Dormition of the Theotokos – Успение Пресвятой Богородицы

Greetings on the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God!
Поздравляем Вас с великим праздником Успения Пресвятой Богородицы!

The Gospel says nothing about the earthly life of the Mother of God after the Ascension of the Savior. The memory of her last days has been preserved by the tradition of the Church.

After the Ascension of the Lord, the Mother of God remained in the care of the Apostle John the Theologian. In his absence, she lived in his parents’ house near the Mount of Olives. For the Apostles and all the faithful, she was a consolation and edification.

During the persecution ordered by Herod against the young Church of Christ (Acts 12: 1-3), the Blessed Virgin Mary along with Saint John the Apostle and Theologian traveled to Ephesus in 43 A.D.  She also visited Saint Lazarus (raised by Christ after being dead four days), who had become the Bishop of Cyprus.  She also visited Holy Mountain of Athos, which, as related by Saint Stephen the Athonite, the Holy Mother of God prophetically said: “This place will be granted to me by my Son and God. I will be the Patroness and its Intercessor to God.”

Prior to her blessed Dormition (Assumption), the Most Holy Virgin Mary had returned to Jerusalem. She spent her days and nights in prayer. The Holy Mother of God often visited the Holy Sepulcher, where she burned incense and knelt in prayer.

During one of these visits, the Archangel Gabriel appeared before her and revealed that she would soon be translated from the earth to the blessed life in Heaven. After this revelation, she requested the presence of the righteous Joseph of Arimathea and the disciples of the Lord, to whom she desired to inform of her imminent Dormition. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, the Holy Spirit miraculously gathered the apostles to her bedside.

The third hour arrived, the time appointed for the Mother of God to repose.  A multitude of candles had been lit. The Holy Apostles with hymns surrounded the splendidly decorated bed on which lay the Theotokos. She prayed in anticipation of her repose, awaiting the return of Her Son and Lord. Suddenly an ineffable light of Divine Glory shined forth, before which the glowing candles faded. Those who saw it were amazed. In rays of unexplainable light descended Christ Himself, the King of Glory, surrounded by a multitude of angels, archangels and other heavenly forces together with righteous souls of the patriarchs and prophets, testifying in unison to the Blessed Virgin.

Without any bodily suffering, as though in a pleasant dream, the Blessed Virgin released her soul into the hands of her Son and God.

Reverently and with awe while kissing her most pure body, the apostles were blessed by Him and filled with grace and spiritual joy. For greater glorification of the Most Holy Mother of God, the almighty power of God healed the sick, who with faith and love drew near to touch her holy bier.

Having mourned their separation from the Mother of God on earth, the apostles began the preparations for her burial. Peter, Paul, James and the others from among the twelve apostles carried on their shoulders the bier on which lay the body of Virgin.

When the procession reached Gethsemane, the faithful began to offer their last kiss of her pure body with weeping and wailing. Only toward evening could the holy apostles place the coffin into the tomb and close the entrance to the cave with a large stone. For three days they did not depart from the burial place, offering unceasing prayers and psalms.

In the evening, when the apostles gathered in the house to nourish themselves with food, the Mother of God Herself appeared to them and said: “Rejoice! For I am with you all days!”  This brought extremely joy to the apostles and to all who were with them. They raised the portion of the bread placed on the table in memory of the Savior (“the portion of the Lord”), and exclaimed: “Holy Mother of God, help us.” Thus began the Rite of the Panagia – the custom of elevating an offering of bread in honor of the Mother of God, which to this day is observed in monasteries.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2bYCuyZ
via IFTTT

Transfiguration Trivia

Although the Transfiguration of the Lord chronologically occurred forty days before the Crucifixion of our Savior, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast in August rather than in February, otherwise the celebration would take place during the season of Great Lent. According to the established tradition, the interval of forty days separates the Transfiguration from the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14/27), when the Church commemorates Christ’s passion and suffering on the cross.

Celebrations in honor of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord were instituted in the Orthodox Catholic Church in the fourth century after Saint Helena had a church constructed on Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Concurrently, she had a church built on the place where the Savior found the Holy Apostles Peter, James and John sleeping. Later, in the sixth century, three churches were built there — one named in honor of the Savior, another in honor of the Holy Prophet Moses and the third in honor of Saint Elijah.

In the twelfth century, both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic monasteries existed on Mount Tabor until Sultan Adel Melek-Damascus expelled all the monks and destroyed the monasteries. In the year 1263, Egyptian Sultan Baybars destroyed all the holy relics that remained on the mountain. Until the mid-nineteenth century, the monasteries on Mount Tabor were in complete desolation and lay in ruins. The restoration of the Orthodox church on the mountain was initiated by Archimandrite Irenarch, who settled in this holy place together with Hierodeacon Nestor.

Having built an altar on the mountain, the elder began to serve moliebens (supplicatory prayer services) for pilgrims who donated money for the construction of a new church. Archimandrite Irenarch died just one year prior to the completion of the newly-constructed church, which was consecrated by the Jerusalem Patriarch Kirill in August of 1862. The Greek Orthodox Church that now exists on Mount Tabor contains three altars: the central altar is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord, the right-side altar is dedicated to the prophets Moses and Elijah, and the left-side altar is dedicated to the Great Martyr George and Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki.

To some extent, the feast of the Transfiguration is similar to the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles, as both of these celebrations include a blessing of fruit. By early August in the East, grains and grapes begin to ripen. Christians started to bring these items to the church for blessing in gratitude for God’s love in granting a generous harvest. During the first century, Christians donated a portion of their grain harvest for the preparation of bread to be used for the Eucharist (Holy Communion). The ancient Christian custom of blessing fruit dates back to the eighth century.

In Russian folk tradition, the feast of the Transfiguration is called “Яблочный Спас” (Apple Savior) because apples are blessed on this day, being the most common fruit in Russia. Traditionally on this day, whole carts of apples were transported to the church, as each person of wealth considered it one’s duty to distribute fruit to the poor and sick. Prior to the feast of Transfiguration, no one was supposed to eat apples or any garden vegetables except for cucumbers. After the blessing at the end of the festive Divine Liturgy on Transfiguration, it was then considered permissible to eat apples and fruit.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2bRoSJO
via IFTTT

Feast of the Transfiguration – Преображение Господне

Greetings on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord!

For those who observe the Julian Calendar, today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The events of this holyday are recorded in all three synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

In the last year of His public ministry, the Lord, in anticipation of His approaching suffering and death, began to reveal to His disciples that…

“he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again” (Matthew 16:21). 

The Lord’s words greatly saddened the Apostles, especially Peter, who began to rebuke the Savior, saying,

“Never, Lord! This will never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22).

Aware of the disciples’ grief and wishing to alleviate it, Jesus promised to reveal His glory to several of the disciples: 

“What I’m about to tell you is true. Some who are standing here will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:28).

This Is My Beloved Son

“About eight days after Jesus said this, he went up on a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed. His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in shining glory. Jesus and the two of them talked together. They talked about how he would be leaving them soon. This was going to happen in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been very sleepy. But then they became completely awake. They saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said to him, ‘it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ Peter didn’t really know what he was saying. While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud. It said, ‘This is my Son, and I have chosen him. Listen to him.’ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept quiet about this. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen” (Luke 9:28-36).

Commemorating the Feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration, we beseech the Lord to enlighten our souls with divine light and grace!  

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2bxHrhz
via IFTTT

Reflections of Otpust Sunday

Reminisces of Otpust have been especially active in my mind today, given Sunday has become my most cherished day of the Labor Day weekend pilgrimage at Mt. St. Macrina.

Sunday begins very early on the Mount. Matins are served at 7:00 am while Divine Liturgy is concurrently served in the House of Prayer (formerly the Motherhouse). Many of the volunteers attend this early Liturgy prior to assuming their assignments. For me, one of the highlights of Otpust soon follows… the 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy sung in Old Church Slavonic at the outdoor Shrine Altar. Before construction of the other shrines and the Pontifical Altar, the “shrine altar” was the focal place of Otpust and it remains still, the site of many liturgies and services.

With the passing of many of the “old timers,” attendance at the Slavonic Divine Liturgy started to wane for a few years. Recently there has been a noticeable resurgence in the number of pilgrims attending this Liturgy. As one now in the so-called “middle age” bracket but fast becoming one of the “old timers” at Otpust, I am encouraged to witness the young souls who value and desire to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Old Church Slavonic, once the primary liturgical language of Otpust. I still recall the large crackling loudspeakers reverberating with hymns and prayers of the beautiful prostopenije (chant) sung in Church Slavonic.

Although before my time, it is historically important to mention that the beloved Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, then Auxiliary Bishop of New York, who during his lifetime, was a notable television and radio personality, author and speaker, preached and celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Mt. St. Macrina in 1955, 56 and 57 and was the first prelate of the Latin Rite to receive a special indult from Rome to celebrate the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in the United States, using the English language. The bishop’s popularity and well-delivered sermons attracted crowds of pilgrims that exceeded one hundred and twenty thousand to the Mount during those years. Those particular years in Uniontown were not ones easily forgotten by the throngs of pilgrims who had the privilege of participating in the memorable liturgies and sermons.

Pilgrims continue to arrive on Sunday afternoon and many quickly make their way behind the Old Motherhouse patio to receive the mystery of forgiveness (confession). There can be seen at almost any time, ten to twenty priests hearing the confessions of those who come to Otpust to experience metanoia, a conversion of heart and a strengthening of faith. An integral part of many pilgrims’ weekend is the reception of the holy mysteries of confession and holy communion.

As one of the highlights of the day, the pilgrims assemble at the Mother of God Shrine Altar for the 4:00 p.m. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Metropolitan Archbishop who is joined by the other bishops and many priests and deacons. This beautiful outdoor altar is constructed of wood in the Carpathian style, nestled in a spacious naturally sloping grove. As the Pontifical Divine Liturgy concludes with the singing of Mnohaja i Blahaja L’ita (many happy and blessed years), the procession of cross bearers, religious, clergy and hierarchy makes its way back across the Mount, to the Old Motherhouse. After a bite to eat and a visit to the gift shop, before one realizes, the cross bearers and clergy are gathering at the House of Prayer in preparation for the 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Procession, which encircles the holy Mount. Time passes quickly at Otpust! Those who remain on the grounds will be blessed to hear hymn singing and chanting of the rosary and other prayers until late into the night.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2bwqqc1
via IFTTT

Medovníky: A Tradition of Otpust

Oy, Bože moj!  After yesterday’s somber post, I thought it would be nice to balance the thread of my memories of Otpust with a lighter topic… and what could be happier than the tradition of Medovníky?    

One very popular tradition of Otpust is that of the Medovníky (honey cookies) which the pilgrims buy to eat and take home to their loved ones. Medovníky are my all-time favorite cookies! Why? Because they trigger such fond memories and they contain some of my favorite ingredients – honey, cinnamon, and cloves.

Medovníky are popular cookies to have on hand at Christmas, but they are common year round in Slavic homes. In addition to being delicious, they are visually beautiful to behold. Medovníky are traditionally decorated with colorful icing, but they also look beautiful simply decorated with a walnut half. Since they are cut out with cookie cutters, the shape alone can be all the decoration needed.

The tradition of medovníky began in Europe, to give pilgrims sustenance for the long trip home. Honey, a natural preservative, would not spoil quickly and thus was a great food item for pilgrims during travel. Then, as today, they are decorated with brilliant colors and religious images. Mother Macrina began this tradition at the Uniontown Mt. St. Macrina pilgrimages, using a recipe she brought from Europe, to add another characteristic of the traditional pilgrimages in Podkarpatska Rus’. 

The medovníky come in various shapes and sizes: crosses, hearts, stars and more, and they contain an icon-stamp of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, as a reminder to those consuming them, of the focal point of Otpust. The medovníky are so popular that over 30,000 made each year often sell out long before the pilgrimage is over.

My attempts to purchase medovníky at the last two years that I attended Otpust  were unsuccessful. I obviously waited too long! Immediately following the Slavonic Liturgy on Sunday, I hastened to the medovník sales station to purchase a few of the treasures to take home to loved ones, only to learn that they were sold out. So… this year I intend to be aggressively proactive by visiting the medovník sales station on Saturday morning!

Delicious to eat and beautiful to behold, medovníky can last a very long time and almost seem to possess some heavenly preservative. Each time one is eaten or looked upon, it serves as a reminder of the blessed Otpust on Mt. St. Macrina.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2b94jrt
via IFTTT

The Processions and Hymn Sings of Otpust

The one certainty of Otpust was the promise of a LOT of processions. One felt a great honor to follow behind one’s parish’s processional cross upon arrival to Mt. St. Macrina for an initial blessing before the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The parish’s processional cross was then traditionally placed at the shrine altar and carried during subsequent processions during the pilgrimage.

The first candlelight procession was accompanied by the singing of the Akathist to the Mother of God on Saturday evening, affirming the Eastern Christians’ great love for the Blessed Mother of God. Although the official services for the day concluded that evening with the Akathist, Mt. St. Macrina did not become silent. The “pobozhnije palomniki” (pious pilgrims) traditionally gathered on the dormitory porches of the pilgrim houses in the evenings to participate in the traditional “hymn singing sessions” that lasted until the early morning hours.

The “hymn singing sessions” are as old as the Otpust itself and are unique to the Carpatho-Rusyn people, who love to sing from their hearts, most especially at Otpust.  The wealth of the Rusyn repertoire of para-liturgical hymns is amazing. The hymn singing would begin with the Marian hymns, continue with songs to Our Lord and then, to everyone’s delight, the entire liturgical year would manifest, as the faithful would sing the services and hymns of Christmas, Pascha and all the other major holydays of the church year “na pamjat” (by memory).

Some of the Marian hymns were written particularly for the Uniontown Otpust. These meaningful hymns speak directly of the pilgrims’ journey to Uniontown, to the holy Mount which contains the sacred image of Mary of Perpetual Help. They call upon “glorious Mary” as “our protection” “white rose and Mother of God.”

“We go to Uniontown, where is our Protection, the Virgin Mary of Perpetual Help” “Mary, O Mary, the flowering rose, under your protection will we see the glorious light”

“On the Uniontown mount there is a most beautiful flower, for there Mary joyfully greets us – White rose, white lily, the Mother of God, the most holy Virgin.”

“Greetings, greetings, my dear children, what beautiful prayers will you pray.”

“To Mt. Macrina, to the Otpust we go, most pure Mary we gloriously will praise.”

“On Mt. Macrina we pray to you Mary, from your Son, beseech mercy for us.”

“We ask you, Virgin, to give us a joyful life, and after our death, the light of heaven.”

“O how beautiful and sweet, Mary of Uniontown, our loving Mother and helper.”

“Brothers and sisters, come to the Virgin Mary, to the miraculous, heavenly lily. Let us go to the garden, let us see the lily, the beautiful vine, the Virgin Mary. She helps us all under the holy protection of her omofor.”

“O Mother of God, do not forget us at all times. Pray, O pure One, to your Son, for us.”

“Our Mother of Uniontown never forgets us. Her motherly intercession protects us always.”

“Pilgrims to Uniontown, sing joyfully, the holy Virgin is now raised up on the Mount.”

These are but a few excerpts from the special Uniontown hymns that explain so well, my reason for pining to return year after year to Otpust at Mt. St. Macrina: love for Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help, who we know will always help us, protect us and lead us to her Divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The vast majority of the “babas” (grandmothers) from “stariy kraij” (the old country) have reposed in the Lord and are now singing in the presence of our Lord and His Blessed Mother in heaven. The porches are no longer crowed as in times past, and few remember the numerous stanzas of the Slavonic-Rusyn hymns.

I cherish the memory of those nights and am thankful to have been blessed to participate in some of the more memorable hymn fests of previous pilgrimages long past.  The passing of those faithful souls, who encouraged and motivated me to follow in their footsteps, brings to the forefront my own mortality and the fact that I am now the “starik” (old timer) called upon to preserve and continue the traditions taught by those who came before me. It is humbling to have reached this point in life. In so many ways, I feel that I have failed to pass this glorious torch of faith, but I sincerely hope and pray that these precious and invaluable hymns and traditions of pilgrimage will someday be valued by my progeny and that this humble blog will preserve these treasures when that time comes.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2aQXs4o
via IFTTT

Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The countdown is on for the opening of the annual Otpust (pilgrimage) in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  The image above provides a good explanation of the patronal holy icon.

According to popular tradition, a merchant acquired the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from the island of Crete and had it shipped to Rome towards the end of the fifteenth century.  During the voyage, a terrible storm arose, threatening the lives of all on ship.  The passengers and crew prayed to our Blessed Mother and were saved.

Once in Rome, the merchant, dying, ordered that the image should be displayed for public veneration.  His friend, who retained the image, received further instructions: in a dream to his little daughter, the Blessed Mother appeared and expressed the desire for the image to be venerated in a church between the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran in Rome.  The image, consequently, was housed at the Church of St. Matthew, and became known as “The Madonna of Saint Matthew.”  Pilgrims flocked to the church for the next three hundred years, and great graces were bestowed upon the faithful.

After Napoleon’s troops destroyed the church of St. Matthew in 1812, the image was transferred to the Church of St. Mary in Posterula, and remained there for nearly forty years.  There, the image was neglected and forgotten.

By divine providence, the forgotten image was rediscovered.  In 1866, Pope Pius IX entrusted the image to the Redemptorists, who had just built the church of St. Alphonsus, down the street from St. Mary Major.  As a boy, Pope Pius IX had prayed before the image in the church of St. Matthew.  He ordered the public display and veneration of the image, and fixed the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help as the Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.  In 1867, when the image was being carried in a solemn procession through the streets, a young child was cured, the first of many recorded miracles attributed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

To this day, the church of St. Alphonsus displays the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and welcomes pilgrims for prayer.  May each of us never hesitate to invoke the prayers and intercession of Our Blessed Mother in time of need.

 

If you are interested in obtaining a pendant necklace of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, it is available from our giftshop simply by paying the cost of shipping and handling: https://goo.gl/MjUutF

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2aE1Pwj
via IFTTT

Twelve Facts About The Generosity of Our Church Members*

ʺGive and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to youʺ  ‐ Luke 6:38.

In early August 2016, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America released a new publication, “Twelve Facts About the Generosity of Our Church Members: Giving in US Orthodox Christian Parishes,” by Alexei Krindatch.

The document can be accessed in PDF format at: Twelve Facts About Orthodox Generosity

“Four hundred twenty-one parish clergy and 2, 988 lay church members representing all US Orthodox Churches participated in this study,” explains Mr. Krindatch.  “The size of the sample—nearly 3,500 respondents total—and representation of various Orthodox jurisdictions and US geographic regions makes this study the largest survey-based study of the Orthodox Christian Churches ever conducted in America.

“‘Twelve Facts’ offers numerous insights into how Orthodox Church members contribute to their parishes and what parishes can do to increase the generosity and donations of their members,” Mr. Krindatch added.  “Clergy and lay leadership will find the publication to be a helpful resource for their ministries.”

Mr. Krindatch serves as Research Coordinator for the Assembly of Bishops.

*Although this study did not include members of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA), the data contained therein can provide interesting insight.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2b9c9i1
via IFTTT

FREE Gold-Plated Virgin Mary “Tenderness” Pendant with 18″ Chain

18K GOLD PLATED PENDANT NECKLACE OF THE VIRGIN MARY “TENDERNESS” (UMILENIJE): $19.99

For the Month of August: FREE – Just Pay Shipping & Handling!

The Seraphimo-Diveevsk “Tenderness” (Umilenie) Icon of the Mother of God belonged to the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, and was his cell icon. With the oil from the lampada which burned before this holy icon, the Monk anointed the sick, who received healing after the anointing. The ascetic called the icon “Umilenie” (Tenderness) – “Joy of all Joys”, and in front of it he died at prayer on 2 January 1833. After the death of the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, the monastery head Father Niphont gave the holy icon “Joy of all Joys” to the sisters of the Diveevsk Seraphimovsk Monastery.

• Item Type: Necklace
• Pendant Size: 1.2″
• Style:Classic
• Material: 18K Gold Plated
• Chain Type: Twisted Singapore Chain
• Chain Length: 18″
• Shape\pattern: Oval

Click the link to take advantage of this LIMITED offer: PENDANT NECKLACE OF THE VIRGIN MARY

*All proceeds benefit the Orthodox Catholic Monastery of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2alXu54
via IFTTT

Lay Apostolate of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

According to the spiritual counsel of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, every person has a “vocation” to acquire grace. We invite persons to respond to this call by becoming a member of the “Lay Apostolate” of the monastery, a Seraph of St. Seraphim of Sarov.  

Seraphs make a formal, private promise (annually renewable) to follow the Little Rule in their private life as closely as their individual circumstances and prior commitments permit.  Seraphs do not constitute a separate religious order as such, but are considered an extended part of our monastic community.

Our “Little Rule” is to:

1. Commit to follow Christ as a Seraph of St. Seraphim of Sarov;
2. Make an effort to minimally daily pray St. Seraphim’s Rule of the Mother of God;
3. Live each day as a pilgrim along the spiritual path of Orthodox-Catholic spirituality, a life of constant and ongoing metanoia (conversion);
4. Commit to assisting the monastery as one’s personal circumstances in life allows; and,
5. Strive to acquire the Spirit of Peace and Love, thereby evangelizing the world.

Growing in the awareness of God in daily life, Seraphs offer themselves for the service of God and neighbor and the formal bond of prayer, study and good works between other Seraphs and the monastic community, helping both to live holy lives, according to their own vocation, bearing witness to Christ.

Covenanted Seraphs may wear a simple black tunic or cassock, if they wish.  Anyone interested in the Lay Apostolate are encouraged to review our webpage Lay Apostolate: Seraphs of Saint Seraphim of Sarov and to make an inquiry by contacting the monastery at: contact@orthodoxcatholicmonastery.com

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2aU0yFy
via IFTTT

Acquire the Spirit of Peace

“Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved” – Saint Seraphim of Sarov.

This is perhaps the most famous quote of the great Russian saint, Seraphim of Sarov. Given the recent commemoration of his Feast on August 1st, it seemed appropriate to explore the meaning of the saint’s instruction.

Discerning St. Seraphim’s words “Acquire the Spirit of Peace” can take one to the very heart of Orthodoxy. Many of the gifts of St. Seraphim were undoubtedly manifested in such a powerful fashion on account of his years of monastic podvig (asceticism), silence and prayer, but his statement “Acquiring the Spirit of Peace” is not nearly as complicated or mysterious as some might think. In the theologoumena* of the Eastern Church, the acquisition of the “Spirit of Peace” can be understood as grace, the uncreated Divine energies of God. 

Grace is a divine gift that doesn’t require going anywhere to get what one already has been given. What one needs to do is to freely allow God’s grace to manifest in one’s life. As St. Paul exhorts:

“We entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Each of us in our Baptism and Chrismation has been given the grace of God for our salvation – that is to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit and to conform us to the image of God in Christ. Grace that is released in our lives produces dividends of grace. St. Seraphim did not become what he was through a momentary gift, but through a lifetime of ascesis and “reinvesting” the grace given him.

St. Seraphim instructs practical means to acquire grace: 

“You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives…  All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other; instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace… Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult, and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.”

*A theological statement or concept in the area of individual opinion rather than of authoritative doctrine.

from WordPress http://ift.tt/2aukYUi
via IFTTT