with the power of Holy Spirit which they had received since Pentecost.

 Nero, the  emperor of Rome, had begun a huge and vicious persecution in 66 AD, for he sought to kill all the Christians, especially the most prominent Apostles Peter and Paul.  His maniacal desire was to wipe the name of Jesus Christ off the face of the earth.  The more he increased persecution, the faith of the Christians increased even more.

   St. Photini was in Carthage with her son Joseph when the persecution began, teaching the Gospel to many people. Victor, her eldest son was in the military stationed in Rome, and was promoted to the rank of general. 

ORIGIN OF ORTHODOX 

SIGNING THEIR CROSS

Introduced to Orthodoxy in the 4th century

by St. Meletios, Patriarch of Antioch 

      Orthodox Christians throughout the world, for almost 1700 years, have signed themselves with the Cross using thumb and next two fingers joined, with the other two fingers pressed against the palm; first to the forehead, then the navel, and to the right shoulder and the left. There is nothing in Holy Scripture or the sacred Canons that speaks of this practice of signing, which originally had been made with a single finger, as mentioned by St. John Chrysostom,  bearing witness to  the importance of oral tradition

  It is good to always keep in mind that the way we sign ourselves with the Cross was introduced to the Church by our holy father, Saint Meletios, Archbishop of Antioch. The way this spread like lightning throughout the Church witnesses his divine inspiration. The Saint was well known for his sincerity and good attitude towards all men, always bearing a radiant countenance and friendly smile, attracting many people to him. He lived and preached the truth about Christ and our Faith, and his character was so outstanding that even the heretical Arians held him in high esteem. The Saint lived during a period when the Arians, who denied Christ’s divinity, were in a majority in Antioch. Erroneously thinking  Meletios to be like-minded with them and their heresy, the Arians cast their votes making him Patriarch of Antioch.  In their battles against truth, the Arians continuously aroused continuous turmoil.  Because of His pure Orthodoxy, the Saint was removed three times from the Archepiscopal throne, and driven into exile. His meek and humble nature radiated Christ from his countenance at all times. 

     There were constant struggles between the Orthodox and heretics which at times became bitter. When St. Meletios was preaching of the essential Unity and of the Divine Trinity, his own deacon, who was a heretic, ran up and stopped the Bishop’s mouth with his hand. Then prevented him from speaking, St. Meletios raised his arm high, opened his three fingers to their full extent. Then closing his hand he raised his fist, showing the unity and the trinity. The deacon then, took his hand from the Saint’s mouth in order to hold back the Bishop’s hand which enabled St. Meletios to speak again. 

SCIENTIST CLAIMS HE FOUND WHERE LIFE COMES FROM!

THE BEAUTY OF MATHEMATICS

I found this on the net, and I have this to say. This all by itself cries out. Yes, there is a God with a mind that is infinite and he has a logos which all minds have, and a spirit of understanding that also makes it possible for you and I to understand. RJM

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 987 65
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

WITHOUT FAITH NO ONE CAN BE SAVED

WITHOUT FAITH NO ONE CAN BE SAVED

THE WRETCHEDNESS OF 

UNBELIEF AND FALSE BELIEF  IN THE SOUL

  

GENUINE FAITH FILLS THE SOUL 

WITH  HOPE AND LOVE

    When unbelief exists in a man, he  knows nothing of his true destination, why he exists, or that he is the image of God. Unbelief causes the  heart to be cold, lacking the inner warmth derived from genuine faith. The unbeliever becomes a victim and prisoner of the evil one, and though his body may be free, his soul languishes in unbelief. Lacking the ability to genuinely love, the only love he knows is self centered  which can deceive  him to see himself as a good person who does not harm anyone.  His mind is occupied with mundane things,  destitute of  the beauty and the joy of true faith.  Not drinking from the Orthodox fountain of youth and eternal life; the unbeliever  does not experience the delight of praising  the Theotokos and the Saints. He misses out on the joyful  sadness of praising the martyrs.  He has not seen the light of Christ, nor hear  His words of eternal life.  He has not  smelled the incense, or heard the melodious hymns of praise to our God and Savior. He has not felt the nearness of God because he turns his spiritual eyes away in unbelief. This causes him to be self- righteous.  His heart become smaller,  harder, and empty of faith, hope, and love  becomes filled with evil.  Thus, our Lord says: “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34). “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Mat. 12:35).

DEMETRIOS THE GREAT MARTYR WONDERWORKER AND MYRRH STREAMER

DEMETRIOS THE GREAT MARTYR

WONDER WORKER AND MYRRH-STREAMER

 This glorious Saint, was fearless and victorious in confessing Christ as he strengthened and spread the Christian faith. Born of Christian parents in the third century after Christ, in Salonika, his father was a commander in the military under the emperor Maximilian. The emperor was filled with hatred and bitterness toward the Christian faith and he sought to exterminate it from the face of the earth. After his father departed from this life, the emperor appointed Demetrios to replace him as commander. Demetrios was well known and beloved for his good deeds and bravery in battle.

     Despite the emperor’s animosity toward Christians, Demetrios whose soul lived in Christ, openly taught that man was made by God and that man was placed in Paradise to be happy and content. However the Devil deceived man with the purpose to have him disobey God and cause his condemnation and death. Thus, man believing the Devil, was exiled from beautiful Paradise. God, in order to save mankind, sent His Only-begotten Son to earth. Christ was born to the Ever-virgin Mary and He who was perfect God became perfect man. He was crucified and resurrected from the dead; He ascended into heaven and would come again to judge the living and the dead. This was the constantly repeated message of St. Demetrios.

     The Saint was successful; in bringing many to Christ and everlasting life, while at the same time arousing the fury of the enemies against the Saint. They saw Christianity becoming fruitful and increasing, caused them to decide that they would have to do something to stop blessed Demetrios. They decided that the best thing to do was to have him murdered. They soon found a method to accomplish their wicked task. The Emperor was returning from battle and on his way back to Rome he stopped at Salonika.

BEHOLD THE HANDMAIDEN OF THE LORD!

BEHOLD THE HANDMAIDEN

OF THE LORD!

"From this time forth all generations shall call me blessed."

We Orthodox Christians rejoice and praise the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and delight in her many Feast Days, for she is the most exalted of all human beings, an example of perfection for which we all need to strive. Her own Son caused the overthrow of the ancient world of human sacrifice and idolatry, replacing it with the new world of peace and love and good will among men. This new world would form men in accordance with God’s plan to create men and women in His own image and likeness. They are destined to become gods like God and to radiate His goodness and kindness and sacrificial love. This is the only reason for the existence of all that exists on earth and in the whole universe. This is the revelation of the mystery of God’s plan.

More honorable than the Cherubim and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim!

       Completely innocent, deeply humble, overflowing with divine love for God, she was given a new name, which no one else had, but many will have in the future, the name given her when the Archangel Gabriel addressed her: Rejoice, "Full Of Grace"! Just the solemn thought of the blessed and gracious Virgin fills our hearts with jubilation and warmth, which draws our hearts nearer to God, where she stands at His right hand as the Queen of all. All true Christians are destined by the seal of the Holy Spirit to become full of grace. That is why St. Seraphim of Sarov said that the purpose of Christian life is to acquire Holy Spirit.
 

Without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos!

     Mary was chosen from among many, for she is the most worthy and holy of the entire human race. She is Virgin above all virgins, Woman above every woman, and Mother above all mothers; for she gave birth to God the Logos, her Son Jesus Christ. She is truly the handmaiden of God, first among all of the Lord’s handmaidens. From her earliest childhood she dwelled in the inner holy of holies in the Temple of God. Then in the fulness of time, God chose the Virgin Mary to replace the ancient temple of stone with her body which would become the temple of God. Being taught and nourished by angels, she was divinely educated from the age of three years, learning all that she needed to know to fulfill her glorious destination.

And are really Theotokos, you do we magnify!

     A handmaiden serves her master with all her heart, and the Virgin completely served the Lord with dedication obeying and submitting to Him with all her mind, all her soul, and all her strength. Her heart was filled with His love, His purity, and His holiness. She did not touch or think of anything evil, instead she radiated God’s light which poured forth from her countenance.

     After being betrothed to Joseph, who would become her protector, she was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who told her that she would give birth to a Son in time who is the Son of the Most High God, and remain a virgin. The Virgin had no desire to please anyone in the world, for her only desire was to please God and love Him with all her heart, and although God so highly exalted her, she sang of her humility saying: "My soul magnifies the Lord; and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has regarded the humility of His handmaiden; for behold, from this time all generations shall call me blessed" (Luke 1:46-47).

     Due to her gracious inner beauty, she is recognized as God’s perfect choice, and God the Father honors and exalts her, especially because He is His own Only-begotten Son and Logos, who would through the Virgin become her Son from whom He took humanity and flesh. Through this beautiful birth giving, the Father Creator and the creature Mary now share the same Son. This shows how close she is to God and how highly God exalts her. Those who dishonor the Virgin , dishonor God who bestowed the greatest honor upon her by their sharing the same Son whom He begets outside of time, and she begets in time. These are some of the reasons that the Orthodox Church sings the truth about her, saying: Virgin before conceiving, Virgin after giving birth, Virgin after child birth, and Virgin forever.

We honor her with hymns such as this:

All of creation rejoices in you,

O Full of Grace

The assembly of angels and the race of man.
O sanctified temple and noetic Paradise,

The exultation of virgins;

From whom God was incarnate And became a new Child;

He who is our God from before the ages.He made your womb a throne

And your body more spacious than the heavens.

All of creation rejoices in you,O Full of Grace; glory to you!

A DEAD HOPE VS A LIVING HOPE

A DEAD HOPE 

VS  

A LIVING HOPE

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living hope by the Resur-rection of Jesus Christ from the dead"                           (1 Pet. 1:3).

 

       Working, investing and operating a business are necessary things in our lives and St. Paul commands: "Whoever does not work shall not eat." We need to work, and we hope for a good job or successful business, but this is an innocent hope. But there is a difference between placing all our hopes in these things without hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Herein we refer to a total hope in material things as being a dead hope. But hope in Jesus Christ is a hope that enlivens our souls to hearken to His words and keep His commandments leading us to eternal life.

     There is a living hope and there is a dead hope, and there are many who place their hope in material things which is a dead hope, while all who place their hope in the Living God and the resurrected Jesus Christ, have a living hope. Hope is a strong influence in everyone’s life, for it energizes us to struggle for the object of our hope.

WHY DO MEN TRUST EACH OTHER BUT NOT GOD?

WHY DO MEN TRUST EACH OTHER BUT NOT GOD?

 

St. Cyprian writes concerning immortality:

 

"Whenever any famous person promises you something, you trust in his promise, not thinking that he will prove to be deceptive, since he is always true to his word. But behold, O distrustful man, God himself speaks to you and you vacillate in doubt! God has promised you immortality when you leave this world, and do you impudently doubt and ignore His promise? This means that you do not recognize God at all; it means that you insult Christ our Lord and Teacher with your lack of faith."

      Nothing in this world lasts including our short sojourn here. One day, often without knowing, we will each sit down to our last meal, we will lay down for our final night’s sleep. We will see our family and those we love and friends for the last time, for everything here in this world has a beginning and an end. We are born as infants and we die, possibly before old age. Death is often sudden and without warning, so action must be quick and meaningful. But beyond death we will encounter whatever we have chosen, either eternal life or the second death, from which there is no return. If we have not with faith, entered the struggle for life, it is not possible to enter eternal life.

      Our choice doesn’t mean that we will go to Church, perform acts of mercy, or help the poor, all being good, but our choice means, changing our life, beginning with sincere repentance. To be Orthodox Christians is to live for Christ, to love Christ above everything, to recognize Him as the first and most important and center of everything in our lives. True love cannot be lukewarm but must be hot, lively and sacrificial. Our Lord testifies to this, saying: "I would that you were either hot or cold, but because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth."

      We need to plan here and now for eternity where there is no yesterday or tomorrow, no day or night, but only today without end. Sooner or later, we will all depart yet we give it little thought, even though it involves the most important decision of our lives. We make many decisions every day, but this decision is the most important that we will ever make, for it will determine either our eternal life or eternal death. How can we escape if we ignore the Logos of God who became incarnate to save us? How can we hope for a future life of rest and eternal happiness, if we do not obey and love Him in return? How can we escape if we do not have firm and absolute faith in the Son of God, for if we fail to have faith, it means that we reject Him and His blessed offer to us. We need to at least make a beginning and put forth the effort to do what He teaches us, beginning with our personal repentance and confession of our sins.

 

      He confirms His perfect love for us, and whether we love Him or not, He will always love us, for God is love. By His descending and taking on our humanity, and becoming one of us, although being God, He humbled himself even to the Cross and death, but arose on the third day never to die again. He did this to grant us eternal life in return for keeping His commandments and by sincerely loving Him in return for His love and great mercy to us.

 

      Jesus Christ is the God that never changes, and every word He spoke affects every one of us. Have we even listened to His words? Have we even begun to fulfill His commandments? He made it clear that He alone is the path that leads from earth to heaven, from temporary life to eternal life. What will happen to those who are disinterested and refuse to be saved?

 

      We trust in others about our cares in life, why do we fail to trust the one who brought us into existence and who will be our judge, for He will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. We trust others, and believe so many other things about life; we get medical help and trust our doctors and pharmacists, our pilots, why do we not trust the one who gives us our lives and everything else gratuitously? We trust others who do not love us; why do we not trust the one who loves us conditionally whose name is Love?

 

     Moses the Great told Israel that there were two paths, that of life and that of death saying: "Choose life that you may live." Christ, whom Moses prophesied would come, says: "I am the resurrection and the life!" This present temporary life is really our battleground, and God the Father, through the Prophets and Jesus Christ battled against the Devil and His authority over man. Christ stripped him of that authority concerning those who follow Him. But without Christ, we are simply playthings in the hands of the Devil who hates and despises us and seeks our condemnation so that we end up being like him in eternal torment. He convinces men that there is no future life, no judgment, and when you die you dissolve into nothing. Enjoy this life! So eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die!" This is the venom from the serpent that poisons men who do not seek to acquire faith, refusing to trust God. There is no choice, for if we do not place our trust in God, we certainly place it in our worst enemy, the Devil.

 

      If we choose death ignoring the promise of life, we will have chosen to suffer and be tormented. We cannot change after death and whatever we have trusted in this world will be ours in the next life. Even if we were offered the kingdom of heaven, we would refuse it, for we will be aware of our own condemnation and cannot change. If we now choose life, we shall avoid the second death and live for ever in the kingdom of Christ. There we will rejoice and be glad and leap about happily being filled with divine energy and love, and every moment will be blissful and behold beauty such as we could never begin to dream about. There will be no tears or sighing but life everlasting, for God will wipe away every tear, and His perfect love will continuously refresh and surround us.

SAINTS AND THEIR GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ORTHODOXY

SAINTS AND THEIR GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ORTHODOXY

ST. PAUL INFORMS  ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM





 

      Saints, Martyrs, the Devout, the Just or Righteous, and Wonder-workers, are some of the names we use to honor those among the Saints. They have struggled with great faith and love to serve God first and above every other effort. Some struggled in the desert, with fasting and asceticism, others lived in monasteries and caves, and many lived in the inhabited world, all having one desire, to faithfully serve and love the living God and Creator of all, and to leave this world having full confidence and hope of a good apology at the dread judgment seat of Christ and of everlasting life in the world to come.

     Standing out among the great Saints important to Orthodoxy is St. John Chrysostom. Archbishop of Constantinople (Nov. 13). St John was born around the middle of the fourth century and had lived in Antioch in Syria. Here is a brief account showing that the Saint did not interpret the Scriptures out of his own ideas, but received help directly from the author, in this case, the Apostle Paul.

     John was called Chrysostom, which means golden-mouthed, and he was a superb orator, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Golden-mouthed includes not only his manner of speaking, but also what he said, for he was highly endowed with fiery and divine Apostolic zeal. He was a great beacon of the Church and teacher to the inhabited world.

CHRISTMAS CAROL TELLS OF SAINT WENCESLAS

 

CHRISTMAS CAROL TELLS OF SAINT WENCESLAS

        "The Christmas Carol "Good King Wenceslas" tells of the Czech King (Vatslav) Wenceslas, whose grand-mother is the Holy Martyr Ludmilla. During his lifetime Czechs were Orthodox. Wencesles was became a holy Martyrwhen slain by his own brother."                                                           Prologue # 3

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
Then a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.

 

Hither, page, and stand by me.
If you know it telling:
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.

Bring me flesh, and bring me wine.
Bring me pine logs hither.
You and I will see him dine
When we bear the thither.

Page and monarch, forth they went,
Forth they went together
   Through the rude wind’s wild lament
   And the bitter weather.

Sire, the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger.
Fails my heart, I know not how.
I can go no longer.
Ark my footsteps my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

In his master's step he trod,
Where the snow lay dented.
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing

 

THE WESTERN RITE IN ORTHODOXY

THE WESTERN RITE IN ORTHODOXY

      Orthodoxy does not have a Pope, but we do have both good and not so good theologians and bishops, some who love Orthodoxy and some who, without realizing, act against our Holy Traditions. In many cases the faithful are completely unaware and disinterested in what is happening in the Church, and thus the Church is in the process of losing one of its most important defenders – the faithful laity who care about preserving the truth and the Orthodox Faith.

     What is the Western rite? Ostensibly, they say it makes it easier for those in the west to become Orthodox. In reality it is an infiltration, sponsored by Orthodox Bishops, of papal tradition into holy Orthodoxy, accomplishing what the Papacy has often attempted without success, which is to subdue and somehow destroy Holy Orthodoxy. Some will scoff at this, but a little leaven can accomplish much, to leaven good or evil. To accomplish this, first Orthodoxy must, in the eyes of its members, be watered down and gradually changed in their minds into just another rite. The Papacy has already proven this possible through the Byzantine rite churches which preserve the form, but have lost the grace of the Holy Spirit, which enlivens the Church. They look Orthodox but are of the papacy.

     Bishops are called upon to be an example of Christ, to become Christlike, leading the Orthodox faithful on the path of truth and eternal life, helping them to avoid the errors of those outside the Church. Their office requires them to to repeatedly proclaim the glorious truths of Orthodoxy while protecting their sheep from the wolves, such as the papacy, protestantism, and all errors.