Mercy and legality in one soul is like a man who worships God and the idols in one house. — Saint Isaac the Syrian
I think it should be part of catechetical instruction, as demonstrated in the Didache, be left up to the individual convert to implement, or not, the teachings of the Church into their life. Since it is the Church that changes us, and not we who change the Church, we all need the grace that flows forth through the life of the Church to work on us.
The Church is not like a political party, where we should be required to sign a document where we agree to accept all the moral and doctrinal teachings of the Church before the Church has had a chance to transform us. To require such submission before entering the healing institution that is, by her nature, a hospital of the soul, is not part of our tradition. To require such agreement before the individual has had a chance for the Church to work the miracle of transformation of the will, can easily result in either the signing of an agreement because they have to, or sign but not mean it, or, run away from the Church before even getting in the door.
This given, I think it better to start the catechetical instruction with the teachings of the Church’s doctrine, liturgical practices, the Nature of God, the Holy Mysteries, etc., and leave the moral teachings until the very end. the political correctness of our secular and disbelieving society at large has so influenced the populous, the moral teachings of the Church are seen by the vast number of our population as nothing but bigotry and judgmentalism.
Because the Church’s approach is hypostatic, the Orthodox way to support people and share compassion is not in crowds or groups, or with banners and demonstrations, but with personal expressions of love and compassion. The Elder Sophrony of Essex demonstrated this by greeting the daughter of one of his monks, a young woman who was not Orthodox, and who had arrived in Essex, England, sporting a black leather jacket with spikes, a purple Mohawk, and numerous piercings, with a big hug. We don’t have to approve of another persons lifestyle, but we ARE called to love them.
Hypostatic union (from the Greek: ὑπόστασις, “hypostasis,” translated reality or person) is a term in Orthodox Christian theology used to describe the Incarnation, expressing the revealed truth that in Christ one person subsists in two natures, the Divine and the human.
The whole phenomenon of activism, lobbying, protesting, politics etc. etc, is the way the world deals with the problems of perceived injustice and the need for communion with others of like mind. God created us to need each other and also to want to do good. The former are examples of man’s attempt to do it on his own.
The Church, however, should not get caught up in any movement or way of thinking, whether manifested by our coming up with a list of our own “politically church-correct” moral dogmas to sign during catechism, or seeing the Church joining in on social justice activities, or vilifying those who do participate in these activities or social causes. For us, our spirituality is one of Person, as revealed to us in the ultimate person of Christ. The world’s way of depersonalizing is it focuses on abstractions and ideas about persons.
The world’s focus is on “issues.”
But for us, when the counter-cultural person of the world knocks on our door, bedecked with piercings, tattoos and a mohawk, or proclaiming “lifestyle” preferences in opposition to Biblical teachings, we must transcend the outer appearance, and look, as Christ would, into the heart of a Person, reach out to that person, and love and embrace him or her.
Only by such sincere, demonstrable love can we win hearts and eventually create a relationship which grants us the boldness and earns us the right to speak the words of Christ, when He said: “Your faith has healed you; go and sin no more.” The story of Elder Sophrony is a perfect example of what I am suggesting.
Having said all this, I think in the case of the unborn, these are persons in the womb who cannot speak and we need to vocalize and visually demonstrate on behalf of them. So I’m all for the Church peacefully demonstrating against he injustice of abortion.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Icon: Elder (soon to be saint) Sophrony of Essex
Monday January 23, 2017 / January 10, 2017
32nd Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Afterfeast of the Theophany.
St. Gregory of Nyssa (395).
Venerable Dometian, bishop of Melitene (601).
St. Theophan the Recluse, bishop of Tambov (1894).
Venerable Marcian, presbyter of Constantinople (471).
Venerable Paul, abbot of Obnora (Vologda) (1429), and his disciple St. Macarius, abbot of Pisma Monastery.
Venerable Antipas of Valaam (1882).
New Hieromartyr Zenobius priest (1920).
New Hieromartyr Peter priest (1930).
New Hieromartyr Anatolius metropolite of Odessa (1938).
Woman Hieromartyr Arsenia abbes (1939).
Venerable Macarius of Pisemsk and Kostroma (14c).
Blessed Theosebia the Deaconess (385), sister of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa.
Venerable Ammon of Nitria, monk (5th c.).
Venerable Antipas of Galapodeshti, Romania and Valaam Monastery (1882) (Romania).
Martyred Elder Ephraim and six incorrupt monks of Obnora (1538).
The Scripture Readings
John 10:1-9
Jesus the True Shepherd
10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me[a] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
James 2:14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Mark 10:46-52
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Thank you for mentioning about your approval of the Church’s peacefully demonstrating against the injustice of abortion.
Abbot Tryphon
I ask and pray for your blessings.
I am a Greek Orthodox living in Sydney, Australia and subscribe to your post which I read with anticipation every day. May God bless you to allow you to continue your wonderful and guidance and may God have mercy on us lay people, to be able to put into practice what we hear and are taught, for “love without works” is pointless…
Abbot, on your commentary above, what would your comments be on ‘same sex marriage’…is this not a ‘lifetsyle’ issue too? I realise we are meant to love our brothers and sisters who may be in same sex relations, but here in Australia, our church actively lobbied the government in trying to abolish laws that my see same-sex marriages legalised, as well as lobbying governments about programs that have either found their way, or are intending to make mainstream in our public schools promoting same sex relations, intergender discussion an exploring the ‘other sexes, promoting an environment where a child is taught to actively explore their sexuality from a very young age and decide for themselves if they identify as male, or female, or both/neither!!! As a father of 3 young girls, this disgusts, shocks and frightens me as it goes, not against ‘lifestyle decisions’, but against nature!
Should we as a church not actively seek formal/legal ways of trying to voice the churches opinion and stance on these matters?
I realise it is a very sensitive issue, but an issue that we as Christian/orthodox MUST address with the guidance and support of our church clergy.
I look forward to your comments and wish God keeps you enlightened and in good health.
In Christ
Andrew Papas
Sydney, Australia
Well, I believe we need to be bold, as a Church, in proclaiming the biblical morality that has been passed down from the Fathers. I also believe we, as the Church, must be careful that we not be simply dismissed as a bunch of backward fundamentalists, full of hatred and judgementalism. When it comes to same-sex marriage, and transgender people, I always feel it best to minister in a one-on-one setting. I want to see broken people given a change before the Mercy Seat of our loving God. If people feel nothing but judgment and condemnation from the Church, they will hardly be availing themselves to the medicine the Church has to offer.
I falll far short in this matter. Lord, have mercy on me a sinner. Father, please pray for me.
Your own local catechumen approves and agrees with above document, Father. More seriously, it seems telling that that once oft repeated phrase “Miracle of Life” is no longer heard anywhere, these days.
I so appreciate this post, Fr. Tryphon. The church is not like a political party–this is what I have experienced and am very grateful for. We are called to be detached from worldly things but never to abandon the world, everybody we encounter; to struggle along the difficult path of loving all while repenting daily.
I am so grateful for your teaching especially since I cannot come to church wintertime because of the electric moover for my polio not managing cold and far going in wintertime and difficulty in walking. So being healed in the Church is part of seeing the liturgy on the Internet, listening and reading and praying as you wrote. But I am grateful for correction. I see that all kind of divisions even in the Churches was not the meaning of God , not judging any kind of people. May we all be led in the right direction,
Thank you.