LOVE – THE GREATEST OF ALL VIRTUES AND THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

LOVE – THE GREATEST OF ALL VIRTUES AND THE WAY TO ETERNAL  LIFE

      If our life on earth was only an hour long, and we had nothing but Christ, the joy, sweetness and  love we would experience, would fill our souls with delight, and  be more desirable than an entire lifetime enjoying all the  material things, for matter can never replace the God who created us. Further,  without Christ, we are dead before we die.  To be without Christ is to be placed  among the poorest on earth, and to have Christ enrolls us among the most wealthy, far above kings and billionaires.  Christ is the life of all men; Christ is everything  good, the priceless pearl, who desires that no one perish but that all come to knowledge of truth.  It is only in Jesus Christ that we will find the wonders of love, peace and joy,  not only experiencing them but sharing them  as though  our own.  Love is the most important thing  in heaven and on earth, and Paul says that love is the lasting virtue, “love never ends”.

     All the servants of God in the heavenly world, know that God is love and that love prevails among them all.  Here on earth, magazines  that write about love are tainted with erroneous ideas, for love is not found in  the passions of the flesh.

BAPTISM ENTRANCE INTO THE ORTHODOX FAITH

BAPTISM ENTRANCE INTO THE ORTHODOX FAITH

When you were baptized in the Jordan Lord, The adoration of the Trinity was manifest 
The voice of the Begetter bore witness to you, Calling you His own beloved Son.
The Spirit appeared in the form of a dove, Confirming  the certainty of the word.
You have appeared, Christ our God,
And illumined the whole world.
Glory to you!

We refer to ourselves as Orthodox Christians because we were either born into the faith, or we chose  Orthodoxy as the True Church, wherein is found the True Christ.  Herein are important  things worth considering about and discussing.  The Jews identified themselves as being Jews by the particular mark which the Lord instituted as their identification, showing them to be different than the Gentiles, that mark being circumcision. This means that the Jews, as a nation, were marked and cut out, (circumcised) chosen apart from the rest of mankind,  which helped to keep them away  from worshiping their idols and false gods, or from  marrying their women, or following their diet.  The law of circumcision was also a mark of their covenant with God which dated back to Abraham. The Jews did not intermix with the gentiles and usually referred to them as the uncircumcised.

THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD

THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD

Christ and all the Saints

  “When a husband and wife have a child,  one thing they realize is that this bundle of joy is small and weak, needing the loving care of its parents, which the parents naturally give.  

 When the Virgin Theotokos gave birth without seed to Jesus Christ, the small baby also needed to be held and nursed by her, but there was something else, different than all other babies ever born, for this baby is not only a baby, but is also the all powerful true God.  Here is what St. Nicolai Velimirovic says in the Prologue, concerning the flight into Egypt of Mary, Jesus and Joseph:, and the awesome power of the infant Jesus.

    An account of the divine Christ-Child:  Both the great prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, prophesied that the Lord would come to Egypt, and that His presence would shake the temples and destroy the idols.  Isaiah wrote:  ‘Behold the Lord shall come into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His presence’ (Isaiah 19:1).

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 10

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 10
CHRIST  IS  BORN !  GLORIFY HIM!

  The Nativity of Jesus Christ in the flesh, who was born like each of us as a helpless infant, is now manifest to all.  The All-powerful and All-knowing God and Creator of all, becomes a babe under most humble circumstances. God is in perfect union with man and man is in perfect union with God.  He rose upon the world, lowly and needing care, but also as the brilliant eternal  moral light radiating  from the manger, to all those who visit Him in spirit in Bethlehem.  What appears to be a helpless baby, just by His birth brings peace and joy, illuminating the souls of those dwelling in darkness – the terrible darkness of sin and passions. This light from the infant Christ transforms  the hearts of men, and brings softness and humility with repentance and  amazement, for this event is new and has never happened before. The shepherds were filled with exultation on seeing the heavens opened,  They were afraid at the beauty and the angelic choir singing to them these glad tidings: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord; and this shall be a sign to you: You shall find the babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” . And suddenly there was, with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly hosts  praising God, and saying:  Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will among men”       (Luke 2:10-14)

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 9

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 9

 HYMNS AND ODES OF THE PREFEAST 

     The following  hymns, are among those used during the prefeast  and  the Nativity of Christ, and anyone seeking the genuine  “Christmas spirit”, need look no further for it is totally expressed  in these hymns. These  hymns are filled with the spirit of Christmas and properly  prepare the faithful for the Nativity of Christ. Some  may hear these hymns in a different language miss some of the meaning.  Others may not grasp all the words during choir singing, and others may just find them helpful. It is good to understand the words of what is sung,  for it  benefits our souls. Orthodoxy music is not ordinary but is inspired due to its source in the Spirit. The hymnology of Orthodoxy has been created by many Saints, among them are: St. Romanos Melodos, St. John Damascene, St. Ephraim the Syrian, St. Joseph the Hymnwriter, St. John Koukouzelos, the Nun Kassiani.  Just reading these hymns will fill a believer with the sweetness of the birth of Jesus Christ.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 8

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 8

DANIEL AND THE  THREE SERVANTS

Great are the achievements of faith!  

“In the fountain of  flames, as though refreshing water,
the holy three servants rejoiced. 

Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd 
of lions as if sheep.”

These holy men were Christians before Christ was born!
They were Christian martyrs before holy church martyrs.
They were baptized in fire before holy Baptism.
  They were filled with Holy Spirit before Pentecost
They were in the company of the Son of man before He became a man!
They radiated Christian virtues before Christianity.  

      Their faith and lives remain an example for all Christians, especially  martyrs.  Behold, before us are Daniel and his fellow three servants, Shadrach,  Mesach and Abednego also known as Ananias, Azarius and Mishael. The king sent out his decree demanding worship of his huge golden idol or being thrown into the fiery flames of the furnace. The three youths did not bow and this was reported to the king, who asked them if they did indeed refused to bow down. The three servants bravely and unhesitatingly defied Nebuchadnezzar, rejecting the command to bow down before his golden idol,  and thus the king consigned them to death in the fiery flaming furnace. (details below) Then O wonder of wonders, the flames were not burning them,  but were like a cool breeze as they stood rejoicing and chanting praises to the  God of heaven, and these hymns have been immortalized and are continuously sung in the Church.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 7

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 7 

Every event leading to the Nativity or Birth of Jesus Christ is significant. Now drawing closer to the day of  Nativity of Christ or Christmas, we shall  witness the greatest birth ever to take place in the world,  never  to happen  again. The Most Holy Virgin is approaching to give birth to the Godman in Bethlehem of Judea. Eventually He will be known by many names throughout the world.  

   Among them are  Savior, King of kings, Lord of lords, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Christ, the Head of the Church, the Bridegroom, and Judge of the living and the dead.  Just as the shining angels instructed the shepherds to go to the manger in Bethlehem, so they now instruct us to follow their example, by going to Bethlehem above and there celebrate the Feast with fear and joy!  After hearing the angels, the shepherds,  now filled with great joy and divine zeal, hastened to Judea to offer  homage to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.  

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 6

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 6
PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL AMONG  ME

Watching over their flock by night, the shepherds suddenly raised their eyes  up to the heavens in astonishment .  They were very much afraid  at what their eyes  beheld.  Beauty such as  never been  seen before,  glad tidings of the angels of  great joy never heard before, light so brilliant that was  never seen before, a glimpse into the heavenly world never experienced before, and they  gazed momentarily into a world  extremely beautiful, beyond description. They listened  as dazzling angelic powers, with  harmonious and  sweet  voices never heard before,  poured forth words of gladness and great joy, as together the whole choir of angels together sang a new song:

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will among men!”

      As the shepherds listened and watched in awe,  they immediately obeyed the words of the angels and prepared to go to Bethlehem, but let us meditate on the first words of these holy  Christmas angels: “Peace on earth . . ."

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 5

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 5

 

What is Christmas about? It is the Feast of the birth of the Lord in the flesh which we are now approaching. Let us reflect on events leading to this wonderful event.

Isaiah one of the great Prophets of Israel described the future event of Christmas to the Jewish people seven hundred years prior to the first Christmas with these words: “Behold the virgin shall conceive in her womb and bear a son, and shall call his name Emanuel.” Mentionof this prophesy’s fulfillment is recorded by the Evangelist Matthew wherein the angel addresses Joseph:

“Joseph, fear not to take Mary for your wife; for that which she conceived is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin will be with child, and shall bring forthson, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God is with us” (Mat. 1:20-23).

 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 4

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

PART 4   CHRISTMAS 2012

     Concerning the Annunciation of the Theotokos, the word annunciation is Evangelisomos which in the original Greek, means the good news. The good news is not for a few, but for the entire human race of every generation, because the Son of the Virgin, is the Creator of the world and the Savior of the world. Coming to us as a humble man, withoutfanfare, cameras or publicity, for He comes in humility and meekness.

THE REALLY BAD NEWS

     Why is this called good news? Because it counteracts the really bad news, which threatens us. Because we are sinners and will be judged in the last days by God’s justice demands that we pay for our sins, small and great. Unable to escape, we will be condemned to eternal suffering. Our sins are numberless, and like glue they cling to us. We cannot rid our souls of our lies, theft, pride,

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 3

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 3

CHRISTMAS 2012

     The young child of God Mary, was apart from the world and its attractions, instead she enjoyed the companionship of heavenly angels, and advancing in years she remained in the temple of God. Mary had no idea that she would soon become the most known and blessed of the human race, the Queen of heaven and earth, our prize and gift to God. Nor did she know that the Messiah whom she so yearned for would dwell in her womb and that she would become His Mother. She repulsed from herself any inclination of sin, but knew and felt the weakness of human nature, and her sensitivity made her feel this more than many. Because of this, she yearned greatly that the Savior who would come one day, who had been promised by God through many Prophets. There were women in Israel of different ages, who nourished the desire that the Messiah who was to come, would be born of one of them. However, David the Prophet King foresaw his daughter Mary’s day when he prophesied: "At your right hand stood the Queen, arrayed and adorned in clothing of solid gold.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 2

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

PART TWO

CHRISTMAS 2012

     The gracious child Mary, is destined to become the most honorable Mother of God, the most greatly blessed of all humanity, for she will in the fulness of time, give birth to the Savior of the whole world. The Virgin Mary, chosen of God, was gracefully filled with His grace from her earliest childhood, for she was chosen by God out of the entire human race. Her God-fearing and loving parents also contributed much to her spiritual beauty, and filled her with parental love. And here is a symbol of her greatness and supreme rank in heaven, with none higher than her except God. The grace of God with which she was filled will be transformed into her permanent name. This was fulfilled when the Angel Gabriel, greets her at the Annunciation. For he addressed her with her new name in this manner: "Rejoice! Full of Grace!"

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Part One CHRISTMAS 2012

      Some say that this year Christmas doesn’t seem to be like it used to be, and upon hearing this the writer thought, I love Christmas and it becomes better every year. Why the difference of opinion? There is Christmas in the world and there is the Christmas which is the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Christmas in the world consists of many visions of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, holly, wreaths, mangers. Christmas presents, Christmas carols, candy canes, elves, shopping lists, Christmas cards, and one horse open sleighs. The only thing missing is what this day was originally about – the birth in Bethlehem of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His being laid in a manger. Christmas of 2012 has indeed changed as the powers that be, continuously secularize the day and making certain that Jesus Christ is hidden and not brought to anyone’s attention. Let us approach Christmas as Orthodox Christians do. We begin with the prophecy of His birth from the Virgin.

THE OLD LIFE OF MISERY vs THE NEW LIFE OF JOY

THE OLD LIFE OF MISERY vs THE NEW LIFE OF JOY

"You have not resisted unto blood in striving against sin" (Heb. 12:4).

"That we too might walk in the newness of life" (Rom. 6:4)

     St. Paul rebukes some early Christians with these words: "You have not resisted unto blood in striving against sin." His rebuke is not only for them but for all of us until this day. When we were baptized into Christ, St. Paul said in the baptism epistle: "We were buried therefore, with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ is raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life . . ." The newness of life is the whole purpose of the Church’s existence, the reformation of each of us to become an image of Christ, fearing and loving Him and doing His work in this fallen world.

     What is the oldness of life? The oldness life, is the life of the pagan and unbeliever; the wretched life of sin and passions. It is living only for the

POPE CALLS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS DEFECTIVE

 

POPE SAYS JESUS

FORMED BUT ONE CHURCH

– THE PAPACY

 

Pope: Other denominations

not true churches

Benedict issues statement asserting that Jesus established ‘only one church'

 

MSNBC News Services

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19692094/ns/world_news-europe/t/pope-other-denominations-not-true-churches/

LORENZAGO DI CADORE, Italy -

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.

THE PONTIFF OF ROME INSULTS JESUS CHRIST

AND CHRIST’S TRUE ORTHODOX
CHURCH

     Standing apart from the One Holy Catholic Church which they abandoned a thousand years ago, the Pope looks at the True Church, calling it defective, for one reason,  it is not his, for he imagines himself as the only authority in the world! In the thousand years since the great Apostasy of Rome, after separating from the  Catholic, Apostolic Church, the Papacy falsely proclaimed itself the Catholic Church. Orthodox leaders of our times, know for certain, what we all know, that the Orthodox Church alone is the true One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, as confess in our Holy Creed. Some leaders have thought that dialogues with the Papists could bear fruit, hoping that Rome would renounce its errors and  return to Orthodox. But the Papacy cannot and will not move a single inch away from its fundamental dogma, which is: the Pope of Rome is the only super-bishop ruling over all mankind, to be questioned by no one being the infallible representative of God on earth.

    The Pope says that the Orthodox Churches are indeed "churches" and that they enjoyed "many elements of sanctification and truth." But, he said, they lack something because they do not recognize the primacy of the Pope – and are defective causing them harm.

　　

"Orthodoxy is Defective and Wounded"

"

HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY ESCAPE?

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE

IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT A SALVATION?

 

     “Therefore we ought to give much greater attention to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should slip away.” For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation ?  (Heb. 2:1-3)

     “The word spoken by angels” is the Mosaic Law, which was most severe, and included the death penalties for many sins, inescapable and rigidly enforced in most cases. Blasphemy, failing to keep the Sabbath, fornication, adultery, murder, killing a slave, kidnaping, homosexuality, idolatry, sorcery, prostitution, and other sins were punished by the death penalty. God’s laws do not change for under the Christian Gospel, they still carry the death penalty.

ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV WITH BEAR

St. Seraphim of Sarov

     You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is of the devil. Never condemn each other.

     Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult, and outrage and will shield your hearts against all evil.        St. Seraphim of Sarov

THE CHURCH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL

THE CHURCH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL

  "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." With these words Christ announces the foundation the Church which He will head, that He will build it, that it will be preserved, and that not even the gates of Hades will prevail against and corrupt His Church. Why did Christ at this time utter these important words which concern all the entire human race ? Certainly not to establish the myth that Peter became the foundation of the Papacy. For Christ had asked this question of His disciples: "Whom do you say that I am?" The question was not about Peter and who Peter was. In fact this question was asked of all His disciples not only Peter, and all the disciples agreed with Peter, as indicated by their silence. When Peter answered: "You are the Christ, Son of the Living God,"

 

PROPHECIES CONCERNING CONSTANTINOPLE

 

PROPHECIES CONCERNING CONSTANTINOPLE

AND AGHIA SOPHIA (HOLY WISDOM)

 

ST. CONSTANTINE’S TOMB    339 AD

　
　

  The Church of Aghia Sophia will be returned to the Orthodox Christans according to the Prophecies. As to the date and time only the Lord knows, but as to events and history, we have limited knowledge, but certainty that the church will be orthodox asgain to the glory of our true church. One things seems sure, and the reader can determine this, thet Russia is going to play a large role in this event to come.

GLORIOUS FREEDOM!

 

GLORIOUS FREEDOM!

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE

LET FREEDOM RING!

　
　

　

　　THE REAL BUT UNMENTIONED FREEDOM

           We exalt and reverence freedom, we inhale and exhale freedom, and we attempt to share this precious freedom with many others so that they the whole world may enjoy the wonderful gift of freedom. This is our pride and boast especially in America and rightly so, for freedom is precious! This was also  mentioned in the rallying cry of the French Revolution, Freedom (Liberty), Equality and Brotherhood.