Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600
[email protected]
www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements October 17,
2021
Andrew the Righteous Monk-martyr of Crete 10/17/2021
Removal and Placing of the Sacred Relics of the Holy and Righteous
Lazarus 10/17/2021
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND
But Everyone Please wear your mask!
In accordance with CDC information a few months ago, some of the
pandemic restrictions were lifted for attending services. However,
with the recently new surge of the Covid variance cases, we
recommend that
everyone attending service(s) wear a mask, whether vaccinated or
not. Masks will be available at the candle stand for those who may
need them. We look forward to seeing you in person.
Matins & Great Doxology at 9:00 a.m. Broadcast Prep Time 9:55
to 10:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy & Broadcast start time 10:00 a.m
our new ecumenical year.
RENEW YOUR HEART
Share the joy of Divine Liturgy every Sunday 10 a.m.
(or 9 a.m. for Orthros).
Enjoy fellowship with old friends and new faces
at coffee hour.
RENEW YOUR MIND
soon! Join the fun!
For adults, check out our educational resources and Bible
study
offerings to explore the richness of Orthodox
theology and tradition.
RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT
lives on. Sign up online for recurring contributions.
Get involved! Everyone has a place at St. Barbara,
with many ways to serve. Learn about our ministries!
3
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these
things, so that
those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves
to good
deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid
controversies,
genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are
unprofitable and
futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or
twice, have
nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is
perverted and sinful;
he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me
at Nicopolis, for I have
decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the
lawyer and Apollos on their
way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply
themselves to good deeds, so
as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us
in the faith. Grace be with
you all. Amen.
Στχ. τι δκαιος ε π πσιν, ος ποησας μν.
Πρς Ττον τ νγνωσμα 3:8-15
Τκνον Ττε, πιστς λγος, κα περ τοτων βολομα σε διαβεβαιοσθαι, να
φροντζωσιν
καλν ργων προστασθαι ο πεπιστευκτες θε. τατ στιν καλ κα φλιμα
τος
νθρποις μωρς δ ζητσεις κα γενεαλογας κα ριν κα μχας νομικς
περιστασο, εσν
γρ νωφελες κα μταιοι. αιετικν νθρωπον μετ μαν κα δευτραν νουθεσαν
παραιτο,
εδς τι ξστραπται τοιοτος κα μαρτνει, ν ατοκατκριτος. ταν πμψω
ρτεμν
πρς σ Τυχικν, σποδασον λθεν πρς με ες Νικπολιν, κε γρ κκρικα
παραχειμσαι.
Ζηνν τν νομικν κα πολλν σπουδαως πρπεμψον, να μηδν ατος λεπ.
μανθαντωσαν δ κα ο μτεροι καλν ργων προστασθαι ες τς ναγκαας χρεας,
να μ
σιν καρποι. σπζοντα σε ο μετ μο πντες. σπασαι τος φιλοντας μς ν
πστει.
χρις μετ πντων μν.
The Gospel According to Luke 8:5-15
The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and
as he sowed, some fell
along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the
air devoured it. And some
fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it
had no moisture. And some
fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And
some fell into good soil
and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked
him what this parable
meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of
the kingdom of God; but
for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see,
and hearing they may not
understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
The ones along the path
are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the
word from their hearts, that they may not
believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when
they hear the word, receive it with joy; but
these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of
temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the
thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they
are choked by the cares and riches and
pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that
in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the
word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth
fruit with patience." As he said these things, he
cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
κ το Κατ Λουκν Εαγγελου τ νγνωσμα 8:5-15
Επεν Κριος τν παραβολν τατην· ξλθεν σπερων το σπεραι τν σπρον ατο.
κα ν τ σπερειν
ατν μν πεσε παρ τν δν, κα κατεπατθη, κα τ πετειν το ορανο κατφαγεν
ατ· κα τερον
πεσεν π τν πτραν, κα φυν ξηρνθη δι τ μ χειν κμδα· κα τερον πεσεν ν
μσ τν κανθν,
κα συμφυεσαι α κανθαι ππνιξαν ατ. κα τερον πεσεν ες τν γν τν γαθν,
κα φυν ποησε
καρπν κατονταπλασονα. τατα λγων φνει· χων τα κοειν κουτω. Επηρτων δ
ατν ο μαθητα
ατο λγοντες· τς εη παραβολ ατη; δ επεν· μν δδοται γνναι τ μυστρια
τς βασιλεας το
Θεο, τος δ λοιπος ν παραβολας, να βλποντες μ βλπωσι κα κοοντες μ
συνισιν. στι δ ατη
παραβολ· σπρος στν λγος το Θεο· ο δ παρ τν δν εσιν ο κοσαντες, ετα
ρχεται διβολος
κα αρει τν λγον π τς καρδας ατν, να μ πιστεσαντες σωθσιν. ο δ π τς
πτρας ο ταν
κοσωσι, μετ χαρς δχονται τν λγον, κα οτοι ζαν οκ χουσιν, ο πρς
καιρν πιστεουσι κα ν
καιρ πειρασμο φστανται. τ δ ες τς κνθας πεσν, οτο εσιν ο κοσαντες,
κα π μεριμνν κα
πλοτου κα δονν το βου πορευμενοι συμπνγονται κα ο τελεσφοροσι. τ δ
ν τ καλ γ, οτο εσιν
οτινες ν καρδ καλ κα γαθ κοσαντες τν λγον κατχουσι κα καρποφοροσιν
ν πομον. τατα
λγων φνει· χων τα κοειν κουτω.
5
40 Days Sophie Makrys
(Grandmother of Paul Kacoyanis)
On Friday, September 3, 2021, Sophie Makrys of Rockville, Maryland,
raised and educated in Washington, DC, passed
away at the age of 91. Sophie was the cherished daughter of Gus and
Anna Stephanos. She was preceded in death by
her loving husband, James G, Makrys, and is survived by her beloved
children, Daphne Antzoulatos and her husband
George, George J. Makrys and wife Ilana, Anna Kacoyanis and husband
Dennis, her four grandchildren: Sophia and
Demetri Antzoulatos, Paul Kacoyanis, Leah Cuddihy and husband
Scott, as well as her five great-grandchildren: Isabella,
Max, Loukas, Christian, and Adriana, her godson, George N. Makrys,
and her goddaughter, Joanne Costa.
Prior to moving to Rockville, Maryland, Sophie lived with her
husband in Wareham, Massachusetts for many years and
was active in the local chapter of the Philoptochos Society
affiliated with the St. George Greek Orthodox Church of N.
Dartmouth, Massachusetts, then located in New Bedford,
Massachusetts.
Sophie loved to cook and all who sampled her cooking looked forward
to her Greek macaroni-cheese dish, stuffed grape
leaves, signature Spanakopita, and mouth-watering desserts. And, as
a proud member of the local garden club, she
would display her floral arrangements for those gatherings.
Sophie devoted her life to family and friends and would be there
for you, both in difficult and joyous times. She will be
greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
6
Prot. No. 231/2021
October 17, 2021
Unto the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Hierarchs, Pious Priests
and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, Presidents
and Members of Parish Councils, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, Members of Leadership 100,
the Day and Afternoon Schools, Philoptochos Societies, the Youth,
Greek Orthodox Organizations, and the entirety
of the Christ-named Plenitude of the Holy Archdiocese of
America.
λην τν μραν λεε κα δανζει δκαιος κα τ σπρμα ατο ες ελογαν σται.
(Ψαλμς 36:26)
All the day long the righteous show mercy and lend, and their
offspring shall be a blessing. (Psalm 36:26, LXX)
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Archiepiscopal Encyclical for National Leadership 100 Sunday Every
member of Leadership 100 makes an
extraordinary commitment to endow and seed the ministries of the
Church that are accessed by all Her members.
Leadership 100 is a quintessential instrument of generosity for the
Archdiocese, and it has fulfilled this all-important
role for more than four decades.
Today, we are celebrating National Leadership 100 Sunday – an
opportunity to learn more about the work of this
organization, and an opportunity to express our gratitude. This
movement of munificence and philanthropy has given
our Archdiocese many gifts, but none greater than its support for
Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology. Leadership 100 has stood in the breach for our
Scholi and bridged the gap more than once, in
order to ensure that the Archdiocese would maintain a steady stream
of qualified candidates for the Holy Priesthood.
Today, when we celebrate all their accomplishments, let us remember
that Leadership 100 is comprised of fellow
brothers and sisters of our Church, each of whom has decided to
give back to the Lord in thanksgiving for the
blessings that they have received. Let us take this day to also
give thanks for them and to them, for their wise
stewardship, and for their dedication and commitment to our Holy
Church.
With paternal love in our Lord Jesus Christ,
7
Spanakopita Prep for Philoptochos Holiday Pastry Sale – Sunday,
October 24th I know we just did this a few weeks ago, but thanks to
the timing of things, we are now looking for a date to
prepare the small 8x8 pans of spanakopita that we offer for the
annual Philoptochos Holiday Pastry Sale.
Due to scheduling challenges, we’re going to have to try something
a little different this time… we’re hoping to
gather on Sunday, October 24th, starting at approximately 1pm,
after services, to assemble spanakopitas.
I know it’s a lot to ask of people to give up some of their Sunday
afternoon, but if you could please consider
staying after services, or coming by for a couple of hours, we
would really appreciate the help. We’re aiming to
make about 125 small pans, which is fewer than years past, so my
hope is, that with enough people, we can get
it done in record time.
To ensure we have enough workers, I would appreciate if you could
let me know by this Sunday, September
19th, if you are able to help on October 24th.
Thanks again for your stewardship, and your commitment to the St
Barbara community!
Regards,
Cindy
NEWCOMERS WELCOME
Now that we have gotten some responses from the new altar boys and
their families, we would like to plan a first training session. It
will give us an opportunity to welcome boys who want to try, and
give the ones who have already been coming more confidence. We will
have our first altar boy training session on Sunday, October 24th,
immediately following the coffee hour. If your boy(s) is(are)
interested, we would love to see them there! As with all our other
functions at church, we will all be fully masked and cognizant of
keeping everyone safe and healthy. Thanks so much, George
Glekas
8
October :
Monday,10/25/2021 - Cook-out lunch at Rollingview (Falls of the
Neuse). *** RSVP to Toula by Wednesday, 10/20/2021 (email or 919
810-2903)
The burgers and hot dogs will be supplied. *Please brings side
dishes. Van rented for transportation. Individual cars are
welcomed.
Meet at the church at 10am.
November: Monday, 11/08/2021 - Field trip to Southern Supreme
Fruitcake and More ... (Bear Creek, NC). *** RSV to
Toula by Wednesday, 10/03/2021 (email or 919-810-2903). We will be
traveling to Bear Creek, NC to partake on this bakery's tour.
Van rented for transportation. Individual cars are welcomed. Meet
at the church at 8am.
Saturday, 11/13/2021 at 1:30pm - Chair Exercises in the
Multi-Purpose Room.
instructor: Lily Caltis Washington
December: Saturday, 12/11/2021 at 3pm - Holiday Music by the NC
Symphony *** RSVP to Toula by Thursday,
10/21/2021 TENATIVE activity depending on attendance - trying to
get group rate. Anticipated cost under $40 per person.
Tuesday, 12/28/2021 at 9am - early New Year's breakfast at
Creedmoor Cafe *** RSVP to Toula by
Wednesday, 12/22/2021
Target Date to Restart Greek School Saturday October 23rd After a
pandemic-induced shutdown, we are hoping to start up our St.
Barbara Greek School program soon. We would like to target
Saturday, October 23rd for the first day of classes. Since we have
had success with masking and social distancing in our Sunday
School, we are confident that we can provide a safe learning
environment for our child and adult classes. If you and/or your
child have interest in Greek School this year, we have attached a
registration form to this email. You can also simply reply to this
email with the following details (adults need not worry about age
and grade level!):
Student’s name:
Address:
Telephone number:
E-mail address(es):
Since we have had such a long hiatus, we assume it might take a few
weeks to determine class levels. We will then follow up with new
books and a more concrete schedule. If you know of anyone else who
might be interested, feel free to pass this information along. If
you have any questions, please just let us know!
Thanks so much, Evy Glekas, Greek School Director George Glekas,
Greek School Assistant
10
Stewards as of October 14, 2021
Thank you for your continuing support of St. Barbara. As of October
14, 2021 we had 153 Stewards or 96% of our 2021
goal of 160. Please join us to meet our annual goal by pledging
your support. Your time, talents and treasury are
critical to the success of our ministries and meeting our operating
expenses.
We continue to need your help during these trying times. Please
give prayerful consideration to your 2021
contribution as soon as possible. The Church’s mission and expenses
continue in the face of the Covid pandemic.
Ackerley, John & Ellie Claypoole, Chris & Michelle
Heraclis, Marlena & Constance Mavrogiorgos, Dr. Nicholaos
Qaqish, Dr. Olgha
Alexander, Dr. Susan Cocolas, Erie Hero, Basil & Dr. Marjory
Charlot & Arboleda, Mario
Alexiades, Alec and Frances Connell, Rose Marie Hondos, Effie &
Dina Megaro, Mathew & Tina Quint, Angelia
Alger, Amy Constantinou, Catherine & Jurau, Christian Messis,
Panos Rheinhardt, Keith & Alexa
Amos, Matt & Vicky Wes Platt Kacoyanis, Anna Mikhaylyants,
Irina Rudnick, Ben & Irene
Anderson, Pat & Antonia Constatinou, Costas Kacoyanis, Paul
McGovern, Victoria Safarikas, Al & Christine
Armfield, Christina Constantinou, Lou Kalaidzidis, Gregorios &
Lindsay McWhirter, MaryJon Saloupis, Peter
Arvanitis, Marina Costas, Dean Kambeseles, Jack Morris, Kostantinos
Shepard, Bernadette
Assimos, Dean Dababnah, Sharon Kamilaris, Christos & Janet
Nolas, Billy & Julie Stavrakakis, Mattheos & Marika
Athas, William & Donna Dafnis, Dr. Elaine Kamilaris, Nikolas
Odzak, Larry & Hope Stutts, Linda
Bakis, Basile & Mary Dais, George & Helen Karamalegos,
Antonios & Claire Oladipo, Richard Sullivan, Bill and
Jennifer
Bakis, George & Maria Dasher, James Kash, Dr. Thomas & Dr.
Zoe Paliouras, Cindy Sunas, Marian
Bakis, James Dates, John & Ana Kekis, Theoharis Paliouras, Jim
& Helen Tesfatsion, Senait
Balafas, Nicholas & Eugenia Delagrammatikas, Dr. George
Kepraios, William & Elaine Paliouras, John & Dena
Theophanos, Rebecca
Barbee, Effie & Chrystal Klikas, Paul & Mann, Dana
Paliouras, Nicholas Tise, Lauren Bonfiglio
Barton, Lance & Maria (Marinos) Demetriades, Gus & Vanessa
Korach, Dr. Kenneth & Karen Paliouras, Niko Trohanis,
Donna
Becak, Thalia Dennos, Anne Koutouzakis, Helen Panos, Peter &
Evelyn Tylecote, Alexander & Emily
Beridze, Tamar Dennos, George & Patricia Kyper, Dr. Andrew
Panov, Yuri & Eliseeva, Yelena Tryphonos, Tryphon &
Suzanne
Biggs, John & Diana Dobrica Dorton, Betty Kuyper, Dr. Lee &
Pauline Pantelidis, James & Stella Valakas, Antonia
Blackley, Agape Easton, Brian & Maria Lagodinos, Nikolaos &
Pantermakis, George & Janet Varelas-Ruiz, Georgina
Bonfiglio, Barbara Edwards, Tia Patras, Konstantina Papazoglou,
Matina Varelas, John
Bourbous, Nick Fedorovska, Natalya Lambiris, Elias & Madelene
Papanikas, Kleanthis Vurnakes, Jimmy & Frances
Bourbous, Peter Ferris, Laurice Livanos, Geoge & Angelika
Vlachos, Demetra
Callahan, Katherine Marie Fotinos, Nickolas & Myriam Livas,
Katherine Papanikas, Sam & Cleopatra Watters, Jacques &
Christine
Capsalis, Manuel Frangakis, Dr. Crist & Maria Lockett, Paul
& Melanie Pappas, Joanna Wilson, Preston & Catherine
Carr, Sophie Gallins, Teddy & Helen Loden, Martha Pappas,
Katherine Wippich, Robert & Roberta
Chamis, Christos & Alice Georgiou, Nicholas Lyras, Thalea
Pappas, Dr. Ted & Theky Xenakis, Betsy
Christakos, Andrew & Cheryl Gkoulioumis, Konstantinos Mangum,
Daniel & Dr. Hrisavgi Paraschos, Sofia Young, Davis &
Georgianne
Christakos, Eleni & Mantzouka, Eleftheria Mamaies, Fr.
Stavroforos Pashales, George Zaferatos, Deno & Kerri
Christakos, Lia Glekas, Dr. George & Dr. Amy Mariakakis, Johnny
& Catherine Pavlidid, Pavlos & Meltem Zehia,
Christina
Christi, George & Deborah Glekas, Jim & Evy Marinos, Dr.
Pete & Joan Pepper, Daisy Zehia, Tony & Evelyn
Chronaki, Dr. Bessie Goodwin, Len & Elaine Martin, Azeb
Przybyl, Daniel & Lori Zervakis, Anastasios
& Harriette Condes
Please remember your Church. If you have not, as yet, become a 2021
Steward of St. Barbara, please join your fellow Parishioners in
supporting our beloved Church. Thank you.
11
2021 Mortgage Fund Donors as of October 14, 2021
Our St. Barbara Church is our spiritual home. Your pledges and
donations fund our $13,000 monthly mortgage payment to M&F Bank
in Durham. Thank you so very much for your active and generous
support. The List Of Donors as October 14, 2021 follows:
Alexander, Susan Lambiris, Elias & Madelene
Alexiades, Alec & Frances Livas, Katherine
Amos, Matt & Vickie Loden, Martha
Athas, William & Donna Mamaies, Fr. Stavroforos
Barton, Lance & Mariakakis, Johnny & Catherine
Maria (Marinos) Marinos, Harry
Carr, Sophie Mavrogiorgos, Drs. Nikolaos
Christakos, Andrew & Cheryl & Marjory Charlot
Christakos, Eleni Megaro, Matthew & Tina
Christie, George & Deborah Nicholson, Terri
Chronaki, Dr. Bessie Odzak, Larry & Hope
Cocolas, Erie Paliouras, Cindy
Dates, John & Ana Panos, Peter & Evelyn
Dennos, Anne Panov, Yuri & Elena Eliseeva
Farmakis, Daisy Pappas, Dr. Ted & Theky
Ferris, Laurice Parzakonis, John & Eugenia
Frangakis, Dr. Crist & Maria Philoptochos
Glekas, Dr. George & Dr. Amy Przybyl, Daniel & Lori
Glekas, Jim & Evy Rheinhardt, Keith & Alexia
Goodwin, Len & Elaine Sosangelis, Savas & Linda
Green, Marlayna Stavrakakis, Mattheos & Marika
Kacoyanis, Anna Trohanis, Donna
Kacoyanis, Paul Vlachos, Demetra
Kepraios, Dean Xenakis, Betsy
Koutouzakis, Helen Zehia, Tony & Evelyn
Please prayerfully join this list to help meet and reduce our
mortgage.
Thank you.
12
When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor
God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Everyone looks forward to coffee hour after Divine Liturgy on
Sunday. It’s a time to socialize
and catch up with other members of St. Barbara’s. Hosting coffee
hour gives members a
chance to donate their time to this social ministry that feeds the
body after Divine Liturgy
feeds the soul.
We need a volunteer for coffee hour coordinator. Duties DO NOT
include set up and clean up
– rather the coordinator is responsible to remind the group
responsible for setting up and
cleaning up for coffee hour, assisting their fellow parishioners
who host coffee hour by letting
them know what is expected/needed and ensuring there are enough
coffee hour supplies on
hand.
Everyone enjoys the wonderful fellowship and tasty treats that
bring us together every Sunday
after socially after the Divine Liturgy. Please help if you can; we
need a coordinator so that we
continue to enjoy a cup of coffee and each other’s company every
Sunday. We will teach you
everything you need to know! Please contact Daniel Przybyl if you
are able to help.
13
The Signficance of the fathers of the 7th Council
“Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established
our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them
didst guide us all to the true Faith” (troparion for the Fathers of
the Seventh Ecumenical Council).
Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given
Me, that they may be one, as We are… Neither pray I for these
alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their
word; That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I
in Thee, that they also may be one in Us (John 17:11, 20-21). We
need to bring this prayer of the Savior to mind more and more
often, in order not to stray from the path within the darkness of
the godless world; in order not to be deceived by the bright,
shrill light of ungodly doctrines; in order to be with God always;
and in order to remember that this unity is possibly only in God’s
Church.
Fear not, little flock! – only believe, the Lord is with you all
days (Luke 12:32). Fear not, little flock! – I shall leave you
God’s Church, the pillar and ground of truth. Live in it; live
through it; only it is immovable, neither changing nor deceiving,
for the Lord Himself is in it. He guards the holy truth in the
catholicity of the Church’s decisions.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us (Acts 15:28):
conciliar decisions were proclaimed using these words on every
occasion and at all times. The seven pillars – the Seven Ecumenical
Councils – firmly and unwaveringly support the vault of the Church,
while the canons protect God’s truth in the world.
My dear ones, it is the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council
to whom we are obliged to give thanks that our churches, our cells,
and our homes are sanctified with holy icons; that living flames
glimmer before them in lampadas; that we fall down in prostration
before the holy relics; and that the smoke of holy incense lifts
our hearts to the heavenly abodes, parting us from earth. The grace
of revelation from these holy objects has filled many, many hearts
with love for God and animated many spirits that were already quite
dead.
But all this might not have been, if there had not been a time in
the eighth century when the Holy Fathers of the Church – holy
hierarchs and monks – stood up in defense of these holy objects.
Their struggle, to the shedding of blood, extinguished many
bonfires made up of icons, which had been blazing over the course
of fifty years.
The Seventh Ecumenical Council affirmed that iconography is a
special form of revelation of Divine reality; and that through the
Divine services and icons, Divine revelation becomes accessible to
the faithful, to our domain. Through the icon, just as through Holy
Scripture, we not only learn about God, but we come to know God;
through the holy icons of the God-pleasers we touch transfigured
man, a partaker of the Divine life; through the icon we receive the
all-sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit.
The icon, according to the Fathers, is also prayer. A consecrated
icon is itself holy. When we pray before it, the holy words of our
prayers and the visible holy image of the icon before us
simultaneously transfigure us, directing even us sinners and
earthly people to holiness.
But now in our highly complex and difficult times, when a new
paganism has again blinded the world, does not a new iconoclasm
loudly declare itself? They no longer destroy icons, but rather
they gather them, they hunt for them. But some see only the beauty
of antiquity and the exotic in them, while others are captivated by
the professional perfection of the images, and still others
sacrilegiously stretch out their hands to them, in order to turn
them into silver or gold.
14
Is this not blasphemy?
And they hold icons in their hands and keep them on the walls of
their houses, but do not know that the Holy Spirit is looking for
living and inspired temples worthy of the inhabitation of holiness
in the owners of icons; and not finding such, He will withdraw. And
then this woeful sentence will be pronounced over them: There is
none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They
are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable
(Romans 3:11-12). And God’s wrath will abide on them.
My dear ones, is this not frightful? That which should sanctify man
makes him even more sinful, joining to the other sins the grievous
sin of offending the Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit withdraws,
and man becomes blind and unable to see God’s miracles.
My friends! If you have a sacred object like an icon at home, do
not forget about it. Let us turn our gaze to it daily, let us speak
with it in the words of prayer or of a troparion, or let us simply
stand silently, clinging to it with our soul. Then we will draw
daily sanctification, life for the soul, and strength from the
icon.
I will not list examples of God’s gifts that we have received
through the holy icons and through the holy Mysteries of the
Church. They are innumerable. Every day the Holy Church glorifies
the icons of the Mother of God and celebrates the memory of the
holy God-pleasers. Their icons are placed before us on analogions
for veneration. The living religious experience of each one of us,
the experience of our gradual transfiguration through them, makes
us faithful children of the Holy, Universal, Orthodox Church.
This is the true embodiment in the world of the works of the Holy
Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council. That is why, of all the
victories over a multitude of various heresies, only the victory
over iconoclasm and the restoration of icon-veneration was
proclaimed to be the Triumph of Orthodoxy. The faith of the Fathers
of the Seven Ecumenical Councils is the eternal and immutable
foundation of Orthodoxy.
But now the terrible waves of the worldwide flood that once
destroyed the human race are again covering the world with lies and
falsehood, ready to engulf the universe, to destroy faith in
Christ, and to distort His teaching. Our only salvation, our ark,
is the Holy Church, guided on its way by its heavenly luminaries:
the writings of the holy God-pleasers.
Let us not neglect this ark! LET US NOT DEVIATE BY OUR SELF-OPINION
AND PRIDE FROM HUMBLY OBEYING THE TRUTH OF THE CHURCH! LET US NOT
BOARD ANY OTHER SHIP THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY FALSE TEACHINGS! LET
US NOT FALL AWAY THROUGH COLDNESS AND DUPLICITY OF SOUL FROM THE
GUIDEANCE OF HOLY SCRIPTURE! AND LET US BE SAVED!
Glory to the Immortal and Unseen God the Father! Glory to the
Immortal God the Son, Who has revealed Himself in the flesh! Glory
to the Immortal God the Holy Spirit, Who has spoken through the
Prophets, Apostles, and Holy Fathers! Most Holy Trinity, Glory be
to Thee! For each and every thing, glory be to Thee! Amen.
Delivered October 14, 27, 1991