The Desire for Peace

Peace in this world must begin with me

When in Moscow, Russia, for the Unification of the Two Parts of the Russian Church, back in May of 2007, I treasured every moment among the Russian people. When I didn’t have a translator standing next to me, the communication exchanged was done with smiles, bows, and expressions of joy on our faces. They were Russians, I was an American, and we were immersed in our common humanity and shared Orthodoxy. Oh, such joy I hadn’t experience since making a holy pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain of Athos, in Greece, back in 1988.

It is my heart’s desire to return to Moscow, for a second time, and stay in some monastery long enough to form friendships, and establish a formal bond between my monastery and theirs. Meanwhile, I’m united with our holy Patriarch Kirill, and all those bishops and clergy who’d concelebrated with we American clergy, in the great Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, when we all concelebrated the Divine Liturgy on that day in 2007, joining the two parts of the Russian Church together, after some ninety years of separation.

Many pilgrims to the monastery have been sharing their fears concerning the state of our world, and of the divisive American political scene, wondering how our nation will survive the possibility of another world war, what with tensions over our country’s relationship with Russia, China, the world’s Islamic extremists, and North Korea. We as a people have gone through many a “bleak” time. Yet, when one looks closely at human history, and especially in relation to man’s quest for meaning in life, one can see the spiritual benefits of struggle. Operating in fear takes us no where but down, but staying calm while while trusting in God, brings forth an eternal treasure, and lasting peace. Who among us can not remember a terribly painful period of struggle in our lives which ultimately brought about an abundance of spiritual growth, and a profound sense of peace.

I like the prayer, “Glory to God for all things”, because in this prayer we give thanks to God for EVERYTHING that comes our way. We don’t cheapen the gift that is salvation, with a theology of abundance and prosperity, where many will loose their faith, thinking God powerless, or absent, because their reward didn’t come now. Ultimately, all the hardships, pain, suffering, deprivation, and hunger, prepare us for eternity, where the comfort and security of this world, is fleeting.

When joy enters the soul, after one has been confounded by grace, nothing else matters. Only that which is eternal is of value, and all else is just distraction. It is only from this vantage point that the true peace emerges, and the Age of Innocence arrives. It is then that the Kingdom of God is restored, and peace will reign on this earth. And if we as American Christians, desire peace on earth, we must reach out with love and understanding to those of other nations, other cultures, other religions, and other ethnicities, and see that which unites us as humans. We must learn to love everyone, even our enemies, and see Christ in each person we encounter. Then we will know in truth, that peace in the world begins with me.

With love and blessings,
Abbot Tryphon

Photo: Father Martin and I attended Russian Consul General Andrey and Svetlana Yushmanov’s farewell reception, at the Consul General’s home in Seattle, on Thursday night. All of us who have gotten to know this wonderful couple will certainly miss them. May the Lord bless them as they return to their home in Moscow, and to their family, and their beloved grandchildren.

Saturday September 24, 2016 / September 11, 2016
14th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.

Saturday before the Universal Elevation of the Precious and Life-Creating Cross of the Lord
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
Translation of the relics of Venerables Sergius and Hermanof Valaam.
Venerable Theodora of Alexandria (490).
Hieromartyrs Nicholas and Victor priests (1918).
Hieromartyr Carp priest (1937).
Venerable Silouan, elder of Mt. Athos (1938).
Hieromartyr Nicholas diacon (1942).
Martyrs Demetrius, his wife Euanthia, and their son Demetrianat Skepsis on the Hellespont (1st c.).
Martyrs Diodorus, Didymus, and Diomedes of Laodicea (4th c.).
Martyr Ia of Persia and 9,000 Martyrs with her (363).
Venerable Euphrosynus the Cook of Alexandria (9th c.).
Weeping Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, of “Kaplunovka” (1689).
Martyrs Serapion, Cronides (Hieronides), and Leontius of Alexandria (237).
Venerable Paphnutius the Confessor, bishop in the Egyptian Thebaid (4th c.).
Holy Martyr Theodora of Vasta in the Peloponnesus.
Venerable Elias the Cave-dweller, of Calabria (960).
Canonization (1978) of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg (18th c.).
Venerable Deiniol, abbot of Bangor, bishop in Wales (584) (Celtic & British).

Scripture Readings

Matthew 11:27-30

27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Matthew 23:1-12

Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ,[b] and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.