There is no salvation outside authentic community
Orthodoxy is all about community. The fierce individualism found in much of what claims to be Christianity is in opposition to the Orthodox understanding of faith. The Church as the Body of Christ is where we are united in Christ, becoming part of community. The ancient Greek word Ecclesia literally means to be called into authentic community.
It is within the Church that our personal transformation is intimately connected with the interaction we have with others, and runs side by side with our fellow believers. Ecclesia in modern usage refers to the Church and her role as a spiritual hospital, a place wherein we receive the healing that comes from Christ.
This truth is demonstrated by the fact that we are called by the scriptures to be at peace with our brethren before receiving the Holy Mysteries. We are asked to forgive others as we would be forgiven. We are even called upon by Christ to love our enemies.
Our Christian faith cannot be lived in a vacuum. Our personal transformation requires working out our salvation within community. Even the confession of our sins takes place within this community, for each time we sin, we sin against the whole of the Body of Christ.
When we say there is no salvation outside authentic community, it is to be understood that, ultimately, we need to be as concerned about the salvation of others just as much as we’re concerned about our own salvation. This is why we must pray for everyone, minister to everyone, witness to everyone, and love everyone. Salvation comes, not privately, but in community.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Wednesday December 9, 2015 / November 26, 2015
28th Week after Pentecost. Tone two.
Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). Food with Oil
Venerable Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis (640).
Dedication of the Church of St. George at Kiev (1051).
Repose of St. Innocent, first bishop of Irkutsk (1731).
New Hieromartyrs Nicholas, John, Gregory and Nazarius, Basil, Basil, Ilia, Basil, Daniel, Michael, Nicholas priests, New Hieromartyr Tikhon (1937).
New Hieromartyr Piter (after 1937).
Venerable James the Solitary of Syria (457).
Venerable Nicon Metanoeite (“Preacher of Repentance”) of Armenia (998).
New Martyr George of Chios (1807) (Greek).
Venerables Athanasius and Theodosius of Cherepovets (1382), disciples of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Venerable Stylianos of Paphlagonia, monk (Greek).
St. Silas, bishop of Persidos (Greek).
St. Peter, patriarch of Jerusalem (552).
St. Acacius of Mt. Latros (6th c.) (Greek).
Scripture Readings
2 Timothy 4:9-22
The Abandoned Apostle
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.
16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
The Lord Is Faithful
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Come Before Winter
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
Farewell
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Luke 18:15-17
Jesus Blesses Little Children
15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Good article! I’m Catholic and I struggle with this “community” issue. Everyone lives so far apart from each other and I don’t have the luxury of driving a car because i’m legally blind. I’m also profoundly deaf. Anyway, many people in Seattle don’t wear Christianity on their sleeves and so it’s hard to connect with them when they’re not community oriented. Because of this I feel very isolated in community as well as in faith. We all need support system for growth (Iron sharpens iron..) as well as for salvation. Thank you again for your message.
It is the IDEAL, but it is far from reality, though it is always the real Church’s goal to live in it with authenticity as an individual in a Community. Until then many of us are found outside where God also does his work. This is just my opinion, and I am just a Christian without a larger Church body feeling that Church starts at home, in your heart, mind and soul, extending to your family living it to the best of our ability. I think that is all what God wants from us, unless he gives us opportunity and possibilities to do more. And that depends on who we believe God is and our understanding of him. Church always came unto the community, not the Community unto the Church. And the later is transforming the Churches of today, not the Church the Community. Peace in dialogue.
When I wrote that there is no salvation outside authentic community, it is to be understood that, ultimately, I need to be as concerned about your salvation, as much as I’m concerned about mine. This is why we must pray for everyone, minister to everyone, witness to everyone, and love everyone. Salvation comes, not privately, but in community.
Where two or more are gathered together in “MY NAME” there I will be also. I do believe this very strongly. Two is the beginning of community, as we know and live it for man from time born to eternity. And in agreement we’ve become one with God. I ask what is God’s highest “GOOD” for man in TODAYS world (reality), not yesterdays? Yes we are concerned and pray for each others salvation, and I am concerned for mine and the growth and working out therein. Very thankful for your stimulating and mindful expression of God’s LOVE for having given us Community in His Name. Lord open our eyes so we may see. Amen
I find our church has a great community, perhaps too good and we have forgotten about the greater community outside our doors. We have sealed off the outside world and now enjoy our little community life. Perhaps it is just me that feels we are missing a bigger picture of the love and mysteries of God. There seems to be a mantra that unless it is Orthodox don’t tell me about it. And unless it is in the tradition “x” that it isn’t our tradition. As an evangelical I was tired of having to judge everyone on if they said “the prayer” or not and embraced the love and mysteries of Christ through the Orthodox Church. 12 years later (and a city move and several priests later) the love and mysteries of Christ have been replaced with proper rubrics and (t)raditions that seem to feel constricting and authoritative.
Sorry about rant. I do love my Orthodox faith, as with all my struggles they all have “me” in common.
This is difficult for introverts. It is easy for introverts in the Roman Catholic tradition since you are pretty much left alone and your relationship with the clergy can be as anonymous as you like. This is symptomatic of how societies are so much different from those of the Early Church. Even if you have something in common with those around you it is difficult for the introvert, perhaps because of poor reading of social cues or from being “energized” or motivated differently from the majority.