The highest of all arts

The skill which the rich need to use their wealth well is the highest of all arts.  Its workshop is built not on earth but in heaven, because those who are rich must communicate directly with God to acquire and practice this art. Its tools are not made of iron or brass, but of good will, because the rich will only use their wealth well if they want to do so.  Indeed good will is itself the skill.  When a rich person sincerely wants to help the poor, God will quickly show the best way. Thus while a person training to be a carpenter must learn how to control a hammer and saw and chisel, the rich person training to serve the poor must learn how to control the mind and heart and soul.  He must learn always to think good thoughts, expunging all selfish thoughts. He must learn how to feel compassion, expunging all malice and contempt.  He must learn how to desire only to obey the will of God.  That is why I say the skill of being a rich disciple of Christ is the highest of all arts; and the one who possesses it is truly a saint.  St. John Chrysostom

On God's gifts and our response

When you are generous to another person, you are not bestowing a gift, but repaying a debt.  Everything you possess materially comes from God, Who created all things.  And every spiritual and moral virtue you possess is through divine grace.  Thus, you owe everything to God.  More than that, God has given you His Son, to show you how to live: how to use your material possessions and how to grow in moral and spiritual virtue.  We may say that your material and spiritual possession cost God nothing: God created the universe in order to express His own glory.  But the gift of His Son was supremely costly, because His Son suffered and died for our sakes.  The agony of Christ on the cross is the measure of how much God loves us.  For this reason we should take none of our gifts—material or spiritual—for granted; day by day we should give thanks to God for what he has bestowed on us. Once this spiritual of gratitude infuses us, we shall see generosity for what it is.  When we help someone in need, we shall be saved from any temptation to take pride in our actions.  On the contrary, we will regard our act as no more than a small token of appreciation for all that we have received—or more precisely the repayment of a tiny fraction of God’s blessings.  St. John Chrysostom

Practical stewardship

Share what you have, lest you lose what you have.  Spend what you possess on the needs of others in order to keep what you possess.  Do not cling to what you own, lest it be taken away from you.  Do not hoard your treasures, lest they rot and become worthless.  Entrust all your wealth to God, because then it is protected against all who want to steal or destroy it.  Do you understand what these injunctions mean?  Or do they sound like nonsense to you?  To the person without faith, they mean nothing.  But to the person with faith, they make perfect sense.  Faith tells us that God alone can supply the material things on which we depend.  He gives some people more than they need, not that they can enjoy great luxury, but to make them stewards on His bounty on behalf of orphans, the sick, and the crippled.  If they are bad stewards, keeping this bounty to themselves, they will become poor in spirit, and their hearts will fill with misery.  If they are good stewards, they will become rich in spirit, their hearts filling with joy.  St. John Chrysostom

Two reasons for fasting

We are taught to fast regularly as part of our Christian discipline.  Why should we fast?  How do we serve God by going hungry?  Surely we need adequate food each day in order to work hard in God’s service.  Jesus criticized most vehemently those who drew attention to their fasting, urging us to fast in secret; so clearly fasting is not a matter for personal pride. 

There are two reasons to fast.  The first is to break our attachment to material things, of which food is the most central, and so compel us to depend on spiritual things.  When we are eating regularly, food not only sustains our bodies, but provides pleasure and satisfaction.  In itself there is nothing wrong with such pleasure.  But when we do without food, we are reminded that the only true and lasting source of joy is spiritual. The second is to express solidarity with those whose poverty forces them to go hungry.  We may fast from time to time as a discipline; but many people fast continually because they have no money to buy food.  If we are truly to show compassion to the poor, we must experience within our own bodies the consequences of poverty. Fasting is thus an incentive toward generosity. And the money saved during a fast can readily be given to relieve the enforced hunger of others.  St. John Chrysostom

On the veneration of holy icons

I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter, Who for my sake became matter, and took up His abode in matter, and by means of matter accomplished my salvation. St. John of Damascus

Since some censure us, who worship and venerate the depiction both of the Saviour and of our Lady, and, moreover, of the rest of the saints and servants of Christ, let them hear that from the beginning God made man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). And so, why do we bow to one another if not because we are created in the image of God. For, as the divinely-speaking [hierarch] Basil [the Great], who is powerful in the interpretation of divine subjects, says, "the honor given to the depiction passes to the Prototype". And the prototype is that whose image is imprinted, that from which the copy is obtained. St. John of Damascus

A SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUTH

STORY OF THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

Since the beginning, Orthodox Christians have used icons in worship. What is an icon? An icon is a holy image. How do we use an icon? During prayer, as a reminder of the All-Holy Trinity (God), our Panagia, (the Virgin Mary, Theotokos), of holy people (Saints) or holy events, such as the twelve holy feast days of the Church.

Do we worship icons? No, we don't. We venerate icons, which means we honor them.

Back in the year 726 AD, a heresy arose in the Church. Do you know what a heresy is? A heresy is a wrong teaching. One wrong teaching that arose in the year 726 was known as "iconoclasm." That meant the destruction of icons.

Why did iconoclasm happen? Sadly, because some people thought the Christians were worshiping icons. Even some people who called themselves Christians thought it was wrong to venerate icons. However, to venerate means to respect or honor. It does not mean to worship.

The problem of iconoclasm lasted more than 100 years! Many people who were holy and correct in their thinking about icons were tortured and many died for the sake of venerating icons.

In the year 787, Empress Irene called a council to decide the Church’s teaching about icons. It was decided that the icons should be venerated by all Christians. This decision was made at the Seventh Ecumenical Council.

Some years after this decision, other emperors/empresses came to power and said icons were not to be venerated. The church leaders and the people rebelled and again, many holy people were tortured and killed for believing the right thing about venerating icons.

In the year 829, Emperor Theophilus came to power. He was married to Empress Theodora who was a true Christian woman. She secretly venerated icons. But her husband, Emperor Theophilus persecuted those who honored the icons, putting many into prison and killing others. Near the end of his reign as emperor (about 13 years later), he became very ill and was close to dying.

As her husband lay dying, Empress Theodora fell asleep and had a dream. In her dream she saw the Theotokos holding Christ as a babe in her arms and saw rows of angels whipping and cursing the Emperor. She woke up and heard the emperor crying out, “Woe is me, the wretched one! I am being whipped because of the holy images!”

At once, the Empress took an icon of the Theotokos and placed it upon the emperor and began praying to the Theotokos with tears. Even though the emperor was very ill, he saw someone near him wearing a medallion with an icon on it and he took hold of it and kissed it. At that very moment, he received relief from his suffering and fell into sleep, though before he did, he confessed it was good to honor and venerate the holy icons.

Then the Empress removed all her holy icons from her storage chests in order to kiss and honor them with all her heart and prepared the emperor for his death.

Shortly after the emperor died, Empress Theodora released those who’d been imprisoned or recalled those sent out of the country for the sake of the holy icons and ordered that they be allowed to live in safety. She also appointed a God loving leader known as a patriarch in the Church, one who honored the holy icons, to replace the patriarch her husband had appointed.

Meanwhile, the Empress Theodora and Patriarch Methodios received a visit from a very holy man named Isaiah. He told them that the Lord had a message for them, that those who dishonor the holy icons were to be stopped and that it is proper to honor the holy icons and the Cross. Immediately, the Empress held up the icon of the Mother of God that was hanging about her neck and kissed it saying, “If for love’s sake, anyone does not kiss and venerate these images in a correct manner, not worshipping them as gods, but as images of what they represent, let him be accursed!” And all the God loving Christians, rejoiced!

All the people were happy, but something troubled the Empress. She asked the holy priests to pray for the soul of her husband, Emperor Theophilus. She was worried because of all the terrible things he’d done to destroy the holy icons and to destroy the people who venerated them. So, all throughout the first week of Great Lent, the bishops, priests and people prayed all night for the soul of Emperor Theophilus.

At dawn on the first Friday of Great Lent, Empress Theodora fell asleep and had a dream. She saw men passing in her dream carrying instruments of torture. In the middle of the men, with his hands tied behind his back was Emperor Theophilus. Then she saw a man with a heavenly looking face sitting in front of the icon of Christ and Theophilus stood in front of Him. The Empress touched the man’s feet, pleading with him for the soul of her husband. Then she heard him say, “Great is your faith, woman! Know then, that for the sake of your tears and your faith and for the sake of the intercessions and prayers of my servants and my priests, I grant forgiveness to Theophilus your husband.” Then he said, “Untie him and give him back to his wife.” And she received her husband back in her dream with great happiness and then woke up.

In the meantime, Patriarch Methodius, after all the prayers and intercessions for the Emperor were finished, took a plain piece of paper and wrote the names of all the heretical emperors on it, including Emperor Theophilus. He placed the paper underneath the holy altar in the church. He, too, had a vision on Friday and in it he saw an awesome angel coming toward him at the Royal Doors of the church. The angel said, “Your prayers have been heard, and the Emperor Theophilus has been granted forgiveness. You needn’t trouble God about him any longer.” The Patriarch was amazed at this message and in order to test whether the vision had been true or not, he took the paper from under the altar table and unrolled it. And what do you think he found? The name of Emperor Theophilus was no longer there! God had removed his name from the list!

When Empress Theodora learned of this, she was exceedingly glad. Therefore, on the first Sunday of Great Lent, March 11, 843, she ordered the Patriarch to assemble in the Church all the people with candles, the holy images and precious crosses so that all the holy icons might be restored and that the miracle be made known unto all. So, they made a solemn procession with the holy images and the True Cross and the holy and divine Gospel Book. And every year since then, Orthodox Christians celebrate this holy festival with a procession of icons so that we never again fall into the same error and great sin of dishonoring the holy icons.

And this is the reason why we celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Remember to bring your portable icon to the church that day. And remember, too, to always hold your icon carefully and with much respect.

St. Theodore and the miracle of the koliva

For those remembering their loved ones in Church today with an offering of koliva, may their memories be eternal!

Immense is the benefit of the Divine Liturgy, of commemorations for the departed, etc., of course, they are only full of benefit for those who repented, who had some signs of virtues, but did not have the time to knead the bread of virtues due to negligence, indolence and procrastination. For those people, the prayers of the Church and personal prayers, alms, philanthropic deeds, etc., fill up their deficiencies, through the abundance of God’s mercy. St. Mark the Ascetic

St. Theodor Teron and the Miracle of the Koliva

Russian Icon

Published: Exhibition Cataloque: Kunst des Christlichen Ostens,H. Skrobucha, 1986
Hoechst Cat No 179

St. Theodore and the Great Miracle of the Kollyva

In 361, Julian the Apostate was doing his utmost to restore pagan customs. Knowing that the Christians were accustomed to sanctify the first week of Lent by fasting and prayer, the wily tyrant told the Prefect of Constantinople to have all of the food set out for sale in the markets sprinkled with the blood of animals sacrificed to the gods, so that no one in the city would escape the contagion of idolatry. However, the Lord did not abandon His chosen people, but sent His servant Theodore to outwit the tyrant. Appearing in a vision to Patriarch Eudoxius (360-364), the holy Martyr informed him of what was happening and told him to instruct the Christians not to buy food from the markets but instead to eat kolyva made from grains of boiled wheat. Thus, thanks to the intervention of the holy Martyr Theodore, the Christian people were preserved from the stain of idolatry. The Church has commemorated this miracle ever since on the first Saturday of Great Lent, in order to remind the faithful that fasting and temperance have the power to cleanse all the stains of sin.

Saint Theodore the Tryon wrought many other miracles for those who had recourse to him with faith, and who persevered in prayer in his church. One day, shining in glory on his white horse, he appeared to a poor widow and restored her only son who had been captured by Saracens. He often brought the tempest-tossed to safety, thieves to light and runaways back to their masters. In all his miracles, this Roman legionary showed that he had become the heavenly protector of the Christian people.

Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of Saint Theodore The Tyron

The feast and commemoration of Saint Theodore the Tyron is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers may be conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. The commemoration of the appearance of Saint Theodore and the miracle of the kolyva is celebrated on the first Saturday of Great Lent each year with a Divine Liturgy and a Memorial Service. This day is the last of three Saturday of Souls observed each year at the beginning of the Lenten season. The faithful bring kolyva and lists of names of friends and family members who have reposed in the faith. The names are read by the priest during the Memorial Service.

(http://www.goarch.org/special/theodoretyre/)(http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/)

Recognize your spiritual poverty

From Abbot Nikon in Letters to Spiritual Children:

My dear one!

You become despondent and lost at the least temptation.  The Lord allows this to happen so that you might discover your weakness and understand how much lies hidden in a person’s soul, and that labor is necessary in order to cleanse oneself of passions, to become the temple of the Living God and to achieve salvation.  When your human frailty becomes apparent to you, then you will fall down before the Lord and from the bottom of your heart cry out to Him, like the Apostle Peter when he was drowning.  Then you will receive the Lord’s help and realize how close the Lord is to those who call out His name from the depths of their heart.  Then you will fall in gratitude at His feet and weep over your sins through which you have grieved the Lord.  Then your heart will be humbled and you will cease accusing others, endeavoring instead to have your past sins forgiven and to avoid future transgressions of the Lord’s commandments.  You will also come to understand the vanity of everything worldly, and how very insignificant is your attachment to this earth, its disputes, its disappointments.  It is not worth becoming dismayed over such things, as they rob you of spiritual peace and even, perhaps, your salvation.

All that is bad—all the passions, the devil’s snares, all misfortunes and sufferings—all these are conquered through humility.  And humility arises through saying to the Lord from the depths of our heart, “I receive the due reward for my deeds.  Remember me, Lord, in Thy Kingdom,” (Luke 23:41).  If we are able to say this in all of life’s circumstances, without grumbling at the Lord or at people, then immediately our burden will be lightened and we will find ourselves on the correct spiritual path.  If we do complain or blame someone for our misfortune, then we must humble ourselves even further and say, Lord, I really am worth nothing, only You can save me.  “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean,” said the leper who had lost all hope of being healed.  “I will, be thou clean,” said the Lord, touching him, and the leper was free of his affliction.  And so it is with us—if we, realizing the full extent of our feebleness and spiritual poverty, turn to the Lord our only Savior, and from a contrite heart say, “Lord, if You desire it, You can heal and cleanse me,” we will hear the same reply from the Lord, Who suffered for us on the Cross, “I will, be thou clean.”

Our soul will clearly hear this reply and we will receive the strength to bear all of life’s difficulties with thanksgiving, just as the repentant thief bore great sufferings without grumbling, as he remained hanging on the cross until evening.  May God help you to understand this, to humble yourself and give yourself over into God’s hands.  Constantly say, “Lord, may Your holy will be done.  Lord, do with me what You will, just do not allow me to grumble at You, and grant me salvation.”

So far you have only read and heard about spiritual warfare, about tears and suffering of heart.  God is allowing you to discover from experience just where it is you stand.  Will you be able to persevere and bear hardships without murmuring but thinking of the Lord, or will you begin complaining and then—what is worse—sink into despondency?

Decide for yourself.  “Give blood and receive the Spirit.”  The time of childhood is over, it is time to begin the work of an adult.  A contrite and humble heart the Lord will not despise, and, “The snares of the devil do not touch one who is humble,” (from a vision of Saint Anthony the Great about snares.)

If you give in to complaining and begin to blame people and circumstances for your hardships, then you will eventually come to murmur against God and may become totally despondent.  May the Lord preserve you from this!

May the Lord grant you spiritual peace, humility and wisdom, and may He give you patience and strength to carry the burden of both your own passions and of those with whom you come in contact…

This beautiful meditation comes from the book Letters to Spiritual Children published by Nikodemos Orthodox Publication Society in New York in 1997.