A BYZANTINE SPIRITUALITY, AS DEVELOPED IN THE UKRAINIAN CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT簡歷山

A BYZANTINE SPIRITUALITY ALWAYS BASED ON THE RESURRECTED JESUS

There are different liturgical practices developing from the apostolic days.

From the first days of the Church, the spiritual life developed within the culture that the church found itself in :

Diversity Challenge Celebrating cultural differences People lived in different walks of life

Patristic writing is fundamental to Christian spirituality.

Let us look at a few basic works that form a basis for the spiritual life

All of the patristic fathers faced different issues of life.

PATRISTIC THEOLOGY

The Didache – How to form a Christian community for dummies

A fundamental work. Useful even today.

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (150 – 220 A.D.)

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.

Clement of Alexandria The trilogy, a work of Clement’s is composed of: the Protrepticus ("Exhortation to the Greeks") the Paedagogus ("Instructor") the Stromata ("Miscellanies") It is the boldest literary undertaking in the history of the Church,

since in it Clement for the first time attempted to set forth Christianity for the faithful in the traditional forms of secular literature.

The first book deals with the religious basis of Christian morality, the second and third with the individual cases of conduct. As with Epictetus, true virtue shows itself with him in its external evidences by a natural, simple, and moderate way of living.

Hell lasts for ever , but people will not stay in Hell for ever.

ORIGEN

ORIGEN

The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all

God puts Christ's enemies as a footstool beneath His feet, for their salvation as well as their destruction.

Origen, on prayer it is not merely a treatise on prayer; it is a prayer in itself. For

the spirit of Origen which, as Erasmus says, is everywhere aflame, is burning here with such intensity as to make it impossible for the reader to remain untouched. A glance at the Table of Contents will tell the reader of the topics treated; but he must read the text itself to feel its power and the irresistible charm of Origen's use of the Holy.

It is the first clear and thoroughgoing exposition, within the Christian tradition, of prayer as the contemplation of God rather than as a means of achieving material benefits."

It reveals more clearly than any of his other writings the depth and warmth of Origen's religious life. The ideas of this treatise have had a far-reaching effect in the history of spirituality.

ST BASIL THE GREAT

Troubles are usually brooms and shovels that smooth the road to the good man's fortune;

The foolish man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.”

The love of God is not taught.  No one has taught us to enjoy the light or to be attached to life more than anything else.  And no one has taught us to love the two people who brought us into the world and educated us.  Which is all the more reason to believe that we did not learn to love God as a result of outside instruction.  In the very nature of every human being has been sown the seed of the ability to love.  You and I ought to welcome this seed, cultivate it carefully, nourish it attentively and foster its growth by going to the school of God's commandments with help of His grace.

JUST A THOUGHT…. WHAT WOULD ST BASIL SAY, AND WHAT DO WE SAY.

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Just yesterday…the President of Brazil approved the Belo Monte dam project on the Xingu indigenous lands. Belo Monte will be bigger than the Panama Canal, flooding nearly a million acres of rainforest & indigenous lands. 40,000 indigenous and local people will be forced off their native lands (as well as millions of unknown species & plants) In the name of "progress

St Basil the Great, the monastic rule

An alternative life style and how it can be achieved.

ST JOHN CHRSOSTOM

The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others

Poor human reason, when it trusts in itself, substitutes the strangest absurdities for the highest divine concepts”

JUST A THOUGHT

Just yesterday- the President of Brazil approved the Bel...o

Monte dam project on the Xingu indigenous lands. Belo Monte will be bigger than the Panama Canal, flooding nearly a million acres of rainforest & indigenous lands. 40,000 indigenous and local people will be forced off their native lands (as well as millions of unknown species & plants) In the name of "progress“ ….. What would St Basil say

St John Chrysostom, On the priesthood

A work that is a fundamental requirement for anyone living a religious vocation.

This is a work written in a unique literary style where the author presents arguments for and against priesthood by creating a dialogue between two different personalities.

ST JOHN OF THE LADDER

The author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent came to Mt. Sinai when he was 16 and remained there until he died at the age of 80, in about 649. His biographer said of him: "He brought his body up to Mount Sinai, but his spirit he brought to the Mount of Heaven." He spent nineteen years in obedience to his spiritual father, Martyrios. After Martyrios' repose, John retreated to a cave, where he lived for 20 years in strict asceticism. At the importunate urging of the brethren, John accepted the abbacy, and guided them with loving zeal. A monk reproached him for being too verbose, so he was silent for an entire year, not uttering a single word until the brethren begged him to speak. During the year of silence in the cave, John wrote many books, including The Ladder. This icon depicts the journey of spiritual discipline and growth that leads to life.

TROPAR OF THE FORTH SUNDAY OF LENT You have set up a holy ladder by your

words and have shone forth as a teacher of monks you did lead us, O John, from the purification that comes from discipline to the light of the Divine Vision. O righteous father, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

The author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent came to Mt. Sinai when he was 16 and remained there until he died at the age of 80, in about 649. His biographer said of him: "He brought his body up to Mount Sinai, but his spirit he brought to the Mount of Heaven." He spent nineteen years in obedience to his spiritual father, Martyrios. After Martyrios' repose, John retreated to a cave, where he lived for 20 years in strict asceticism. At the importunate urging of the brethren, John accepted the abbacy, and guided them with loving zeal. A monk reproached him for being too verbose, so he was silent for an entire year, not uttering a single word until the brethren begged him to speak. During the year of silence in the cave, John wrote many books, including The Ladder. This icon depicts the journey of spiritual discipline and growth that leads to life.

MARY OF EGYPT

Google The Life of our Holy Mother Mary

of Egypt

Mary Of Egypt This is an inspirational story that is has

become a classic of Christian patristic literature.

DIVINE LITURGY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOMby 簡歷山

SYMBOLISM

An important feature in understanding the Eastern liturgies is that they are filled with symbolism. The symbolism speaks as much about the theology as do the words themselves.

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The first symbol, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in a church. This cathedral in Melbourne, is a cruciform church

THE BEGINNING OF A PONTIFICAL DIVINE LITURGY

STRUCTURE

  The Divine Liturgy of St. John

Chrysostom is composed of three sections.

I) The Liturgy of Oblation 2) the Liturgy of Catechumens 3) the Liturgy of the Faithful

THE LITURGY OF OBLATION:

The first part of the Divine Liturgy is the Liturgy of Oblation, also called "Proskomidia," from the "proskomizo" meaning "to bring” – i.e., to offer. This name is derived from the traditional practice of the laity bringing from their homes the bread and wine to be used for Holy Communion, and handing it to the priest to prepare for the celebration of the Eucharist.

THE SEAL

The Proskomidia involves the preparation of wine, water, and five loaves of bread called "prosphora." The prosphora consists of two pieces of dough joined together (symbolizing the two natures of Christ: Divine and human) they are made of flour, water, and yeast. The Eastern Church uses leavened bread (i.e. bread which rises because of the yeast in it) for Holy Communion as an expression of the belief that the faithful are partaking of the Body and Blood of the Resurrected (Risen) Christ.

 

"0 God, You did send the Heavenly Bread, the food of the entire world, our Lord and God Jesus Christ, the Saviour, Redeemer, and Benefactor, who blesses and sanctifies us: Bless this Offering and accept it on Your Heavenly Altar. 0 You who are Good and Love mankind, remember those who offered it, and those for whom it is offered, and keep us blameless in the service of Your Divine Mysteries."

THE PRIEST THEN PRAYS

The priest then proceeds to the front of the altar, opens the Royal Doors of the Sanctuary and begins the second part of the Divine Liturgy.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

PRIEST IN VESTMENTS ,READY TO CELEBRATE THE DIVINE LITURGY

WHAT A BISHOP LOOKS LIKE

THIS IS WHAT THE BEGINNING OF THE LITURGY LOOKS LIKE

DEACON’S VESTMENT

The Liturgy of Catechumens: The term "catechumen" historically referred to those

individuals who wished to join the Church, but were first required to go through a period of education ("catechesis") before their baptism and chrysmation. Consequently, the Liturgy of the Catechumens contains those elements in the service that are used for teaching (i.e. the Epistle and Gospel readings, and the sermon). This section of the Divine Liturgy begins with the proclamation "Blessed is the Kingdom..." and concludes with the Litany of Fervent Supplication.

 

DEFINITION OF THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST

Only begotten Son and Word of God, although immortal You humbled Yourself for our salvation, taking flesh from the holy Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and, without change, becoming man. Christ, our God, You were crucified but conquered death by death. You are one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit-save us

"Only-Begotten Son"), is a hymn, ascribed to Pope Athanatius 1 of Alexandria. It was written after the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea as an affirmation of the Christological Formula set down by Athanasius. It was first used in the Church of Alexandria but was distributed by Athanasius to all the churches of the world. The hymn is a theological statement of faith in the dogma of the Incarnation.

The hymn is chanted at the end of the Second Antiphon during the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.

SMALL ENTRANCE

SMALL ENTRANCE

Historically the Divine Liturgy began with the entrance of the Gospel book which was kept in a separate room or vault in the portico of the church, which contained all the valuables that were to be used in the Church during the Services.  Amongst these valuables, of course, was the Book of the Gospels "Evangelion."  This room or vault, was known as the "Skevofilakion", a composite Greek word meaning the guarding-pace of the implements or articles. These books were also hand copied and very valuable. This was changed in the 7th century and the Gospel was kept on the altar, signifying a more secure period for the Church.

The deacon carries the Gospel in a way that covers his face. This represents the coming of Christ.

TROPARION

The word "Troparion" refers to a short poetic hymn (chant) that presents the theme of devotion or the event remembered on a feast. Every feast has a Troparion. This Troparion becomes the theme song of the feast or the day .

On Sundays, the Troparion are hymns praising the Resurrection. There are eight resurrectional Troparion corresponding to the eight modes of Greek chant used in our church.Generally, the Troparion in honor of the Patron Saint of the church is sung.Troparion is the singular of Troparia

KONTAKION

Kontakion was originally a long poem. Kontakion consisted of a short preliminary stanza and was followed by some 18 to 24 strophes, each known as an ikos. The stanza and the ikos concluded with the same refrain. Today, the first stanza followed by the first ikos.Also, there are Kontakia for each day of the liturgical year.

IS THERE A MEANING TO THE WAY A PRIEST HOLDS HIS HAND WHEN HE IS GIVING A BLESSING?

I C X C THAT MEANS JESUS CHRIST

MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

We make the Sign of the Cross by touching: 1. our Head, 2. then our Heart, 3. then our RIGHT Shoulder 4. and then our Left Shoulder. Then we make a bow. (We generally always make a bow when crossing

ourselves.) We touch the Right Shoulder first (i.e. before the left) in order to symbolise

Christ, Who sits at the Right Hand of God. We make the Sign of the Cross with the right hand held like so: 1. The first three fingers together (symbolising the Oneness of the 3

Persons of the All-Holy Trinity 2. The remaining two fingers are tucked down into the palm. These 2 remaining fingers represent the 2 Natures of the Christ [Divine and

Human]. The placing of these 2 fingers down into the palm symbolises the descent of the Word into our world, i.e. the Holy Incarnation.

TRISAGION

Holy God, Holy Mighty one, holy immortal one, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty one, holy immortal one, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty one, holy immortal one, have mercy on us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, have

mercy on us.

Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, Have mercy on

us.

The Epistle and Gospel.

The high point of the part of the Catechetical part of the Liturgy

The fact that the hymn was one of the exclamations of the fathers at the Council of Chalcedon (451), and that it is common to all the Greek Oriental liturgies, suggests that the hymn is extremely ancient, perhaps of apostolic-era origin.

The Coptic Orthodox Church believes that the Trisagion originated from Nicodemus. While taking the body of Christ off the cross with Joseph of Aremathea, Nicodemus saw Jesus Christ's eyes open and then shouted "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal". Traditionally, it is also considered proof that his Divinity did not part from his humanity.

THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL:

  This section of the Divine Liturgy brings us to the

apex of the Service to God. We recite the central parts of our faith, as written in the Nicene Creed, and proceed with the Litany for the Faithful. The spiritual journey then leads us to the Consecration of the bread and wine into the Precious Body and Blood of the Savior and ultimately to our Communion with Him in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

The Liturgy of the Faithful then ends with the final blessing, in which we acknowledges that Our Lord is “Good, and loves Mankind”.

REMOVING OURSELVES FROM DAILY LIFE AND UNITING OURSELVES WITH THE ANGELS

CHERUBIC HYMN

We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and who sing to the Life-Giving Trinity the

thrice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all cares of life that we may receive the King of all, escorted invisibly by the angelic orders. While the choirs are singing the cherubic

hymn, the priest says a prayer beseeching God for the grace to serve Him without offence in the coming Eucharist.

Having set aside our worldly cares we join with the multitude of angelic bodiless powers, and "mystically represent the cherubim," who continually "sing the thrice-holy hymn." At this time we have all set aside all of our problems and orientate ourselves, towards God.

The image is actually drawn from the ancient Roman military ritual of acclaiming a new emperor. The soldiers would hoist the newly chosen leader on a shield and all would point their spears straight up, and utter their oath of loyalty, thus the words in the cherubic hymn, “the King of all, Who comes invisibly up-borne (“carried with raised spears”) by the orders of angels.”

THE GREAT ENTRANCE

At the Great Entrance, the diskos and chalice are borne, symbolizing Christ’s willing self-oblation in His holy passion (suffering), death, and burial for our salvation. The deacon bears the diskos, and the priest the chalice, and they are preceded by candle-bearers and cross. In antiquity, there was a separate building or side-chapel where the bread and wine were prepared and lodged. As this part of the liturgy approached, the deacons would take up the gifts and bring them in a procession to the bishop who awaited them in front of the altar.

The “I believe in one God”. This is the prayer of the unity of the

Christian people. ‘This is what brought us together

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER. WHEN DOES THE CHANGE OCCUR?

The Eastern Church has always held the view that it is a mysterious reality, and that it is not within our ability to understand this. There is No moment of consecration. The entire Eucharistic Prayer is a single whole, so that the three main sections of the prayer, Thanksgiving, Anamnesis, and Epiclesis, all form an integral part of the one act of consecration.

COMMUNION

SAVE YOUR PEOPLE O GOD AND BLESS YOUR INHERITANCE

We have seen the true light. We have received the Heavenly spirit. We have found the true faith. We worship the undivided Trinity for having saved us.

Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from you the Father of Lights.