Δευτέρα 31 Αυγούστου 2020
Σάββατο 29 Αυγούστου 2020
The Beheading of the holy glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (29 August)
Click please:
Herod’s best friend!
The Beheading of the holy glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (29 August)
The Mystery of the Forerunner
Oxford Historians Find The Bones of St John the Baptist
St. John the Forerunner preaching the coming of Christ to those in Hades following his death (here)
Πέμπτη 27 Αυγούστου 2020
Τετάρτη 26 Αυγούστου 2020
SAINT PHANOURIOS, St Patron des choses perdues et Protecteur des prêtres (27 Août)
La Découverte
Lorsque les Hagaréniens gouvernèrent l'île de Rhodes, l'un des
dirigeants souhaita reconstruire les remparts de la ville qui avaient
été ravagés par les sièges du passé. Aux alentours de la forteresse se
trouvaient plusieurs habitations en ruine, dont les Hagaréniens
récupérèrent les pierres pour leur construction.
En creusant cet endroit pour le consolider, ils découvrirent une église
particulièrement belle, qui était partiellement ensevelie sous les
ruines. En creusant jusqu’au sol de l’église, ils trouvèrent de
nombreuses saintes icônes, toutes pourries ou en triste état. Une icône
pourtant était intacte : elle semblait en effet avoir été peinte le
jour-même. Le hiérarque de ce lieu, du nom de Nil, un homme lettré et de
grande sainteté vint lire l'inscription de l'icône, qui mentionnait :
"Saint Phanourios".
Le saint est représenté tel un jeune homme, vêtu en soldat, tenant une
croix dans sa main droite, à la partie supérieure de la croix il y a une
bougie allumée. Tout autour de l'icône on peut voir douze scènes de
martyre, qui montrent le saint devant le juge, au milieu d'une multitude
de soldats qui le frappent à la bouche et la tête avec des pierres ;
étendu sur le sol fouetté par les soldats ; nu écorché par des crochets
de fer ; incarcéré dans un cachot ; à nouveau debout devant le tribunal
du tyran ; brûlé avec des bougies, lié à un chevalet de torture ; jeté
au milieu des bêtes sauvages ; écrasé par un grand rocher ; debout
devant les idoles tenant des charbons ardents dans ses mains, tandis
qu'un démon tout proche pleure et se lamente, et enfin debout au milieu
d'une fournaise ardente.
A la vue des douze scènes représentées sur l'icône, le saint hiérarque
perçut que le saint avait été un martyr. Aussitôt, une délégation fut
envoyée aux dirigeants, leur demandant la permission de restaurer
l'église. La demande fut rejetée. Alors, le hiérarque voyagea jusqu'à
Constantinople où il obtint un décret habilitant à reconstruire
l'église. Elle fut ainsi restaurée et peut être admirée à ce jour, en
dehors de la ville.
Le Miracle
À une certaine époque l'île de Crète n'avait pas de hiérarque orthodoxe,
mais un évêque latin, imposé par les Vénitiens qui occupaient l’île,
qui avaient habilement refusé de permettre la nomination d’un nouveau
hiérarque orthodoxe une fois le dernier décédé. Ce mauvais dessein
présupposait selon eux que du temps leur serait ainsi laissé pour
convertir les orthodoxes aux dogmes papistes. Si les hommes orthodoxes
souhaitaient obtenir l'ordination, ils devaient aller à Cythère.
Il arriva ceci que trois diacres, quittèrent la Crète pour se rendre à
Cythère pour y être ordonnés prêtres par l’évêque et lorsque cela fut
accompli, ils retournèrent dans leur pays, les Hagaréniens les
capturèrent en mer et les emmenèrent à Rhodes, où ils furent vendus
comme esclaves à d'autres Hagaréniens. Les prêtres nouvellement ordonnés
se lamentèrent sur leur malheur jour et nuit.
Mais à Rhodes, ils entendirent parler des merveilles opérées par St
Phanourios Le Grand Martyr, et aussitôt ils firent une supplication
fervente au saint, le conjurant avec larmes de les délivrer de leur
amère servitude. Et ils firent ceci, chacun séparément, sans savoir ce
que faisaient les autres, car ils avaient été vendus chacun à un maître
différent.
D'une certaine manière ou d’une autre il se produisit qu’ils furent tous
les trois autorisés par leurs maîtres à aller se recueillir dans
l’église du saint. Par hasard, ils arrivèrent tous ensemble en même
temps, ils se prosternèrent ainsi devant l'icône sacrée du saint, le
suppliant de les délivrer des mains des Hagaréniens.
Puis ils repartirent, un peu consolés, chacun chez son propre maître, en
espérant qu'ils obtiendraient miséricorde. C’est ce qui se produisit
car le Saint qui avait écouté leurs supplications eut pitié de leurs
larmes. Cette nuit-là il apparut aux Hagaréniens qui étaient les maîtres
des prêtres en captivité, et leur commanda de permettre aux serviteurs
de Dieu d’aller adorer Dieu dans son église faute de quoi cela pourrait
entraîner une destruction terrible sur eux. Mais les Hagaréniens,
pensant avoir affaire à de la sorcellerie, chargèrent les prêtres de
chaînes rendant encore plus lourds leurs tourments.
Le Grand Martyr Phanourios alla à eux la nuit, les libéra de leurs
liens, et les encouragea en leur disant que le lendemain, ils seraient
libérés par tous les moyens. Il apparut alors aux Hagaréniens et, leur
faisant de sévères reproches, leur déclara: «Si demain vous n'avez pas
rendu la liberté à vos serviteurs, vous verrez la puissance de Dieu!"
Sur ces paroles, le saint disparut. Le lendemain matin, dans les maisons
tous se réveillèrent, aveugles, paralysés et en outre tourmentés par
les affres les plus terribles.
Ils évaluèrent ce qui devait être fait, et décidèrent enfin de convoquer
les captifs. Quand les trois prêtres misérables vinrent, ils leur
demandèrent s'ils étaient en mesure de les guérir à quoi ils
répondirent: «Nous prierons Dieu. Que sa volonté soit faite.»
Mais le saint apparut de nouveau aux Hagaréniens la troisième nuit, et
leur dit: «Si vous n'envoyez pas à ma maison des lettres
d'affranchissement pour les prêtres, vous ne retrouverez ni la santé, ni
la lumière [la vue] que vous désirez ». Quand ils eurent à nouveau
discuté avec leurs proches et leurs amis, chacun composa une lettre
d'émancipation de son propre esclave, les lettres furent ensuite
déposées devant l'icône du saint.
Avant même que les messagers envoyés au temple soient de retour, ceux
qui auparavant étaient aveugles et paralysés, furent guéris, et
s'émerveillant ils rendirent la liberté aux prêtres et les renvoyèrent
dans leur patrie à l'amiable. Les prêtres, cependant, firent une copie
de l'icône de Saint Phanourios et la prirent avec eux dans leur pays,
ainsi chaque année la mémoire du Saint est-elle célébrée.
Le Fanouropita
Foto d'ici
"Phanourios" vient du mot grec, «fanerono» (je révèle)
Si vous avez perdu quelque chose et que vous demandez de l'aide à Saint Phanourios, vous devez faire ensuite un Fanouropita (gâteau pour St Phanourios.)
Le gâteau cuit est apporté à l'église où il est béni par le prêtre de la paroisse.
Une fois béni, le Fanouropita est partagé et distribué aux fidèles de l'Église.
Voici la recette du Fanouropita :
1 tasse de sucre
1 tasse d'huile végétale
2 tasses de jus d'orange
3 / 4 tasse raisins secs clairs ou foncés
3 / 4 tasse de noix hachées
1 cuillère à café de bicarbonate de soude
1 c. à thé de vanille
4 tasses de farine
Battre le sucre et l'huile jusqu'à obtenir un mélange jaune crèmeux. Dissoudre le bicarbonate de soude dans le jus d'orange et verser lentement dans le mélange sucré. Ajouter les autres ingrédients et verser dans un moule graissé. Cuire au four à 180° pendant 45-50 minutes ou jusqu'à ce qu'un couteau inséré en sorte sans trace de pâte. Couper en carrés pour servir après sa bénédiction à l'église par le prêtre de la paroisse.
(Version française de Maxime le minime d'après http://www.serfes.org/lives/phanourius.htm)
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΕΔΩ
Icône d'Agios Phanourios du temple historique de Saint Savvas dans la vieille Nicosie, qui est également le siège de la patriarcat d'Alexandrie à Chypre (à partir d'ici)
Le service divin dans le saint temple. Le patriarche d'Alexandrie bénit les fanouropites.
Κυριακή 23 Αυγούστου 2020
St. Kosmas Aitolos, the New Hieromartyr and Equal-to-the-Apostles (August 24)
"God
created woman equal with man, not inferior... My Christian, you must
love your wife as your companion, not consider her as your slave, for
she is a creature of God, just as you are. God was crucified for her as
much as for you. You call God Father, she calls Him Father, too. Both
of you have the same Faith, the same Baptism, the same Book of the
Gospels, the same Holy Communion, the same Paradise to enjoy. God does
not regard her as inferior to you. "
"The Martyrs won Paradise through their blood; the Ascetics, through
their ascetic life. Now you, my brethren, who have children, how will
you win Paradise? By means of hospitality, by giving to your brothers
who are poor, blind, or lame."
Click here please...
Τρίτη 18 Αυγούστου 2020
Every Generation!
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
(Theotokos - Mother of God - Virgin Mary, in Luke, 1, 46-48)
Ancient faith / Glory 2 God for all things
In
my childhood, it was not unusual to hear someone ask, “Who are your
people?” It was a semi-polite, Southernism designed to elicit essential
information about a person’s social background. The assumption was that
you, at best, could only be an example of your “people.” It ignored the
common individualism of the wider culture, preferring the more family or
clan-centered existence of an older time. It was possible to be “good
people” who had fallen on hard times, just as it was possible to be “bad
people” who were flourishing. Good people were always to be preferred.
I am aware of the darker elements of this Southern instinct so foreign to today’s mainstream culture. I am also aware that within it, there is an inescapable part of reality: human beings never enter this world without baggage. The baggage is an inheritance, both cultural and biological that shapes the ground we walk on and the challenges we will inevitably confront.
Fr. Alexander Schmemann is reported to have said that the spiritual life consists in “how we deal with what we’ve been dealt.” In some families, it seems that no matter how many times the deck is shuffled, the same hand (or close to it) appears.
The Scriptures are rife with this element of our reality. It is a story of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, tribal destiny and inherited blessings. Two of the gospels give a chapter to rehearse the genealogy of Christ. Modern thought wants to imagine each human being entering the world as a blank slate whose life will be formed and shaped by their desires and choices. This is our imaginative version of freedom and we work to maximize its reality.
Nevertheless, human experience continues to be doggedly familial. Those who do family therapy carefully ask questions about the generations that have gone before. The battles of our lives are not about theory, but the cold hard truth of what has been given to us.
The Scriptures relate the stories of families, including their tragedies and horrific crimes. No Southern novelist ever did more than echo the iconic behaviors of Biblical failure.
This familial treatment is intentional and tracks the truth of our existence. There is never a pain as deep as that inflicted by someone who is supposed to love you. Such injuries echo through the years and the generations. The face that stares back at us in the mirror is easily a fractal of someone whose actions power our own insanity. We can hate a parent, only to be haunted by their constant presence in us.
This, of course, is only the negative, darker side of things. Blessings echo in us as well. In the delusion of modern individuality we blithely assume that we act alone in all we do. Life is so much more complicated!
What I am certain of, in the midst of all this, is that our struggle against sin and the besetting issues of our lives is never just about ourselves. If we inherit a burden within our life, so our salvation, our struggles with that burden, involve not only ourselves but those who have gone before as well as those who come after. We struggle as the “Whole Adam” (in the phrase of St. Silouan).
There is an Athonite saying: “A monk heals his family for seven generations.” When I first heard this, my thought was, “In which direction?” The answer, I think, is every direction. We are always healing the family tree as we embrace the path of salvation, monk or layman. Our lives are just that connected.
When the Virgin Mary sings her hymn of praise to God, she says, “All generations will call me blessed.” This expresses far more than the sentiment that she will be famous (how shallow). It has echoes of God’s word to Abraham, “In you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). It is in the Offspring of Mary that the word to Abraham is fulfilled. In the Scriptures, God is pleased to be named the “God of Abraham.” That His name is tied to that of a human being brings no offense. Indeed, paradise itself is called the “bosom of Abraham.” It is right and proper that Christians should see the same treatment in the Virgin, the one in whom all these things are fulfilled.
“All generations” is a term that includes everyone – not just those who would come after her. For the salvation of the human race, in all places and at all times, is found only in Jesus, the Offspring of Mary. She is “Theotokos,” the “Birthgiver of God.” Mary is exalted in the bosom of Abraham.
When I look in the mirror these days, I see the unmistakable reflection of my father. No doubt, his reflection is seen elsewhere in my life, both for good and ill. I’m aware that some of my struggles are with “my daddy’s demons.” Of course, my vision is limited to just a few generations. I see my own struggles reflected in the lives of my children (for which I often want to apologize). I do not see the link that runs throughout all generations – throughout all the offspring of Adam – it is too large to grasp. What I do see, however, is the singular moment, the linchpin of all generations that is the Mother of God. In her person we see all generations gathered together. Her “be it unto me according to your word” resounds in the heart of every believer, uniting them to her heart whose flesh unites us to God.
Across the world, the myriad generations of Christians have sung ever since:
I am aware of the darker elements of this Southern instinct so foreign to today’s mainstream culture. I am also aware that within it, there is an inescapable part of reality: human beings never enter this world without baggage. The baggage is an inheritance, both cultural and biological that shapes the ground we walk on and the challenges we will inevitably confront.
Fr. Alexander Schmemann is reported to have said that the spiritual life consists in “how we deal with what we’ve been dealt.” In some families, it seems that no matter how many times the deck is shuffled, the same hand (or close to it) appears.
The Scriptures are rife with this element of our reality. It is a story of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, tribal destiny and inherited blessings. Two of the gospels give a chapter to rehearse the genealogy of Christ. Modern thought wants to imagine each human being entering the world as a blank slate whose life will be formed and shaped by their desires and choices. This is our imaginative version of freedom and we work to maximize its reality.
Nevertheless, human experience continues to be doggedly familial. Those who do family therapy carefully ask questions about the generations that have gone before. The battles of our lives are not about theory, but the cold hard truth of what has been given to us.
The Scriptures relate the stories of families, including their tragedies and horrific crimes. No Southern novelist ever did more than echo the iconic behaviors of Biblical failure.
This familial treatment is intentional and tracks the truth of our existence. There is never a pain as deep as that inflicted by someone who is supposed to love you. Such injuries echo through the years and the generations. The face that stares back at us in the mirror is easily a fractal of someone whose actions power our own insanity. We can hate a parent, only to be haunted by their constant presence in us.
This, of course, is only the negative, darker side of things. Blessings echo in us as well. In the delusion of modern individuality we blithely assume that we act alone in all we do. Life is so much more complicated!
What I am certain of, in the midst of all this, is that our struggle against sin and the besetting issues of our lives is never just about ourselves. If we inherit a burden within our life, so our salvation, our struggles with that burden, involve not only ourselves but those who have gone before as well as those who come after. We struggle as the “Whole Adam” (in the phrase of St. Silouan).
There is an Athonite saying: “A monk heals his family for seven generations.” When I first heard this, my thought was, “In which direction?” The answer, I think, is every direction. We are always healing the family tree as we embrace the path of salvation, monk or layman. Our lives are just that connected.
When the Virgin Mary sings her hymn of praise to God, she says, “All generations will call me blessed.” This expresses far more than the sentiment that she will be famous (how shallow). It has echoes of God’s word to Abraham, “In you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). It is in the Offspring of Mary that the word to Abraham is fulfilled. In the Scriptures, God is pleased to be named the “God of Abraham.” That His name is tied to that of a human being brings no offense. Indeed, paradise itself is called the “bosom of Abraham.” It is right and proper that Christians should see the same treatment in the Virgin, the one in whom all these things are fulfilled.
“All generations” is a term that includes everyone – not just those who would come after her. For the salvation of the human race, in all places and at all times, is found only in Jesus, the Offspring of Mary. She is “Theotokos,” the “Birthgiver of God.” Mary is exalted in the bosom of Abraham.
When I look in the mirror these days, I see the unmistakable reflection of my father. No doubt, his reflection is seen elsewhere in my life, both for good and ill. I’m aware that some of my struggles are with “my daddy’s demons.” Of course, my vision is limited to just a few generations. I see my own struggles reflected in the lives of my children (for which I often want to apologize). I do not see the link that runs throughout all generations – throughout all the offspring of Adam – it is too large to grasp. What I do see, however, is the singular moment, the linchpin of all generations that is the Mother of God. In her person we see all generations gathered together. Her “be it unto me according to your word” resounds in the heart of every believer, uniting them to her heart whose flesh unites us to God.
Across the world, the myriad generations of Christians have sung ever since:
My soul doth magnify the Lord.To which we add:
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
More honorable than cherubim,We are her people. Glory to God!
And more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim,
Without corruption you gave birth to God the Word,
True Theotokos, we magnify you!
Σάββατο 15 Αυγούστου 2020
Of Desert Fathers & Maroons
Let us imitate our Fathers: The lived in this place with much austerity and peace.” Abba John the Eunuch, from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers
“But some on’em would rather be shot than took, sir.” from A Desolate Place for a Defiant People
(Orthodox African Americans)
The runaway slave was among the bravest of
our African ancestors. Some had no sooner arrived in America that they
fled to the nearest swamp not having any familiarity with the landscape.
Others used whatever skills they acquired to help them escape. Yes,
many were recaptured. But, others were successful making their way up to
northern states and Canada. Others remained in southern swamps and
built solid communities for generations. These were the grand maroons.
And there were petit maroons who fled and hid until their “masters”
agreed to better terms for their return.
In these days of political and racial division, there are African-Americans that have absconded from the Christianity of this nation. Not only from predominately white denominations, some of us have left the black church as well. The teachings of our Lord in the scriptures and many believers of all races are full of compassion, love, and mercy. But, American Christianity has, for the most part, failed to bring us together as one in faith. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s painful observation of eleven o’clock Sunday morning being the most segregated hour in the country remains true today. Many white churches are still plagued with covert and overt racism. Black churches have often failed to meet the social and spiritual needs of people as well. As a result, non-Christian groups such as the Hebrew Israelites and Nation of Islam are growing in membership.
In these days of political and racial division, there are African-Americans that have absconded from the Christianity of this nation. Not only from predominately white denominations, some of us have left the black church as well. The teachings of our Lord in the scriptures and many believers of all races are full of compassion, love, and mercy. But, American Christianity has, for the most part, failed to bring us together as one in faith. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s painful observation of eleven o’clock Sunday morning being the most segregated hour in the country remains true today. Many white churches are still plagued with covert and overt racism. Black churches have often failed to meet the social and spiritual needs of people as well. As a result, non-Christian groups such as the Hebrew Israelites and Nation of Islam are growing in membership.
I am the product of the rural African-American Baptist church. My
initial spiritual development includes some AME, Pentecostal, Roman
Catholic, and even white evangelical/Southern Baptist influences. This
is where I first met Jesus. But, I hit a wall in the scriptures and
history. In Acts 13:1-3, two black and three Western Asiatic clergymen
ordained two of their number to bring the Gospel to Europe. Four of the
12 apostles brought the Christian faith to Africa at the same time
others went as far as Scotland and Rome even as others went to Persia
and India. Malcolm X mentioned in his autobiography the importance of
Africa’s Desert Fathers to the early Church. Seeing the spiritual depth
of Orthodox Christianity and that my ancestors were among the first to
receive the Gospel, I left what was made in America for what is
universal.
For my fellows of the African Diaspora who have become disillusioned with the denominations and non-denominations of our country, I encourage you to become “Christian maroons.” St. Anthony the Great (a native Egyptian) and other men and women of Africa, Asia, and Europe set the pattern for us; set aside the frivolous things of this world devoting your life to spiritual growth among those who can be trusted. Spend time in prayer, read and listen to those who have committed themselves to becoming one with God and fighting against their passions. Of books worth reading along with the Bible The Life of St. Anthony the Great, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, The Philokalia Vol. 1 includes crucial teachings from St. Moses the Black (a dark skinned Nubian) and other monastics from different places of the same Christian spirituality. Learn more about our Great Dismal Swamp Maroon ancestors in A Desolate Place for a Defiant People and City of Refuge.
For my fellows of the African Diaspora who have become disillusioned with the denominations and non-denominations of our country, I encourage you to become “Christian maroons.” St. Anthony the Great (a native Egyptian) and other men and women of Africa, Asia, and Europe set the pattern for us; set aside the frivolous things of this world devoting your life to spiritual growth among those who can be trusted. Spend time in prayer, read and listen to those who have committed themselves to becoming one with God and fighting against their passions. Of books worth reading along with the Bible The Life of St. Anthony the Great, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, The Philokalia Vol. 1 includes crucial teachings from St. Moses the Black (a dark skinned Nubian) and other monastics from different places of the same Christian spirituality. Learn more about our Great Dismal Swamp Maroon ancestors in A Desolate Place for a Defiant People and City of Refuge.
I believe the Orthodox Church is the home all people of all races should
come to. With the toxic divisions we have in America, perhaps it is
best to be grounded in our ancient Christian and independent American
ancestors. Make intentional time for reading, thinking, and prayer. If
you diligently seek the Truth, He will reveal Himself.
Κυριακή 9 Αυγούστου 2020
The Divine Darkness
Death to the World (about) What does it mean that Moses entered the darkness and then saw God in it? What is now recounted seems somehow to be contradictory to the first theophany, for then the Divine was beheld in light, but now He is seen in darkness. Let us not think that this is at variance with the sequence of things we have contemplated spiritually. Scripture teaches by this that religious knowledge comes at first to those who receive it as light. Therefore what is perceived to be contrary to religious is darkness, and the escape from darkness comes about when one participates in light, but as the mind progresses and, through an ever greater and more perfect diligence, comes to apprehend reality, as it approaches more nearly to contemplation, it sees more clearly what of the divine nature is uncontemplated.
For leaving behind everything that is observed, not only what sense comprehends, but also what the intelligence thinks is sees, it keeps on penetrating deeper until by the intelligence’s yearning for understanding it gains access to the invisible and the incomprehensible, and there it sees God. This is the true knowledge of what is sought; this is the seeing that consists in not seeing, because that which is sought transcends all knowledge, being separated on all sides by incomprehensibility, as by a kind of darkness. Wherefore John the Sublime [the Apostle], who penetrated into the luminous darkness, says, “No one has ever seen God” (St. John 1:18), thus asserting that knowledge of the divine essence is unattainable not only by men, but also by every intelligent creature.
When, therefore, Moses grew in knowledge, he declared that he had seen God in the darkness, that is, that he had then come to know that what is divine is beyond all knowledge and comprehension, for the text, “Moses approached the dark cloud where God was”(Exod. 20:21). What God? He who “made darkness His hiding place”(Ps. 18:11), as David says, who also was initiated into the mysteries in the same inner sanctuary.
When Moses arrived there, he was taught by word what he had formerly learned from darkness, so that, I think the doctrine on this matter might be made firmer for us for being testified to by the divine voice. The divine word at the beginning forbids that the Divine be likened to any of the things known by men, since every concept which comes from some comprehensible image by an approximate understanding and by guessing at the divine nature constitutes an idol of God and does not proclaim God.
Religious virtue is divided into two parts, into that which pertains
to the Divine and that which pertains to right conduct (for purity of
life is religion). Moses learns at first the things which must be known
about God (namely that none of those things known by human comprehension
can be ascribed to Him). Then he is taught the other side of virtue,
learning by what pursuits the virtuous life is perfected. After this he comes to the tabernacle not made with hands. Who will follow someone who makes he way through such places and elevates his mind to such heights, who as though he were passing from one peak to another, comes ever higher than he was through his ascent to the heights? First, he leaves behind the base of the mountain and is separated from all those too weak for the ascent. Then, as he rises higher in his ascent he hears the sounds of the trumpets. Thereupon, he slips into the inner sanctuary of divine knowledge. And he does not remain there, but he passes on to the tabernacle not made by hands. For truly this is the limit that someone reaches who is elevated through such ascents.
For it seems to me that in another sense the heavenly trumpet becomes a teacher to the one ascending as he makes his was to what is not made with hands. For the wonderful harmony of the heavens proclaims the wisdom which shines forth in the creation and sets forth the great glory of God through the things which are seen, in keeping with the statement, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). It becomes the loud-sounding trumpet of clear and melodious teaching, as one of the Prophet says, “The heavens trumpeted form above” (Sirach 46:17).
When he who has been purified and is sharp of hearing in this heart hears this sound (I am speaking of the knowledge of the divine power which comes from the contemplation of reality), he is led by it to the place where his intelligence lets him slip in where God is. This is called darkness by Scripture, which signifies, as I said, the unknown and unseen. When he arrives there, he sees that tabernacle not made by hands, which he shows to those below by means of a material likeness.
See also
The Light of Christ and the Transfiguration - “I wish I could see something like that!”
Deification - The Uncreated Light
"Partakers of Divine Nature" - About Deification & Uncreated Light in Orthodox Church
Theosis (deification): The True Purpose of Human Life
Theosis, St. Silouan and Elder Sophrony
Πέμπτη 6 Αυγούστου 2020
August 6 & 7: The Light of Transfiguration of the Lord & the day of the 10.000 African Orthodox Saints !
Icon from here
Feast & holy icon of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ (August 6)
August 7: the day of the 10.000 African Orthodox Saints !
The Light of Christ and the Transfiguration - “I wish I could see something like that!”
"Partakers of Divine Nature" - About Deification & Uncreated Light in Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Parish of "Transfiguration of Christ" in Mauritius
"From the Night Holy Liturgy with Fr. George Nyombi, today 6th August, Commemoration of the TRANSFIGURATION of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ".
From here & here
THE BIBLE READING (Matthew 17:1-9)
“At that time, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and HIS FACE SHONE LIKE THE SUN AND HIS GARMENTS BECAME WHITE AS LIGHT. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."
He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead." (Matthew 17:1-9)
APOLYTIKION (Closing Hymn)
You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ God, revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illuminate us sinners also with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, glory to you.
Κυριακή 2 Αυγούστου 2020
Gabon: "Au nom de la liberté de conscience Ben Moubamba est plus chrétien orthodoxe"
28 juillet 2020 - Fête de la saint Vladmir : Ben Moubamba n’est plus catholique ...(d'ici)
Imhotep Ben Moubamba
28 juillet 2020 - Fête de la saint Vladmir ! Le problème théologico-politique du Gabon a été résolu par mon passage à l’orthodoxie ! Et c’est ce que l’avenir démontrera !
C’est un devant un petit groupe d’amis triés sur le volet que j’ai choisi d’embrasser la foi chrétienne orthodoxe. Au nom de la liberté de conscience et par cohérence contre le très raciste décret religieux romain : ROMANUS PONTIFEX.
Je suis devenu chrétien orthodoxe ce 28 juillet 2020. Ce qui signifie que j’ai été baptisé catholique mais que désormais je confesse la foi et le credo des orthodoxes.
Je me désolidarise officiellement du décret papale « ROMANUS PONTIFEX » mais je taste un chrétien œcuménique ouvert à toutes les religions mais je ne suis pas catholique. J’ai reçu un autre prénom : Vladimir.
Note à notre blog: Saint Vladimir était un roi cruel et barbare, mais après son baptême, il est devenu un grand chef pour son peuple. Quelques mots sur Saint Vladimir (980-1015), d'ici
"Dès son baptême le prince Vladimir change radicalement et fonde une famille exemplaire.La peine de mort est abrogée. Ses sujets ne sont plus vendus en esclavage, l’esclavage est pratiquement aboli.
Vladimir se met à racheter les Slaves prisonniers dans d’autres contrées puisant pour ceci dans sa cassette. Les relations entre Slaves, Varègues et Ougro-finnois subissent de profonds changements. Elles étaient hostiles auparavant car les Varègues s’estimaient être supérieurs. Le prince Vladimir se consacra à fusionner les trois ethnies..."
Foto d'ici
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Bon dimanche ! Un détail qui me frappe dans le Christianisme orthodoxe : la couleur de Jésus le Christ. Il est plus noir qu’aryen et il n’a pas l’air d’un androgyne de cinéma hollywoodien. 🤔
Sa mère est également basanée en général sur les icônes ...
Imhotep Bruno Vladimir (Imhotep Ben Moubamba)
Moubamba Imhotep Ben
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L’ancêtre de Poushkyne, le père de la littérature moderne russe etait bantu ... du Gabon, probablement.
Si seulement, les Bantu étaient conscients de la valeur de leurs ADN au-delà de ce que racontent les colonisateurs 🤔
Pushkyne's ancestor, the father of modern Russian literature, was Bantu ... from Gabon, probably.
If only the Bantu were aware of the value of their DNA beyond what the colonizers say 🤔
Historique de l’accueil de la tradition de l’Église orthodoxe dans les pays d’Afrique subsaharienne au début du XXe siècle
Patriarcat grec Orthodoxe d’Alexandrie et de toute l’Afrique
"Νous élevons la croix en signe de victoire de la vie sur la mort, du bien sur le mal..."
Patriarcat grec Orthodoxe d’Alexandrie et de toute l’Afrique
Orthodox Mission in Tropical Africa (& the Decolonization of Africa)
How “White” is the Orthodox Church?
Eight principal areas of convergence between African spirituality and Ancient Christianity
Ancient Christian faith (Orthodox Church) in Africa
African King baptized on the Holy Mountain Athos
African Initiated Churches in Search of Orthodoxy...
The Kikuyu tribe proclaimed the Metropolitan of Nairobi as their “Elder”
Έγινε Ορθόδοξος Χριστιανός ο πρώην αντιπρόεδρος της Γκαμπόν