This is refreshing. Think of this man’s courage, the inattentiveness to what others may think. We really shouldn’t be surprised, should we though? After all, Jesus told His disciples that “I will send you as sheep among wolves,” and “to take neither scrip nor cloak.”
Contrast this with our bishops here in America, who are fearful about the future, as is clear from Metropolitan Savvas Zembillas’ remarks during the recent OCL conference in Parma. (Must be something in the water.)
Source: Pravloslavie
“I wanted to show that the Church always lived with its people and was present at all events: from public events to sports. That’s why I took part in this marathon. I could see that the people liked it: whenever I was running, I was applauded more energetically than other participants. Some people asked for prayers. And I was praying while running!”
Father Athanasios, 43, was probably the most unique runner and very different from other participants of the Athens classic marathon, reports Romphea.
Although he did not break any records, he managed to make a tremendous impression, appearing at the competition in his cassock.
Fr. Athanasios has the rank of captain; he lives and serves as a military chaplain in Ptolemais, Greece in the first army corps. A father of five children and an amateur runner, the priest decided to run 42 kilometres of the marathon to draw the people’s attention to the Church.
“It was interesting to me to take part in the competition. The people welcomed me very warmly. I heard no negative comments—quite to the contrary. Only one person told me that he wished I would run next year marathon without a cassock. ‘But then you would have not understood that I was a priest’, I replied to him,” says Fr. Athanasios.
The priest received a blessing to participate in the competition from Metropolitan of Florina, Prespon and Eordeas, who encouraged his decision to run the distance in the cassock, though it was not compulsory.
“I ran in the cassock because that is precisely how I could convey my message,” explained the priest.
Fr. Athanasios Vlahodimos finished in 4 hours 16 minutes, although as he says he had run the same distance in 3 hours 40 minutes during the practice race.
“I came in with a delay because I got a cramp in my leg. Fortunately, there was nothing serious, only worse time results. But I am pleased merely to have participated. Besides, all participants are awarded with a medal if they reach the finish, and that is the meaning of the marathon,” said the priest.
Love it! Our local parish priest always wears his cassock. I am glad of it indeed. Nobody can mistake him for an Episcopalian cleric!
Yes, a refreshing example of someone getting exercise, keeping fit, but that was not his principle purpose. It was harmless, and not a violation of the Royal Law. The real exercise was his lack of concern for human arbitrariness. He is obviously is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..
Isaac desired to give the Divine Blessing to Esau, who he favored, arbitrarily over Jacob. The command and prophesy that the elder shall serve the younger was ignored by Isaac. Rebecca, violates the Royal Law, deceiving Isaac to give the Blessing to Jacob. She was not too concerned with Isaac’s arbitrariness, either. Rejoice, daughter of Zion the Victorious Lord Jesus Christ has covered your sin. For God’s Will was done, and the spiritual is served by the physical and the body is kept under subjection.
Hooray for Fr. Athanasios. Not only did he complete the race and manifest his fitness (a great spiritual metaphor that St. Paul used, being put into practice), but he did it while making a positive statement for the Orthodox Faith and the Church. He received the blessing of his bishop, the was willing to show who he is as both man and priest, and he had a positive and joyful outlook throughout it all. It’s a wonderful article and statement.
Thank You!
http://www.gofundme.com/savejennfromtheshortbus
Knock, knock, George…..
Are you there?
To me, a simple cassock is the epitome of what it means to be a member of the clergy of the Orthodox Church. Not too long ago, I saw an Orthodox priest wearing one in the airport and it filled me with joy and peace just to see him there and to be able to acknowledge him as, “Father,” when our eyes met. His response was, “God bless you.” I felt blessed. I felt safe.
The priest wearing a cassock in the airport can expect especial scrutiny from TSA and delay in travel. I did – arbitrarily searched in a 3rd-tier airport, missing my flight and staying another night. The next day I went to the airport in ‘civvies’ despite my desire to travel in persona of my vocation.
It’s a very different situation here in the land of police scrutiny where priesthood is the last thing a TSA agent would think of, compared to Greece or other country where he is part of society.
Fr. Peter, be a little more savy…I always wear my cassock when traveling, including in the airport. Prior to going through security, I slip my cassock in my computer bag. I pass through security and slip the cassock back on. It takes a moment, no harm no foul. I have traveled all over the US and the world since 9/11 and have never had a problem.
Traveling with a cassock has been a blessing to me many times over, and has brought me into to contact with many wonderful Orthodox Christians, as well as other Christian people of good will.
We ought to embrace our traditions instead of loathing what we have received. Fr. Athanasios’ comments are a reminder of that…and more.
I know a Bishop whose vestments set off the alarms for vapors of explosives because they smelled of incense.
I cannot help but comment on my amazement that our Church in Syria is suffering as a direct result of the policies of the Obama administration which is giving arms and support to the rebels who have proclaimed that their goal is to turn Syria into an Islamic state ruled by Sharia Law and you people are worrying about whether or not a priest wears a cassock in an air port. Instead of worrying about these trivias, the people posting here should be more concerned about the recent kidnapping by the rebel forces of a dozen nuns from the ancient Orthodox monastery of St. Thekla and the fate of our fellow Orthodox Christians in Syria than with what a priest wears in an airport.
Father John,
With all due respect, one thing has nothing to do with the other. Being concerned about one thing does not therefore obviate the ability to be concerned about another.
This article was about a priest wearing a cassock while running a marathon. The discussion about wearing cassocks generally arose organically…
What in the world has any of that to do with nuns being kidnapped in Syria or Obama arming rebels? And why do you assume that those who have expressed interest in this thread are uninterested in our suffering brothers and sisters in Syria or elsewhere in the world?
I have seen nothing on his site about the abducted nuns and very little about the persecution of Orthodox Christian by rebels backed by our government. That is infinitely more important than wearing a cassock while running a marathon or in an airport. There are some Orthodox who are far too concerned with non essential externals while ignoring important matters like what is happening to our fellow Orthodox Christians in Syria.
Its not either/or, Abouna.
Yes, my grandchildren are more important than your dinner party (even you would agree to that), by my talking incessantly about them at your dinner party is not more important than your dinner party. This is the answer to all of these non-sequitur false comparisons.
I do my work every day. How can I do that given what’s going on in Syria?
The question is simply fallacious.
The final sermon of Fr. Alexander Schmemann, delivered on Thanksgiving Day, 1983
Thank You, O Lord!
Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the “one thing needed;” Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.
The Akathist of Thanksgiving
By Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestan
Found in effects of Hieromartyr Grigori Petroff (+1942)
Kontakion 1
O King of ages, Who, by the power of Thy salvific providence, holdeth in Thy right hand all the ways of man’s life: I thank Thee for all Thy visible and secret goods, for earthly life and for the heavenly joy of Thy future Kingdom. Pour forth richly Thy grace, in the future as well, on us who sing to Thee: Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Ikos 1
I was born on earth as a feeble and helpless child, but Thy angel, spreading his shiny wings, has sheltered my cradle. From that moment Thy love shines in all my ways and miraculously guides me into the light of eternity. For that my soul lauds Thee and hails Thee with all who know Thee:
Glory to Thee Who hast called me into life.
Glory to Thee Who art revealing to us the beauty of the universe.
Glory to Thee Who art opening to us heaven and earth as an eternal book of wisdom.
Glory to Thy eternity in the passing world.
Glory to Thee for Thy covert and overt mercies.
Glory to Thee for every sigh of my heart.
Glory to Thee for every step of life, / every moment of joy.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 2
O Lord, how good it is for us to be Thy guests! How fine it is for us in Thy world. The fields are fragrant, the mountains rise high up into the sky, and the golden rays of sun and the light clouds are reflected in the water. All nature mysteriously speaks about Thee, all is filled with Thy mercy and all carries the seal of Thy love. Blessed be the earth which, with her short-lasting beauty, awakens the yearning for the eternal homeland in Thy kingdom, where in everlasting beauty resounds the song: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Thou broughtest me into this life as if into a wonderful garden. I see the sky deep and blue, the birds as they chirp in flight; I listen to the soothing rustle of trees and the sonorous sound of waters; my mouth is enjoying fragrant and succulent fruits. How wonderful it is in Thy world and how joyous it is to be Thy guest!
Glory to Thee for the feast of life!
Glory to Thee for the scents of lilies of the valley and roses.
Glory to Thee for the abundance and multiplicity of earthly fruits.
Glory to Thee for the glistening of morning dew.
Glory to Thee for the joyous smile of dawn / with which Thou dost waken me.
Glory to Thee for eternal life / and the kingdom of heaven.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 3
By the power of the Holy Spirit every flower breathes. Thy breath I feel in the quiet movement of the fragrant fields. Observing the harmony of colors I admire Thee. Wherever I look, I see all around me the beauty of the Great One in the little.Glory and thanks to the life-creating God Who covers the earth with flowery meadows, crowns the fields with golden ears of grain and embellishes them with blue cornflowers, and my soul with the joy of contemplation. Be glad and sing to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
How wonderful Thou art in the beauty of spring when all earth is being rejuvenated and thousands of sounds sing about Thee: Thou art the spring of life, Thou art the conqueror of death! In the pale moonlight with the song of the nightingale, the valleys and forests rest under a snowy white veil. The whole earth, Thy bride, is awaiting Thee, the Eternal Bridegroom. When Thou so clothest the grass of the field, how art Thou to adorn Thy chosen ones when they resurrect in the future age! How will then our bodies shine forth and our souls glitter!
Glory to Thee Who from the dark depths of the earth / bringeth forth so many colors and scents.
Glory to Thee for the beauty of nature.
Glory to Thee Who hast surrounded us / with thousands of Thy creatures.
Glory to Thee for the depth of thy wisdom / whose seal is borne by all creation.
Glory to Thee for the tender feeling / with which I kiss the trace of Thine invisible foot.
Glory to Thee Who hast from the beginning / lit the glowing light of eternal life.
Glory to Thee for the hope in perfect and eternal beauty.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 4
How Thou delightest the hearts of those who meditate upon Thee, O God! Thou feedest their souls with Thy Holy Word. Talking with Thee is better than oil and sweeter than honey. Prayer to God refreshes and invigorates; it fills my heart with joy. How majestic then appears this world and all life. Where Thou art not – all is empty. Where Thou art – there is the richness of the soul.There, as living water, is the everlasting song: Alleluia
Ikos 4
When night falls upon the earth, the stillness of sleep reigns and sounds of the past day become silent; I see the splendor of Thy heavenly mansions. Flame and purple, gold and azure presage the indescribable beauty of Thy home and solemnly call forth: Let us go to the Father!
Glory to Thee in the quiet hours of the evening.
Glory to Thee for pouring forth deep peace on earth.
Glory to Thee for the rays of the setting sun.
Glory to Thee for the rest of a graceful sleep.
Glory to Thee for consolation in the darkness / when the whole world appears far from me.
Glory to Thee for the warm prayer of my tortured soul.
Glory to Thee for the promise that we shall awake in the joy of Thy everlasting day.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 5
The tempest of life does not frighten one in whose heart shines the light of Thy divine Fire. Around me are whirling storms and roaring winds; terror and darkness surround me; but in my soul is peace and light. Christ is in her. And my heart sings: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
I look into Thy sky filled with stars. O how rich Thou art! How much light there is in Thee! Through the light of the distant stars Thou lookest at me from eternity. I am tiny and destitute, but the Lord is with me. His hand is always near me and He leads me with love in all my ways.
Glory to Thee Who continually watcheth over us.
Glory to Thee Who considereth mine every meeting with people.
Glory to Thee for the love of relatives / and the fidelity of friends.
Glory to Thee for the meekness / of the domestic animals who serve me.
Glory to Thee for the bright moments of life.
Glory to Thee for the happiness of living, seeing and feeling.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages.
Kontakion 6
How great Thou art in the whirlwind and the storm! How majestic is Thy hand in the swiftness of the lightning! The voice of the Lord rises above the fields. It rustles through the woods, it roars in the thunder. The voice of the Lord resounds over the waters. Thy might is proclaimed by the fire of the volcano. Thou quakest the earth and liftest the waves of the sea into the sky. Glory to Thee to whom we repentantly cry: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
When swift lightning illumines the night, how pitiful and miserable our earthly candles seem. So also, deceitful earthly joys become colorless and dark when Thy light shines forth in the soul. Wherefore my soul struggles toward Thee and my heart yearns for Thee.
Glory to Thee Who hast planted into man’s heart / an unquenchable thirst for God.
Glory to Thee because nothing earthly / can completely satisfy us.
Glory to Thee Who clothest us in light.
Glory to Thee, the conqueror of the spirits of evil and darkness.
Glory to Thee for Thy revelation, / for the blessedness of feeling Thee and living Thee.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 7
In the harmony of sounds I hear Thy call. In the lofty beauty of music, in the magnificence of artistic works Thou art allowing us to foresee Paradise. Whatever is truly beautiful soars toward Thee and teaches the soul to sing to Thee a victorious song: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
By Thy Holy Spirit Thou inspirest the thought of the artist, the poet and the scientist. By the power of Thy wisdom they prophetically enter into the mysteries of Thy laws and reveal the depth of Thy wisdom. Even their works involuntarily speak about Thee. O how wonderful Thou art in Thy works! O how great Thou art in man!
Glory to Thee Who showest us / Thy might through the laws of the cosmos.
Glory to Thou Who fillest everything.
Glory to Thee Who revealest to us according to Thy mercy.
Glory to Thee Who hidest from us according to Thy wisdom.
Glory to Thee for the depth of the human mind.
Glory to Thee for the creative ability in man.
Glory to Thee for the outpouring of Thy grace.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 8
How close to us Thou art in our days of illness. Thou visitest the patient, Thou descendest to the bed of the sufferer and his heart communeth with Thee. Thou kindlest the soul with peace at the time of sorrow and suffering. Thou sendest unexpected help. Thou art the comforter. Thou art all-knowing love. To Thee I sing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
When I as a child for the first time appealed to Thee, Thou fulfilled my prayer and lightened my soul with great peace. I understood then that Thou art good and that they are blessed who seek refuge in Thee. Therefore I do not cease to pray to Thee and to call upon Thee.
Glory to Thee Who fulfillest and to good purpose completes my wishes.
Glory to Thee Who watchest over me day and night.
Glory to Thee for the time that is passing / and taking away our sorrows and sadness.
Glory to Thee in whom nothing is lost, / for Thou grantest to all life eternal.
Glory to Thee Who promised us / desired meetings with our deceased ones.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 9
Why is all nature so mysteriously smiling in the days of the feasts? Why then is our soul so light and joyous? Why does the air in the temple seem so bright? It is all because of the flow of Thy grace, because of the reflection of the light of Tabor. Heaven and earth are then singing together a laudable song: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
When Thou inspirest me to serve my neighbors and enlightenest my soul with humbleness, then the rays of Thy light fall on my heart and it begins to radiate and shine. As the sun in the waters, so in those moments in my soul is reflected Thy infinite meekness, full of love and the unspeakable peace of Thy radiant countenance.
Glory to Thee Who through good deeds transformeth our lives.
Glory to Thee Who hast sealed with unspeakable sweetness / every commandment of Thine.
Glory to Thee Who art invisibly present in the works of mercy.
Glory to Thee Who sendest upon us troubles and sorrows / in order to teach us to commiserate in the suffering of others.
Glory to Thee for the love / which Thou hast raised above everything on earth and in heaven.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 10
Whatever is destroyed cannot be restored. But Thou revivest those whose conscience is dead and returnest pristine beauty to the souls who lost it. Through Thy mercifulness all is possible. Thou art Love, Thou art the Creator and Restorer. Thee I praise with song: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
O my God, Thou who knowest that the angel of pride, the Morning Star, hast fallen from Thee, do not let me doubt nor depart from Thee. Sharpen my hearing so that I will always listen to Thy mysterious voice and call upon Thee, Who art everywhere present.
Glory to Thee Who all-wisely governest my life.
Glory to Thee for inspired premonition.
Glory to Thee for warnings in a mysterious voice.
Glory to Thee for revelations in dreams and in reality.
Glory to Thee for thwarting my useless intentions.
Glory to Thee because through sufferings Thou liberatest me from passions.
Glory to Thee because Thou humblest my heart / and savest me from pride.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 11
Through all the passed chain of ages I feel the warmth of Thy Holy Spirit and the surging of Divine Life. Thou art near, Time is nonexistent. I see Thy Cross – it is for my sake. My spirit is humbled into dust before Thy love, limitless and incomprehensible. Wherefore, beneath Thy Cross I will unto ages glorify Thee, my Savior, with song: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Blessed art those who sup with Thee in Thy kingdom. However, blessed art those whom Thou hast already here on earth accepted as partakers of Thy Mystic Supper. How many times, with Thy divine hand, Thou hast allowed me, a sinner, to receive in Holy Communion Thy Body and Blood. And I have received the Holy and felt Thy love, ineffable and wonderful.
Glory to Thee for the incomprehensible and life creating power of grace.
Glory to Thee Who hast founded Thy Church to be for us a quiet harbor.
Glory to Thee Who givest us rebirth through the life-giving water of baptism.
Glory to Thee Who forgivest a sinner who repents / and restorest in him the viceless purity of lilies.
Glory to Thee for a perpetual spring of forgiveness.
Glory to Thee for bread from heaven and the cup of life.
Glory to Thee Who art guiding us into the kingdom of eternal joy.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 12
Many a time I saw the reflection of Thy glory on the faces of the deceased! With what unearthly beauty and joy their faces shine! How transparent and immaterial become their features! With their silence they sing of Thee. When the time of my death cometh, enlighten, O God, my soul as well, to sing to Thee: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
What is my praise before Thee! My ears did not hear the song of cherubims; it is heard only by the souls of the righteous. I know only how nature lauds Thee. I saw in winter, how, lightened by the moonlight and beneath the cover of snow which sparkles with silvery light, all the earth is quietly praying to Thee. I saw how the crimson rays of the rising sun rejoice in Thee and how choirs of birds hum praises to Thee. I listen how mysteriously forests speak of Thee, how winds wing, and brooks murmur Thy name; how, with their fixed movements through limitless space, the myriads of stars preach about Thee. What is my praise before Thee, O Lord! Nature is obedient, and I never cease to sadden Thee. While I live and see Thy love I want to glorify Thee, to pray to Thee and to call upon Thee:
Glory to Thee Who hast shown us the light.
Glory to Thee Who hast loved us with deep, immeasurable, divine love.
Glory to Thee Who protects us / with bright armies of angels and saints.
Glory to Thee, all-holy Father, who art giving us Thy kingdom.
Glory to Thee, O Holy Spirit, the life-giving sun of future ages.
Glory to Thee for all, / Holy Trinity, divine and all good.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages.
Kontakion 13
O all-good and life-giving Trinity, receive our gratefulness for all thy goods and show us worthy of Thine eternal treasures, so that we may multiply the talent entrusted to us, reach Thy kingdom and enter into the joy of our Lord, singing to Him victorious song: Alleluia!(thrice)
And again the first Ikos and Kontakion are read:
Ikos 1
I was born on earth as a feeble and helpless child, but Thy angel, spreading his shiny wings, has sheltered my cradle. From that moment Thy love shines in all my ways and miraculously guides me into the light of eternity. For that my soul lauds Thee and hails Thee with all who know Thee:
Glory to Thee Who hast called me into life.
Glory to Thee Who art revealing to us the beauty of the universe.
Glory to Thee Who art opening to us heaven and earth as an eternal book of wisdom.
Glory to Thy eternity in the passing world.
Glory to Thee for Thy covert and overt mercies.
Glory to Thee for every sigh of my heart.
Glory to Thee for every step of life, / every moment of joy.
Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Kontakion 1
O King of ages, Who, by the power of Thy salvific providence, holdeth in Thy right hand all the ways of man’s life: I thank Thee for all Thy visible and secret goods, for earthly life and for the heavenly joy of Thy future Kingdom. Pour forth richly Thy grace, in the future as well, on us who sing to Thee:Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!
Glory to God for everything!
This akathist is also on-line at http://www.orthodox.net/akathists.
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
A blessed Thanksgiving and first day of the Nativity Fast to all!
Below is a link to Metropolitan Hilarion’s sermon on the Montreal-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and its martyred custodian br. Jose Munos-Cortes. If the subtitles don’t come on automatically, activate the cc button in the right hand corner of the screen:
11.24.13. The Myrrh-streaming “Montreal” Icon of the Theotokos. Sermon by Metropolitan Hilarion
Sermon in Russian with English SUBTITLES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYCRXPfGRpA&yt:cc=on
This was posted on the web over a week ago, but I thought it still has immediacy. Note contact numbers.
http://ryanphunter.wordpress.com/2013/11/
Let us give thanks to God for all things, even if they are trials.
http://antiochian.org/patriarch-john-x-speaks-abducted-nuns-maaloula-syria