They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Looking closely at the picture above, I would say that Arb Elpidophoros Lambrianides is wondering what a mess he’s gotten himself into. Or which Archon has cornered the market on gold alloys.
Yes, I realize that we didn’t know what we were all up against three and a half months ago with the novel corona virus. A lot of good, well-meaning people were taken in. I myself was reticent at first about the virulence of it. Some were scared witless. Some still are.
But as one wag said recently, there’s nothing like a spate of nation-wide race riots to cure COVID-19. No need for quarantine anymore, especially since “white supremacy” is a far worse “health crisis” than the virus. (Indeed, we must engage in rioting and looting, even if that means a spike in COVID later, because “muh racism”.)
Yes, the sarcasm is there but so is the reality. COVID and all its attendant hysteria was overblown. The Red States are getting on with life. Heck, even some of the Blue States are quietly going forward. But not our bishops. They’ve dug themselves into a hole and forgetting Will Rogers’ first Rule of Holes, they keep on digging. Seriously, we need them to get off that dead horse.
Some (such as Yours Truly and Mrs Yours Truly) have been screaming from the rooftops that something wasn’t just “quite right” about the whole corona virus thing way back in February. To be truthful, Gail was skeptical from the start; it took me about a week (once I saw that Fauci was driving this bus then I knew something wasn’t right). Yes, we could have been wrong but that’s not the point right now, is it? Hardly anybody today believes that the draconian measures taken to “flatten the curve” were necessary.
Hence, it’s time for our bishops to quietly, in some face-saving manner, back down. They can discreetly trash their alarmist directives and hope that people will forget about them. They don’t even have to issue a public apology –we’ll give them a pass. Instead however, they are doubling down. Nowhere is this more evident than in the GOA, where the big money men are coming down on the side of the Lovin’ Spoons.
Indeed, one of their archons (a certain iconographer at that), has written a scathing piece against the “fundamentalists” who have elevated the single Spoon as the cause c’elebre of this entire controversy. That of course is a straw-man argument. It is indeed beyond ridiculous as nobody believes that the Spoon, the Chalice, the Cloth are holier than the Body of Blood of Jesus. Nobody.
However, to the extent that these implements come into contact with the Eucharist, they themselves become sanctified. As do we, when we consume the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour. Seriously folks, this is merely Catechism 101. To believe anything less is iconoclasm, pure and simple.
Clearly, this iconographer (!) has not digested the complete repercussions of his argument. If it is merely about the Spoon (as he so fearlessly asserts), then let us go further. Why do we need icons? Why do priests and bishops need vestments? Why indeed do we need elaborate temples to worship in? Why can’t we have married bishops for that matter? Or have the people elect their bishops? Like we used to do in ancient times?
And if the married spouses of Orthodox Christians can receive Communion, then why can’t couples who clearly love one another skip the whole sacrament of marriage? Why even have sacraments?
Believe it or not, these questions have been asked –and answered–several times in the past. First, during the Iconoclastic controversy and then then, more completely, during the Reformation. The Reformers of course didn’t take their rationalism to its logical theistic conclusion –that would be Quakerism–but culture has taken it to its logical end-state. That would be atheism; a subtle atheism to be sure but atheism nonetheless.
And thanks to all this rationalism, we no longer live in a post-Christian world but an anti-Christian one. These are bitter fruits indeed.
My question to the bishops and these Archons is this: have you thought long and hard about far this new iconoclasm reaches? And where we will end up?
That’s it. That’s my question. (Hence my fervent plea to just simply drop the whole thing and go back to the way things were.)
I’m so weary of these guys and this GOA clown show. Wuhan, The Left, Riots. The church is supposed to help us, lead us, inspire us, teach us. Instead, the church is a net taker, not a net giver.
Sigh…….
GM – Spoke to Fr. John of Cathedral yesterday + he told me he’s Not choosing separate spoons ?, says it’s up to each church… yay!
Clearly these Archons have never been to church on Holy Tuesday, where the Lord tells us that the gold is holy because it is in the Temple, and the altar is holy because of the gift that is offered on it.
If there are a sufficient number of concelebrating priests the spoon is carried in the Great Entrance.
Call me a fundamentalist. At least I know the fundamentals of the Orthodox faith.
FYI – John Sutko, whose influence on the OCA is profound, died the other day. He was 85. Despite the fact that he served as choir director at Ss. Peter & Paul Church, first in Chicago, then in Burr Ridge, for 60 years, and despite the fact that he spent a large chunk of the 1970s setting and arranging Slavonic music to English for the OCA, and that he’s probably one of the most well-loved stalwarts of Orthodoxy in the Chicago area, Archbishop Paul is only going to allow 25 people at his funeral. Furthermore, that’s not even enough for all of his family to attend. The family is as nice as can be, and has stayed very involved in the Church over the years – his grandson, Alexander Koranda, was someone who travelled with Archbishop +Job a lot, and is now priest at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago. After all this, after Archbishop Sunflower marching with protesters, after the city of Chicago getting torn to shreds with the rioting and looting, after all that John and his family have done for the Orthodox Church, you’d hope that Paul would do his utmost to allow people to pay their respects, but no, apparently Church is still too dangerous to have any sort of number of people come.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=john-d-sutko&pid=196319766 (Obituary written in past tense for publication on June 14th)
If you are a hypochondriac or if communicants are spewing highly contagious deadly germs easily transmissible via saliva, introducing multiple spoons makes sense.
It’s a like a church rule that parishioners need to wear helmets when they go outside because a pot, a brick, a meteorite, hail, or another such item could fall on them…. except that there is also a belief among many Christians that the faithful can’t get sick from the Eucharist, but not that you can’t have something fall on your head.
I like you’re analogy with the helmets, Hal.
If there are a sufficient number of concelebrating priests the spoon is carried in the Great Entrance.
Thanks a lot for remanding us, I forgot about this.
I fully agree with the article that we pray so our beloved Bishops drop the ball and we will forgive them this ridiculous nightmare as if it never happened.
I am worried, though, that as with the Patriarch Bartholomew horrible decision on Ukrainian schismatics, this was done according to the plan and there is no easy step back for OCA Church. For GOA under his eminence Bishop Elpidophoros it might be not possible at all, that is why he was brought in US. This is all connected and is part of ecumenical approach of East and West and is happening where Patriarch Bartholomew has only ecclesiastical power left, in the West. That is why we have disastrous Council in 2016, second marriage of priests, communion for the un-orthodox spouses, iconoclasm, plans to unite Ukrainian Greek Catholics and Ukrainian schismatic in the very near future, neopapist ecclesiology for Ecumenical throne being first above equals as an icon of the Father and so on…
Now, for the OCA as autocephalous Church (not even recognize but Ecumenical throne) leaving this unorthodox train run by Phanar’s Episcopal Council should be prudent and not difficult but we see different approach. One Bishop from the OCA even calls all Apostolic Churches in the East that keep using spoons to be in minority today. And we who defend one spoon are according to him Old Believers, not fundamentalist, which means schismatics.
So is not looking promising that it will be just a bad dream in couple of weeks but God can help and made that happen because is his Church.
It is interesting to read article by Belgium Bishop Athenagoras. It might also give some light on what is happening within the Western orthodoxy run by Phanar.
https://orthodoxtimes.com/metropolitan-of-belgium-do-not-compare-the-conditions-in-the-benelux-countries-with-the-traditional-orthodox-countries/
The real pandemic is cowardly and lukewarm bishops who have forgotten the true teachings and theology of the Holy Orthodox Church.
What exactly are priests and bishops doing during the Holy Liturgy when they invoke the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the Holy Eucharist, just pretending? They’re putting on a show? It’s all a charade?
And the spoon nonsense it’s also a cowardly way to come up with an excuse and avoid taking a stand for Truth and righteousness.
If the Holy Eucharist is powerless to sanctify and clean a spoon, how can it sanctify and save a whole person?
Apparently our Lord is God of organic life only, but is powerless to affect inanimate matter. Who knew?
If Holy Communion is “just bread and wine”, then why stop there?
Holy water is “just water.” Holy oil is “just oil.” Holy relics are “just dried skin and old bones.” Why bother blessing or sanctifying anything, if it’s all “symbolic” anyway. Apparently the power of God and the Holy Spirit remain in the “spiritual” dimension only, according to the “wisdom” of lukewarm hirelings.
Iconoclasm indeed!
Enter Saint Luke the doctor:
“I tell you, not as a bishop but as a doctor, use holy water every day”
Amen.
Abp. Elpidophoros looks sad in the photo.
I don’t remember if he addressed the topic of multiple spoons in his Townhall talk, but he said that in Orthodox thought, you can’t get sick from the Eucharist.
I guess that you could get sick when taking a spoon that held both the Eucharist and alot of someone’s germs. But the scientific studies (you can check Google Scholar) say that basically the chalice is not a real source for transmitting diseases. And the photo above seems to implicitly go against the idea that you can’t get sick from the Eucharist, because on one hand you are telling people that they can’t get sick from the Eucharist, but on the other hand you are taking major sanitary precautions. I mean, are you going to buy 100 communion spoons for 100 communicants?
Look, no one, even pure materialists, is claiming that you can get sick from the Communion sourdough bread and alcoholic, watery, red wine by themselves (as opposed to pieces of bread mixed with disease germs), so what is the point of asserting that you can’t get sick from the Eucharist unless this implies that you can’t get sick from the substance that you are given on the spoon?
Who Do We Trust?
Who do we trust on the Holy Eucharist and the true theology and teaching of the Orthodox Church?
Do we trust the truthful teaching, witness, and authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, the Saints, The Fathers, the Theologians, the Teachers of the Church, and the millions of other righteous and faithful shepherds (deacons, priests, bishops, and archbishops) throughout the entire history of the Orthodox Church?
OR
Do we trust the “authority” of __(fill in the blank)__?
Chris Banescu’s two posts/thoughts; “Who Do We Trust?” and the previous post, asking what now applies, symbolism or the actual power of God and the Holy Spirit? His last sentence:
“Apparently the power of God and the Holy Spirit remain in the “spiritual” dimension only, according to the “wisdom” of lukewarm hirelings.”
These thoughts have been tearing at my soul for a long while now, in fact I posted near exact thoughts. I am at a cross road. Who do we now trust? Are we on our own, when push comes to shove?
Is it a”fundamentalist” mind set to expect all clergy, in our Churches, believe that the power of the Holy Eucharist has the power over any virus on the spoon that the Eucharist rests in? I do. I do not fear the spoon, with any virus on it. What I fear is the Eucharist, as an unworthy servant receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. Maybe they should as well.
Fear not, Dino. I suspect that, like many of us, your sense of feeling torn is a mourning of the loss of what you assumed was true of those you trusted. It is a painful revelation that, IMHO, shows your soul is whole.
If some find they must equate believing Christ with having a ‘Fundamentalist’ mind-set in order to justify themselves, let them bless us with their calumny, for “blessed are you when men shall revile you…and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.”
If you are anything like me, you may think, “But these are not the ones from whom I would have ever expected such treatment.” Yet it has always been thus and will be thus to the end.
It may be rather ugly for a time (as it often has been throughout the history of the Church until serious errors were finally corrected), or we may have reached the point where it is ugly until the end. I do not know.
What I do know is that you are Christ’s. If you were not, none of this would bother you. It is right that you should mourn; but be at peace, my brother, and let no man rob you of your joy.
Thank you Brian,
Truth is I don’t even consider myself much of churchy Christian, let alone fundamentalist, nor attend Church as much as I should(about a third of our services), but growing up I ALWAYS felt the Holy Spirit whenever stepping foot in our Churches.
Always had great respect, and held up clergy upon a higher pedestal than myself. Now the older I get, the more I witness, the more I become numb. Slowly, more and more, when entering Churches, all I see is men, and buildings. Men dressed for respect, and honor.(mostly justified) Buildings built to honor God in the past, but now I wonder, who are we honoring with 100 million dollar Churches. I would hope God, but have become cynical.
What troubles me is not only for myself, but for all in our Church. If I feel this way, then how many more do as well? Just add this to the long list of reasons many have left the Orthodox Church. Yes I mourn, and am cynical, yet in my faith I remain, but joy is fleeting as I fear for my children. Will they have the joy of Christ, growing up in the Church and world we live in today? Their eyes today are far from what mine were growing up. While my cynicism took many decades to form, theirs comes at warp speed. The Church we knew as children is lost forever.
DINO U SPEAK FOR ME TO. Take care. God bless.
Amen
THE MYSTERY OF HOLY COMMUNION (The Prologue today):
“Reflection: Great and wonderful is the Mystery of Holy Communion. Even anchorites and hermits craved for nothing so much as to be given the possibility to receive Holy Communion. St. Mary of Egypt begged St. Zosimas to bring her the Holy Mysteries by the Jordan and commune her. Returning from visiting St. Onuphrius, the Venerable Paphnutius found a humble community of four young ascetics in the desert. When Paphnutius asked them whether and how they received Holy Communion, they replied that an angel of God visited them every Saturday and Sunday and gave them Holy Communion. Paphnutius remained until the following Saturday and was personally convinced. When Saturday dawned the entire community was filled with an indescribable wonderful fragrance, and while they were at prayer, an angel of God in the form of a handsome young man, as bright as lightning, appeared with the All-pure Mysteries. Paphnutius became frightened and fell to the ground in fear. But they raised him up and brought him to the angel so that he, along with them, received Communion from the hand of the angel. According to his own testimony, St. Onuphrius received Holy Communion from the hand of an angel, as did many other anchorites and hermits. Therefore, it is completely erroneous to think that solitaries and hermits did not receive Holy Communion. God, Who provided for their bodily nourishment, did not leave them without the life-giving nourishment of the Body and Blood of Christ the Lord.”
Contemplation: …..He is that Living Bread Who alone can miraculously feed my hungry soul, which all the rest of the world together cannot feed.”
~ St. Nikolai Velimirovich The Prologue of Ohrid ~ June 12
One wonders…
If the Body and Blood of Christ are powerless to sanctify and purify the vessels (and thus the spoon) by which they are distributed to the faithful, what of the Chalice itself?
Regardless of whether multiple disinfected spoons are utilized, do we not nevertheless partake of the contents of a Chalice which have come into direct contact with the lips of a priest, deacon, and/or bishop? Not to mention the ‘risk’ of sharing disease among the clergy when two or more orders are serving together.
Disinfecting the Chalice whilst the Blood remains in it or finding a means of containing a liquid without a vessel would be a neat trick indeed!
This is how the Lord has chosen to give Himself to us. It is by means of vessels that we “taste the fountain of immortality,” spoon or no spoon (for those who remind us that the spoon was not always used).
Not to give them any ideas; but perhaps – lest they themselves should be accused of being ‘Fundamentalists’ for continuing to utilize a Chalice in spite of its obvious infection control issues – those who so accuse us ought to consider something like this, as it seems to be the answer to their stated concerns.
https://www.livinggracecatalog.com/product/brass-finish-communion-tray-center-bread-plate-PD379?gclid=Cj0KCQjwrIf3BRD1ARIsAMuugNuVV8sEk67AftT4sxqkxVldfQ8JgGtkWxUA8Gg6mrYF8mcr4pRLs4UaAkEtEALw_wcB
Social movement for unification with OCU created in Kyiv
is about this spoon is strawman 🙂
https://spzh.news/en/news/72090-v-kijeve-sozdali-obshhestvennoje-dvizhenije-v-podderzhku-obedinenija-s-pcu
I want to provide an alternate view from some one living in Northern NJ, where we were hit very hard, and it was especially bad where the churches are located. I take my Orthodox faith seriously and normally side with the more conservative view, so please understand this is the perspective I am coming from. I personally know 7 people that died from this virus. This is *NOT* the flu. The most accurate death rate I found is approx 0.36%, which means up to 1.2 million could have died if there were no protections, mostly older people. For many of you in locations where you didn’t get hit there is an impression that this was overblown. Not true. Bear in mind the elderly were heavily hit, and they represent a large percentage of those who come to church. People *saw* the illness here. It was bad. Also, our churches typically get people from a large radius, and church gatherings are *precisely* how the virus could spread, especially through choirs. People are afraid, and justifiably so. To make a blanket statement that those exercising caution or those who are afraid have no faith is simply ridiculous. How many have such strong faith today anyway? We are all weak, and quick to judge. Lord Have Mercy.
Nope. I’m not buying it. Every iota of information about this flu-scam has been skewed. Last month they said that type B blood is more susceptible and type O is more protected. Today they said that bald men are more susceptible! Tomorrow they will say that those who jump up and down on one leg while whistling Dixie will be at risk. Poppycock!
It’s like they’ve been doing a “stream of consciousness” thing.
“It’s like they’ve been doing a “stream of consciousness” thing.”
Don’t discount this perception. I posit Artificial Intelligence systems have quite a bit more capability than we are aware, hence the rapacious need for data and, to my mind, interesting (horrifying?) torrent of information (propaganda) at critical (seemingly prescient) junctures.
With everyone/everything shifted online, all the data, conversations, etc. can be run through algorithms and the hive mind developed, then reinforced. Recall the Jade Helm exercise (2015?) which tested this very concept and the semi-recently built $2 Billion! data center in Utah and the stream makes more sense. We may be the new enemy (Homeland Security declared (on a Friday, circa late 2019) it was shifting focus from external threats to internal (particularly White, Nationalist, Extremists), but recalling WW II, we remember they came for x, then they came for y, etc.)
Most interesting would be who controls what technology and why/how, but it is enough to realize we are in an information war.
I think of how the Martyrs refused to offer even a pinch of incense to Ceasar. They were considered a danger to the civil community because they wouldn’t go along with the system’s requirements, which were meant to keep everyone safe (the ‘gods’ (demons) could take offense and take retribution on the city/country).
To your last point, the Powers That Be are very concerned that people are starting to disengage from social media. That was the main vector for monitoring the population for the last 15 or so years.
It’s so bad that we now see Mark Zuckerberg, the pioneer of arbitration of truth online, now saying Facebook won’t moderate with the same heavy hand as Twitter and others. (even while deleting groups for planning Corona protests just weeks ago)
What does the evolving knowledge re: susceptibility have to do with the above poster’s point, and his personal experience of 7 deaths from the virus?
At the risk of sounding harsh, Gene’s personal experience is not the point. People die all the time from complications due to the flu (including my father at the age of 30 in 1966). It is not a reason that Churches shoul be locked down and subject to oppressive directives.
Dear Gene,
Oh I sympathize and understand your distress and grieve for any you have lost.
Many folks sadly speak as if this virus is either going to kill everyone or is really no big deal. In truth it does not behave like the flu, does not kill like the flu, but is more insidiously damaging and invasive to anyone who develops a serious case of it, leading to death or long-term debility.
I too am in the “at risk” elderly group. Through the year I am touched by kindly friends and strangers who try not to cough on me or come visit with the flu, because the fallen world is definitely a sea of invisible germs as we learned in the virology lab and I can’t work if I’m ill. It is tough to read about folks determined to brandish their freedom by doing something out in the world which puts someone vulnerable at risk. Just a shame.
The entire difference for me is where the Divine Energies are found as the Church and Her Saints have always taught us. The Church is the Spiritual Hospital which gives the Medicine I need to live both spiritually and physically. Christ is All Healing and All Loving and was actually resurrected from the dead so is totally full of life. We kiss icons, the chalice, the cross, the priest’s hand and receive the Holy Body and Blood of our Lord for healing and life. So that is my most important Medicine of all and there in His Presence, participating fully in a rehearsal for Heaven, we are safe and healed. That’s what I read in the Saints, the Prologue, Holy Scripture as interpreted by the Fathers, every service, the OCA Saints of the Day talking about miracles and petitions during plagues and repentance and myrrh-streaming icons, holy water, etc. If any priests are wink-winking at my naivete, that is okay, but please just move over to the Episcopal Church where I have been so I know this fits. And I don’t mind being mocked for Christ, that’s the best compliment actually.
So Gene, I hope you are not afraid of being in Church but feel protected by the Divine Energies. But if you are, please I understand and please just do whatever you need to do to feel safe and comfortable. Personally, outside the Church, I’m just thinking “As it seemed/seems good to the Lord, so it has/will come to pass. So if I get COVID, I get it, but I will know it is not from my time at Church but because the Lord knew it was best for my salvation and life-everlasting to get it from those groceries I forgot to scrub or something. No Orthodox should ever judge you for being afraid or shame you for what you do or don’t believe. And please find the Church where you feel most comfortable and safe. One GOA Church here offers an Agape service for the “at risk only” where folks are few and far between for example. It is a true labor of love to see them there for the few of us, and may God bless the priest, cantor, reader for their Agape. Personally I want to go to the regular service when I am not taking the place of a regular parishioner so am eagerly checking the sign out sheet for that option.
While we were kept from Church, Gene, I was at the end of my spiritual endurance after two weeks. The services and Holy Communion are oxygen for me and now I can breathe again. I hope you can as well. I pray you will find respectful priests and worshippers on your journey. You and yours are in my prayers. Memory eternal to those you mourn.
Perhaps so, but there is no evidence it spreads at the chalice.
The last I heard (it changes daily), the only effective measure is social distancing. Not masks, not gloves, not dozens of spoons. So do that in a reasonable manner.
But changing communion is no different than banning Gone With The Wind. It’s the same spirit.
Gene I used to communicate here but took myself of some months ago. I just wanted to see how these issues are being handled here. I have no intention to come back on regular basis. I highly respect George and others here and on much we agree and I pray for them and wish them well.
As people who remember me will know I live in Bulgaria and am and Greek and worked in health care in senior acute nursing and clinical psychology for some 30 plus y rs in Uk in NHS of which i am very proud and in Greece too. .And my views are safe to say on the traditional side of faith . And my daughter is Dr in Greece who has been working through this. I have had a greek cypriot colleague in London die from the virus and several fairly young nurses in Southampton uk who died and others who were quite ill.. It’s not only old affected but young with chronic illness, Sadly many today with lazy life style
I also am in touch with colleagues working in Greece and Uk so know the reality.
Now there may have been panic response and just as irresponsible one, as in Uk where death toll over 40K, could be 60,k is a disgrace. As for usa. Well facts, facts.
The affects of the virus are as u say but honestly there is no point debating it as will do yr head in
Here in Bulgaria as Greece we had governments that acted quickly and early and here in Bulgaria a sensible population. Death toll here is 150. I have had almost three month’s quarrantine.
I Sadly have underlying cardiac condition from childhood that puts me at great risk. Death from this virus is beyond words, slow and disgusting. Some people on this blog should put the theory down and go to a emergency room and intensive care.
I have not attended church since end Feb. But have received Communion from the priest who comes to the small chapel near me and gives me Communion. We distance and wear masks apart from the moment of Communion. I bow to the Icons and to the priest but no physical contact.
Several things i wanted say not mentioned elsewhere.
Are people aware of the catastrophe in Russia, especially at Sergius Posad, the death and severe illness of seminaries and bishop and monks and same at Saratov??? Same in a Bielorus where laity forced services as normal.? Especially during Easter.
I am not an epidemiology expert but I claim some knowledge and understanding from my career.
Whst people here are not taking in to account is to have Communion in normal run of things, u have to attend Church and stand close together with others. IT IS HERE THAT VIRUS IS SPREAD. Now it probably is that little infection re this virus is spread by the Spoon. But it’s the close contact with others in order to have Communion that spreads rhe virus.
Now. I have a problem. It feels wrong to be giving out Communion as if it’s medication!! Just feels wrong.
We also believe in some sacrmentals. HOLY WATER, Relics etc. That material is sanctified. Yet we know that in 17th c Moscow people contracted small pox from kissing the Icons. Thst Holy water carries bacteria.
Does sanctification mean all illness etc is magically vanished.? Is God a magician?
Because we are saying this action is real and not just symbolism.
Will Holy Communion save us from those water droplets breathed over one by our neighbour? In that case what about health care workers.?
There is a crisis here. It did not save the pious worshippers in Moscow and Minsk and at the Saratov monastery. We live in a fallen world and until the eschaton, it will be. Now God as in Christ, and the saints revealed to us through miracles the restored world, but the current reality is not denied. I am struggling with it, because what is happening is challenging the reality of transfiguring the material. Let’s be honest. Merely repeating the teaching is no response.
There are lots of questions and issues to go into here that i will leave on one side.
I would just say to deny the divine to unite with the physical is arian, and to deny the continued reality of the normal human body, is monophysite.
Just as the bread and wine remain, so the physical reality. And God’s timetsble is eternal life not limited to us hanging on here.
I do not have answer. This first if u like in West modern pandemic has thrown up questions and doubts that the previous ones of 20c did not.
There is a crisis in how the Faith is to be understood. Now i will get a torrent of abuse here but ok as i will not respond or check. I just wanted to see whst people were thinking. God bless.
Good video critique of Archbishop Alexanders rebuke of the venerable Fr. Peter Heers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wuk-eLVvEA
Living in Dallas, this is a far cry from Archbishop Dimitri of blessed memory +
Amen, Petros. Going to the OCA site and reading the June 5 letter of Abp Alexander to priests of the DOS then reading the anonymous (sigh) “wise parish priest’s letter” name-calling the rest of us for “silliness” and disrespecting Father Peter is really sad. Ad hominem instead of straight up discussion or refutation of the points of Archimandite Gregorios, Professor Tselengides, Archimandrite Savvas, who certainly seem more educated in the Faith perhaps? Isn’t ad hominem famous for being a lazy manuever to distract from a weak and indefensible position?
Yes please be honorable and do what Vladika Dmitri would do and deal straight up (and with your full name). And please ~ all priests ~ no more priestly libel of Fr Peter by email to parishioners, seeking to defame him rather than taking the time to address respectfully the important issues in the interviews themselves with worthy speakers as your response to your flock. Isn’t behind the scenes defamation forbidden in Holy Scripture? Isn’t mocking brother priests/monks in Christ forbidden (as well as ill-advised if they are perhaps more educated in the faith than you)? Where is the humility to learn from these men? What would Christ say about mocking your own parishioner worshippers who believe what they were taught? Are we now your “deplorables” of whom you think and say “Raca”? If so, is that mindset toward icons of Christ irreconciliable with true Orthodox Christianity, especially by Pastors? It is different to say I respect your good intention but believe you are very wrong. Wouldn’t humble caring hierarchs and priests take that seriously rather than respond trying to shame and demean? Prove you are right from the Fathers, educate us, see our good intentions. I miss Vladika who treated us with love and respect and was a straight shooter and could tolerate disagreement without resorting to such tactics. I pray all will become more like him, especially me.
I too, Nicole, am distressed by this anonymous slander against Fr Peter Heers.
Well, could be even worst if it was signed by the Bishop who most likely wrote this abusive piece. Vladika Dmitri will deal straight up but never use harsh words like this. It is also astonishing, or may be not, that this Bishop thinks Origen is a Saint. I am not very familiar with Origen’s teachings but I know he thought heresy that everybody would be saved. This might be a reason why we succumb in front of people, lawyers and governments that are afraid of sharing spoon as we have Bishops who think everybody will be saved.
Yes. He said that the fifth Council is mistaken and that Origen is a saint. I’m thinking that his statement might be considered to be…..um…..er…….how do we say…..HERESY!
My local newspaper ran this Elpy puff piece on the religion page:
https://apnews.com/42165e482f3fbb126a38e39fdf5c94f2
It basically says the Orthodox Church is so backwards but Elpy is here to talk sense into people.
This will be the first time many people ever heard of the Orthodox Church. Way to poison the well.
Hmmm….given the current risks of the pandemic and the risks to parishes across the country, every Orthodox Bishop in the USA who is over age 65 should submit their resignation for the good the the church and the safety of the faithful. This should be a standard health and safety practice going forward. Given these extraordinary circumstances, the Church should then restore the married episcopacy and make married clergy over age 40 but younger than 60 who have been married 10 years or more eligible for election to the episcopacy along with any monastic clergy between the ages of 40-60 who have resided in a monastery for 10 years or more. In these times, expanding the pool of eligible candidates for bishop is the wise thing to do. It would also give the Church in America the fresh start it needs. The mandatory retirement age of 65 would be a benefit for public safety and a healthy check on the abuse of power by Orthodox bishops. In times of pandemic, expanding the pool of eligible candidates for bishop is wise. Is your bishop over 65? does he have health risks that place your parish at risk? Call for his resignation and the restoration of the married episcopacy for the sake of public health and the good of the Church.
“the Church should then restore the married episcopacy”
Sounds like a recipe for an Episcopal Church, riddled with nepotism, using Eastern Rite.
The OCA is in full attack mode. In this article, they accuse the faithful of “rending the garment of Christ”.
https://www.oca.org/reflections/bishop-alexis/church-holy-communion-orthodox-ethos
True “shepherds of Christ” do not go into full-attack mode. If their “decisions are in line with civil directives about social distancing”, then what the hell (excuse the expletive) was Elpi doing walking down a public street, shoulder to shoulder, with throngs of people?
This is seriously beyond the pale. No one is “speaking lies and sowing discord among the brethren”. EVERYTHING being said about what they’ve done and are doing is 100% true. You don’t keep people from going to Church and call it just another “controversy.” Their haughty, inappropriate reaction is another huge misstep on their part. If they had any hope of recovering this situation, it would be through humility, but humility has never been their strong suit.
The OCA website gets 3,520 unique visitors a day. We get 11,341. And they think they’re going to prevail?
The truth always wins out and we’ve got both the truth and the numbers on our side. Don’t think they don’t know that, either. Someone has been going into hypestat, frequently, and doing the compare. https://hypestat.com/compare/oca.org/monomakhos.com
Keep writing!!!! Keep coming to the blog. And most importantly, honor God by standing in truth.
Gail –
After reviewing the document, I made so similar observations.
https://orthodoxreflections.com/thoughts-on-the-oca-statement-by-the-chancellor-and-the-general-counsel/
The thing that leapt out at me was how harsh this was. It reminded me of other communications. The bishops, the lawyers, the chancellor are all downright mean.
I have read quite a number of posts questioning the wisdom of the lockdowns, and all but a few were very respectful. The major problem, I think, that many of us have is – if you will fold this easily and close your parishes for a non-particularly deadly virus, then what next? That is a valid concern. If the bishops cave over this, what next?
It now says that the OCA website is ahead of Monomakhos…slightly. ???
It only updates every 24 hours I think.
Ha, it is because recently OCA official site is getting better and better as our Bishops sit in their armchairs writing Covid manuals instead of standing in the Altar:).
Today, for example, I read this and found too much affection between two Primates even it is celebration of the Feast Day of one Bishop. Especially today when Orthodox Unity is colapsing in our midst.
https://www.oca.org/news/oca-news/greetings-of-his-beatitude-metropolitan-tikhon-to-his-all-holiness-patriarch-bartholomew-for-feast-day-of-the-apostle-bartholomew
Then I went to MP site and found completely different greeting which sounds much more appropriate.
http://www.patriarchia.ru/en/db/text/5614420.html
And then I start to get worried that day may be very soon and OCA Primate would read another name in the Diptych. But, rest assure, OCA Primate would not be added by Patriarch Bartholomew.
?Gail – You can say ALL that again! Make a poster + send to Orthodox monastery’s gift shops where pilgrims will be escaping to since ecclesia is in apostasy. It’s a circus. Kyrie Eleison
Remember that time when the same quickly and unequivocally denounced false teachings regarding same-sex relationships, and criticized such for rending the garment of Christ, becoming a “false witness who speaks lies and sows discord”?
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2019/07/the-2018-resolution-on-same-sex-relationships-the-oca-bishops-rejected/
It’s been educational to see what is allowed to endure with scarce comments, and what quickly gets condemned.
Comment from your link:
“There was nothing controversial about that resolution, nothing! Why would they reject it? Don’t they realize how bad this LGBT stuff has become in the culture around us? Do they live in a bubble or do they see nothing wrong with the heretical stuff The Wheel and ‘Public Orthodoxy’ regularly put out?”
This is the kind of thing they’re ignoring.
Transgenderism Comes to a Texas Suburb (October 27, 2019):
https://saintjonah.org/sermons/transgenderism/
Greek Orthodox family, mother gaslighting the seven year old son (since he was three) that he’s a girl, trying to force medical “transition,” against the wishes of the father.
Someone just brought something to my attention. Because of the Orthodox Church contact tracing directives, if anyone should test positive for cv19, everyone in the Church that day is quarantined for two weeks. This would include priest, deacon, servers, choir, parishioners, etc.
If such a scenario happens, the Church shuts down again (for at least two weeks). The civil authorities are not mandating “contact tracing” for the Churches. This idea comes from the Bishops. The demons have found a way to coax the Bishops into doing their dirty work.
You mean in quarantined as going in “lock down” in their homes or just told to stay away from the Church?
I’m guessing it is to stay away from the Church. I don’t think there is a plan in place yet to imprison them in their homes by force.
The OCA may not have that plan in place, but the end result of collecting the data is that the State accesses it and takes action accordingly. It is currently an excess requirement in most States, but it will probably be standard (Countrywide, in business establishments, etc.) in the near future as the Narrative progresses.
The various plans of the State are only slowly being implemented and do typically require a ‘voluntary’ quarantine (presumably even if you are healthy):
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/washington-trains-more-than-2100-callers-as-it-expands-contact-tracing-to-battle-coronavirus/
We are called to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. The training of contact tracers uses language implying all is voluntary, yet instructs them what to do if they do not gain compliance; there is plenty of evidence that procedures are in place to ensure cooperation:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/EmergencyPreparedness/IsolationandQuarantine
This is one State; the Script/Narrative we have seen rolled out calls for this (and masks) until we see a vaccine (the intent IS to make everything miserable until we demand the vaccine); Personally, I believe we can be vocal until we are ‘blue in the face’, but will not see meaningful deviation from the Script. I will gladly and heartily rejoice if proven wrong, but we know Lent is 40 days and is meant to reorrient us to the Kingdom of God by establishing new/fresh habits (the world/science recognize 21-30 days to build a habit; I imagine God is/was well aware of His creature’s design before Science figured it out (even allowing an extra 10 days to reinforce)); this has gone on for 92 days (hence, the call to ‘hold fast to the Traditions we have received’ is NOT arbitrary, nor without merit). Our nature is being wielded against us and it is not unwarranted to be skeptical of the Script/Narrative.
Also, Event 201 was discussed and recognized as questionable here; be aware that there is (and has been quietly for the last 10 years) what is touted as the ‘4th Industrual Revolution’ from the World Economic Forum. The measures and actions taken during the last months just happen to integrate into this program and they have recently (and unashamedly) unveiled what is planned worldwide:
https://www.weforum.org/great-reset
It is not surprising that a world-view based on Humanity in union with it’s Creator, resistant to ‘Garments of Skin’ and desirous of a return to Paradise (i.e. an Orthodox worldview) is going to clash with one based on Anti-Humanity/Transhumanism. I believe our goal should be to maintain our Humanity, not stay ‘Safe’ and consort with Anti-Human doctrines.
Orthodox Ethos part 3 of interview with Prof. Demetrios Tselengides at https://youtu.be/DqHTCMRw_aM. Opening words of Father Peter: “….Divine Communion is life.”
Reminds me of a song: “What’s it all about, Elpi?”
I just can’t believe it…or maybe I can! Bartholomew threw the canonical Curch of Ukraine under the bus. He created a schism that continues to fracture the Church to pieces. He recognized a group of laymen schismatics, and then made them an autocephalous “church”. This structure continues to persecute the canonical Church of Ukraine. Then the Archon humanitarian of the year honor was awarded to the head of this schismatic abomination by Elpi. And what does Metropolitan Tikhon say about the man who executed all these Orthodox destroying actions…on his feast day?
“You have personally shown love and kindness to the Orthodox Church in America on multiple occasions, and your Apostolic ministry of reaching out to the downtrodden of the world reveals your goodness and gentleness. May your labors continue in such spiritual gifts, and may you always grow in these gifts more and more!”
https://www.oca.org/news/oca-news/greetings-of-his-beatitude-metropolitan-tikhon-to-his-all-holiness-patriarch-bartholomew-for-feast-day-of-the-apostle-bartholomew
I’m not sure I can step foot in an OCA Church again. They are disintegrating with lightening speed!
Shows that Metr. Tikhon is as capable of hierobabble as any of the other hierarchs. I would say more except that it would result in my tongue cleaving to the roof of my mouth…
You crack me up, Jim!
An entreaty from Archimandrite Demetrios Carellas ~
Jesus Christ, Who rose from the dead, The Son of God: This is what the evil one fears the most.
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord Jesus, those Brothers of the Sacramental Priesthood and those Brothers and Sisters of the “Royal Priesthood,”
For several hours I have been trying to write a letter to all of you regarding the current situation in our Churches. I have come to the realization that the very many paragraphs that I have written so far are not blessed. So at 8:33 AM EDT I am starting over!
During the past several weeks, I have been reading and hearing – from several clergy, monastics and laity – the following description of what has been happening to us through the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus: God is testing us. They are correct! And do our actions – as individuals, parish families, and Jurisdictions – indicate that we have failed or passed His test? I realize that I have failed. Being a priest, it should be my sacred duty to openly proclaim that our fears are not based on faith but upon our fallen reasoning. And that is why the heart-centered words of the retired Marine (his first name is Joseph), which I shared with all of you less than two days ago, convicted me — especially this sentence: “I would rather die from Covid-19, than to ever see and live without our traditional salvific worship as Orthodox.”
On Friday morning, a brother priest sent me a video that helped me realize how profound are Joseph’s words. A Greek priest named Fr. Elpithios was answering several questions with such Grace from God, such beautiful simplicity, that tears came from my heart through my eyes on a few occasions. The young lady began by asking him why Satan was putting forth such a war on Holy Communion. And Fr. Elpithios, with such pastoral love, explained what the evil one feared the most was the very Christ. And that when a person receives Holy Communion in the Divine Liturgy, he/she is receiving the very Christ, Whom Satan fears. Therefore, as long as Divine Liturgies are taking place, and the faithful Orthodox Christians regularly prepare themselves to receive Christ, then the Anti-christ cannot come and conquer the world with his false miracles and lies!
Now I see clearly that the evil one must be rejoicing. For three months, at least 90% of Orthodox Christians in the USA and Canada have not been able toreceive the very Christ, Whom he fears — have not be able to even attend the ineffable Divine Liturgy, during which the All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit descends “upon us andthese Gifts set forth,” and changes them into the very Christ!
Today, even though government restrictions on worship are being reduced, most Orthodox Jurisdictions continue to significantly limit the number of people whocan attend. And the various guidelines being implemented both restrict the manner in which one can worship and change the 1000 -year old method in which one receives Holy Communion.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we need to return to the pre-Covid form of worship as soon as possible, and I believe it can be done! Through letters and phone calls (and much prayer, I am sure), some Greek Orthodox Metropolitans have agreed to return to the normalmethod of receiving Holy Communion. What if, beginning today, ALL Orthodox Christians, who desire to return to normal worship, began to intensely pray for God to intervene and speak to our beloved Shepherds? Do we not have faith that God would hear our pleas? We also begin a period of fasting in two days, and that will help to fortify our prayers.
However, we need a special intercessor to take our heart-centered prayers to Jesus: the one who gave Him flesh — our Most Beloved Panaghia!
Therefore, permit me to make this request: beginning today, I entreat everyone that reads my poor words to offer, for all Orthodox Hierarchs,either the Small Supplicatory Canon, or Akathist, to Panaghia every day. If you are already doing that, then please do it twice. And let us continue this offering, until we are free to worship in the proper manner — including the kissing of holy Ikons, blessing crosses, holy relics and the hand of our parish priest. Brothers and Sisters, if we allow our faith to govern our actions, rather than our fallen reasoning, then I know that our efforts will be successful. Let us also hit our knees every day and pray for our respective Hierarchs.
My next words are directed to all of our Hierarchs. Please share them with yours, if you like: Holy Shepherds and our ikons of Jesus on earth, we beg you to speedily remove all restrictions and allow us to worship in our Churches. Your ruler is the Ruler of us all, not the government leaders. If all of you stand together in defense of our sacred right to worship, then the secular rulers will have to yield to your actions — because the Grace of God will be with you. Think of what unity this will bring to all the Orthodox Christians in the USA and Canada. Think of what a crushing blow this will be upon the evil one, who hates and fears the Divine Liturgy as much as he hates and fears our Lord Jesus. Holy Hierarchs please immediately open wide our Churches!
And my closing words are to our Most Beloved Panaghia, which I hope to offer her on my knees everyday: O my Most Beloved Panaghia, please forgive me for being so filled with sins and so unworthy to reach out to thee. Thou hast always been our defense against the demonic assaults. Thou hast saved total cities from destruction, through Thy divine and Holy Protection.
Since thou didst give flesh to God the Word, our Most Sweet Lord Jesus will never say no to thee. Please beg our Saviour to immediately restore proper worship in our Churches. We are spiritually starved through lack of worship and not regularly receiving the life-giving Body and Blood of Thy Son. Hear my prayer to thee, my Panaghia, even though it is being offered to thee from such a sinful and unworthy slave. Please bless me with tears of repentance, and help me to love thee and Jesus more each day and to be a better servant to anyone whom God sends to me. I love you with all my heart Panaghia, and I know that our Lord Jesus will grant thee whatever thou will ask of Him. On behalf of all Orthodox children, please receive my poor prayer, and beg thy Son to open our churches for all who desire to come. Amen.
Forgive me for my incoherent words, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Unworthy priest and slave of Christ, Demetrios
papademetrios3@gmail.com
Sorry, Posted twice by mistake. This was my title. The actual title from Papa Demetri is the one in the post below “From my heart to yours”. Thank you George for helping me with tech!
From my heart to yours ~ Archimandrite Demetrios Carellas:
Jesus Christ, Who rose from the dead, The Son of God: This is what the evil one fears the most.
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord Jesus, those Brothers of the Sacramental Priesthood and those Brothers and Sisters of the “Royal Priesthood,”
For several hours I have been trying to write a letter to all of you regarding the current situation in our Churches. I have come to the realization that the very many paragraphs that I have written so far are not blessed. So at 8:33 AM EDT I am starting over!
During the past several weeks, I have been reading and hearing – from several clergy, monastics and laity – the following description of what has been happening to us through the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus: God is testing us. They are correct! And do our actions – as individuals, parish families, and Jurisdictions – indicate that we have failed or passed His test? I realize that I have failed. Being a priest, it should be my sacred duty to openly proclaim that our fears are not based on faith but upon our fallen reasoning. And that is why the heart-centered words of the retired Marine (his first name is Joseph), which I shared with all of you less than two days ago, convicted me — especially this sentence: “I would rather die from Covid-19, than to ever see and live without our traditional salvific worship as Orthodox.”
On Friday morning, a brother priest sent me a video that helped me realize how profound are Joseph’s words. A Greek priest named Fr. Elpithios was answering several questions with such Grace from God, such beautiful simplicity, that tears came from my heart through my eyes on a few occasions. The young lady began by asking him why Satan was putting forth such a war on Holy Communion. And Fr. Elpithios, with such pastoral love, explained what the evil one feared the most was the very Christ. And that when a person receives Holy Communion in the Divine Liturgy, he/she is receiving the very Christ, Whom Satan fears. Therefore, as long as Divine Liturgies are taking place, and the faithful Orthodox Christians regularly prepare themselves to receive Christ, then the Anti-christ cannot come and conquer the world with his false miracles and lies!
Now I see clearly that the evil one must be rejoicing. For three months, at least 90% of Orthodox Christians in the USA and Canada have not been able to receive the very Christ, Whom he fears — have not be able to even attend the ineffable Divine Liturgy, during which the All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit descends “upon us and these Gifts set forth,” and changes them into the very Christ!
Today, even though government restrictions on worship are being reduced, most Orthodox Jurisdictions continue to significantly limit the number of people who can attend. And the various guidelines being implemented both restrict the manner in which one can worship and change the 1000 -year old method in which one receives Holy Communion.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we need to return to the pre-Covid form of worship as soon as possible, and I believe it can be done! Through letters and phone calls (and much prayer, I am sure), some Greek Orthodox Metropolitans have agreed to return to the normal method of receiving Holy Communion. What if, beginning today, ALL Orthodox Christians, who desire to return to normal worship, began to intensely pray for God to intervene and speak to our beloved Shepherds? Do we not have faith that God would hear our pleas? We also begin a period of fasting in two days, and that will help to fortify our prayers.
However, we need a special intercessor to take our heart-centered prayers to Jesus: the one who gave Him flesh — our Most Beloved Panaghia!
Therefore, permit me to make this request: beginning today, I entreat everyone that reads my poor words to offer, for all Orthodox Hierarchs, either the Small Supplicatory Canon, or Akathist, to Panaghia every day. If you are already doing that, then please do it twice. And let us continue this offering, until we are free to worship in the proper manner — including the kissing of holy Ikons, blessing crosses, holy relics and the hand of our parish priest. Brothers and Sisters, if we allow our faith to govern our actions, rather than our fallen reasoning, then I know that our efforts will be successful. Let us also hit our knees every day and pray for our respective Hierarchs.
My next words are directed to all of our Hierarchs. Please share them with yours, if you like: Holy Shepherds and our ikons of Jesus on earth, we beg you to speedily remove all restrictions and allow us to worship in our Churches. Your ruler is the Ruler of us all, not the government leaders. If all of you stand together in defense of our sacred right to worship, then the secular rulers will have to yield to your actions — because the Grace of God will be with you. Think of what unity this will bring to all the Orthodox Christians in the USA and Canada. Think of what a crushing blow this will be upon the evil one, who hates and fears the Divine Liturgy as much as he hates and fears our Lord Jesus. Holy Hierarchs please immediately open wide our Churches!
And my closing words are to our Most Beloved Panaghia, which I hope to offer her on my knees everyday: O my Most Beloved Panaghia, please forgive me for being so filled with sins and so unworthy to reach out to thee. Thou hast always been our defense against the demonic assaults. Thou hast saved total cities from destruction, through Thy divine and Holy Protection.
Since thou didst give flesh to God the Word, our Most Sweet Lord Jesus will never say no to thee. Please beg our Saviour to immediately restore proper worship in our Churches. We are spiritually starved through lack of worship and not regularly receiving the life-giving Body and Blood of Thy Son. Hear my prayer to thee, my Panaghia, even though it is being offered to thee from such a sinful and unworthy slave. Please bless me with tears of repentance, and help me to love thee and Jesus more each day and to be a better servant to anyone whom God sends to me. I love you with all my heart Panaghia, and I know that our Lord Jesus will grant thee whatever thou will ask of Him. On behalf of all Orthodox children, please receive my poor prayer, and beg thy Son to open our churches for all who desire to come. Amen.
Forgive me for my incoherent words, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Unworthy priest and slave of Christ, +Demetrios
Thank God for Papa Demetri!
Isn’t interesting that these clowns double and triple down on their circus tactics.
https://spzh.news/en/news/72145-virus-mozhet-dejstvovaty-cherez-instrumenty-prichastijaijerarkh-fanara
https://spzh.news/en/news/72139-ijerarkh-fanara-otmetil-bolyshoj-vklad-patriarkha-varfolomeja-v-ekumenizm
https://spzh.news/en/news/72156-ijerarkh-fanara-v-ssha-smerty-flojda-ne-byla-bessmyslennoj
And here is another Phanar Bishop who was actively involved in recognizing schismatics in Ukraine who also says we can get virus with the spoon.
He even goes further and compare our Communion with Catholics and Protestant which of course is the whole idea behind removing spoon. To make way of Communion similar for future reunion.
https://spzh.news/en/news/72145-virus-mozhet-dejstvovaty-cherez-instrumenty-prichastijaijerarkh-fanara
“….the matter of discussion is not the sanctity of the body and blood of Christ, ‘the remedy of immortality’, but the instruments being used, that is to say the practical means of its distribution that can be affected by the virus,” stressed the Phanar hierarch… “The communion spoon has never been a matter of faith but only an instrument used for the distribution of the Eucharist.”
-Archbishop Job of Telmessos
Forgive me, but is not the common cup is also an “instrument being used.” Its potential (under this premise) to be a vector of disease cannot be overlooked. Shall we do away with that as well? Does he himself not drink of the same cup that has directly touched the lips of any and all of his concelebrant clergy? Is he therefore willing to alter the practice of clergy communion as well?
Which demonstrates how utterly nonsensical and, if they are to remain consistent, far-reaching their arguments surrounding the safety of the spoon have become.
George and all –
This is a great letter from a Greek MD on the topic of multiple communion spoons. She really hammers her point home. Her husband, also a medical provider, recovered from Covid-19.
https://orthodoxreflections.com/an-orthodox-md-letter-to-apb-elpidophoros-on-communion/
The regrettable discord among Orthodox seems to stem from difference in foundational teaching or lack thereof in our pillars of the Faith. With good intentions and in good faith many then revile or judge one another. The Lives of the Saints are one pillar since they embody “the teaching of the Gospel in practice” whose example prevents us from “falling into heresies and deception”. Why to read the Lives of Saints in the Orthodox Church: https://youtu.be/p6Lqoxw1EvY by Priestmonk Kosmas is an excellent teaching, part of an educational series authorized by Met. Hilarion and free now on youtube. For anyone Orthodox who pooh poohs, dismisses, or ignores their Lives, please give it a listen. Vladika Dmitri and my many priests taught us they are one pillar. And what happens when a pillar is removed?
I can’t say enough about Priestmonk Kosmas and his Orthodox talks. I’ve even had the pleasure of going to one of them and meeting him in person. He’s such a generous person and he’s put so many things into perspective for me.
He is the best! I have all 81 of his talks on flash drive. I purchased many of them…but now they are free. I urge everyone to listen to these talks.
So glad Mikhail and Steven J. M.! How wonderful to have companions in spirit!
I just started with #79 featuring St. John of San Francisco and ~ pertinent to our present, no surprise ~ the response of the Saints to disruptions in the Church. Fascinating and a different perspective from the expected. I’m mulling and trying to blend with Fr Peter’s interviewed, etc. Love to hear y’all’s thoughts on that if you happen to hear!
Hi Nicole,
It’s been a while since I listened to that talk – or any of Fr Kosmas’ talks, for that matter – so I thought it would be a good opportunity to listen to some of it again. I’m pleased I did.
Before I can say anything about my thoughts on that, let me ask you what specifically you had in mind about Fr Kosmas’ talk.
Delightful offer Steven. Let me listen again to the part which seemed to relate to our current situation in a surprising way and I’ll try to post. I’m so NONtech that I may reply wherever I can first find your name.
And I so agree what a boon he is as a teacher! So grateful I “happened” upon him when much needed. Thank you God!
Absolutely, positively
“Rightly Teaching the Word of His Truth”
St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite Society recommends excellent teachers with their resumes:
Prof Demetrios Tselengides
Archimandrite Savvas Agioreites
Archimandrite Demetrios Carellas
Archimandrite Grigorios
Father Josiah Trenham
Father Peter Heers
Constantine Zalalas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOWAr8tYYvQ
for Steven J. M., Mom of Toddler & Mikhail in particular…
Nice one. And what an excellent idea the Society has had. I’ll look these teachers up. Thanks Nicole!
It is not only in US and Western Europe that Greek Church is run by Phanar. Similar is happening in Australia. It is all about money and power for the Ecumenical throne.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/greek-orthodox-church-leaders-65-million-sydney-harbour-apartment/news-story/0b7ed859e7fcc9a2c51eaa05f2692525
The HTML link makes it look like a 65 million apartment! My keyboard almost became acquainted with my coffee when I saw that.
The reality is still disappointing, but not surprising, given everything else we know.
Reply from the GOA in Australia.
https://theorthodoxworld.com/media-release-in-relation-to-the-purchase-of-a-property-by-the-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-australia/
Ha, we missed that it is an excellent investment opportunity as the prices for rent are high in the neighborhood. It would be better if they did not write anything but they manage to ruin people’s fast which probably they don’t exercise.
It is also interesting that this Bishops who will soon move into this luxury claims that Patriarch Bartholomew is ‘The Great”
https://theorthodoxworld.com/greek-orthodox-archbishop-makarios-of-australia-history-will-call-patriarch-bartholomew-the-great/
Indeed. “The Great Divider of the Church.”
“Referring with great emotion to His All Holiness Bartholomew, he pointed out that “all this respect over the centuries has passed through the DNA of the Hellenes…”
These Phanarite sycophants just can’t seem to help displaying their shame before all the world. God help them; they take pride in it.
“all this respect over the centuries has passed through the DNA of the Hellenes…”
Man. And talk about racism….. Once they start to not get the public attention that they think they deserve, I wonder if Abp E and C’ple will start a “Greek Lives Matter” or “Hellenic Lives Matter” movement?
In Marxist struggle theory, one must constantly maintain and reinforce one’s victim status, otherwise you get lumped in with the oppressors, which means instant cancellation, shaming, a trip to the gulag, or even death as Our Savior died. Come on now, get with it C’ple and GOA… “GLM” or “HLM,” take your pick.
The Greeks have monasteries in Australia… can’t he just live in one of those, rather than spending 6.5 million on a house?
It’s not as if he’ll be spending much time at parishes once the next lockdown shuts all his churches again.
“Constantinople: There is no need to change the means
of distributing Holy Communion”
https://orthochristian.com/132149.html
I expect Elpi gets to keep (count?) the spoons…
Being Antiochian I want to share with you the following published by my priest in the parish monthly newsletter, The Word. Other issues are available from our website: https://www.stgeorgecathedral.net/
The Communion Spoon (Adapted by Fr. Paul from an article by Fr. John Whitefield at https://orthochristian. com/132000.html)
We are the Cathedral parish of His Grace, Bishop BASIL. It would be unthinkable if His Grace did not share these views and that they are practiced throughout his diocese.
I recently came across a very insightful remark from a writer (Denise McAllister) who was engaged in an online debate. She wrote: “My freedom doesn’t end where your irrational fear begins.” But of course the question of whether one’s fears are rational or irrational is the question we have to consider. There is unfortunately no risk free way for us to live in this world. If we were to avoid all risks, none of us would ever get into an automobile, but most of us do, because we consider that to be a manageable risk. If you drive while listening to the radio, or drinking a cup of coffee, you are adding to your risks… but these added risks are generally considered to be fairly minimal. The question I have asked many people who have advocated changes in the mode of distributing communion is very simple: Is there any evidence that anyone has ever gotten sick from receiving communion with a spoon? There answer to this question is “no.” But some people then retort that this is simply because no one has ever done a scientific study of the question, but this is not true. It is true that, to my knowledge at least, there have been no studies involving the use of communion spoons, but there have actually been several studies of people using a common chalice — which would be more likely to be a means of transmitting disease than a communion spoon — and so such studies are a good way to answer the question of whether we are dealing with rational or irrational fears. John Sanidopoulos, in his article “Scientific Studies on the Transmission of Infectious Diseases Through Holy Communion” has pointed to 6 relevant studies done between 1943 and 1998. One study found that even under ideal circumstances (ideal for allowing transmission, that is), the use of a common chalice showed 0.001% of organisms being transferred, but when studying conditions that actually followed real world practice, no transmission could be detected. In another study, three groups of people were studied: those who go to Church and receive communion, those who go to Church but who do not receive communion, and those who do not go to Church at all. What they found was that even among those who received communion as often as daily, there was no increase in one’s risk of infection. And so even if you do not believe in God, fears of getting sick because of getting a virus from a communion spoon are irrational — and if you do believe in God, and actually believe what we confess before we receive the Eucharist (which is that the Eucharist is truly Christ’s Body and Blood), then you should have nothing to worry about. Fr. Alkiviadis C. Calivas, in his article “A Note on the Common Communion Spoon,” says that he himself has no such fears, but expresses his concern for those who do: “In my sixty-four years in the priesthood, I have consumed the chalice thousands of times after countless Divine Liturgies without fear or hesitation, as every priest does. I am not certain, however, that every faithful parishioner would do the same, if they were asked. My point is this. Holy Communion should be a source of joy, hope and strength for everyone and not a test or measure of one’s faith in God’s providential care (Matt. 4:5-7). St. Paul reminds us that the love of Christ requires that we care for all persons, whatever their situation and be sensitive and responsive to their just needs and concerns for the sake of the Gospel (1 Cor. 9: 19-23).” (continues next page) 4 Vol. 29 • No. 7 JUL 2020 Article I have not been a priest for even half as long, but my experience supports Fr. Alkiviadis’ conclusion that there is nothing to fear. When I commune the faithful, the last mouth that I place the spoon into before handing it off to the deacon is my own (to ensure that there is nothing left of the Eucharist on the spoon), and I have not so much as had a fever since several years before I was ordained a priest. If a virus could be transmitted via a communion spoon, there should be widespread instances of priests with oral herpes (which can be spread by the use of eating utensils that have been used by someone with that virus), but as a matter of fact, there is no evidence that anyone has gotten such a virus in this way. It is concerning to contemplate the message that the Church would be sending to the faithful, if we act as if receiving communion is a physically dangerous act. It is indeed spiritually dangerous to receive communion in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27- 29), but which of the saints ever taught or suggested that the Eucharist could be a means of transmitting a disease? None did. Aside from all that has been said, when we speak of “risk” or “chance” as Christians, we should understand that these are simply means of referring to the many variable factors that we do not know. We, however, do not believe in a God that is a helpless observer, who fondly hopes that things will work out well for us. We believe, that if we are doing what God wants us to do, that we don’t need to worry beyond that. in the image and likeness of God to relate with one another in love for God in his benevolence is an embodiment of pure love. We need a chance to breathe, and not with just any breath, but the breath of life into others. It is time to kneel in fervent prayer to God but not to kneel on others to squeeze life out of them. We pray that justice prevails for George Floyd, we need justice for all the human race. Justice is not only for the few, it is for all, whether black or white. To me, I can’t really say Black lives matter and end at that! To me, ALL LIVES MATTER! and no one is allowed to take someone’s life! May peace prevail, may love dwell in our hearts so that we may see the good in the other person, the image of Christ!
Published in the July issue of The Word. The monthly newsletter of St. George Orthodox Cathedral—Antiochian, Wichita, Ks.