Most Holy Theotokos, Mother of God

There is a prayer in the Orthodox Church that goes,  "most holy Theotokos, save us!" Many people misunderstand this and really don't like this prayer. This prayer goes all the way back to the 9th century and has always been an appeal to someone very, very godly to pray for us.

I approach this in two ways. First, simply because this is a foundational and long standing prayer in the historic church makes it sound. The belief that the Holy Spirit is leading the Church and that the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth assures me that prayers such as this are truth. And even in general, that our prayers to reposed saints are truth as well.

Second, the book of James (5:16) speaks of "the prayers of a righteous man avail much." This means that when godly people pray, their prayers are effective.  Nothing is said here about people ceasing to pray after they die. In fact, upon death, the righteous are then in the immediate presence of God. I can think of no better place to be in order for ones prayers to be heard, received and answered.

As we go through our days and nights during this life, we don't (or at least shouldn't) fail to ask our family and friends to pray for us. Why then wouldn't we ask the saints to pray for us?

The Lives of the Saints

In our day-to-day lives, we are exposed to a myriad of personalities. We work with people, interact with people at the bank, at the grocery, at church and at school. All of these people affect us in some way or another. Imagine if the grocery checker is really grumpy, we will respond to that person in some manner, either rightly or wrongly. And that interaction may affect the rest of our day.

Its sad to say, but most of the people with whom we interact, many of them very nice, are not a godly influence. God has given us the means to deal with situation.

Over the many centuries since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there have been those people who have completely devoted themselves to serving God. Their lives reflect a love for God and a love for neighbor that is nothing short of amazing. Over time, these people have been recognized as saints. Some explanation is needed so as to rightly understand how this term is to be understood. By the term "saint", we don't mean that they are better than others in some sort of ontological sense. The Orthodox Church does not have a mechanical process for canonization. When someone is officially declared a saint, it is recognition of sainthood, already embraced and believed by a very large number of believers in a number of locations, typically over a long period of time. Sainthood is typically attributed to someone because of their love and wisdom. People will have been flocking to this person during their lifetime for direction and guidance and then after their repose, to their grave, for prayer. Biographies are frequently written about these saints and are widely read.

Thus, the point of this article. As Christians, we ought to be looking to the life example of the saints, for direction in our own lives. We can learn from and imitate these saints, many times those nearly contemporary, by reading their biographies. We are so quick to fill our heads with pop culture news. This is a tragedy that darkens our souls and distracts us from the light and life of the Church. Let us be more familiar with the lives of St Seraphim of Sarov, St Xenia of Petersburg, St Innocent of Alaska or St John Maximovitch rather than with Miley Cyrus or Paul Walker.

The Trouble with Fiction

In the Orthodox Church, we are encouraged to read the lives of the saints. We are encouraged to do so on the grounds of the benefit of a real life example to emulate. The high standard of the godly is worthy of our consideration.

On the other hand, the reading of fiction can be particularly dangerous. In the world of fiction, the author is god. He can create the world in any fashion he so desires. Any falsehood, perversion or fantasy can be reality. And for the undiscerning or unthinking reader, this can form the worldview in error. This is especially true with children. Disney has done a remarkable job forming the minds of children along pagan lines. The writer, acting as teacher, trains up generation after generation to think along particular lines. And for this, he will have to answer. Scripture warns us about being a teacher and being held to a higher degree of responsibility.

Obviously, this does not mean that the average individual is doomed to cerebral damage and deception if they read the latest novel by JK Rowling. I am talking about long term, worldview-forming influence. To immerse oneself in fantasy, in the long term, without regard to what is being said, is to open oneself up to deception. This type of influence is particularly dangerous because it comes across so innocently. The material is usually not sinful in and of itself, but it is damaging because it is false.

When I speak of the material being false I am not speaking of "there not really being orcs, trolls and pixies."  I believe that is pretty obvious. What I am talking about is the truth of the meaning behind the story, the truth of the worldview that holds the story up.

In very much the same way that our bodies are influenced by the food we eat, our souls are influenced by the things we experience through the senses.  The danger I am speaking of in regards to fictional books is also true of video games and movies.  The creative powers of the video game designer or the movie director is the same as the author.

So the point of all this?  Oversee what you and your children are reading. Don't assume that they will get it. Because they probably won't. And live out your faith with your children. This is the greatest way to lead and influence your children.

The Orthodox Christian is....

The Orthodox Christian is someone who loves unconditionally. We are to love everyone because everyone is made in the image of God. We do not love someone because they are lovable. We don't only love those who love us. We don't love someone simply because of the way they look or because of some personality trait they possess.

The Orthodox Christian is one who prays for everyone with whom they have any connection, regardless of how slight. This is more important than evangelizing, than giving a tract/book, than almost anything. Prayer changes things.

The Orthodox Christian is one who is part of the body of Christ. He is part of the Church, he worships, he fasts, he confesses, he repents and he gives. While no one is saved by what he does, no one is saved without working out his faith. Think of Jesus' words to the goats on the left (Matt 25), summarized, you didn't do anything for the needy, so you've done nothing for me. Go away.

And finally, the Christian is one who understands and lives for the things of eternity. We are born into and live in this world, but we need to keep the things of this world only as necessary. The things of the flesh are such a distraction for us, that they cause us to focus on immediate and temporal things instead of eternal. We need to use our time here for healing our souls, not entertaining our eyes and ears.

This last point cannot be emphasized enough. Not because it is more important but because it is basically ignored by the bulk of the Christian world. Everything around us can be and often is, a distraction. Most of the time, the question that is being asked is, "What am I not supposed to do?" Which then leads to the assumption that everything not on that list is then acceptable. But this is wrong thinking altogether. We should instead be asking what things should we be doing to help us grow in holiness. Our souls are so distorted, darkened, twisted, perverse and selfish that we cannot see straight. The world around us though, does not want us to think this way, so they distract us with a 1001 things, many of which are perfectly acceptable and non-sinful. The trouble is that they turn us away from working toward healing our souls and communing with God. Very much like the athlete in training, we must control, direct and subdue our bodies. The athlete doesn't eat chocolate cake, cheeseburgers and soda, not because it would be wrong to do so, but because it would not help him strengthen his body. We need to put the entertainments and pleasures of the world very, very low on our to-do list. We have far too much good and right to do than to be entertaining ourselves with trifles or distracting ourselves with temporary niceties, regardless of how pleasing or temporally useful they may be.

The Orthodox Christian is one who lives in the world as if he is dead to the world and the world to him. Anything else is a waste of time.

Gay Love?

There seems to be a lot in the news lately regarding homosexuals, either in regards to famous men and women "coming out" or about state laws being rewritten to recognize gay marriage. There are a couple of foundational issues with this. First of all, why do homosexuals want to bind themselves in a covenantal relationship?  Marriage is defined by the Church. If they are marrying under state authority, I would have to ask why?  From a secular perspective, marriage as a contractual agreement makes no sense unless it is for tax reasons. And that really empties marriage of any real meaning. They may say they want to be married because they love one another. I say, what does a state sanctioned contractual agreement have to do with love? It used to be said in heterosexual relationships that people married because its "the right thing to do".  But I really don't think homosexuals are concerned about appearing proper to common society.

The other problem has to do with definitions. Why do we care what the state says about marriage?  The Church has defined marriage as a God given sacrament between one man and one woman. Any definition contrary to this is really irrelevant. So really, so what if two homosexuals "get married"?  It has no meaning and no value. Recognized by the state as married or not, they are still living in sin. And the Church will never recognize gay marriage.

One more thing on definitions. Those in the gay community say that they love one another. This is impossible. To lead someone, encourage someone, and be with someone "in sin", automatically means you are not loving them. One may have warm feelings.  One may feel a certain way and want to be with someone else but that is not love. To love someone is to work at helping them be holy.

The gay community is working very hard to be recognized as legitimate. But even if the whole world embraces them as merely an alternate lifestyle, the Church never will. But sin is sin and we should condemn no one, regardless of how distasteful or revolting we may find that particular sin. Loving someone regardless of their sin is our responsibility. And anyone will respond to genuine love. We need to learn to truly love.