St John Maximovitch and That Most Awkward Halloween
St John (Maximovitch) Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco is best remembered for his gentleness, but when a certain incident aroused his sternness, he was up for the challenge.
"At the end of October, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of All Saints. There is a tradition that during the preceding night the dark spirits celebrated their own festival of disorder. In America, this "celebration" called Halloween has become an occasion on which children make mischief dressed in costumes of witches, devils, ghosts as if calling on the dark powers — a diabolic mockery of Christianity. A group of Russians organized on this night a Halloween Ball. In the San Francisco Cathedral at this time was the All-night Vigil celebrated, and a number of people were absent, to the great sorrow of Vladika. After the service, Vladika went to the place where the ball was still in progress.
St John (Maximovitch) Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco is best remembered for his gentleness, but when a certain incident aroused his sternness, he was up for the challenge.
"At the end of October, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of All Saints. There is a tradition that during the preceding night the dark spirits celebrated their own festival of disorder. In America, this "celebration" called Halloween has become an occasion on which children make mischief dressed in costumes of witches, devils, ghosts as if calling on the dark powers — a diabolic mockery of Christianity. A group of Russians organized on this night a Halloween Ball. In the San Francisco Cathedral at this time was the All-night Vigil celebrated, and a number of people were absent, to the great sorrow of Vladika. After the service, Vladika went to the place where the ball was still in progress.
He climbed the steps and entered the hall, to the absolute astonishment of the participants. The music stopped and Vladika, in complete silence, glared at the dumbfounded people, slowly and deliberately making the round of the entire hall, staff in hand. He spoke not a word, and none was necessary; the mere sight of Vladika stung the conscience of all, as was evident from the general consternation. Vladika left in silence. The next day in church he thundered his holy indignation and his flaming zeal calling all to the devout Christian life."
(Missionary Leaflet # EA10, Copyright © 2001 Holy Trinity Orthodox Mission. Editor: Bishop Alexander (Mileant))
(Missionary Leaflet # EA10, Copyright © 2001 Holy Trinity Orthodox Mission. Editor: Bishop Alexander (Mileant))
A "Reformation Day" quote: “The truth lies with the Greeks” - Martin Luther, 1519
Even though Martin Luther recognized the truth of Orthodoxy, he went on with his renovations and innovations. Martin Luther's rebellion against the primacy of the Pope of Rome essentially made every Christian a pope, leading to endless division and confusion. This is the legacy and tragedy of the Protestant Reformation.
Many Protestants are thirsty for the truth and beauty of Orthodoxy. As Orthodox Christians, let us appreciate and share the true Catholic and Apostolic faith with all who are seeking.
Even though Martin Luther recognized the truth of Orthodoxy, he went on with his renovations and innovations. Martin Luther's rebellion against the primacy of the Pope of Rome essentially made every Christian a pope, leading to endless division and confusion. This is the legacy and tragedy of the Protestant Reformation.
Many Protestants are thirsty for the truth and beauty of Orthodoxy. As Orthodox Christians, let us appreciate and share the true Catholic and Apostolic faith with all who are seeking.
A Soviet era miracle:
“Natalia lifted her eyes and then froze: the icon [of the Mother of God] bore the image of that same woman who saved her and her baby. She performed two miracles—saving her from being run over by a car, and from having an abortion.”
https://orthochristian.com/142281.html
“Natalia lifted her eyes and then froze: the icon [of the Mother of God] bore the image of that same woman who saved her and her baby. She performed two miracles—saving her from being run over by a car, and from having an abortion.”
https://orthochristian.com/142281.html
Elder Joseph the Hesychast on Judgementalism
“A person who does not judge his neighbor gives evidence that he is saved. Whoever does not judge will not be judged, as the Word of God verifies: ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’”
“Has a judgmental thought about someone come to you? Don’t just sit there, debating with yourself whether that person is to blame or not. Justify everyone and take all the blame yourself. As soon as you start having negative thoughts about someone else, there is a danger that you will judge him. Just interrupt the thoughts and say to yourself: ‘What he is saying and doing is right. My ego is making me think evil about my brother, and so there’s no point trying to analyze it.’ If you don’t face the assaults of judgmental thoughts in this manner, whether you express them outwardly or cultivate them within you, you will have carnal warfare.
“A person who does not judge his neighbor gives evidence that he is saved. Whoever does not judge will not be judged, as the Word of God verifies: ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’”
“Has a judgmental thought about someone come to you? Don’t just sit there, debating with yourself whether that person is to blame or not. Justify everyone and take all the blame yourself. As soon as you start having negative thoughts about someone else, there is a danger that you will judge him. Just interrupt the thoughts and say to yourself: ‘What he is saying and doing is right. My ego is making me think evil about my brother, and so there’s no point trying to analyze it.’ If you don’t face the assaults of judgmental thoughts in this manner, whether you express them outwardly or cultivate them within you, you will have carnal warfare.
And if you still don’t come to your senses then, then grace will abandon you, and you will fall. And if you do not repent after your fall and continue to judge others, your falls will have very serious consequences.”
From Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona’s “My Elder Joseph the Hesychast”
From Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona’s “My Elder Joseph the Hesychast”
Unmercenary healers Saints Cosmas and Damian (Nov 1/Nov 14) are known by many as the patrons of physicians and marriages.
Many miracles were worked after their death. At Thereman, Mesopotamia where Cosmas and Damian where buried, a man named Malchus had to make a journey, leaving his wife alone for what would be a long time. When his wife same under a devious and murderous attack by the devil, two fiercesome men intervened. When she asked the men who they were, they replied, “We are the servants of Christ, Cosmas and Damian,” and became invisible. From that time the holy brothers were venerated as protectors of the holiness and inviolability of Christian marriage, and as givers of harmony to conjugal life.
"Physicians of the sick, treasure houses of cures, and saviors of the faithful, O famous Unmercenaries: heal those who are in pain who cry out in need. Together with your mother, Theodota, pray to God who is good, to deliver us from the snares of the enemy."
Many miracles were worked after their death. At Thereman, Mesopotamia where Cosmas and Damian where buried, a man named Malchus had to make a journey, leaving his wife alone for what would be a long time. When his wife same under a devious and murderous attack by the devil, two fiercesome men intervened. When she asked the men who they were, they replied, “We are the servants of Christ, Cosmas and Damian,” and became invisible. From that time the holy brothers were venerated as protectors of the holiness and inviolability of Christian marriage, and as givers of harmony to conjugal life.
"Physicians of the sick, treasure houses of cures, and saviors of the faithful, O famous Unmercenaries: heal those who are in pain who cry out in need. Together with your mother, Theodota, pray to God who is good, to deliver us from the snares of the enemy."
St Gabriel Urgebadze (Nov 2)
“The Signs of the Times are everywhere all around us, yet hardly anyone wants to see it. The end is soon approaching and anyone who has not found love will be swept away by the deluge. The door to the Ark is not yet shut, there is still mercy left for us.
We must take every moment left as an opportunity to move closer to Christ. Don’t waste time by unnecessarily obsessing and arguing with hard-headed people over the Signs and Times. Spend your time plowing the field so you can find the treasure...
In the end times a man will be saved by love, humbleness and kindness. Kindness will open the gates of Heaven; humbleness will lead him into Heaven; a man, whose heart is filled with love, will see God.”
“The Signs of the Times are everywhere all around us, yet hardly anyone wants to see it. The end is soon approaching and anyone who has not found love will be swept away by the deluge. The door to the Ark is not yet shut, there is still mercy left for us.
We must take every moment left as an opportunity to move closer to Christ. Don’t waste time by unnecessarily obsessing and arguing with hard-headed people over the Signs and Times. Spend your time plowing the field so you can find the treasure...
In the end times a man will be saved by love, humbleness and kindness. Kindness will open the gates of Heaven; humbleness will lead him into Heaven; a man, whose heart is filled with love, will see God.”
In Greek the Unmercenary Saints are physicians known as "Anargyroi", which translates as "no silver", meaning that they received no money for their work.
Elder Theophylaktos of New Skete once had a vision of the Holy Unmercenaries (Synaxis, Oct 17, Greek tradition and the Sunday after Nov 1, Slavic tradition) being led by St Panteleimon: "young, blonde, magnificent and with a physician's medal on his chest. The rest followed him chanting their hymn melodiously. They climbed the stairs of the kalyve above where the church is, and entering, they stood in two lines as two choirs and began to chant hymns from their service. When they finished the psalmody, they returned and exited towards the upper area of the Skete, having left me their blessing and much consolation; for many days I was full of joy and spiritual happiness."
Elder Theophylaktos of New Skete once had a vision of the Holy Unmercenaries (Synaxis, Oct 17, Greek tradition and the Sunday after Nov 1, Slavic tradition) being led by St Panteleimon: "young, blonde, magnificent and with a physician's medal on his chest. The rest followed him chanting their hymn melodiously. They climbed the stairs of the kalyve above where the church is, and entering, they stood in two lines as two choirs and began to chant hymns from their service. When they finished the psalmody, they returned and exited towards the upper area of the Skete, having left me their blessing and much consolation; for many days I was full of joy and spiritual happiness."
"Honour the physician with the honour due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him; for healing comes from the Most High, and he will receive a gift from the king. The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired. The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them." - Wisdom of Sirach 38:1-4 m the king. The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired. The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them." - Wisdom of Sirach 38:1-4
☦️ I will come into Your house in the greatness of Your mercy: and in fear I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me, that with a clear mind I may glorify You forever, One Divine Power worshiped in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. ☦️
JESUS, radiant dawn after night! JESUS, everlasting light of the Kingdom! JESUS, wipe away my tears!
“Eventually, everyone comes to dwell in darkness. Sooner or later, disaster strikes all the children of men, and we suffer heart-break, loss, bereavement and pain.
…
Just as there is a sound barrier, so there is a kind of praise barrier, and one breaks through the darkness by offering praise to God. Praise at such times is not offered as the fruit of a contented and happy mood. Such praise is not the result of a feeling. It is offered in the teeth of feelings of pain, and in spite of emotional numbness which such feelings of pain can bring.
…
Such praise is offered to God as a pure act of obedience, as a naked act of the will. It comes from a place deep down, from the heart which lives beneath the daily swirl of feelings. Such acts of praise are acts of defiance, through which we defy the darkness, and confess our faith in God who lives above this vale of tears and who calls us to Himself.”
“Eventually, everyone comes to dwell in darkness. Sooner or later, disaster strikes all the children of men, and we suffer heart-break, loss, bereavement and pain.
…
Just as there is a sound barrier, so there is a kind of praise barrier, and one breaks through the darkness by offering praise to God. Praise at such times is not offered as the fruit of a contented and happy mood. Such praise is not the result of a feeling. It is offered in the teeth of feelings of pain, and in spite of emotional numbness which such feelings of pain can bring.
…
Such praise is offered to God as a pure act of obedience, as a naked act of the will. It comes from a place deep down, from the heart which lives beneath the daily swirl of feelings. Such acts of praise are acts of defiance, through which we defy the darkness, and confess our faith in God who lives above this vale of tears and who calls us to Himself.”
—Archpriest Lawrence Farley
“Out of the depths of darkness and despair I cry to You, O Lord, You that hung upon the Cross in darkness. From the pit of pain and confusion, I lift up this prayer, and with all my heart I sing aloud to You: Jesus, light to those in darkness, glory to You!”
“In the day of my trouble, I seek You, O Lord, and in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying. My eyes find no rest from weeping, and I am so troubled that I cannot speak. Yet as my spirit ponders in the night, I raise this song to You: JESUS, rescuer of the abandoned! JESUS, hope of those in despair! JESUS, guiding star to the lost! JESUS, joyful return of the exile! JESUS, unforeseen victory! JESUS, eternal triumph! JESUS, radiant dawn after night! JESUS, everlasting light of the Kingdom! JESUS, wipe away my tears! JESUS, calm the panic of my heart! JESUS, exultation of those hemmed in by fear! JESUS, joy of those crushed by sorrow! JESUS, light to those in darkness, glory to You!” From “Akathist to Jesus, Light to those in Darkness Kontakion 1 (Tone 7) and Ikos 1 (see Ps. 77)
https://www.orthodox.net/akathists/akathist-christ-lawrence-akathisttojesus.pdfj
“Out of the depths of darkness and despair I cry to You, O Lord, You that hung upon the Cross in darkness. From the pit of pain and confusion, I lift up this prayer, and with all my heart I sing aloud to You: Jesus, light to those in darkness, glory to You!”
“In the day of my trouble, I seek You, O Lord, and in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying. My eyes find no rest from weeping, and I am so troubled that I cannot speak. Yet as my spirit ponders in the night, I raise this song to You: JESUS, rescuer of the abandoned! JESUS, hope of those in despair! JESUS, guiding star to the lost! JESUS, joyful return of the exile! JESUS, unforeseen victory! JESUS, eternal triumph! JESUS, radiant dawn after night! JESUS, everlasting light of the Kingdom! JESUS, wipe away my tears! JESUS, calm the panic of my heart! JESUS, exultation of those hemmed in by fear! JESUS, joy of those crushed by sorrow! JESUS, light to those in darkness, glory to You!” From “Akathist to Jesus, Light to those in Darkness Kontakion 1 (Tone 7) and Ikos 1 (see Ps. 77)
https://www.orthodox.net/akathists/akathist-christ-lawrence-akathisttojesus.pdfj