Is Santa Claus Real?

Dear Parents,

If your children "believe" in Santa Claus, and/or if you promote that belief as a family tradition, it would be risky to send one of them up to me with the question: "Is Santa real?" (That has happened in the past). I would not answer back "Yes." At least not an unqualified "yes." Adapting myself to the age of my interlocutor, I would probably say something like: St. Nicholas exists, and the name Santa Claus is derived from the saint's name. The "real" St. Nicholas lived a long time ago (4th c.), and he was an Orthodox bishop who was loved by his flock. He was especially loved by children, because he was so attentive to them and was very charitable to poor children, making sure that they also had a nice toy as the wealthier children had. In fact, our Christmas gift-giving is probably even more derived from the many stories of St. Nicholas' generosity as it is from the magi bringing gifts to Christ. Throughout Europe, the feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6 was always a day of bringing gifts to children. (To this day, we always come up with a family gift for December 6 in memory of St. Nicholas). Our image of Santa Claus is based to a great extent on the poem from the 1820's "The Night Before Christmas." As jolly as he may be, he is something of a caricature of the "real" St. Nicholas, who was a theologian and an ascetic.

If I were asked if Santa Claus came down everyone's chimney with a bundle of gifts to be placed under the Christmas tree, I don't think that I would honestly be able to say "yes," regardless of how imploring the eyes before me were with an eagerness to believe. That is not because, like Scrooge, I say "humbug" to Christmas. Far from it! It is a wonderful season of the year, with the potential for great joy and "domestic bliss" (that just might be pushing it a bit). I would say something like I am sure that St. Nicholas puts into the hearts of mothers and fathers a desire to bring joy to their children with gifts, and in that sense St. Nicholas is the source of the gifts. I aim for not blurring the reality between what we believe to be actually true and the realm of fantasy.

My "theory" is that Santa Claus gains in importance the less Christ-centered a family is. He "fills a gap," so to speak, for a child's sense of wonder and need for the miraculous. If there is no Christ Child born of a Virgin with powerful angels filling the heavens with praise, then something else must take the place of that awesome event. A purely secular Christmas for a child devoid of the otherworldly mystery of the nativity of Christ sounds rather dreary. So, again, Santa gains in attention when Christ is marginalized or absent. (The same holds true for the "tooth fairy," a being that fills in if the children are not taught about the existence of angels, which we insist are quite real).

My "issue" with Santa Claus is that he favors children who already have a great deal, if you get my point. The children who have much, seem to get yet more from Santa than the children who have little. If we could somehow plant into the minds and hearts of our children a real concern for the poor children of the world, and that it is more important that they receive some kind of gift to relieve their misery, then we would be accomplishing something significant. That is not a message for a toddler or small child, but something our children could grow into as they mature.

A way toward that is letting your children know that we have an annual Nativity Charity Appeal in which we support poor people in other parts of the world. Older children could bring a dollar (do allowances still exist?) to put in the basket. Encourage them to carry your contributions to the Nativity food drive, or if they go shopping with you, let them pick the item off of the shelf. I know that most of you are already doing this, so I am only reinforcing these small, but significant gestures.

My point is not to influence anyone about Santa Claus one way or another. But I do want to make the point that other perspectives do exist. And I hope that everyone makes a point of becoming more familiar with the "real" St. Nicholas and his wonderful and saintly life. I hope that everyone does experience that elusive "domestic bliss" when the Feast of our Savior's Nativity arrives. Yet, it is important that we do not become self-absorbed and forget the great need that surrounds us. If we did, we would not properly understand the "reason for the season" - and who Christ is.

Any comments or questions would be welcomed.

In Christ,

Fr. Steven

Thanksgiving

Dear Parish Faithful,

Christians are "eucharistic beings," that is, human persons who give thanks (eucharistia means "thanksgiving") to the living God for creation, redemption and the promise of the Kingdom. Whatever the historical or mythic nature of Thanksgiving Day, it helps us focus on this basic aspect of our human nature as created "in the image and likeness of God." Thanksgiving Day is the most ecclesial of our civil holidays, the commemoration most easily "baptized" in the culture of the Church. That is why we always celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy for this national holiday. This year, we will serve the Vesperal Liturgy this evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Hopefully, you have already made room on your schedules to begin Thanksgiving Day by participating in the service of thanksgiving par excellence - the Divine Liturgy, culminating in the reception of the Eucharist, which is Christ Himself.

Preparing to receive the Eucharist at a Vesperal Liturgy means that we fast from food and drink from at least around noon until the reception of Holy Communion at the service.

For those unaware of this, we have received a blessing to eat meat on Thanksgiving Day from our hierarchs.

Fr. Steven

Webmaster's Note: We remember with "thanksgiving" and great warmth of heart our beloved teacher and father, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, who fell asleep in the Lord twenty-five years ago this December 13. Fr Alexander, though quite frail at the time, delivered his final homily on Thanksgiving Day Liturgy, 1983: "Thank You, O Lord!"

Halloween and the Serious Habit

Dear Parish Faithful,

After teaching my class today, I went to the XU cafeteria for lunch (they make a decent gardenburger). A student actually approached me at my table and asked if she could trouble me with a quick question. I assured her that that was fine, and she asked me if it was "irreverent" to wear a nun's habit as a Halloween costume. I told her, I'm not so sure we have to call it "irreverent," but that I would consider it to be "inappropriate." Being a nun is a very special vocation, and it may be years before a woman is actually tonsured and clothed in a monastic habit. This comes after many great interior struggles and temptations; much fasting and prayer, probably accompanied by tears of joy and despair; and a deep searching of the heart. So the nun's habit is not to be worn or treated lightly. I would probably say the same about "dressing up" as a priest. I told her it is not really a burning issue, but if one of my parishioners asked me the same question, I would try and discourage them. (Fortunately, I have never been asked that question by a parishioner, here or elsewhere). Perhaps others think the same about vocations they are close to. I conveyed this all in an acceptable spirit, and we actually had a good talk.

As I have written earlier about Halloween, I believe that our children should not dress as "little devils," no matter how cute (and probably out-of-style these days); "witches," no matter how good; or anything too "evil" (Dark Vadar excepted, of course). The utter trivialization of such images obviously removes their "sting," but I am sure that there are many other and more appropriate costumes out there for those who "observe" Halloween. For adults who wear halloween costumes, I have "no comment ..." I'll let you know if I see anything particularly unusual 'trick-or-treating' at my door this evening!

Fr. Steven

Cell Phone vs. the Bible

Dear Parish Faithful,

This was forwarded to me with the note, "something to think about ..."

Fr. Steven

+ + +

Cell phone vs. the Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go, "Hmm...where is my Bible?"

Oh, and one more thing:
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.


Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities?" And no dropped calls!

Indianapolis Town Hall Recap

Dear Parish Faithful,

There were seven members from our parish yesterday evening at the Town Hall Meeting in Indianapolis (St. John the Forerunner Church). In all there were around sixty or seventy members of our Columbus Deanery parishes present. Archbishop Job was there, of course, and Michelle Jannakos, a member of the pre-conciliar council, as facilitator. At best, I am offering something of a sketch here. A detailed account of the meeting, together with many of the comments made, will soon be available at ocanews.org.

In some closing comments, Archbishop Job let us know that he felt this Town Hall meeting was the "best" of the three held in our Midwest Diocese. Perhaps because there was a great deal of energy, passion and deep concern for the well-being and future of Orthodoxy in North America expressed throughout the evening. And real love of Christ and His Church. Perhaps also because there was a clear unanimity of mind and heart - expressed through anger, frustration, disappointment, and impassioned pleas for repentance, reconciliation and purification - that the scandal that has plagued us for three years, and which remains unresolved, undermines the integrity of our local church's witness to Christ and the Gospel. I will return to the affect of the scandal in a moment, but for now I emphasize that it was a very positive experience to be in a room full of Orthodox Christians who were passionate and committed to their Faith, and who were willing to make this trip and speak about their concerns openly in a free atmosphere of mutual respect. The comments and concerns touched on the following points with some regularity:

• A profound disappointment with the current Synod of Bishops, which for some present amounted to disgust, over its incompetence and failure to act decisively to resolve our scandal/crisis. Something is "rotten in Denmark," and the stench is being covered up.
• An absolute conviction that the OCA cannot move forward unless and until this scandal/crisis is resolved.
• What had to be a unanimous consensus that Metropolitan Herman must resign - or "be resigned" by the Synod - either before, but no later than the conclusion of the AAC in November. Archbishop Job reaffirmed his commitment to this position. Yet combined with a weary resignation that that is not likely to happen.
• A passionate public commitment on the part of those present to continue to support Archbishop Job's leadership and determination that the entire truth of the scandal, however sordid and revealing, be brought to light. Presvytera Deborah made some warm comments to this effect that I will eventually share with the parish. Archbishop Job is isolated on the Holy Synod.
• An almost impatient demand that the Special Investigative Committee (SIC) report be presented to the entire body of the OCA upon its release without any "editing" or omissions. It is scheduled for release in "early September."
• Surprise that criminal charges or indictments have not come down yet over the embezzlement of so much church money. The FBI continues to investigate according to Mark Stokoe.
• Exploration of what the "autocephaly" of the OCA actually means. Is it still a viable vision?
• A few radical solutions offered as "plan B or C," such as Archbishop Job transferring the diocese to another jurisdiction. He openly stated that he disagrees with this.

As stated above, this is something of a mere sketch of what was discussed and transpired at yesterday evening's Town Hall meeting. The actual comments of the various participants will eventually be recorded at ocanews.org. Only by reading these comments can you have any sense of the strong emotion and passion behind some of them. I repeat, though much of what was said could be judged as being negative or highly critical, it was all said by people who love Christ and His Church, and who are deeply wounded by our weaknesses. Everyone's goal is to restore the integrity of the OCA and its initial vision of a vibrant Orthodox Faith here in North America. We have an intelligent and well-informed laity that will not be deceived by "smoke and mirrors." That is true of our parish. I will eventually forward to everyone some of the comments and questions that I received from some of you prior to yesterday's meeting. I will also make sure that you have access to my prepared comments, even though I could only share various fragments of them at the meeting.

My commitment, as your parish priest, is to keep you as informed as possible about these events. Many Orthodox faithful complain that they hear nothing from their parish priests, but must go solely to ocanews.org or hear something from friends. That will not happen in our parish. You are free to determine your own interest level, but as I continue to proclaim the Good News, I must also not hide any "bad news" that threatens our spiritual well-being as Christians - even if it comes from within: "For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God." (I PET. 5:17)

I have also appended the "Mission Statement" of the OCA for you to read and reflect upon. "How am I contributing or being faithful to this vision" is perhaps a question we must all ask of ourselves.

Fr. Steven

~ ~ ~

The Mission of the Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all [things that He has] commanded” so that all people may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth:

• To preach, in accordance with God’s will, the fullness of the gospel of the Kingdom to the peoples of North America and to invite them to become members of the Orthodox Church.
• To utilize for her mission the various languages of the peoples of this continent.
• To be the body of Christ in North America and to be faithful to the tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church.
• To witness to the truth, and by God’s grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit, to reveal Christ’s way of sanctification and eternal salvation to all.

Encountering Muslims - New Booklet and Upcoming Parish Discussion

Dear Parish Faithful,

I just read an announcement for a new book(let) that has recently appeared. Here is the promotional blurb:

Face to Face: A Guide for Orthodox Christians Encountering Muslims by Fr. Ted Pulcini

The author, an Orthodox priest and college professor (PhD), offers an invaluable guide to Orthodox Christians in their encounter with Muslims. In seven chapters he examines what both religions teach on the Understanding of God, Revelation, Sin and Salvation, Religious Community, Presenting Christianity to Muslims, etc. Clearly and simply written in non-theological parlance. 32 pgs. $5.95

As many of you may recall, we had a very lively and very well-attended discussion last Fall about the differences between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. The booklet we used was also by Fr. Pulcini. I would like to have the same type of gathering in the early Fall to discuss what is becoming one of the major 'issues' of the postmodern world - the relationship between Christians and Muslims. Please let me know if you would like a copy of this booklet and I will order them later in the Summer. As you can see, it is rather inexpensive.

Fr. Steven

Webmaster's Notes:

• Fr. Ted Pulcini's booklet may also be ordered direct from Light and Life Publishing.
• In addition, here is a link to an insightful interview with Fr Ted Pulcini on this topic from The Illumined Heart, one of the premiere podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio. If you have trouble with the link, go to the main page of The Illumined Heart.

Saint Stalin?

Dear Parish Faithful,

This so defies human comprehension, that I will simply let you read the insanity below on your own, without any commentary. If this ever happened, then for sure I would retire to a cave to spend the rest of my days in prayer and fasting...

Fr. Steven
_____

Webmaster's Note: Link to original article. (No icons yet come up in my Google search - Thanks be to God!)

The Telegraph (UK) / 22 July 2008

Could Josef Stalin be made a saint?

>> The Communist party in St Petersburg has petitioned the Orthodox
Church to canonise Josef Stalin if he wins a television poll to nominate
the greatest Russian in history. <<

By Adrian Blomfield

(Moscow)

The Soviet dictator, who was responsible for the deaths of around 15
million people during his 31-year reign of terror, is in second place in
online voting for the Name of Russia competition.

Stalin last week surrendered a narrow lead to Nicholas II in the contest,
which is based on the BBC's Great Britons series.

But with a result not expected until the end of the year, the country's
Communists are convinced that Stalin will still emerge the victor.

While the poll, conducted by the state run Rossiya channel, has been
criticised for allowing multiple voting, there is little doubt that Stalin
has undergone a remarkable renaissance in recent years.

Opinion polls regularly name him Russia's greatest post-revolution
leader after Vladimir Putin, the prime minister.

The wartime leader's resurgence owes much to the Kremlin, which
under Mr Putin's presidency appeared to support a campaign to
rehabilitate Stalin, with television documentaries, films and books
released in recent years eulogising him.

A newly published history text book, approved by the Kremlin for use
in all schools, glossed over the more unappealing parts of Stalin's rule
and ultimately concluded that he was the Soviet Union's most
successful leader.

"Stalin is the most popular name in Russia," said Sergei Malinkovich,
the Communist party leader who is driving the Stalin canonisation
campaign.

"The people have forgiven him for the repressions, the collectivization,
the elimination of cadres of the Red Army and other inevitable errors
and tragedies of those cruel military and revolutionary times.

"Stalin has become the true national leader of Russia. He turned a
backward country into an industrial giant."

Yet the idea of tuning Uncle Joe into Saint Joe has so far won little
official backing from the Orthodox Church, which was one of Stalin's
chief victims.

Seeking to establish atheism as the Soviet Union's official creed, Stalin
destroyed thousands of churches and sent tens of thousands of priests to
the gulags and their deaths.

Despite the church's reluctance, St Petersburg's Communists are
convinced their vision will come to pass. They have already
commissioned religious icons depicting Stalin with a halo round his
head that have reportedly sold very well around the city.

"By the end of the 21st century, icons of St Josef Stalin will be in every
Orthodox Church," Mr Malinkovich said.

OCA Town Hall Meetings

Dear Parish Faithful,

Here is some more information concerning the upcoming Town Hall Meetings in our Diocese. There are links to other useful information.

I am hoping that there will be some good solid response from among you to join me in Indianapolis (yet feel perfectly free to join any of the three meetings here mentioned). Once again, I suggest car pooling for the trip there and back. With Archbishop Job as the "overseer," any and all questions will be allowed. If such questions have been accumulating in your own minds, here is the opportunity to ask them.

Personally, I do not believe that it is overly dramatic or an exaggeration to say that the future of the OCA is right now in precarious condition. We seem to be at the proverbial "fork in the road," having to make a deadly serious choice about "direction," yet without the assistance of most of our appointed guides! The OCA may indeed "survive" and stumble along down the wrong road, but that is hardly what we would want for the autocephalous Church in America. Perhaps these town hall meetings may set the "tone" for the upcoming All American Council in Pittsburgh, by raising - in a preliminary fashion - all of the serious and real issues that need to be addressed and not ignored. I am hoping that the meeting in Indianapolis will be the forum where we can openly discuss these issues and learn a great deal in the process.

Another possibility occured to me: If we can ascertain by mid-July or so, just who is committed to making the trip to Indianapolis, perhaps we could meet together as a group and come to a consensus on some key questions that we could formulate as a group. In addition, we could simply "catch up" together on where we stand presently and share some of our own concerns.

Fr. Steven


Webmaster's Note: For summaries of and commentaries on the previous Town Hall Meetings throughout the OCA, please proceed to ocanews.org.
_____

Reverend Fathers and Deacons,

Please find posted here, and reproduced below, information about AAC Preconcilliar 'Town Hall' meetings to take place in the diocese.

In Christ,
Deacon Joseph


--
Dn Joseph Matusiak
Assistant to the Archbishop
Diocese of the Midwest
tel. 312.202.0420
midwestdiocese.org


CHICAGO, IL [MW Communications] – The Diocese of the Midwest will host three "Town Hall" meetings during the month of July. The "Town Hall" meeting has been conceived as a venue where clergy and laity can offer their suggestions and express their concerns regarding the 15th All-American Council, set to convene in Pittsburgh, PA. 10 - 13 November 2008.

The schedule of meetings within the diocese is as follows:

• July 17, 6.30pm Ridge Manor, Brooklyn, OH (St Theodosius Catherdal meeting facility)
• July 24, 7.00pm St. Peter and St. Paul Church – Burr Ridge, Illinois
• July 31, 6.30pm St John the Forerunner Church – Indianapolis, Indiana

His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest will be present at all three meetings. OCA Chancellor, Archrpiest Alexander Garklavs will be present at the Chicago area session. Matushka Michelle Jannakos, Preconcilliar commission member will be present at the Cleveland area and Indianapolis meetings.

A proposal for the meetings was approved by the Holy Synod of Bishops in April 2008. The text of the proposal can be found here.

Archbishop Job has stated that no topic for discussion will be considered "out of bounds", and no relevant question or comment will be prohibited.

The meetings are open to clergy and faithful from the diocese as well as those of the Bulgarian Diocese and Romanian Episcopate.

On Same-Sex Marriage

Dear Parish Faithful,

Christ is Risen!

The headlines in today's Enquirer reads "California OKs gay marriage." From the Orthodox Christian standpoint of what constitutes genuine human sexuality, the biblical understanding of gender, and male-female relationships, and how all of this relates to Christian marriage, this cannot be received as good news. In this case, the California Supreme Court "overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage." This is a development that you are most probably aware of, but I did want to bring it to your attention and point out the seriousness of the implications that such a ruling raises.

If such a radical reassessment of marriage occurs in many other states, this could change an entire generation's and future generations' understanding of the basic issues of human sexuality that I mentioned above. This would be a social and culture revolution of seismic proportions. For, in my opinion, the issue here is not really about "rights" and "legal protection," which must be granted equally to all citizens regardless of sexual orientation. I believe that the issue of legal protection - important as it is - is secondary to a much more ambitious goal: the total transformation - if not demolition/destruction - of the very concept of heterosexual marriage between a man and a woman, so as to include on a fully equal level the marriage of persons with same-sex attractions. In other words, homosexual marriage would become equal to heterosexual marriage in all things, not just matters pertaining to legal status and protection of all civil rights. I am convinced that this is the larger agenda. The biblical intuition that homosexuality is sinful and unacceptable as a form of sexual expression would then be seen as bigoted and deeply prejudiced; meaning that most Jews, Christians and Moslems would really be bigoted and prejudiced "persons of faith" if they continued to hold to their traditional beliefs about human sexuality.


There is no civilization that I am aware of that accepted same-sex marriage. I am not referring to homosexual relations, but to marriage as a social and cultural institution. Marriage has always been defined - even polygamous marriage, distasteful as that may be to us today - as between a man and a woman. The biblical prototype is, of course, Adam and Eve who became 'one flesh" in their union. We have learned to live with the legalization of abortion; and we may now have to learn to live with the legalization of same-sex marriage. This does not mean that we accept either of these practices internally, or seek to modify the teaching of the Church so as to accomodate what we consider to be sinful.

Next week, I will share some excellent insights into this issue from a fairly new book by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, entitled Christian Faith and Same-Sex Attraction - Eastern Orthodox Reflections.

Fr. Steven

Metropolitan Kallistos on Orthodox Unity in North America

As you will read below, Archbishop Kallistos Ware ("Timothy Ware") was recently in the States addressing a very crucial issue about the lack of unity within American Orthodoxy. Here is the link if you would like to hear his talk at your own convenience one day.

Fr. Steven
_________

Orthodox crowd jams church to hear Metropolitan Kallistos address Orthodox UNITY in Detroit - February 21, 2008

The brilliance of Orthodoxy was in full array in Troy Michigan Tuesday evening as Metropolitan KALLISTOS made his first visit to Detroit to discuss the FUTURE OF ORTHODOXY in the UNITED STATES. The visit was hosted by St. Andrew House - Center for Orthodox Christian Studies.

In what was undoubtedly the most successful Pan Orthodox event ever held in this city, more than 500 people jammed into St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Troy, Michigan to hear the presentation.

The setting was the beautiful Byzantine sanctuary of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Troy Michigan, under the pastoral care of Fr. Joseph Antypas. The event had to be moved into the sanctuary when it became apparent that the original setup in the church hall would not suffice.

"...we must say the catholicity and universality of the church are more valuable, more fundamental than our national, ethnic, and cultural identity..." His Eminence told the assembled group. "...if the basis of the Church’s existence is life in the eucharist, it means that the church is organized on a territorial, and not on an ethnic principle...", he continued.

"...we need to be clear about our priorities - the catholicity and universality of the Church…are much much more precious than our national or ethnic identity...." said the hierarch.

Comments overhead during the evening included, "That man is the reason I am Orthodox," said Bill Nowling, from Brighton Michigan. "I saw him 20 years ago in Grand Rapids, what a blessing to have him come here," said another man. "For many of us, this will be a once in a lifetime event," said a young Coptic man.

The diversity of the crowd reminded one of the multifaceted and ancient traditions of the Eastern Church. Armenians, Copts, Greeks, Romanians, Russians, Lebanese, Syrians, along with Anglican converts to the faith had come from all across the Midwest, Ontario and even Florida to listen to the world renowned author and bishop.

Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit, president of St. Andrew House, began the evening by reviewing the mission of St. Andrew House as a proponent for Orthodox Unity. "The Church in America was a united Church in the early 1900's under the Russian Diocese of America," said His Eminence, "It was only after the Russian Revolution, which cut off support of the American Church, that the various ethnic jurisdictions began to spring up in America," he continued.

The benediction given by the two hierarchs at the conclusion of the evening still rings in my ears. "Through the prayers of St. Andrew the First called, and the Great Martyr St. George..." said Metropolitan Kallistos.

Following that final prayer, and under the leadership of Archbishop Nathaniel, the building erupted in the hymn of "Lord...Bless thy People" - followed by "Many Years" which was led by Subdeacon Robert Mitchell (spontaneously). The majesty of those two hymns, at the end of such a spectacular evening, still send shivers down my spine.

What a blessing for the entire Orthodox community of Detroit!!!

For a complete recording of the evening, visit the home page of this website, www.orthodoxdetroit.com Recordings of the event were made possible by a continuing partnership between Ancient Faith Radio www.ancientfaith.com and St. Andrew House.

Finally, sincere thanks go to Mr. Michael Jaharis, chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, without whose intervention this visit would have NEVER taken place. Our entire board of directors is certainly indebted to you.

Best Regards,
Dean Calvert

Church Desecration in Kosovo - 2 Responses

Fr. Steven,

While horrified to see this blatant act of desecration and malicious disrespect toward Christ and His Church, in my humble opinion, it needs to be shared and viewed by many. If viewing this does not bring tears to one’s eyes, a knot in one’s stomach or pain to one’s heart, then the de-sensitization that is so sadly prevalent in today’s society has taken over and the last sin is worse than the first....Lord Have Mercy. While viewing this video, one verse of Scripture played over and over in my mind:

“Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
- Matthew 5: 11-12

May we humbly ask God in His infinite love for all mankind to be with those who are so deeply and profoundly affected by this persecution and brutality. May He have mercy on us all.

In Christ,
Alexis
~~~

Fr. Steven,

"Sick to your stomach" only begins to
describe!! It has the feeling of Christ being
crucified all over again. To me this gives the
appearance of what it must have been like when the
Roman soldiers mocked, spit on and physically abused
our Lord. I kept waiting to see lightning bolts strike
down the soldiers as they desecrated the beautiful
icons of Christ and all his saints (I probably would
have found myself cheering out loud). Contrary to
striking these evil men down the Saints whose icon is
being destroyed was probably praying for the soldiers
and I can almost imagine Christ asking God the Father
to "forgive them for they know not what they do" Could
this be what it looked like when the Saints were being
martyred and what could one day happen to us if we
stand up for our faith?....Where can one learn more
about what is happening in Kosovo? Not only is apathy
an issue and an evil here but also ignorance, for
which I am guilty of.

Stephen Wendland

VIDEO: Church Desecration in Kosovo

Dear Parish Faithful,

The attached video is deeply disturbing, and the crass brutality and blasphemy can make you sick to your stomach. Kosovo has always been the heartland of Serbia, and to this day many of the great medieval Serbian monasteries have been destroyed while an apathetic world takes no notice. In fact, apathy is one of the great assistants of evil.

Fr. Steven

Fr. Steven,

Take a look at this video sent from our priest in N. Idaho. I have no words...

Mary

This video brings the reality of world politics right before our very eyes...we have no time to fight petty duals among ourselves or focus on things of no importance. Lord have mercy on us and on this world for the many, many sins being committed at present...

The BODIES Exhibit, and "Super Sunday"

In yesterday's post-Liturgy discussion I responded to someone's question concerning the BODIES exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. From the Orthodox perspective, this exhibit is definitely ill-conceived and ethically dubious - at best. The display of human cadavers in such an environment, though purportedly for "educational" purposes, is thoroughly inconsistent from a biblical understanding of the integrity of the human body. To make matters worse, the deceased, whose bodies are on "display," did not consent to such a use as far as can be ascertained. Sadly ironic In an era when "exploitation" is vehemently rejected from all quarters!

I went on to read a few passages from an editorial in Friday's enquirer, written by the Rev. Michael A. Seger. For those who missed this editorial, here are a few of the more telling portions from the Rev. Seger:

First, one is drawn to ask about the values at stake in displaying human beings in such a manner ... Our society goes so far as to regulate the treatment of corpses. This concern speaks to protecting and promoting profound human values. The human person is an embodied spirit so that our body is more than just a temporary container.

One faces yet another, related question: How does this exhibit touch upon the respect due to the human person as an embodied spirit?

As an integral unity of spirit and body, my body as a personal reality expresses and communicates my deepest spiritual values. We love with our bodies, we mourn with tears, we nourish with our bodies, we comfort with compassionate embraces. Our bodies bear the marks and movements of our life story. The plasticized bodies of this exhibit rip a person from the context of her or his life story. They stand before us sadly anonymous: not mourned and not reverenced.

...The plasticized bodies splayed for anatomical voyeurism belong to a person who deserves better. We are a society that prides itself on protecting and promoting human dignity, so we ask if this exhibit respects that noble goal.

Well said, I believe, and also quite consistent with our own Orthodox Christian perspective. What prompted me to relate yesterday's discussion was what I saw on the news last night as a kind of follow up to our discussion. I found a seemingly innocuous and "upbeat" report filled with disturbing and even chilling images: the smiling faces of adults and children coming out of the exhibit with comments of "cool," "neat," "amazing," etc. You would think that they just emerged from the Newport Aquarium after seeing a rare species of some tropical fish! We continue to cheapen life - and death for that matter. And that further means that everyone's life - yours and mine - is cheap regardless of how we bluster on about "human rights" and the like.

If your instinctive and intuitive reaction is to say "there is something not right in this" then I believe that you got it right.
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Yesterday was "Super Sunday" and tomorrow will be "Super Tuesday." Sounds like almost too much to handle in one week! The former brought to us the Game of the Year (and from what I understand, a good game because it was such an "upset"); and the latter a series of primaries that will further reduce the field of candidates for the presidential election later in the year. As is my own tradition, I always announce the "real" Super Sunday of each year on the day of the national and secular Super Sunday. And that would of course be the date of Pascha, the "Sunday of Sundays," because it is the Feast of Feasts. This year Pascha Sunday will be April 27. That means that Great Lent will begin on Monday, March 10. Still a ways off, but good to know well ahead of time, so that we will not make any foolish calender choices/commitments that could have been avoided with a bit more care. Whatever your level of "commitment" to Super Sunday or Super Tuesday, may it be nothing in comparison with your commitment, anticipation and preparation for the paschal celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

Fr. Steven