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.