The Inverted Pyramid

We must go downwards to be united with Christ

The Blessed Sophrony of Essex, in his book on Saint Silouan the Athonite, suggests the “inverted pyramid,” is an image of Christian living we should all strive to imitate. The world would suggest that the natural pyramid, such as we see in the pyramids of Gaza, see the powerful sitting at the very top, holding power and dominion over the rest of humanity. Occupying the top of this earthly image of the pyramid, is the natural goal of most of us, for because of our fallen nature, we desire to be important. We are, by nature, dissatisfied with being at the bottom, desiring as we do to sit with the powerful of this world.

But our natural nature, as created by God, desires equality and justice, and therefore is thus not satisfied with this “pyramid of being.” Thus, Christ took this earthly pyramid and inverted it, and put Himself at the bottom, becoming its Head. Because He took upon Himself the weight of our sin, He revealed His Way to us, and in so doing showed us that no one can be justified but by faith in Him. This means that we must go downwards to be united with Him, this Christ Who is Head of the inverted pyramid. It is there that the power of divine life is to be found. Christ alone holds the pyramid, and it is essential for us to find the way of going down, the way of humility. This is the Way of the Lord, Who came to us as a humble servant.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Photos: Blessed Sophrony of Essex.

Saturday January 20, 2018 / January 7, 2018
33rd Week after Pentecost. Tone seven.

Saturday after the Baptism of Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ
Venerable Pachomius of Kensk (16th c.) (movable holiday on the Saturday after the Baptism of Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ).
Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John.
Martyr Paphnutius (1938).
New Hieromartyr Basil, priest (1939).
Martyr John (1940).
Martyr John (1942).
New Martyr Athanasius of Attalia and Smyrna (1700) (Greek).
St. Cedd, bishop of Lastingham (664) (Celtic & British).
St. Brannock (Brynach) of Braunton (6th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Kentigerna, hermitess of Loch Lomond.

The Scripture Readings

2 Timothy 2:11-19

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Luke 18:2-8

2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”