Living our Orthodox Faith in a Multicultural Society
Orthodoxy by its very nature is a demanding religion, one that requires her faithful to fully embrace a lifestyle that is in opposition to the world about us. The many periods of fasting and the practice of standing for our services are just two things that set Orthodoxy apart in our world. In an age when so many embrace religions that require little or no standard of belief, Orthodoxy is a faith that holds to ancient dogmas and ways of worship that are virtually unchanged in two thousand years.
Our multicultural societies have radically changed the face of many countries throughout the western world, with immigration introducing many foreign religions into societies that were previously monolithic in religious tradition. Many countries in Western Europe and North America are now seeing the spread of Orthodoxy as never before, along with the introduction of Islam. This, together with the spread of secularism and atheism, has changed the religious map of many countries.
These changes have made the practice of our faith more difficult since western societies no longer culturally support the open practice of Christianity. No longer do we see the expression of Christianity in the public forum, with the exception of Orthodox countries, prominently being a part of the societal fabric. Many people are even experiencing pressure to keep their faith a private affair, so as not to offend others by being “too religious”. With pluralism dominant in the work place and social settings, any display of our faith can be frowned upon.
This may work for some, but for a serious Orthodox Christian this is problematic. How do we live Orthodoxy as our faith demands if we live it in a vacuum, shuttling it off as a private fare practice only on Sundays? If we are truly to “put on Christ” and be transformed by the healing resources that are available by living a committed Orthodox faith, we can not allow ourselves to live “Orthodoxy Lite”.
Orthodoxy cries out to be lived, experienced, practiced! If we call ourselves Orthodox while rarely attending services, ignoring the fasting regulations, hiding our one icon in a bedroom, never making the sign of the cross in public, praying a blessing over our meal only when alone or with family, we are not practicing Orthodox Christians.
We must be bold in our faith. As a monk who wears my monastic garb everywhere, I can tell you it has a powerful impact on people. Even when sitting among friends who are not religious, I always bless my food. If I see a police car, fire truck or aid car pass by in downtown Seattle, I raise my hand in blessing, for I want my God to keep them safe, and I want whomever is in need of their help to receive it. I wear a cross around my neck not only because I am a priest, but because I am a Believer.
I am not afraid to be public about my faith in Jesus Christ, for my faith demands it of me. Christ told His disciples that if they denied Him before men, so too would He deny them before His Father in heaven. Orthodox Christianity cries out to be lived publicly. Our very salvation demands it!
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo:
The above photo was taken at Saint Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral in Santa Rosa, with my dear friends, Archpriest Lawrence and Matushka Ann Margitich. I stopped in to see them on my way to Burlingame, where I’m staying with friends.
I’ll be delivering the homily at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA., as well as giving a short talk following the trapeza meal, on Sunday, December 5th.
I’m also going to spend time with my longtime friends, Mitered Archpriest Basil and Matushka Joanie Rhodes at Saint Nicholas Church in Saratoga, CA., this week. Please keep Matushka Joanie in your holy prayers, as she is facing some major health issues.
Tuesday November 30, 2021 / November 17, 2021
24th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). Fish Allowed
St. Gregory the Wonderworker of Neo-Caesarea (266).
Venerable Nikon, abbot of Radonezh, disciple of St. Sergius (1426).
Sts. Acisclus and Victoria of Cordoba (4th c.).
Venerable Lazarus the iconographer of Constantinople (857).
Martyr Gobron (Michael) and 133 soldiers of Georgia (914) (Georgia).
St. Sebastian (Dabovich) of Jackson (1940) (Serbia).
Venerable Longinus of Egypt (4th c.).
St. Maximus (Maximian), patriarch of Constantinople (434).
Venerable Gennadius, abbot of Vatopedi, Mt. Athos (14th c.).
St. Gregory, bishop of Tours, and with him Venerable Aredius, abbot of Limoges and Venerable Vulfolaic, stylite of Trier (Gaul).
Venerable Hilda, abbess of Whitby (680) (British).
Martyrs Zachariah the Cobbler and his wife, Mary (3rd c.) (Greek).
Hieromartyr Basil, bishop of Hamah (282).
Martyrs Gregory, Victor, and Geminus of Heracleon in Thrace (304).
150 philosophers converted by St. Catherine, and who suffered in Alexandria (305).
St. John the Cobbler of Olumba, Cairo, and Sinai (7th c.).
The Scripture Readings
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Read full chapter
Luke 14:25-35
Leaving All to Follow Christ
25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”