Thursday, November 6, 2014
Feast of St Demetrius in Sydney
The Parish of St John of Kronstadt in Sydney invites all for services in honour of the Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius.
7.November - Friday evening - All-night Vigil: 6 pm.
8. November - Saturday morning - Hours and Divine Liturgy: 9 am
Address: 20 Flat Rock Rd, Kingsgrove, NSW 2208
See also all news regarding the Sydney parish
or Fr Nebojsa’s facebook page
For more details, please contact the rector, Fr Nebojsa Mirkovic.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Bishop Averky on the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
Bishop Averky, in his sermon on the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, relates how Russia was saved by the Mother of God in the past. Today the Holy Church celebrate this miraculous occurrence. Vladika Averky continues to teach how we can save ourselves in our current and future troubles:
Russia was saved, many times, over the course of nearly a millenium, in all its difficult moments of history.
And this happened not only once, but many times!
But what do we see today?
Now, when a time even more difficult than the first and second tumultuous time has come upon Russia, there is no other, and cannot be any other salvation, apart from an even more fiery and heartfelt turning of all Russian people to the our true Protectress and Defender, the “quick Helper, ready and warm salvation, the Protection of the Virgin“(Kondak for the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God)And what prevents us from turning to Her in the same way that our ancestors turned to Her?
Only absence of faith and weak faith.
It is time for us to finally become sober, and understand that there is no other reliable path to the salvation of our homeland, Russia, apart from that path which our ancestors followed: It is the path of our universal prayerful appeal to the “calm and good haven - the Protection of the Virgin.
And let us make haste to prayer and speed to repentance. For the all-pure Theotokos poureth forth upon us inexhaustible mercies, She goeth before to help us and delivereth Her good-hearted and God-fearing servants from great misfortunes and evil.”(Kondak for the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God)Bishop Averky (Taushev), 20th century.
(The Contemporary World in the Light of the Word of God: Volume 1, page 420)
Editor’s neote: Vladika Averky is speaking about Russia in the wider sense of the word, beyond the geographical or political sense - not only encompassing the Russian Federation, but also, Ukraine, and all the Russian Orthodox people around the world.
It is important to not confuse this concept with the current “Русский мир”-initiative (”Russian world”) promoted by the Moscow Patriarchate, which unfortunately, is a political, and not a spiritual movement.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt
Excerpts from St John of Kronstadt’s book “My Life in Christ”. A most beneficial book for Orthodox Christians of our times. Many spiritual fathers recommend this book as daily reading for their spiritual children.
He who is accustomed to give account of his life at confession here will not fear to give an answer at the terrible judgement-seat of Christ. It is for this purpose that the mild tribunal of penitence was here instituted, in order that we, being cleansed and amended through penitence here below, may give an answer without shame at the terrible judgement-seat of Christ. This is the first motive for sincere confession.The longer we remain without confessing, the worse it is for us, the more entangled we become in the bonds of sin, and therefore the more difficult it is to give an account. The second motive is tranquility: The more sincere has been our confession, the more tranquil will the soul be afterwards. Sins are - secret serpents, gnawing at the heart of a man and all his being; they do not let him rest, they continually suck his heart; sins are - prickly thorns, constantly goring the soul; sins are - spiritual darkness…Those who repent must bring forth the fruits of repentance.
In what does the true wealth of a man consist? In his image and likeness to God, and not in lands, nor money; neither in various earthly sciences and arts, nor in property of various kinds, nor in many servants, nor in many clothes, not, in general, in a multitude of earthly blessings, for all these are corruptible and temporal; whilst the soul - the image of God - is eternal, and its riches are - virtue, holiness, humility, gentleness, temperance in all things, faith, hope, and love.
St John of Kronstadt, 19th-early 20th century
Available from St John of Kronstadt Press
Thursday, October 30, 2014
An Orthodox Teenager’s View of Halloween
By Sophia Desiatov
As most of you are aware, Halloween is just right around the corner. It’s a time where children dress up as imaginary creatures and go around knocking on doors, hoping that their reward will be candy. Growing up, I was never allowed to participate in the tradition of dressing up and trick or treating. I remember my parents telling me that on this night, whenever a knock was heard, we weren’t allowed to open the door. I didn’t understand it at the time; I just thought Halloween was a universally accepted holiday, like Christmas or Easter. But now, I understand why my parents were so cautious about this one particular night. And I think it’s important that all Orthodox Christians – especially children – should understand the meaning behind Halloween.
Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, is a tradition that began in the pre-Christian times. The Celtic people, who were commonly pagans, believed that ‘life was born from death’. Thus, on the last day of October, they worshipped a deity called Samhain (pronounced sow-in), otherwise known as the Lord of death. On this night, sacrifices – animals or human – were made in order to appease Samhain, who in turn would lower the veil between the living and the dead, allowing the lost ones to be reunited the living for one night. The festival also included a bonfire of oak branches where the sacrifices were made and other rituals performed. Moreover, the custom of ‘trick or treat’ originated from people – in costume - visiting houses in exchange for food, so that the hunger of the dead would be satiated. If Samhain was not pleased with the offering, ‘tricks’ or curses would befall on those visitors.
It doesn’t sound very innocent, does it? The trouble with Halloween is that because of society, it has become heavily commoditised, shrouding the true meaning and covering it with money and profits. This makes it easier for children to see Halloween as a way to spend money and have fun, while ignoring the warnings. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced a traditional Halloween night, unlike the parades in Greenwich Village in the United States, and I don’t plan to. It feels wrong going against my belief in order to celebrate and revel in a night of darkness in order that a satanic deity could be appeased, all because everyone else around me is doing it.
That’s another problem with Halloween; it has become readily accepted by society, that it puts pressure on faithful Orthodox Christians to succumb to the temptation and darkness of Halloween. It puts pressure on Orthodox children to follow their peers’ footsteps, because to them, it’s ‘cool’. But we shouldn’t feel pressured to explain to our peers that we don’t celebrate Halloween because it goes against our faith. They should learn to embrace our values and respect our decisions, just as they expect us to respect their decisions.
Halloween is a pagan tradition that seeks to appease a satanic deity, and Orthodox Christians must learn to defend themselves against those who attempt to draw us into this celebration of evil.
Sophia Desiatov
Editor’s note: Orthodox Christians would do best to attend the All-night Vigil in honour of St John of Kronstadt on Friday night, rather than participate in pagan festivities!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
On vulgarity
We live in a sea of vulgarity. Vulgarity is threatening to become a way of life. This explosion of vulgarity destroys the sanctity of life; it negates all that is holy, all that is beautiful, and all that is true.
We are experiencing an aesthetic and spiritual tragedy, wherein it appears that everything is yielding to the allure of vulgarity and immorality.
…by vulgar we mean a lack of nobility and discretion, a lack of decorum and modesty…. By vulgar we mean what is crude, offensive, coarse, indecent, and vile….
Our responsibility before God and history is enormous, since we, —the “earthen vessels”—have been called upon to preserve, by the Grace of God, human dignity.
Fight against the kingdom of vulgarity!
Read the rest of the sermon on avoiding vulgarity, by Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Phyle
Monday, October 27, 2014
Parish feast in Sydney
The parish of St John of Kronstadt in Sydney will be celebrating its Church feast this coming Saturday (19.10/1.11). All are welcome to attend.
31.October - Friday evening - All-night Vigil: 6 pm.
1. November - Saturday morning - Hours and Divine Liturgy: 9 am
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Australian and New Zealand Diocese
Parish of the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt. Sydney, Australia.
Address: 20 Flat Rock Rd, Kingsgrove, NSW 2208
РУСКА ПРАВОСЛАВНА ЗАГРАНИЧНА ЦРКВА Епархија за Аустралију и Нови Зеланд,
Црква“Свети Праведни Јован Кронштатски“ Сиднеј, Аустралија
РПЦЗ - Русская Православная Церковь Заграницей
Сидней (Австралия) Приход в честь Cв. Прав. Иоанна Кронштадтского.
See also all news regarding the Sydney parish
or Fr Nebojsa’s facebook page
For more details, please contact the rector, Fr Nebojsa Mirkovic.
Towards a spiritual understanding of civil war, strife, political unrest, and political opinions. Part 3
Life on earth will never be free from temptation.
41. We should not demand that all brothers in Christ who in one way or other, upset our peace of soul with their words, be silenced.
It is for individual Christians to resist individual temptation. It is the duty of each believer to resist temptation and reject evil. No other person can perform this spiritual struggle on behalf of the Christian. The believer should take advice from his spiritual father on how to struggle. However, no spiritual father can live the spiritual life “on behalf of” his spiritual child.
42. The duty of a Bishop and other clergy is to teach according to the Gospel, to teach Christians the path to God, and how to resist temptation. However, they do not have power to remove all temptation from the Church on earth (the Church Militant). Indeed, if they did – how could we be saved? How could we prove our love for God? If there was no one to forgive, how could we fulfill the commandment to forgive? If there were no difficulties to bear, how could we fulfill the commandment to be patient?
43. Only the Church Triumphant (that is, the Church in Heaven, consisting of all the Saints of all times who have reposed, and all the sinners who have obtained forgiveness) is free of temptation.
All members of the Church Militant on earth, including the clergy, aim to enter the Church Triumphant – but not one of them can be assured that they will be part of the Church Triumphant until he dies and receives God’s judgment for his soul…
44. Let the Christian be glorified for his virtues of love, prayer, peace, forgiveness, and fidelity to God rather than to man.
…we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure
2 Thessalonians 1:4
Spiritual separation is impermissible
45. In extreme cases, the Church may also command us to separate from a brother who continues to sin heavily, disregarding admonition of the Bishop:
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
46. The only sinners the Church with a definite, authoritative voice commands us to separate from, are heretics. The local and Ecumenical Councils, anathemas and writings of the Holy Fathers define what opinions are heresy. The Bishops of the Church teach what is heresy. Other opinions are not heresy, but rather, private opinion, which is tolerated in the Church. Opinions are tolerated, even when they are tainted by some element of sin, because the Church wishes to save all sinners.
47. Therefore, those who separate themselves from the Church on account of mere opinion, sin by judging the Church. They pridefully say: “The Church does not agree with me, hence I reject obedience to Her! I will go my own way, and God will be with me.”
This incorrect principle is promoted in western society – where every wife has a “right” to divorce her husband. There is no guarantee that God will “be with” the separatist…more likely, He will be with the Church, because:
…the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
48. The Church requires obedience – submission to a lawful Orthodox hierarch who is correct in his dogmatic beliefs.
Nevertheless, even such a Bishop may have some opinions that are passionate, and he may sin at times. These imperfections do not give the Christian a right to separate from the Bishop. Only if a hierarch teaches heresy, or is in communion with heretics, do the faithful have a right (or indeed, an obligation) to leave him.
49. The Church is based on grace, not on unity of opinions or uniformity of life. The Holy Spirit unites and permeates the Body of the Church, and to the degree we partake of the Holy Spirit, we also are united with the Body of Christ, and live in Christ.
50. To the degree we sin, we separate ourselves from the Holy Spirit and lose Grace. Next, we are deprived of the spiritual gifts of love and hope. This leads to the sins of hatred and despondency. Oftentimes in history, hatred and lack of hope have served as pretexts for schism in the Church. Fear this path!
God’s providence has appointed this time for us sinners.
51. God will not allow the Church, or Her members to be tempted above what we weak ones can bear:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
52. If everything that God allows us to go through is for the good of our soul, then the struggle that the Church presently is going through, is also for our salvation. We should rejoice that God wishes to save us. God is powerful to save every sincere believer through this temptation. Indeed, without temptation, we cannot be saved!
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations
James 1:2
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
James 1:12
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2 Peter 2:9
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 3:10
God has appointed us to live in this evil time, with its temptations, because it is necessary for the salvation of our sinful souls… By going through this, and every temptation in our life, with the mind of Christ, repentance, hope in God and love for our brothers, we will be saved. Our salvation depends on how we handle temptation – with humility, or with pride and bitterness? This is our Cross, which we must not reject. There is no other path to Heaven than the Cross!
A trial of the latter times?
53. Finally, let us understand that soon enough, Christ will judge us all, and Satan will be finally defeated. He has only been loosed for a very short time to tempt the world, so that the true Christians can prove their love for God. The thousand years of his binding are the time of the Church, when people can save themselves in relative peace (though not without temptation!). In these figurative thousand years, the devil and his servants disturb the world only peripherally, and the Church reigns spiritually over Her children, and through them and their exalted spiritual life, over the whole world.
54. Towards the end of time, Satan will conduct great warfare, particularly against the elect - the Christians.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations…
Apocalypse 20:7-8
…to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22
Many eagerly observe our times for signs of the end. These signs of war, hatred, upheavals and division have often been present - but in our times, they are ever-present. In addition our times display an even more sure sign: Universal unbelief.
55. All revolutions and civil wars are extreme forms of evil where brother kills brother. With all social and political upheavals, the Evil One aims to distract and disturb us from our own personal war with him and his temptations.
Both political and all other forms of social disturbance will be the inevitable result of people’s apostasy from God, Christ and religion, from good and truth
A. Belyaev (1898) “Godlessness and Antichrist
Brothers! It is necessary for us to be very sober.
56. When we by our words or writing produce disturbance and destruction of love in others, we participate in evil.
Those who write and speak will have to answer to God for every word!
And those who read with interest, disseminate, and discuss, will also have to answer to God for every word, every minute they spend in passionate interest, rather than in love for God and their brothers.
57. St Ignaty Brianchaninov advises us:
Let us guard our bodily feelings, not allowing any sin into our spiritual cell. Let us restrain the curious eye and curious ear; let us lay a severe bridle on the small member of our body which produces such great disturbances – our tongue; let us humble our irrational impulses with restraint, vigil, work, frequent remembrance of death, with attentive and constant prayer…
I look at the world, and I see that the nets of the devil have increased, in comparison with the early times of the Church of Christ, they have increased innumerably; The number of books that impart false knowledge have increased, the number of minds that contain and proclaim false knowledge to others have increased; The number of followers of Holy Truth have decreased, decreased to an extreme degree; the respect for natural virtue has been strengthened, the virtue which is open to Jews and pagans; respect for directly pagan virtues has appeared, which are contrary to nature itself, which nature itself sees as evil; I cannot even express how the understanding of Christian virtue has decreased, and active doing of virtue has been nearly completely destroyed; physical life has been strengthened, spiritual life is disappearing, fleshly pleasures and cares devour all time, there is no time to even remember God. And all this is turning into an obligation, to a law. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12), and also the love of those who would otherwise have remained in love for God, if evil was not so every-present, if the nets of the devil had not increased to such an infinity.
The sorrow of St Anthony (when the devil showed him his nets, which were spread out to catch people) was justified. Even more justifiable is the sorrow of a Christian in our times, when he sees the nets of the devil; well-founded is the sorrowful question: “Lord! Who, of all the people, will be able to escape these nets and find salvation?
This question of the venerable desert-dweller was followed by an answer from the Lord: “Humility of wisdom (смиренномудрие) will escape all these nets, and this they cannot even touch”.
Amen
St Ignaty Brianchaninov, 19th century
Friday, October 24, 2014
Vision of St John of Kronstadt
The Holy and Righteous John of Kronstadt recalled this vision which he had in January of 1901:
After evening prayers I laid down to rest a little in my dimly lit cell since I was fatigued. Hanging before the icon of the Mother of God was my lit lampada. Not more than a half hour had passed when I heard soft rustle. Someone touched my left shoulder, and in tender voice said to me, ‘Arise servant of God John and follow the will of God!’
I arose and saw near the window glorious starets (elder) with frosty grey hair, wearing a black mantia, and holding staff in his hand. He looked at me tenderly, and I could scarcely keep from falling because of my great fear. My hands and feet trembled, and I wanted to speak, but my tongue would not obey me. The starets made the sign of the cross over me, and calm and joy soon came over me. Then I made the sign of the cross myself. He then pointed to the western wall of my cell with his staff in order that I should notice certain spot. The starets had inscribed on the wall the following numbers: 1913, 1914, 1917, 1922, 1924, and 1934.
Suddenly the wall vanished, and I walked with the starets toward a green field and saw a mass of crosses-thousands standing as gravemarkers. They were wooden, clay, or gold. I asked the starets, ‘What are these crosses for’ He softly answered, “These crosses are for those who suffered and were murdered for their faith in Christ and for the Word of God and have become martyrs!”
And so we continued to walk. Suddenly I saw an entire river of blood and asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of this blood? How much has been spilled?’ The starets looked around and replied, This is the blood of true Christians!’ The starets then pointed to some clouds, and I saw mass of burning white lamps. They began to fall to the ground one after another by the tens and by the hundreds. During their descent they grew dim and turned to ashes. The starets then said to me, ‘Look!’ I saw on a cloud seven burning lamps. I asked, ‘What is the meaning of the burning lamps which fell to the ground’ He said, Those are the churches of God which have fallen into heresy, but these seven lamps on the clouds are the seven Catholic and Apostolic Churches which will remain until the end of the world!’
The starets then pointed high into the air and I saw and heard angels singing, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabbaoth!’ Then a large crowd of people with candles in their hands rushed by with joy on their shining faces. They were archbishops, monks, nuns, groups of laymen, young adults, and even children and babies. I asked the wonderworking starets, ‘What is the meaning of these people’ He responded, These are all the people who suffered for the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church, for the holy icons at the hands of the wicked destroyers.’ I then asked the great starets if I could sit down next to them. The starets said, ‘It is too early for you to suffer, so joining them would not be blessed by God!’
Again I saw a large group of infants who had suffered for Christ under Herod and had received crowns from the Heavenly King. We walked further and went into large church. I wanted to make the sign of the cross, but the starets said, ‘It is not necessary to cross yourself because this is a place of abomination and desolation!’ The church was very gloomy. On the altar was a star and a Gospel book with stars. Candles made of tar were burning and crackling like firewood. The chalice was standing there covered by strong stench. There was prosphora with stars. A priest stood before the altar with face like pitch and woman was under the altar covered in red with a star on her lips and she screamed and laughed throughout the church saying, ‘I am free!’ I thought Oh, Lord, how awful! The people, like madmen, began to run around the altar, scream, whistle, and clap their hands. Then they began to sing lecherous songs. Suddenly lightning flashed, frightening thunderbolt resounded, the earth trembled, and the church collapsed, sending the woman, the people, the priest, and the rest into the abyss. I thought Oh Lord, how awful, save us!
The starets saw what had happened as did I. I asked, ‘Father, tell me, what is the meaning of this frightening church?’ He responded, These are the earthly people, heretics who have abandoned the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church and recognized the newly innovated church which God has not blessed. In this church they do not fast, do not attend services, and do not receive Holy Communion!’ I was frightened and said, The Lord has pity on us, but curses those with death!’ The starets interrupted me and said, ‘Do not mourn, but just pray!’ Then I saw a throng of people, each of whom had a star on his lips and was. terribly exhausted from thirst, walking here and there. They saw us and yelled loudly, ‘Holy Fathers, pray for us. It is very hard for us because we ourselves cannot. Our Fathers and Mothers did not teach us the Law of God. ‘We do not even have the name of Christ, and we have received no peace. We rejected the Holy Spirit and the sign of the cross!’ They began to cry.
I followed after the starets. ‘Look!’ he said pointing with his hand. I saw a mountain of human corpses stained in blood. I was very frightened, and I asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of these dead bodies?’ He replied, These are people who lived the monastic life, were rejected by the Antichrist, and did not receive his seal. They suffered for their faith in Christ and the Apostolic Church and received martyrs crowns dying for Christ. Pray for these servants of God!’
Without warning the starets turned to the north and pointed with his hand. I saw an imperial palace, around which dogs were running. Wild beasts and scorpions were roaring and charging and baring their teeth. And I saw the Tsar sitting on a throne. His face was pale and masculine. He was reciting the Jesus Prayer. Suddenly he fell like a dead man. His crown fell. The wild beasts, dogs, and scorpions trampled on the anointed Sovereign. I was frightened and cried bitterly. The starets took me by my right shoulder. I saw a figure shrouded in white - it was Nicholas II. On his head was a wreath of green leaves, and his face was white and somewhat bloodied. He wore a gold cross around his neck and was quietly whispering a prayer. And then he said to me with tears, ‘Pray for me, Fr. John. Tell all Orthodox Christians that I, the Tsar-martyr, died manfully for my faith in Christ and the Orthodox Church. Tell the Holy Fathers that they should serve a Panachida for me, a sinner, but there will be no grave for me!’
Soon everything became hidden in the fog. I cried bitterly praying for the Tsar-martyr. My hands and feet trembled from fear. The starets said, :Look! Then I saw a throng of people scattered about the land who had died from starvation while others were eating grass and vegetation. Dogs were devouring the bodies of the dead, and the stench was terrible. I thought, Oh Lord, these people had no faith. From their lips they expelled blasphemy, and for this they received God’s anger.
I also saw an entire mountain of books and among the books worms were crawling emitting a terrible stench. I asked the starets, ‘What was the meaning of these books?’ I said, These books are the Godlessness and blasphemy which will infect all Christians with heretical teachings!’ Then the starets touched his staff to some of the books, and they ignited into flames. The wind scattered the ashes. Further on, I saw a church around which was a large pile of prayer intentions for the departed. I bent over and wanted to read them, but the starets said, These prayer requests for the dead have been lying here for many years, and the priests have forgotten about them. They are never going to read them, but the dead will ask someone to pray for them!’ I asked, ‘Who, will they get to pray for them?’ The starets answered: ‘The Angels will pray for them!’
We proceeded further, and the starets quickened the pace so that I could hardly keep up with him. ‘Look!’ he said. I saw a large crowd of people being persecuted by demons who were beating them with stakes, pitchforks, and hooks. I asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of these people?’ He answered, These are the ones who renounced their faith and left the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church and accepted the new innovative church. This group represents priests, monks, nuns, and laymen who renounced their vows or marriage, and engaged in drinking and all sorts of blasphemy and slander. All of these have terrible faces and a terrible stench comes from their mouths. The demons beat them, driving them into the terrible abyss, from where hell fire comes forth. ‘ I was terribly frightened. I made the sign of the cross while praying, Lord deliver us from such a fate!
I then saw a group of people, both old and young, all of whom were terribly dressed, and who were raising a large, five pointed star. On each corner were twelve demons and in the middle was Satan himself with terrifying horns and a straw head. He emitted a noxious foam onto the people while pronouncing these words, ‘Arise you accursed ones with the seal of the beast..’ Suddenly many demons appeared with branding irons and on all the people they placed the seal: on their lips, above the elbow and on their right hands. I asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of this?’ He responded, This is the mark of the Antichrist!’ I made the sign of the cross and followed after the starets.
He suddenly stopped and pointed to the east with his hand. I saw a large gathering of people with joyous faces carrying crosses and candles in their hands. In their midst stood a large altar as white as snow. On the altar was the cross and the Holy Gospel and over the altar was the vosduch with golden imperial crown on which was written in golden letter, ‘For the short term.’ Patriarchs, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laymen stood around the altar. They were all singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth’ Out of great joy I made the sign of the cross and praised God. Suddenly the starets waved his cross upwards three times, and I saw mountain of corpses covered in human blood and above them Angels were flying. They were taking the souls of those murdered for the Word of God to heaven while they sang, Alleluia!’ I observed all this and cried loudly.
The starets took me by the hand and forbade me to cry. ‘What is pleasing to God is that Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and shed His precious blood for us. Such ones will become martyrs who do not accept the seal of the antichrist, and all who shed their blood will receive heavenly crowns.’ The starets then prayed for these servants of God and pointed to the east as the words of the Prophet Daniel came true, ‘Abomination of desolation.’ Finally, I saw the cupola of Jerusalem. Above it was a star. Within the church millions of people thronged and still many more were trying to enter inside. I wanted to make the sign of the cross, but the starets grabbed my hand and said, ‘Here is the abomination of desolation!’
So we entered into the church, and it was full of people. I saw an altar on which tallow candles were burning. On the altar was a king in red, blazing, porphyry. On his head was a golden crown with a star. I asked the starets, ‘Who is this?’ He replied, ‘The Antichrist!’ He was very tall with eyes like fire, black eyebrows, a wedge-shaped beard, a ferocious, cunning, evil, and terrible face. He alone was on the altar and he reached his hands out to the people. He had claws as those of a tiger for hands and he shouted, ‘I am King. I am God. I am the Leader. He who does not have my seal will be put to death.’ All the people fell down and worshipped him, and he began to place his seal on their lips and on their hands in order that they should receive some bread and not die from hunger and thirst.
Around the Antichrist his servants were leading several people whose hands were bound as they had not bowed down to worship him. They said, “We are Christians, and we all believe in our Lord Jesus Christ!’ The Antichrist ripped off their heads in a flash and Christian blood began to flow A child was then led to the altar of the Antichrist to worship him, but he boldly proclaimed, ‘I am a Christian and believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, but you are a minister, a servant of Satan!’ ‘Death to him!’ exclaimed the Antichrist. Others who accepted the seal of the Antichrist fell down and worshipped him. Suddenly roar of thunder resounded and thousand lightning flashes began to sparkle. Arrows began to strike the servants of the Antichrist. Then a large flaming arrow flashed by and hit the Antichrist himself on the head. As he waved his hand, his crown fell and was crushed into the ground. Then millions of birds flew in and perched on the servants of the Antichrist.
I felt the starets take me by the hand. We walked further on, and I again saw much Christian blood. It was here that I remembered the words of Saint John the Theologian in the book of Revelation that blood would ‘be up to the horse’s bridle.’ I thought, Oh my God, save us! At that time I saw Angels flying and singing, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord of Sabbaoth!’ The starets looked back and went on to say, ‘Do not grieve, for soon, very soon, will come the end of the world! Pray to the Lord. God be merciful to His servants!’ Time was drawing near to close. He pointed to the east, fell to his knees and began to pray So I prayed with him. Then the starets began to quickly depart from the earth to the heights of heaven. As he did so I remembered that I did not know his name, so cried out loudly, ‘Father, what is your name?’ He tenderly replied, ‘Seraphim of Sarov!’
That is what ’saw, and this is what ‘ have recorded for Orthodox Christians. A large bell rang above my head, and I heard the sound and arose from bed. ‘Lord, bless and help me through the prayers of the great starets! You have enlightened me, the sinful servant, the priest John of Kronstadt.”
Russia, if you fall away from your faith, as many of the intellectual class have already fallen away, you will no longer be Russia or Holy Russia. And if there is no repentance in the Russian people, then the end of the world will draw near
St John of Kronstadt (1905)
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Towards a spiritual understanding of civil war, strife, political unrest, and political opinions. Part 2
Spiritual activity in times of strife and discord
24. As Christians, we need to cleanse ourselves through deep repentance, a change of life, and guard ourselves with prayer, fasting, and self-denial, make amends by good works, and nourish our souls with the teachings of the Holy Fathers.
25. A believer can reach the Heavenly Kingdom only through a sober, Christian life, according to the teaching of the Holy Fathers. A very central part of Christian life is repentance. Without repentance, no one can be saved… Thank God that the Church accepts sinners!
26. God forgives those who repent sincerely. We must also forgive our brothers who may sin at one time or another through the deception of the devil – whether on a personal level or a societal, political level.
This is a commandment of God, which each Christian is obligated to fulfill. If we do not forgive our brothers’ sins, we sin gravely.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:13-15
We are not obliged to agree or accept every one of our brothers’ opinions, but we are required to live in love.
27. In today’s difficult situation, we must pray sincerely for one another, and treat each other with great love, in order to save our souls through love. Separating from our brothers on account of any opinions, apart from heresy is not an option for a true Christian. Christ died for these brothers.
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 1:5
28. And so, what should we do? We should be humble, and obediently submit to the Church. The Church is our first and most dear homeland. Only after this spiritual homeland are we citizens of specific countries, and members of specific nations.
And when you hear “give unto Ceasar what is Ceasars” (Mt 22.21), then understand by that only what in no way harms piety; for everything that harms piety is no longer a tax to Ceasar, but rather, tax and a payment to the devil
St John Chrysostom (4th century)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:34)
29. You who love Russia, and believe She has a special, God-given place in the history of mankind! Perhaps you sense Her time of great significance has come? The unbelieving, apostate west does not understand, and appears to be attacking Her! Russia is, after all, the portion of the Mother of God on earth.
Brothers, stop and calm your souls. Yes, your view is pious and patriotic, informed by many prophesies. Many fathers of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad have also loved Russia fervently, and believed She has a unique mission in the world…
However, there is a possibility you still could be experiencing an attack from the Evil One.
Remember, these prophesies are conditional. Russia will not have the spiritual strength to take a special part in the history of mankind if Her people do not repent and return to God.
30. You who believe communist, God-fighting atheism is still at work in Russia, and that the nation today is far from Holy Russia! Perhaps you think the people of the Ukrainian region are genuinely seeking freedom from the God-fighting ideology…You seem to see the God-fighters advancing and attacking, and you think all should support the fight for freedom, together with whoever comes to their aid (even unbelievers and heretics from western lands)…
Brothers, stop and calm your souls. Yes, your view grows from love for Holy Russia, which you perhaps believe only exists in a spiritual sense today…You are following the opinion of many fathers of the Russian Church Abroad. Yet there is a possibility you still could be experiencing deception.
If you do not repent and live a conscious spiritual life, the fact that you have been nourished by the Russian Church Abroad will not help you. Encouraging people to fight against the God-fighters is worth nothing if you yourselves are shown to be God-fighters, within your own souls, in your families, parishes and communities.
31. You who feel you understand how the Mystery of Iniquity is evolving before our very eyes, and see how people are deceived in every possible way! You wonder at how Christians can fall prey to the various snares set up by the contemporary antichrists…
Brothers, stop and calm your souls. Yes, you understand that we have no one but God to deliver us. However, remember that you could nevertheless be under deception regarding other aspects of your beliefs. You also must live as true Christian, according to the rules of the Holy Church. You must repent , pray, learn about the Church and all Her soul-saving practices, and not remain engrossed in the study of the manifestations of evil. Study good instead of evil, and most especially, perform good, acquire the practical virtues.
32. Brothers! Your beliefs are not all incorrect.
However, we must all realize that our first priority is our personal spiritual work, repentance, partaking of the Holy Mysteries, acquiring Grace.
Understanding the world and our times, and knowing what influences our society and surroundings is – secondary. This secondary knowledge sometimes inspires beginners in the faith to turn to God.
It is important to understand that even if such knowledge perhaps formed our first steps toward God, this knowledge should not be the end of our path. We must grow. The end of our path is holiness, God-likeness, in eternity.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 6:22
33. Brothers, let us ask ourselves some necessary questions:
Do you personally repent deeply? Do you personally live up to the Law of God? Is your heart always at peace and full of love? Are you constantly in communion with God? Do you love those who think differently? Can you exist in the one Church with them, tolerating their thoughts? Can you exist together with your brothers, without condemning their enthusiasm for the one or the other party? Or would you rather cleanse the Church from such ignorant ones?
These are all forms of pride, which never leads a person closer to God. We should know where pride may lead…
Our view cannot be perfect – it is partial.
34. Let us not be deceived in our opinions. They are at best a partial understanding of Truth, but at worst, and unknowingly to us, demonically inspired. Let us rather follow the commandments of Christ, the first of which is love for God, and the second, love for our brothers:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Cor. 13:1-13
35. Love is not passionate and emotional. True love is self-sacrifice. Let us with patience bear one another’s weaknesses, and preserve brotherly love.
Remove yourself from temptation and the passionate world
36. The Christian may not yet be able to keep total peace in his soul in the heat of the current discussion. In this case, he should be very careful not to speak (or write) against his brothers.
37. The believer can and should remove himself from temptations that he senses are too great for him to endure. However, this is merely a physical separation, and never a spiritual break. A Christian should not separate spiritually from the souls of those brothers that cause temptation to his weak soul– he should never consider leaving the Church. She is the Mother of us all, and the only Vessel of Salvation. How will we reach the Kingdom of God if we abandon the Church, which is the only Ship that can bring us there?
38. In modern times, removing oneself from temptation includes not reading opinions of brothers in Christ, including on the internet, if the believer knows that these opinions upset the peace of the soul, hinder prayer, shake his fidelity to Christ, and his hope in God’s Providence. When we do not know beforehand, but start to read or watch something, and then feel in our heart and soul that this is causing us temptation, we should stop, pray, and resolve to not expose ourselves to this temptation.
39. St Theophan the Recluse instructs us on the necessity of leaving the world, its temptations and passionate interests, one of which is politics. He explains why our seemingly innocent quest for information is connected with spiritual falls:
Whoever seeks the Lord must remove himself from the world. By “world” is meant everything passionate, vain or sinful that enters into personal, family and social life, and which becomes the custom and rule. (…) Citizenship and family life are blessed by God, therefore we should not turn away from them or have contempt for them, nor for anything belonging to their essential good order. By everything lustful or passionate that has come into them like a malignant tumour that tempts them should be held in contempt and renounced. (…) The vain, passion-soaked world is inevitably transmitted to our souls, and arouses or infuses passions.
St Theophan the Recluse: The Path to Salvation (19th century)
40. In order to preserve our spiritual life, we should follow St Theophan’s advice. If we do not preserve ourselves from sin, all our knowledge of evil in the world will be useless.
It may seem risky or foolhardy for a soul to leave behind its customary diligent investigations of the world. “If I do not find out what is happening, I will not know how to act, I will not know how to make decisions in life!”, says the worldly man…
We should nevertheless consider leaving these habits for the sake of conducting a more thorough investigation of our own souls, and God will give us all that we need, as He is the God above everything.
Let us guard our mind with humility, not allowing it to rush indiscriminately towards the acquiring of knowledge, however much their novelty and importance are attracting our curiosity….At first, the narrow path of obedience to the Church is sorrowful; but it will lead us to the expanse and freedom of the spiritual mind, in which will disappear all the supposed incongruity, which the fleshly and emotional mind finds in exact obedience to the Church.
St Ignaty Brianchaninov (19th century)
Part 2 of 3. To be continued
From the October edition of “The Shepherd”
Just as there is a bad zeal of bitterness, which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal, which separates from vices and leads to God and life eternal
St Bede the Venerable (6th century)
Let us not be overcome by unbelief and give ourselves up to all kinds of cares, anxieties, imaginations, day-dreaming, subterfuges and maneuvering to guard ourselves from our enemies and to work against their ill-will or evil intentions. This is forbidden by the Lord, Who says: Do not resist injury. When oppressed by difficult and painful circumstances, let us have recourse to God in prayer; for in His complete power are we and our enemies and our circumstances and the circumstances of all men. He can by His absolute power and supremacy dispose of and annihilate all the greatest difficulties. Let us pray for our enemies with great care, and by this prayer obliterate their malice from their hearts and replace it with love.
St Ignaty Brianchaninov (19th century)
For more see the October edition of the Church magazine The Shepherd, from the St Edward Orthodox Brotherhood.
