The authentic identity of the Church
In the Church’s attempt to live an authentic New Testament identity, she knows that she is neither papal or protestant. The Orthodox Church does not have a vertical structure of authority, as does the Roman Catholic Church. Orthodoxy has resisted becoming an authoritarian and juridical institution, while still maintaining the hallowed traditions of the Ancient Church. And just as she has resisted the vertical structure, she resists the horizontal, individualistic pietism of the Protestant church. The Orthodox Church has resisted both the overly horizontal and the overly vertical in her focus, but is rather conciliar in her nature. She has an intense ecclesial consciousness, and is subject to doctrinal, and not simply political consideration.
The Church, in her conciliar nature, has highlighted the distinctive approach and importance of ecclesiology. As an article of faith, the Church is neither a mystical body nor an historical institution, but an incarnational reality that embodies the triune God, set in order by the Holy Spirit. And in her conciliar model, all matters of faith and practice at all levels of the Church are determined by a council. Thus, conciliarity is not an attribute of the episcopacy, but an attribute of the entire Church, from patriarch down to the laity, for her conciliar nature is the very nature of the Church herself.
It is not that the Church “ought” to be conciliar, but because she participates in the divine life, and takes on the qualities of the Trinity, and her very act of organizing the life of the Church becomes an act of worship, drawing her into the very life of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photos: Hieromonk Paul is celebrating his seventh year as a priest. May God grant him many years!
Tuesday December 20, 2016 / December 7, 2016
27th Week after Pentecost. Tone one.
Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). Fish Allowed
St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan (397).
Venerable Nilus, monk, of Stolben Island (1554).
Venerable Anthony, abbot of Siya Monastery (Novgorod) (1556).
New Hieromartyr Sergius (1917).
New Hieromartyr Antonius priest, Hieromartyr Andronic (1918).
St. Ambrosius confessor, bishop of Kamenets-Podolsk (1932).
New Hieromartyrs Sergius, Michael and Sergius priests, Nicephore deacon and Hieromartyr Galaction, Martyr John (1937).
New Hieromartyrs Peter and Basil priests (1941).
Venerable John, faster of St. Sabbas’ monastery.
Martyr Athenodorus of Mesopotamia (304).
Venerable Paul the Obedient.
“Seligersk” (Vladimirsk) Icon of the Mother of God.
Venerable Gregory the Silent of Serbia, founder of Grigoriou Monastery, Mt. Athos (1405) (Greek).
Venerable John, faster of the Kiev Caves (12th c.).
Venerable Ignatius, monk, near Blachernae (Greek).
St. Bassa of Jerusalem, abbess (5th c.).
St. Philothea of Turnovo (1060), whose relics are in Arges, Romania.
St. Diuma, bishop of the Mercians and Middle Anglians.
Martyr Neophytus (Greek).
Martyr Dometius (Greek).
Martyrs Isidore, Acepsimas and Leo (Greek).
Scripture Readings
1 Timothy 5:11-21
11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widowsmarry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
Honor the Elders
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
Luke 21:12-19
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.