For the of Life the World

The monthly newsletter of Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Volume XII, Issue 8 August 2020

ON THE FEAST OF THE DORMITION (FALLING ASLEEP) OF THE ALL-HOLY AND BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE By Fr. George Dion Dragas 405 Huntwood Road Swansea, Illinois 62226 The Place of the Theotokos in the Church: The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Phone: 618-277-0330 Theotokos (Mother of God) occupies Fax: 618-277-1930 next to Christ the most important Cell Phone: 314-288-8036 place in Orthodox . This is [email protected] most obvious in the Orthodox liturgi- www.ssconstantinehelen.org cal tradition. Entering into any Ortho- dox church you first encounter the Fr. Achilles Karathanos Theotokos. Her sacred is the first Parish to meet and venerate in the Narthex. She appears in her primary identity as 2020 Parish Council the Mother of the Lord Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, the Savior President: John Siampos of the world, whom she holds in her Vice Pres.: Bob Karras hands. As you move further into the church, you encounter her again both Secretary: Wolfe in the main Nave and in the Sanctuary Treasurer: George Skidis at the most prominent places. You are thereby reminded that you cannot Issa Abuaita, Karim Asfour, Esther Davis, of her earthly life as her full participa- church yourself and approach God in Maria Skidis, Karon Wolfe tion in the salvation and eternal life Christ without the Blessed Virgin which the Lord God established for us Mother of God. She is the primary human beings through Christ. But one witness, the , the Mother of may ask. Is this not a contradiction in the second and , your Savior terms? Does not falling asleep imply Cover icon by the hand of and Savior of the world. She is the Nicholas P. Papas death? The answer is Yes and No. http://www.facebook.com/Nick.Papa.Studio Queen of the Church, of the Kingdom Yes, because she truly died. No, be- of God, of Angels and human beings cause she did not remain in death. The and of the entire creation, whom the Table of Contents Icon of the Feast of the Falling-asleep King of all chose as the unique vehicle of the Theotokos depicts her body rest- of his coming into the world to save it On the Feast of the Dormition ... pp. 1-3 ing breathless in a bed while her soul, and restore in it his eternal Kingdom wrapped in swaddling clothes like a The Orthodox Steward ...... p. 3 of freedom, truth and love. OCMC Corner ...... p. 4 new-born baby, is upheld in the arms God in Us ...... pp. 5, 9 of the Risen and glorified Christ who St. the Black...... pp. 6, 12 The Feast of the Dormition stands behind the bed. This icon is the Parish News ...... p. 7 (Koimesis): The Feast of the Dormi- reversal of the usual icon of the The- Approaching the ...... p. 8 tion (Falling asleep) of the All-holy otokos which depicts the Virgin hold- Come and See ...... p. 9 Theotokos, celebrated on the 15th of ing Christ in her arms. Christ holding August Calendar ...... p. 10 August every year is the greatest the Virgin’s soul in his arms indicates Newsletter Sponsors ...... p. 11 among several others which commem- her entry into the Kingdom of Heaven orate her Blessed person and life. As such, this Feast marks the completion continued on page 2 2020 Parish Calendar garments (estheta and maphorion)? Ap- the Dormition of St. John Damascene, parently, according to ancient tradi- ch. 18 based on an earlier document tions, her body too was miraculously called Euthymian History). Thurs, Aug 6th Holy Transfigura- translated into heaven after its burial in tion Gethsemane, and was united with her The Ancient Tradition (from the His- Sat, Aug. 15th Dormition of the soul. Indeed her tomb was found empty tory of St. Euthymius): “There is noth- Theotokos shortly after the burial. This tradition of ing in the holy, inspired Scripture about Sat, Sept. 5th Evening in the translation of the body of the The- the death of Mary, the holy Theotokos; Athens??? otokos from the tomb to heaven but we know from an ancient and truest Sat, Oct. 3rd Evening in Ath- (metathesis or metastasis in Greek, tradition that at the time of her glorious ens??? transitus in Latin) is very strong in the falling asleep, all the holy Apostles, who Orthodox Church as liturgical practice were traveling the world preaching sal- Sat, Oct 25th Fall General As- and many and important patristic texts vation to the nations, were in an instant sembly bear witness, although sources do differ lifted up and brought to . As Sun, Nov. 1st Thanksgiving Din- on details. they stood before her, they saw an an- ner/ Parish Council gelic apparition, and a divine chanting Elections An admirable collection of texts refer- was heard from the higher Powers. And Sat, Nov. 7th Evening in Athens ring to early ecclesiastical sources of this so, in a of divine and heavenly glo- tradition is the book, Early Patristic Hom- ry she placed her soul into God’s hands Sun, Nov 8th Parish Council ilies On the Dormition of Mary published in an ineffable way. Her body, which Elections by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (1997). had received God, was carried with an- Sun, Nov 22nd Stewardship It contains English translations of texts gelic and apostolic , was prepared Sunday referring to the Falling Asleep in the and laid to rest in a coffin in Gethsema- Sat, Dec. 5th Evening in Athens Lord of the Blessed Virgin Theotokos by ne. It was there and for three days that John of Thessalonica, Theoteknos of the angelic choruses and hymns contin- Fri, Dec. 25th Holy Nativity of Livias, Modestus of Jerusalem, Andrew ued unceasingly. After three days, how- our Lord of Crete, Germanus of Constantinople, ever, the angelic hymnody ceased. The John the of the Old Lavra, John continued from page 1 Apostles were there, and since one of Damascene and Theodore the Studite. them –Thomas– who had been absent The translator, one of the great patristic from the burial, came after the third day which the Incarnate Christ opened up scholars in this country, Professor Brian and asked to reverence that body which for us through his saving life and work. E. Daily, S.J., has provided a good dis- had received God, they opened the cof- It indicates in the most concrete way St. cussion of these texts by way of intro- fin. They could not find anywhere her Athanasius’ well known dictum: “God duction. To these texts one could go on much-praised body, and since all they became human that we (humans) may and add several others from the later could find were her burial swaddling- be made divine.” Christ the Savior tak- Byzantine fathers and ecclesiastical au- clothes and the ineffable fragrance that ing the soul of his Mother to Heaven thors of the second millennium, such as came out of them and filled their bow- marks the first resurrection, which Leo the Emperor, John of Euchaita, els, they closed the coffin again. experience when they die, Isidore of Thessalonica, Philotheos of Amazed by the miracle of this mystery, thanks to our Lord’s redemptive work. Constantinople, Gregory Palamas of they could only think this: that the One The full resurrection of our humanity, Thessalonica, Nicholas Cabasilas, Dam- who willed to be incarnated and become i.e. the resurrection of the body, will askenos Stoudites, etc. These texts point human from her in his person, and to be take place at the second coming of to a common tradition, although one born in the flesh he who is God the Christ which will be accompanied by observes differences in the details as Word and Lord of Glory, and who pre- the general resurrection and the last scholars argue (see the latest discussion served her virginity incorruptible after judgment of all human beings. of Stephen J. Shoemaker, Ancient Tradi- the birth, he was also the One that was tions of the Virgin Mary’s Dormition and well-pleased to honor her immaculate What happened to the body of the Assumption, Oxford University Press, and spotless body, after her departure Theotokos? The Feast of the Dormition 2002). They all agree, however, that the from this world, [by endowing it] with of the Blessed Virgin does not end with tomb of St. Mary in Gethsemane, where incorruptibility and with a transposition her first resurrection, which is the entry the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary (metathesis) [to heaven] before the com- of her soul into heaven. There is anoth- was buried by the holy Apostles, was mon, and universal resurrection.” er mystery also connected with it which found empty when they opened it three refers to her holy body. What happened days later. Here is how this ‘tradition’ is Orthodox and Roman Catholic Doc- to the body of the Theotokos? Why presented by Juvenal of Jeru- trine: This is not the place to present in there is no tradition in the Christian salem to Empress Pulcheria of Constan- detail all the variable patristic accounts Church both in East and West that tinople at the time of Chalcedon (AD of the falling asleep of the Theotokos mentions any bodily of the all- 451) who asked for the of the The- and assess their conclusions. In spite of holy Mother of God, but there are tradi- otokos to be transferred from Jerusalem differences, it is clear that they all point tions only about her girdle (zone) and to Constantinople (From Sermon II on Continued on p. 3 The Orthodox Steward Continued from p.2 Sanctified space to the glorification of the Blessed The- otokos at her death, which marks her Holy Orthodoxy isn’t merely a “head entry into Heaven and taking a place game.” It isn’t just a “thought” or closer to Christ than any other heaven- “opinion” thing. In fact, it is pretty ly or human being. The mystery of her foreign to current thinking. All kinds bodily transposition which is warrant- of people have all kinds of ideas, to be ed by the empty tomb is a matter of sure. In fact, for many, many people faith and piety and is based on the “Christianity” is pretty much some- mystery of the Incarnation. Based on thing that is determined by, well, “me” this logic that pertains to the mystery and maybe “others.” So – pretty of Christ and the unique place of the much a head game, with one opinion Blessed Virgin Theotokos in it, it is being as valid as another. also logical to assume that she too has experienced the resurrection of the But Holy Orthodoxy, the ancient faith, body as a unique anticipation of the comes from our Lord and God and general resurrection of all humanity in Savior. It isn’t merely a series of ide- the end of time. In spite of this, the as. And it most definitely is “real” the incense? Pray the prayers during Orthodox Church has not accepted the and physical. Look at our temples. the day? Gather the family for prayer? Roman Catholic dogma of the bodily Look at the iconostasis. Look at our Perhaps there is that space also in assumption of the Virgin Mary, Moth- gathering. And then, realize that, un- “your” room – with a cross, , er of God, which was promulgated by like most other “Christian churches,” incense – in addition to the family al- Pope Pius XII on 1 November 1950 what we experience and live isn’t tar. through his Bull Munificentissimus Deus. something that came about as a “New But the big question: however hum- The reasons for this rejection have Testament thing,” but it flows from ble, or however elaborate: do you use been both theological and historical. the life and practice that we see in it? Do you take time to pray, and to The Roman Catholic Dogma of the God’s people in the Old Testament. It meditate, and even to sit quietly listen- Assumption is based on the earlier is a faith with icons and images and ing, knowing, and experiencing the Marian dogma of the Immaculate traditions that can be touched, and felt presence of our Lord and God and Conception (that the Virgin was born and venerated. It is the faith of the fa- Savior? immaculate, free from original sin), thers of all time that is a tradition that So: which was promulgated by Pope Pius is taught, a tradition that is lived, and IX on 8 December 1854 through his lived in sanctified space! If you have such a space, use it! Bull . In effect this Daily! Together with family! meant that being sinless she could not Usually, our minds go immediately to and did not die but was assumed into our Churches, our temple is part of the And if you don’t have such a sancti- heaven both in body and soul. For the essence of our living faith in the world. fied space: set it aside now, facing Orthodox these Roman Catholic Mari- But it also involves our homes, the East if possible, in a corner, or on a an Dogmas are rather rationalizations houses in which we live, and the wall, a place where you have physical of piety and are not clearly warranted rooms that we live in! Icon corners sanctified space, the reality of our ever in the Holy Tradition of the Church. are not merely places to collect reli- present God! Orthodox piety and faith preserves the gious memorabilia: they are anchors mystery of the blessed Theotokos within our homes. We venerate the The Orthodox Steward realizes that along with the mystery of Christ the Holy Cross here. We venerated the there is a time for ever purpose under Incarnate God and Lord of Glory. The icons. We burn our incense. And we heaven. festal of the Dormition pro- pray, and quietly await a word from claims this most clearly: "In giving birth God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There’s also sanctified space under you kept your virginity. In falling asleep Icon corners are never merely a quaint heaven in our Temples – and in our you did not abandon the world, O Mother space, a conversation piece when com- Homes! of God. You passed over into life, for you pany comes. They become a concrete are the Mother of Life, and by your inter- center for living faith our God who is cessions you deliver our souls from death." everywhere present! Source: Mystagogy Resource Center So, how is it going in your home? Have you considered your icon corner as the center of your home, the con- crete and living presence of God in your place? Light the candles? Burn 3 4 measure in which we are committed to God in Us them, by His power which is in us. By this collaboration we gain the virtues as living Popular New Age thought postulates do; for whatever He does, the Son also does traits; they reflect the image of the Lord, that everyone has a “god within.” It’s in like manner.” (Joh 5:19) and Christ is raised even brighter from un- a pleasant way of saying that we’re der these veils. (Orthodox Spirituality) all special while making “god” to be and rather banal. But there is a clear teach- “Truly, I say to you, he who believes in This way of “union” is the very heart ing of classical Christianity regarding Me, the works that I do he will do also; of Orthodox faith and practice. Sadly, Christ-within-us, and it is essential to and greater works than these he will do, much of Christianity has created an the Orthodox way of life. because I go to My Father.” (Joh 14:12) “extrinsic” view of our relationship with God and the path of salvation. In this, God is seen as exterior to our life, our relationship with Him being anal- ogous to the individualized contractu- al relationships of modern culture. As such the Christian relationship with God is reduced to psychology and mo- rality.

It is reduced to psychology in that the concern is shifted to God’s “attitude” towards us. The psychologized atone- ment concerns itself with God’s wrath. It is reduced to morality in that our behavior is no more than our private efforts to conform to an external set of rules and norms. We are considered We should not understand our rela- The “works” that a Christian does, are “good” or “bad” based on our perfor- tionship with God to be an “external” properly done in union with Christ, mance, but without regard to the na- matter, as if we were one individual such that the works are not those of an ture of that performance. St. Paul says and God another. Our union with individual, but of our common life that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” God, birthed in us at Holy Baptism, is with and in Christ. When we fast, it is Only our lives-lived-in-union-with- far more profound. Christ who fasts in us. When we pray, Christ have the nature of true salva- it is Christ who prays in us. When we tion, true humanity. This is the proper “He who is joined to the Lord is one spir- give alms it is Christ who gives alms in meaning of being “saved by grace.” it with Him.” (1Co 6:17) us. …for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phi God does not “help” us in the manner And we should understand that Christ 2:13) of encouraging us or simply arranging -in-us longs to fast. Christ-in- and for things to work out. Rather, He us longs to pray. Christ-in-us longs to You are of God, little children, and have is in us, working in union with our show mercy. The disciplines of the overcome them, because He who is in you work. The mystery of ascesis (the Church are not a prescription for be- is greater than he who is in the world. (1Jo practice of prayer, fasting, self-denial, having ourselves or a map of moral 4:4) etc.) only makes true sense in this con- perfection. Rather, the command- and text. Those who look at Orthodoxy ments of Christ (as manifest in the life To them, God willed to make known what from the outside often accuse us of of the Church) are themselves a de- are the riches of the glory of this mystery practicing “works-righteousness,” scription, an icon of Christ Himself. among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, meaning that we believe we can earn Jesus answered and said to him, “If the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) favor with God by doing good works. anyone loves Me, he will keep My This is utterly false. God’s good favor word; and My Father will love him, There is a second part of this mystery is His gift and cannot be earned. and We will come to him and make (Christ in us) that presses its im- However, the Orthodox life is similar Our home with him.” (Joh 14:2) portance upon us. This is to the life of Christ Himself. Dumitru Staniloae notes: the suffering of Christ within us. Fr. Staniloae writes: “Truly, I say to you, the Son can do noth- At the beginning Christ is, so to speak, bur- ing of Himself, but what He sees the Father ied in the commandments and in us, in the Continued on p. 9 The Venerable St. Moses the Black of Scete In a vision he showed him many de- mons in the west, prepared for battle, Moses lived in during the he had dealt kindly with them, fol- and in the east a still greater quantity fourth century. He was an Ethiopian, lowed his example: they repented and of holy angels, also ready for fighting. and since he was black of skin he was became . Later, when the rest Abba Isidore explained to Saint Mo- called “Murin” (meaning “like an of the band of robbers heard about ses that the power of the angels would Ethiopian”). In his youth he was the Saint Moses’ repentance, then they prevail over the power of the demons, slave of an important man, but after also gave up their thievery and be- and in the long struggle with the pas- he committed a murder, his master came fervent monks. sions it was necessary for him to be- banished him, and he joined a come completely cleansed of his band of robbers. former sins.

Because of his bad character and Saint Moses drove himself to addi- great physical strength, they chose tional labors. Making the rounds of him as their leader. Moses and his the wilderness cells at night, he car- band of brigands were feared be- ried water from the well to each cause of their many evil exploits, brother. He did this especially for including murders and robberies. the Elders, who lived far from the People trembled at the mere men- well and who were not easily able tion of his name. to carry their own water. Once, kneeling over the well, Saint Moses Moses the brigand spent several felt a powerful blow upon his back years leading a sinful life, but and he fell down at the well like through the great mercy of God one dead, laying there in that posi- he repented, left his band of rob- tion until dawn. Thus did the devils bers and went to one of the desert take revenge upon the monk for his . Here he wept for a victory over them. In the morning long time, begging to be admitted the brethren carried him to his cell, as one of the brethren. The monks and he lay there crippled for a were not convinced of the sinceri- whole year. After he recovered, the ty of his repentance, but the for- monk with firm resolve confessed mer robber would neither be driv- to the hegoumen, that he would en away nor silenced. He contin- continue with his ascetic struggles. ued to implore that they accept him. But the Lord Himself put limits to this Saint Moses was not quickly freed toil which lasted for many years: Ab- Saint Moses was completely obedient from the passions. He went often to ba Isidore blessed his and told to the hegoumen and the brethren, the hegoumen, Abba Isidore, seeking him that the passions had already left and he poured forth many tears of advice on how to be delivered from him. The Elder commanded him to sorrow for his sinful life. After a cer- the passions of profligacy. Being ex- receive the Holy Mysteries, and to go tain while Saint Moses withdrew to a perienced in the spiritual struggle, the to his own cell in peace. From that solitary cell, where he spent his time Elder taught him never to eat too time, Saint Moses received from the in prayer and the strictest fasting. much food, to remain partly hungry Lord power over demons. while observing the strictest restraint. Once, four of the robbers of his for- But the passions did not cease to trou- Accounts about his exploits spread mer band descended upon the cell of ble Saint Moses in his dreams. among the monks and even beyond Saint Moses. He had lost none of his the bounds of the wilderness. The great physical strength, so he tied Then Abba Isidore taught him the all- governor of the land wanted to see the them all up. Throwing them over his night vigil. The monk stood the whole saint. When he heard of this, Saint shoulder, he brought them to the night at prayer, so he would not fall Moses decided to hide from any visi- , where he asked the Elders asleep. As a result of his prolonged tors, and he departed his own cell. what to do with them. The Elders or- struggles, Saint Moses fell into de- Along the way he met servants of the dered that they be set free. The rob- spondency, and when he began to governor, who asked him how to get bers, learning that they had chanced have thoughts about leaving his soli- to the cell of the desert-dweller Mo- upon their former ringleader, and that tary cell, Abba Isidore instead ses. The monk answered them: “Go strengthened the resolve of his disci- no farther to see this false and unwor- ple. 6 Continued on p. 12 Parish news . . .

Holy Dormition of the Theotokos

 Holy Dormition Fast~August 1st to 14th

 Small and Great Supplications to the Theotokos, August 3-13th See Calendar for service dates and times

 Friday, August 14th, 6:30 pm~ Great Vespers of the Feast at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (please call the Assumption office at 314-966-2255 Mon-Fri to sign up)

 Saturday, August 15th, 9 am~Matins and of the Sacred Feast of Holy Dormition

In giving birth, you preserved your virginity; in dormition, you did not abandon the world, O

Pray For servants of God Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from Demetrios (Jim) Panagiota death by your intercessions. Dennis and Peggy Jim and Elizabeth

If you know someone especially in need of community prayer, please inform Fr. Achilles.

Approaching the Panagia on a Daily Basis Ac- this collection, as much as we could, daily. cording to Saint Paisios Saint Paisios told a certain : Saint Paisios, when he wanted to "Read the Theotokarion every day. go pray to the Panagia, would cut a This will help you very much to few flowers from outside his hut love the Panagia. And then you and would take them to her icon. will see what the Panagia will do for you! She will give you great "How can I go empty-handed to consolation!" supplicate her?" he would say. "And when should I read The Holy Elder wanted us to bring the Theotokarion," the nun asked offerings to the Panagia, whatever him. "At night or in the morning?" a person had. He would even bring up someone who went to Iveron "The morning hours are best," re- Monastery to venerate the Panagia sponded the Elder, "so that what Portaitissa. This icon is full of you read you can have in mind coins. This certain pilgrim was throughout the day. scandalized by this, and said when The Theotokarion helps a lot. It he was leaving: "My Panagia, I brings warmth to the heart and wanted to see you simple and not touches it." with coins." On his way out, how- second place to the Holy . ever, such strong pain came over And the Holy Elder Paisios would him that he stayed there, in the Saint Andrew of Crete says in one commemorate the Athonite Father middle of the road, asking help of his hymns about her: "Rejoice, Cyril, Abbot of Koutloumousiou from the Panagia. "My Panagia," the god after God, having second Monastery, who could not contain he said, "make me well and I will place to the Trinity!" his sobs and tears whenever he bring you two coins." Then the read the Theotokarion! Panagia appeared to him, made My Christians, we must pray to the him well, and said to him: "This is Panagia, opening our hearts to her, Source: how they brought me coins, with- speaking freely, because she is our https://proskynitis.blogspot.com/ out me asking!" Mother. For, along with this heart- Translated by John Sanidopoulos. felt prayer of ours, we must also The Holy Elder Paisios wanted us say to the Panagia the prayers and to be akin with the Panagia. And hymns composed by the Holy Fa- we are akin with the Panagia, he thers for her. The best prayers to Check the Web would say, through humility, be- the Panagia are in her Supplication cause the Panagia was humble. (Paraklesi) Service and Salutation www.ssconstantinehelen.org (Akathist) Service. Just consider: When the Archangel www.goarch.org Our Archdiocese website told her she would give The Holy Elder Paisios very much birth to the Son of God, the Messi- urged Christians to read daily www.chicago.goarch.org ah, she called herself the "servant the Theotokarion. Metropolis of Chicago website of the Lord". "Behold, the servant The Theotokarion is a large collec- www.orthodoxheritage.org of the Lord," she said to the Arch- tion of 62 Canons to the Most Ho- Lives of saints, edification, contemporary angel Gabriel, "be it done to me ly Theotokos, brought together by issues according to your word." And she Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite www.ancientfaithradio.com further magnified the Lord, saying: from Athonite manuscripts. The 24 hour Orthodox music, teaching, etc. "For He looked down upon the hu- hymns of these Canons are won- mility of His servant." Because of derful, my Christians, and they www.johnsanidopoulos.com her humility, the Panagia holds Mystagogy~ the intersection of contempo- very much help our soul by reading rary culture and Holy Orthodoxy

Come and See God in Us, continued from p. 5 An Angel of Peace …. Jesus takes part in all our sufferings, In the prayer immediately following the sional anger and fatigue that rise up in making them easier. He helps us with Great Entrance, we are praying again me, I knew the peace that passes all un- our struggle against temptations and for, not only ourselves, but for all the derstanding. It was and is marvelous sin; He strives with us in our quest for sorts and conditions of the world in thing, for even as we prayed the peti- virtues: He uncovers our true nature which we live. After praying for the pre- tions that we’ve prayed over and over, I, from under the leaves of sin. St. Maxi- cious gifts that have been brought in, we, received the angel of peace, the mus comments: Until the end of the and for our temple and those gathered, guardian of our souls and bodies … as world He always suffers with us, secret- the Priest prays: we received our Lord and God and Sav- ly, because of His goodness according to ior, as we were joined to Him and [and in proportion to] the suffering For our deliverance from all affliction, anger, strengthened by Him in His Precious found in each one. danger and want … Body and His Precious Blood, in His very Real Presence. It is easy to quickly pass by those words, The Cross recapitulates the suffer- but stop now and think what they mean. He doesn’t let us down, my dear friends, ing and sin of humanity, but it ex- We live in a world filled with affliction my brothers and sisters: He is with us tends throughout the life and expe- and anger, don’t we? And people are always! And we continually pray that rience of all people. It is the founda- filled with ‘want,’ often of a very selfish this troubled world would indeed receive tion of Christ’s statement: kind, but also of want for peace, for His Love, His Forgiveness, His Love, “Inasmuch as you did it [did it not] health, for true justice – and the list Him: for in Him all things find meaning unto the least of these my brethren, could go on. Nearly all of them have and order! Pray for those who lead! you did it [did it not] unto me. been weaponized, warped and use by Pray without ceasing! Stand strong in those who seek power and dominance, Christ, in His salvation. as well of the thoughts that arise in each The hypostatic union of the person of us as we grow tired, angry, fearful of I know I say it over and over, but it is of Christ extends into the life of eve- the chaos that reign around us! true: turn from Christ our God, and ry person. There is something of Jesus, our Lord and God and Savior, light is overcome by darkness, order by a perichoresis or coinherence in our spoke of these things, one of those times chaos, life by death. It is why I pray daily relationship with Christ. being found in Matthew 24 and 25. daily for relatives and friends that our Looking down on Jerusalem, He was Lord would hear their petitions for life And if one member suffers, all the speaking of things that they might see – and salvation – and that by God’s grace members suffer with it; or if one but those things have continued through they would offer those prayers for life member is honored, all the mem- the ages to our present time. and salvation! bers rejoice with it. (1Co 12:26)

Still, He told them: The Gospel will go It is strange, isn’t it, that we often seek forth, and the Kingdom in its fullness peace or other things, while turning This must be given the strongest will come upon you! Indeed, when we away from Him who gives us such possible reading. If any one of us gather in the Temple, that Kingdom is things? It is disheartening to see in real suffers, Christ suffers. There is no here and now present. So, we continue time what happens when folks turn specific human suffering to which to gather in spite of the forces in our day away from that which God has given, Christ is alien. that would rather that we NOT gather, making things complex when they are so It is the moment-by-moment press- and those that indeed would end Christi- simple. It is a source of sorrow to see ing into this commonality anity if they could. people calling for “justice” which is no (koinonia) that is the foundation of justice, and allowing things that are evil Christian existence. It is the point of Our prayer continues: and sinful to be called “good” and with- in one’s “rights.” Strange. Baptism (buried with Him). It is the Help us, save us, have point of the Eucharist (“whosoever mercy on us, O God, in Still, the Lover of Mankind continues in eats my flesh and drinks my blood Your grace. our midst, calling us and all to salvation, abides in me, and I in him”). It is For a perfect, holy, peace- always present, even when we ignore the point of every action and ful day, let us ask of His presence. thought. the Lord. For an angel of peace, a Because of His continuing presence, It is the life of grace. faithful guide, a guardian Give Glory to God in All Things. And of our souls and bodies, know His Peace in His Presence. Fr. Stephen Freeman, from Glory to God let us ask of the Lord. for All Things Ezekiel Last time I was in Divine Liturgy, in the midst of all the confusion and conflict that surrounds us, in spite of the occa- 9 STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 405 Huntwood Road • Swansea, IL 62226 * www.ssconstantinehelen.org Phone: 618-277-0330 • Fax: 618-277-1930 Wine and Oil Fish Allowed E-mail: [email protected] August 2020 Fr. Achilles Karathanos, Parish Priest

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 Dormition Fast Begins

5pm Great Vespers Holy Confession

2 8th Sun of Mt. 3 4 5 6 Holy 7 8 8:45 Matins Transfiguration 10 am Divine Liturgy 5 pm Great Vespers 9am Matins, Divine 5pm Great Vespers Liturgy, and the Holy Confession 6 pm Small Paraklesis 6pm Great Paraklesis of the 6:30 pm Small Grapes Paraklesis

9 9th Sun of Mt. 10 11 12 13 14 15 Dormition of the 8:45 Matins Theotokos 10 am Divine Liturgy 6pm Great Paraklesis 6 pm Small Paraklesis 6pm Great Paraklesis 6:30pm Great Vespers of Holy Dormition, at the 5pm Great Vespers Holy Confession Assumption Greek Or- thodox Church

16 10th Sun of Mt. 17 18 19 20 Prophet 21 22 8:45 Matins 10 am Divine Liturgy 6pm Vespers 5pm Great Vespers Holy Confession

23 11th Sun of Mt. 24 25 26 27 28 St. Moses the Black 29 Beheading of St. 8:45 Matins , 10 am Divine Liturgy 6pm Great Vespers Strict Fast 6pm Vespers 9am Matins and Di- vine Liturgy 30 8th Sun of Matthew 31 5pm Great Vespers 8:45 Matins 10 am Divine Liturgy Holy Confession

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St. Moses the Black from p. 6 all humility, the monk accepted the ses, and one of them hid nearby dur- abuse. Having put him to the test, ing the attack of the robbers. The thy monk.” The servants returned to the then ordained Saint Mo- robbers killed Saint Moses and the the monastery where the governor ses to the priesthood. Saint Moses six monks who remained with him. was waiting, and they told him the labored for fifteen years in this rank, Their death occurred about the year words of the Elder they had chanced and gathered 75 disciples around 400. to meet. The brethren, hearing a de- himself. scription of the Elder’s appearance, told them that they had encountered Saint Moses himself. When the saint reached the age of www.oca.org 75, he warned his monks that soon After many years of monastic ex- brigands would descend upon the ploits, Saint Moses was ordained skete and murder all those who re- deacon. The bishop clothed him in mained there. The saint blessed his white and said, “Now monks to leave, in order to avoid Abba Moses is entirely white!” The violent death. His disciples begged saint replied, “Only outwardly, for the saint to leave with them, but he God knows that I am still dark with- replied: “For many years now, I in.” have awaited the time when the words spoken by my Master, the Through humility, the saint believed Lord Jesus Christ, should be ful- himself unworthy of the office of filled: ‘All who take up the sword, deacon. Once, the bishop decided to test him and he bade the to shall perish by the sword’” (Matt. drive him out of the , reviling 26: 52). After this, seven of the him as an unworthy Ethiopian. In brethren remained with Saint Mo-