Political Parties

Political ideologies, and our life in the Church

I was asked, just recently, which political party I thought was the best fit for an Orthodox Christian. My response was that this is an issue, as a priest of Christ’s Church, I did not think I should answer. Within the Orthodox Church, internationally, we Orthodox are politically aligned across the map. Yet, as Orthodox Christians, it is important that we remember our true allegiance should be to the Church herself, and to Christ, her Founder and Head. Political ideologues, political parties, and earthly rulers, are a part of this world. In Christ, our true national identity should be Orthodoxy. The scriptures tell us that in Christ, we are “neither male, nor female, Greek nor Jew.” We could easily add, “neither American, nor Russian, nor Norwegian”, since our true identity is with Christ’s Church. For me as an Orthodox priest to push my own political opinions, could potentially undermine the teaching authority of the Church.

It is important that the Church stand in witness to the moral and spiritual truths that are of eternal importance, and not to those things which are transitory. History is rife with stories of the Church being discredited, in the minds of the common people, because she failed to stand apart from the political powers of the day. THE most important role of a priest is the proclamation of Christ’s Gospel, and the eternal Truth that we must love one another. All else is of this world.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Saturday September 19, 2015 / September 6, 2015

16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.

Commemoration of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossae (Chonae) (4th c.).
Martyr Eudoxius, and with him Martyrs Zeno, Macarius, and 1,104 soldiers in Melitene (311).
New Hieromartyr Demetrius priest (1918).
New Hieromartyrs Constantine, John and Vsevolod priests (1937).
Venerable Archippus of Hierapolis (4th c.).
Martyrs Romulus and 11,000 others in Armenia (2nd c.).
Hieromartyr Cyril, bishop of Gortyna (3rd-4th c.).
Martyrs Cyriacus, Faustus, Abibus, and 11 others at Alexandria (250).
Venerable David of Hermopolis in Egypt (6th c.).
Kiev-Bratsk (1654) and Arabia Icons of the Mother of God.
Martyrs Calodote, Macarius, Andrew, Cyriacus, Dionysius, Andrew the Soldier, Andropelagia, Thecla, Theoctistus, and Sarapabon the Senator, in Egypt (256).
St. Beya, virgin, first abbess of Copeland in Cumbria (7th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Magnus of Fussen, enlightener of the Allgau region of Germany (750-772).

Scripture Readings

All to the Glory of God

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

Matthew 24:34-44

34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour[b] your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.