It seems Patriarch Kirill’s visit to China did wonders for the local church. There is a call for clergy to return to their temples and tend to their flocks again, after years of repression. Journey To Orthodoxy has more in a blog post here.

Acts 6:1-7

Today we remember the Holy Myrrh-bearing women who, on the day the Resurrection, came to the tomb and discovered that our Lord Jesus Christ was no longer there, but that He had conquered death and rose from the dead. They were charged with the awesome responsibility of taking this news to the Apostles. By giving the Myrrh-bearers this task, our Lord demonstrated again that there was no barrier to women in the Kingdom of God, but that their role was no less important than that of men in the Church.

In the reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we see a small scene from the functioning of the early Christian community – the Church – that had gathered around the Apostles. As we recall from last week this community lived “in one accord” with one another and with Christ, each doing what they were able for the benefit of all. A disturbance arose in the life of the community such that some complained that the widows and orphans from among the Gentiles did not receive the same attention as those who were from among the Jewish believers. When this complaint was brought to the attention of the Apostles, they also realized that they were unable to address all the needs of the community themselves for they would soon be swallowed up by the details and be distracted from their primary task of proclaiming the Gospel and of teaching the believers what had been revealed to them by Jesus Christ. In response to this they then appointed 7 deacons who would take on the responsibility to care for the needs of the community.

Here now we have before us three different groups: the Myrrh-bearing women, the Deacons and the Apostles. Each group had its place within the Body of Christ and yet each group had its distinct role and composition. This reminds us that while we are all part of the same body of Christ and that we work together for our salvation, at the same time, we all have different roles within the Church. This was plain to us just this past weekend as we put on our annual festival. Everyone worked together, everyone was necessary for the successful completion of this labor, however no one could do everything. There were those who prepared food, those who served food, those who managed the dining area, those who cared for the money, those who picked up the trash, those who washed the dirty dishes and so on. No one was without purpose and all played an indispensable part in this labor.

In the Body of Christ, each one of us has a place and a role given to us by God. We too often think that there are only a few who are important and the rest are just interchangeable parts of less value. Nothing could be further from the truth for all are important and all have a place in the Church prepared for them by God. We depend on one another, we need one another as together we work out our salvation.

Of all these various people of whom we heard today in the early Church, there is indeed one thing which they all held in common. Even though they had different responsibilities and different places, they all realized that these roles always had to be completed to the glory of God. They never lost sight of the necessity to do all that they did with prayer and humility, trusting in God to bring all things to a good end. In our own experience, we try to remember that no matter how far we may seem to be from the doors of the Church during the festival, we are still in the presence of God and our labors are for His glory. Sometimes we forget that God watches over even the least of us and arranges the smallest details. We then take upon our own shoulders the responsibility to “fill in” for God and make sure that all the things that He had “overlooked” actually get done. We occupy our attention, our thoughts and all our energies with the doing of our task that we forget to pray, we forget to turn to our Lord for help and assistance. We easily remember to begin our labors with prayer and to finish with prayer – but sometimes we forget to pray in the middle. Like the Holy Apostles, or the deacons, or the Myrrh-bearing women, we cannot ever forget that our labors must always be bathed in prayer. No matter what you do, do not forget to pray and ask for God’s help and direction and provision while you do it. Be diligent that you do not allow your “responsibilities” to usurp the place of prayer in your life.

We are all part of the Body of Christ and we are all given those responsibilities that are best suited to our salvation. We do these things not for ourselves, but for the benefit of our brethren and for the glory of God. Above all, these things we do must never be allowed to push out prayer. There is a proper time, the preacher tells us, for all things (Eccl. 3:1ff) and so when it is time to work, we must work to the glory of God, however when it is time to pray, we cannot let our work prevent us from prayer. We all have a place appointed for us in the Church by God. Let us fill this place with humility and trust in God, doing all things for His glory.

Archpriest David Moser
St Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church (ROCOR)
Homilies: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/propoved/
Website: http://stseraphimboise.org/

The Moscow Patriarchate reports that Patriarch Kirill I has completed his trip to China. He met with the country’s new leaders in hopes of reviving the dormant Chinese Orthodox Church. We wish him well in this endeavor.

May 17th is the 1,700th anniversary of the legalization of Christianity via the Edict of Milan, issued by Saint Constantine the Great. Some links from:

The Vatican

InSerbia.info

Commonweal Magazine

Catholic News Agency

On a personal note, I am saddened by the pettiness of both the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. I do agree with Patriarch Irinej, who hopes for an apology from the Roman Catholic Church for the crimes Croatians perpetrated against the Serbian people during World War II and the wars of the Yugoslavian breakup. To be fair, however, there was much blood spilled by Serbia, and they, too, have much to apologize for. Charity comes from both sides, but the greater man must show that much more humility.

The modern city of Niš, which is in Serbia, is the birthplace of the man who legalized the Christian faith in the Roman Empire. That old wounds haven’t yet healed shows us that we have a long road to go in terms of reconciliation, and we both blaspheme the name of Christ for keeping His church divided due to human pride.

“They were all of one accord…” This is how the Acts of the Apostles describes the nature of the Church during the time immediately after Pentecost. What does this mean, to be “of one accord”? The Church at that time was gathered around all the Apostles (and the Virgin Mary). They came together at the temple to pray and to hear the teaching of the Apostles. They were “of one accord” because they shared the same mind, the same interest, the same value, the same purpose. What they shared was a belief that Jesus, Who rose from the dead, was the Messiah and had come to open for them the way into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Apostles, as the chosen companions and witnesses to all that Jesus had said and done – and most importantly to His Resurrection – were the ones who were recognized not only as the leaders of the community, but also as the ones by whom the teaching, the life and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit was imparted to the Church and to the world. There was no question, no dissention, no argument because all lived in agreement that to gain the life of Christ was more important than anything else and that this life was poured out to them through the Apostles, as the chosen shepherds of the flock of Christ.

We, who are part of the Church today, also live within this same accord. We share with those first Christians the firm belief that the God/man Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life and that without Him there is no life. We believe, with those early Christians, that not only did our Lord give us new life and set us on the path of salvation, but that He has shown us the way to follow that path without wandering or getting lost. Like them, we believe that this way that He has shown to us, He has given to us through the witness of the Apostles empowered by the grace of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon them by Christ after His Resurrection(John 20:21-23). In that sense, we are “of one accord” with those Christians and live in complete harmony with them and with one another. But too often we do not experience that harmony. It is disrupted by competing interests, by differences of opinion, in short by our own self-centered sins. Here is the evidence of our own weaknesses, our own imperfections, our own immaturity in the faith. Surely there is nothing lacking in the work of Christ as He ascended the cross, suffered death, descended into hell and rose again conquering sin, death and the devil. Surely there is no fault or deficit in the grace that God has bestowed upon us through the sacraments and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The imperfections and deficits that tear us away from the place of living “in one accord” with one another, with the first Christians, with the Apostles and with Jesus Christ Himself are the result of our own sins.

For this reason, it is our task to leave them behind that they might not pull us away and rob us of the joy and peace and one-ness which we gained in the Resurrection. We are given gifts of grace by the Holy Spirit which are the tools we need to enter into and maintain this “one accord” with Christ and with the Church. St Nicholas Cabasilas points out that we are given these things because we are expected to use them, “What would be the point of strengthening and arming him who was to remain and sleep at home? … Were there no contests for virtue, what would be man’s work? Or rather what would be worse than the case of those who achieve nothing… It was therefore necessary to grant to men a place for works and a time for struggles and to give to those who had already received perfection and ability from the Mysteries an opportunity to make the effort befitting their nature.” Therefore it is up to us to turn away from those things which tempt us and try to pull us away from Christ.

What then disturbs the harmony of the Body of Christ? First of all there is the “original” sin of our first parents who were convinced by the evil one that they were wiser than God and thus could act on their own ideas and impulses. This tendency is with all of us still and overcoming it is a basic part of the struggle we face. Our Lord, by giving us new life has put the “genie” of self will “back in the bottle” – but how fiercely it struggles to get out again. This is the basic element of “self-denial” – to submit our own ideas, our own reasoning, our own thoughts to Christ and allow Him to lead us through the Apostles and the Church rather than trying to forge our own path. Do not proceed according to your own ideas, but rather follow the path that our Lord sets before you each day which is bounded and defined by the witness of the Apostles, given to us by the tradition of the Church.

Another disruption of the harmony of the Body of Christ that erupts from our fallen nature is our passion. The raging demands of our passions for fulfillment at any cost create tempest of selfish demands that constantly threaten to overwhelm us. One of the primary means by which we weaken these demands of the passions is quite simply fasting. By keeping the fasting seasons (such as Great Lent which we just finished) in obedience to the tradition of the Church, we chip away constantly at the strength of the passions by bringing one of the strongest of them (that is the belly) under the control of the will (rather than allowing it to control the will). Every time we say “no” to the demands of our desires, we weaken the passions a little bit. Thus the fasts are the forefront of our war against the tyranny of the passions – and we continue that battle by every act of self-denial, every act of setting aside the fulfillment of our desires.

Most notable among the disturbances of our unity is the insistence of having one’s own way; of having one’s own opinion prevail. This goes back to the temptation to put our will above that of God. If we can’t tell God what to do – well then maybe we can at least tell our neighbor what to do. This is linked closely to pride, to putting oneself ahead of others. Also coming from this pride is the desire for praise and recognition. How often do we act not out of love for others or for the benefit of the whole Church, but rather out of a desire for someone to notice what we have done and praise us for it. The answer lies in humility. We must cultivate humility in our hearts. I read recently a saying that expresses the practice of humility very clearly and I would like to share it with you. To be humble is not to think less of yourself – rather it is to think of yourself less. It is good to act with confidence, to exercise to their fullest the gifts that God has given to you, however, do so in a way that does not bring attention to yourself, but rather in a way that builds up your brother or sister in Christ, or even your neighbor whoever he might be. By His grace, God has given you skills and gifts and innate talents that you should use to the best of your ability. In using them, however, do not think of yourself, of your gain, of your benefit, but rather think of your neighbor, his needs and his well-being. This is humility – to always put others before yourself.

The first Christians were all together “of one accord”, living in perfect peace with one another, striving together for the same goal – to follow Christ as He led them into the Kingdom of God by the care and teaching of the Apostles. So we too should strive to live in one accord with them and with each other – working together to follow Christ and to enter, together, into the Kingdom of God.

Archpriest David Moser
St Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church (ROCOR)
Homilies: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/propoved/
Website: http://stseraphimboise.org/

Today is the holiest day of the Eastern Orthodox (and all Julian Calendar Christians) year. We celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and state that our Christ is Risen; Truly, He is Risen! In honor of this holy day, I post the Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom, perhaps the greatest homilist in the history of Christianity, whose words fit the day perfectly:

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival.

If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord.

If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let all receive the riches of goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into hades and took hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted his flesh! And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, “Hades was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions.” It was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God! It took earth and encountered heaven! It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

“O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?”

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.

A happy Pascha to my Orthodox and Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters, and blessing to my Western Christian friends.

If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come.

C. S. Lewis

So true. So practice your faith at every moment possible.

British author Bernard Hare writes a wonderful piece in the BBC News Site on the change in a man the kindness of strangers can kindle.

It is an important lesson for those of us Orthodox Christians as we contemplate stories like this for Holy Week.

A cycle of TV programs timed to the 1025th anniversary of Christianization of Russia is being discussed in Belteleradiocompany by the Coordination Council on cooperation of the media holding with the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Over 30 members including representatives of the Belarusian Exarchate and Belteleradiocompany discuss creation of spiritual and enlightenment programs, the work of information Orthodox and enlightenment programs and the influence of TV programs on spiritual upbringing. The representatives of the Orthodox Church presented the Charter of the Exarchate as a gratitude for cooperation.

What a shameful and disgusting state of affairs in Albania! The Albanian Orthodox Church is losing its treasures thanks to thieves tearing out everything from icons to whole frescoes. Not a single thief has been caught, much less charged, and the Albanian populace, until recently, have not been bothered to do anything to protect church property.

Deutsche Welle has more on this infuriating story here.