Fall, 2009 Barnabas Antiochian Or- Thodox Church, 3515 Cadillac Ave
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Happenings! A Spiritual Retreat Light of the East Topic: "Christ The Newsletter of the Society of Saint John Chrysostom Eternal Tao" Western Region Edition Friday & Saturday, No- vember 6 & 7. St. Volume 4, Number 1 Fall, 2009 Barnabas Antiochian Or- thodox Church, 3515 Cadillac Ave. #G-3. Costa SSJC Workshop: Married life East & West Mesa 92626. Presenter: Hieromonk Damascene (an Eastern Orthodox Christian Intimacy of married life linked to perfect monk and scholar – spiritual child of the famed Fr. Sera- communion of love in the Holy Trinity phim Rose of St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, By Anne Petach his Church and a reminder that one and all are CA) Note: Capacity is lim- Presbytera Joy called to lives of holiness.” ited and spaces are filling up Corona, of St. As examples he cited: St. Gianna Beretta quickly. Interested partici- Gregory of Nyssa Molla (1922-1962) a pediatrician. Despite life pants should register online Greek Orthodox threating complications early in her fourth as soon as possible to be Mission, El Cajon, pregnancy she chose the life of her baby over assured of a seat. For regis- linked the com- her own and died a few days after giving birth tration form please go to this munion and inti- ot a healthy daughter; Blessed Luigi Beltrame link: ( http:// macy of married Quattrocchi (1880-1951) a lawyer, and his www.stbarnabasoc.org/tao/ life to the image wife Blessed Maria Corsini (1884-1965) a register ) For more informa- of the perfect professor and writer, parents of four, active in tion, please go to: ( http:// communion of many apostolic and charitable works; beatified www.stbarnabasoc.org/tao ) love in the Holy Trinity, and emphasized the Oct. 2001, Saint Cecelia martyred in 117 who self-emptying that inspires daily married life was forced into marriage by her parents, con- The Theology and and which leads to the Kingdom of heaven. verted her husband and when he and his Liturgy of She reminded that the Orthodox marriage ser- brother were martyred for burying Christian vice includes the crowning of husband and martyrs, was arrested and martyred for bury- Funerals: East and wife as both king and queen of their home, the ing the brothers; Blessed Anna Maria Taigi West domestic church, and also as martyrs who take (1769-1837) working class mother of seven, Saturday, November 14, 10 up their cross and follow Christ. Both in mar- married for 48 years, worldly and vain early in a.m./12:30 pm. St. Maria riage and martyrdom one dies to self to live for her marriage and had an adulterous affair but Goretti Parish, 3954 Palo the other. Each lifts up the other when they was later inspired to repentance and became a Verde Ave., Long Beach fall. Married saints show the extreme value of helper of the poor, mystic, and spiritual coun- 90808. Presenters: Msgr. mutual assistance, accountability and encour- selor; St. Isidore the farmer and his wife St. Liam Kidney, Pastor, Cor- agement for the fulfillment of marriage: holi- Maria de la Cabeza; and St. Olga “the beauti- pus Christi Roman Catholic ness. ful,” first Christian queen of Kievan Rus. He Brother Daniel recommended www.saints.sqpn as a “gold Church, Pacific Palisades & the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Sokol OSB of mine” about the saints. Alexei Smith, Pastor, St. Prince of Peace Presbytera’s examples were: Sts. Joachim Andrew Russian-Greek Abbey, stressed and Anna, generous, humble, faithful to God. Catholic Church & St. Paul the blessing that Their icon shows them in a holy embrace, the Melkite Mission, El Se- holy parents are ideal of marital relationship; Sts. Gregory of gundo. A business meeting for their children Nazianzen, the Elder and his wife Nonna, par- of SSJC—Western Region as they interced in ents of holy children, including St. Gregory follows. Participants may prayer for them. the Theologian who said of them “there was bring a brown bag lunch. After a summary of the canonization process no marriage more harmonious,” “no less a Contact person: Anne in the Roman Church, he called to mind that union in virtue than in the body;” and Sts. Petach: 818 347 0758 or Pope John Paul II, who beatified many, “called Timothy and Maura, early martyrs in Egypt, [email protected]. for recognition of the heroic virtues of Chris- who, betrayed to authorities 20 days after their tian marriage … a sign of Christ’s love, a mir- ror of the Lord’s love for aa Continued on page 8 Page 2 Light of the East The Society of A message from the President of SSJC-Western Region Saint John Chrysostom On the blood of Martyrs The Society of St. John Chrysostom is an ecu- menical group of clergy and lay people which Are we on the cusp of the fullness of time in which a confluence of forces, promotes Eastern Christianity and Ecumenical under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will bring down the wall of separation Dialogue between the Eastern and Western between the Eastern, Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Churches under the Churches. It sponsors the Eastern Churches omophorion of the Bishop of Rome? Why pose the question in this way? In the Journal and the annual Orientale Lumen Confer- past many international theological consultations have taken place. These con- ence. It has been in existence since 1997 in the sultations involve theologians from the Churches. The Bishop of Rome has also United States and for over 70 years in England. met with individual Orthodox patriarchs and bishops. The wall of separation THE GOALS OF THE SOCIETY ARE TO: remains. However, as noted by a ‘monk of the Eastern Church’: “human barriers • Make known the history, worship, spiritual- do not reach up to heaven.” ity, discipline and theology of Eastern Chris- tendom. Now it seems a next step has been suggested following a meeting, described • Work and pray that all Christians, particu- as “remarkably harmonious,” between Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Hi- larly the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, larion of the Moscow Patriarchate. (See page 3 for details.) Both men are de- will attain the fullness of unity which Jesus scribed as scholars, theologians, liturgists, and lovers of music. In addition, Christ desires. Archbishop Hilarion is a world famous gifted composer. Also, following a • Develop educational programs which pre- meeting between the Archbishop and Cardinal Kasper, the Cardinal suggested sent information about the Eastern Churches. that a conference of Orthodox European bishops could possibly form a partner- • Organize and conduct pilgrimages and con- ship in dialogue between the Churches in the future. A conference of Orthodox ferences that encourage ecumenical dia- bishops would elevate succeeding talks from one on one encounters of individ- logue. ual Patriarchs to a more unified Orthodox witness, voice and consensus. • Contribute to fund-raising activities which Remarks made by Archbishop Hilarion in the catacomb of St. Callixtus were support Eastern Christian communities and also reported. Under attack from Godless paganism and immorality, the early other programs in need of financial aid. Christians "… brought the fruit of holiness and martyr heroism. The Holy • Publish books, brochures, and other informa- [undivided] Church was built on their blood shed for Christ." The de- tion which help explain Eastern Christianity. Christianization of contemporary Europe [and the world], materialism, moral • Encourage and support the study of the writ- relativism, and secularism may well be the focal point rallying the Apostolic ings and liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. Churches toward unity in today’s world. • Promote scholarships for the study of East- Archbishop Hilarion stated that the sins of mankind are the cause of all sepa- ern Churches in Catholic and Orthodox ration. The unity of the Churches can be reestablished only by way of sanctity. seminaries. "Each of us, conscientiously fulfilling a task the Church has given him or her, is WESTERN REGION called to personally contribute to the treasury of Christian sanctity and work to President, achieve God-commanded Christian unity." This is the ministry of the members The Very Rev. Fr. George Morelli, PhD. of the Society of St. John Chrysostom. Our apostolate is to bring all who call Vice President, The Rt. Rev. James Babcock themselves followers of Christ to holiness. When the Church exited the cata- Secretary, Anne Petach combs unity was lost. Unity can only be restored by re-entering the catacombs. Treasurer, Robert Greenwell The blood-shedding of the upcoming New-Martyrs may simply be to live fully Sgt. at Arms/Parliamentarian/Assistant Treasurer Major Frank Scialdone USMC Ret. a life in Christ in a pagan world. Such a life in Christ would make up the new- catacombs. Light of the East Official newsletter of the Society of Saint John Chrysostom Western Region is pub- Name_________________________________________ I want to lished quarterly by the Western Region of Address_______________________________________ the SSJC and is distributed free of charge to all SSJC members and through churches be a City_________________________State_____Zip_____ throughout the Western Region of the USA. Phone_________________________________________ Editorial contact: member Editor: Rt. Rev. Archimandrite e-mail________________________________________ of SSJC James Babcock Jurisdiction____________________________________ Distribution: Full Member $50 (Voting privileges) for members of canonical apostolic juris- 451 W. Madison Ave., Placentia CA 92870 dictions Associate member $40 (No voting privileges) Membership: Student or Monastic $_______