The Resurrection

Xristos Anesti! Christ is Risen! This is how Greek Orthodox greet each other beginning on Easter until the day of Ascension, Thursday, June 6. All Christians believe that Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, three days after he was crucified. According to Matthew 28:2, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it” and the guards shook from fear and became like dead men. The discovery of the empty tomb was first made by Mary Magdalene and two other women as they arrived to find the stone rolled away and saw an angel with an appearance like lightning and clothing white as snow. He announced that Jesus had risen from the dead and instructed the women to go and tell the disciples.

However, none of the disciples believed the women. I always wondered why. Didn’t Jesus tell the twelve that he would rise from the dead in three days? So why did they not believe? Firstly, women were not considered reliable witness in those days. As a matter of fact, women were not permitted to testify as witnesses in court proceedings. Their testimonies were not considered admissible. If someone had created this story as some suggest, they would not have had women discover the empty tomb. It just was not customary to accept the word of a woman. On the other hand, these were women that were well acquainted with the disciples and were more like family. Why was is so difficult for the disciples to believe Jesus rose from the dead? After all, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

I suppose, it is the same reason why we may find it difficult to believe! It has never ever happened. No one ever raised themselves from the dead. Even if Jesus raised Lazarus, how could He raise Himself, once He was dead. Jesus often talked about the resurrection of the dead, when those in Hades would receive eternal life in paradise, but no one ever saw the dead spirits. The disciples probably never expected a bodily resurrection. They never expected to see Jesus walking on this Earth. They probably expected to see Him when they died and went to heaven themselves.

Thomas even disbelieved the disciples, when they told Him that they had seen Christ. He declared that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Christ obliged. Thomas touched the wounds in His hands and in His side. Then Thomas believed. He not only believed, but he declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), acknowledging that Jesus was God. They even gave Jesus “a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence” (Luke 24:42-43). A spirit would not be able to eat!

The fact remains, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, all that we believe would be in vain. It is the resurrection, which gives us hope for eternal life. This is what Christ promised. If He did not rise from the dead, He would be little more than a good teacher. However, because Christ kept His promise, we can be assured that His word is truth. No one else ever claimed to have risen from the dead. It is a bold claim.

There were Roman guards placed at the tomb to ensure that the disciples could not steal the body of Jesus. When earthquake revealed the empty tomb, some of the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests. The priests “devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed” (Matthew 28: 12-15). According to Matthew, the Jews were well acquainted with the story that the disciples had stolen Christ’s body.

However, there are a few problems to this story. First, why would the disciples knowingly die for a lie? If they had truly stolen the body, they would not have been willing to die such horrific deaths, like crucifixion, beheading, being flayed to death from whipping, or being dragged by horses through the streets. Second, if Christ had not risen from the dead bodily, all the chief priests and Roman authorities had to do was produce the dead body. All rumors would have been immediately quashed.

Instead, rather that silencing the Christian movement, it gained momentum. Christians still stubbornly believe that Christ rose from the dead. Why do Christians still persist in their beliefs for two thousand years? It seems illogical and foolish.

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…Where is the one who is wise…Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:18-23).

The proof of Christ, the Son of God who rose from the dead, is in the changed hearts and lives of those who love Him. The frightened and cowardly disciples who ran away and hid after Jesus was crucified became bold proclaimers of His resurrection and died horrific deaths for their beliefs. For two thousand years, even to this day, Christians have been martyred for their beliefs. We Christians claim to know Christ and to have experienced Him in our lives. We do not live by blind faith, but rather, live by what we know to be true, our personal encounters with the living God. Our faith is not based on just a feeling. Our hearts and lives are changed as we come to develop a relationship with our Lord. Every Christian has a story, an experience, which has changed them. Some have experienced a radical change over a short period of time, while others have undergone a gradual change over the years. What is your story?

© 2019 Helen Kamenos All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Rejection - The Prodigal Son

Have you ever been rejected? Of course, you have. We all have. Strangely, we remember those times very clearly because of the pain we felt. Have you ever experienced rejection by a mother, father, or child? The pain pierces deeply into our spirits. That kind of pain is difficult to forgive. Parents and children possess a profound bond, which when injured or severed, affects our whole being. I am always so saddened, when I hear about children who are abused, neglected, or abandoned. I become so heartbroken, when I hear about children who have murdered their parents or parents who have murdered their children. The news is filled with stories of broken relationships that have resulted in violence. These are evils, which I have difficulty comprehending.

God, our Father, has been rejected throughout the ages. At one time or another, we have all turned away from God. Yet, no matter how often we have rejected Him, He is always willing to welcome us back into His arms. God is always grieved when we sin, when we reject Him. He grieves for our souls, for our well-being. He grieves because He wishes only blessings on us, not the consequences of the sins we have brought upon ourselves. God’s will is to love us and for us to love Him. His will is that we develop a loving relationship with Him. He desires to shower blessings on us.   

Christ tells the parable of the prodigal son, who asked his father for his inheritance, so he can go out into the world on his own. His father had not even died yet! The loss of his son, especially under these circumstances, must have been very painful for him. The prodigal son took his inheritance and traveled to a distant country, spending his fortune on “riotous living” (Luke 15:13 KJV). When he spent everything he had, a severe famine struck the land, so he began to work for a man, feeding the pigs. He was so hungry, that he would have gladly eaten the insects and worms fed to the pigs, but no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands”’ (Luke 15:17-19). The son came to his senses and repented, realizing what he had lost, so he decided to humble himself and return to his father. This would have been very difficult for the son, because he would have to set aside his pride and admit that he was wrong and needed his father.

Christ goes on to describe the father’s response. When the boy’s father saw him from a distance, he ran to him and put his arms around him and kissed him, even before the son could ask for forgiveness. Then “the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:22-24). Can you imagine the father’s joy? His son returned to him! He harbors no resentment, no pain for the suffering he experienced at the loss of his son all those years. Out of pure love, He welcomes his estranged son and celebrates his return. This is our God. This is the degree of love and mercy our Father has for us! No matter how often we stray, He loves us and rejoices at our homecoming. However, we must also take note that the son returned in humility, repentant of his ways. We must experience a sincere repentance for rejecting the love of God and for sinning against Him.

Christ’s story of the prodigal son does not end there. This part of the story shows the depth of God’s mercy and love, but the rest of the story also describes the response of God’s chosen people, the Israelites. The father in the parable had an older son, who had remained with his father. When the elder son heard the joyful noise of celebration for the return of his brother, he became angry and refused to attend the festivities. His father came out and pleaded with his son, but He told his father “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Luke 15:29-30). When Christ’s message began to spread among the Gentiles, many Jews became angry and rejected Jesus. Their hearts became hardened to the newly converted Christians, and they refused to join the celebration.

Paul expressed the anguish he felt for his kinsmen, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people” (Romans 9:2-3). His compassion was so fervent that he was willing to accept eternal damnation in hell, if his people could be saved. This is the same anguish that Christ felt when he cried out, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37). Christ willingly died on the cross for all his people, Jews and Gentiles, for every human being He ever created.

God’s love for us is infinite. No matter what we do, He loves us and is willing to have mercy on any who choose to return to Him. He knocks on the door of our hearts, but it is up to us to open the door. He will not force us to love Him. We can always refuse to love God. We can always reject the gift of love Christ offers us from the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, pure and without sin died an atrocious death like a criminal for the sins we committed. God does not decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. We make our own decisions. We can choose to enter His loving grace, or we can turn our backs and walk away. However, this decision has eternal consequences.   

© 2019  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

The Parable of the Talents

Jesus told a story reminding his followers that the wise should always remain ready for the Kingdom of Heaven because they will never know when the Groom (Christ) will come for his Bride (the Church). To those who are foolishly unprepared, Christ declared, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12). He followed that story with this Sunday’s Bible passage, the Parable of the Talents.

Jesus tells us of a man who planned to take a long journey. He gathered His slaves and entrusted his property to them while he was gone. To one slave he gave five talents, to another he gave two and to the third he gave one talent. A talent is a sum of money, which some calculate to be equivalent to 20 years’ worth of wages. The servant with the five talents immediately went and used the money in trade earning an additional five talents. The one with the two talents did the same and earned two additional talents. The servant with one talent feared his master, so he dug a hole in the ground and buried the money.

When the property owner returned from his journey, he summoned them to settle his accounts. The first two slaves, who were given five and two talents, respectively, proudly offered their master his property doubled. “His master said to (them) him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master’” (Matthew 25:21). To the third slave, who buried the one talent, “his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave…you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest. So, take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents” (Matthew 25:27-28).

It is ironic that today the word talent refers to one’s abilities and special gifts, since Christ was teaching us about stewardship in this parable. Everything in this life and on this earth belongs to our Master, God. We speak of “my house” and “my car” and “my money, but it all belongs to God. When we depart from this life, none of our possessions go with us. While we are alive, we are simply stewards, those responsible for God’s possessions. Just as the master in the parable put his slaves in charge of his property, God puts us in charge of the gifts He has bestowed upon us, whether they are possessions or abilities or talents. He expects us to use our gifts wisely to bring light into this world by glorifying Him. He does not want us to bury our gifts.

Another story, which illustrates this concept, is the fig tree. Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance. He approached it and found nothing but leaves. He cursed the tree, saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark 11:14). Christ cursed the fig tree because it was not bearing fruit. Later, as they passed the tree, once again, the disciples noticed that it was withered. God expects us to bear fruit, to be a light in the world. He expects us to live our lives revealing the image of Christ, being witnesses of our faith by sharing God’s love to all. We are living icons, images of Christ.

Whatever gifts and talents we have received from God, we are to share them with others in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we do, God bestows greater gifts on our lives.  When the disciples noticed the withered fig tree, Christ responded, “Have faith in God.  Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11: 22-24). When we do anything and everything to please God, He will reward us beyond what we can imagine. When we go to work and give it all we can, we will experience joy and contentment. Work will not be a drudgery. Even one who does the most menial type of work will experience joy in being able to reveal Christ to others.

St. Nektarios of Aegina worked for a cruel master when he was but a young boy. His master beat him and berated him. There was nothing St. Nektarios could do to please his master. Nevertheless, the young boy would copy passages of scripture and hide them in the packages he delivered for his master. With joy, he would painstakingly copy scripture and spread God’s word to all of his master’s patrons. His joy in Christ could not be quenched. Today, he is a saint of the church who is called upon to intercede on behalf of multitudes of believers, especially cancer patients. Countless miracles are attributed to his intercessions. I, too, prayed to St. Nektarios to intercede on my behalf when I had cancer six years ago.        

It is our responsibility, as Christians, to be ambassadors for Christ. We do not have to knock on doors or take to the streets to spread the word of God. We utilized the gifts God has granted us in our everyday lives. According to Paul (1 Corinthians 12:28), “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues,” but the greatest gifts are “faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Those three are gifts we all possess!

We, as Christians are to be known by our fruits, the effects our faith, hope and love have on others and on ourselves. These are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). These bring great joy to Christ and glorify Him! Not only are we to share our gifts with the world around us, but more importantly, these are necessities to the flourishing of our Church. They are intended to strengthen us and our faith. They are to supply the needs of all the members of the Church, the body of Christ. We possess the Holy Spirit within us which unites us. We utilize our gifts to build each other up, to deepen our relationship with Christ, to raise our spirits and to support one another in suffering. “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

If we are suffering in any way, we seek comfort in one another. We empathize with one another because we have all suffered in one way or another. We forgive one another, knowing that God will forgive us, as well. This is the way of the Church. “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Do not withhold the gifts you have to offer the church. Become an active part of your church. Let us become a blessing to one another. I have found that every single time I have asked God to allow be to be a blessing to others, I have received blessings in greater measure. We cannot out-give God.     

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Martyrs

Would you willingly die for your faith? It is a difficult question to answer, until we are actually faced with that predicament. The term “martyr” has developed negative connotations in recent years due to terrorists who perpetrate murderous acts in the name of their “God.” Suicide bombers kill themselves in order to inflict as much murder and chaos as possible. They consider themselves martyrs, but they are not. They have committed suicide and have killed themselves. This is not a true act of martyrdom. Rather, it is an act of hatred, murder, the murdering of one’s self, as well as the murdering others. True martyrs are killed by others because they refuse to relinquish their faith. The motivation of Christian martyrs is their love for Christ, and their desire to remain faithful to Him.

The foundations of the Christian Church have been established by the blood of martyred Saints who refused to deny Christ, beginning with the Apostles. During the first 300 years of the fledgling faith, tens of thousands of Christians were executed for refusing to offer a sacrifice to a pagan god. These were acts of faithfulness and courage, especially because the Christian martyrs endured horrific suffering. Many were tortured before being executed, and the manners of death were cruel and painful, such as crucifixion, being boiled in oil, flayed or whipped to death, stoned, dragged by horses or subjected to being attacked by wild animals publicly for sport in the Colosseum. The women were also often raped and prostituted. These martyrs were committed to Christ and are the heroes of our faith. Their deaths inspired others to convert to Christianity. In fact, it only took about 300 years for Christianity, which was despised and persecuted, to finally be declared the official religion of the Roman Empire. This movement change the world.

The following story of the 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste who are commemorated on March 9 by Eastern Orthodox Christians is just one account, which inspired many early Christians to convert to the faith (retrieved from https://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/03/09/100706-40-holy-martyrs-of-sebaste): 

In the year 313 Saint Constantine the Great issued an edict granting Christians religious freedom, and officially recognizing Christianity as equal with paganism under the law. But his co-ruler Licinius was a pagan, and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As Licinius prepared his army to fight Constantine, he decided to remove Christians from his army, fearing mutiny.

One of the military commanders of that time in the Armenian city of Sebaste was Agricola, a zealous champion of idolatry. Under his command was a company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished themselves in many battles. When these Christian soldiers refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up in prison. The soldiers occupied themselves with prayer and psalmody, and during the night they heard a voice saying, “Persevere until the end, then you shall be saved.”

On the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola. This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor, their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their emperor.

Seven days later, the renowned judge Licius arrived at Sebaste and put the soldiers on trial. The saints steadfastly answered, “Take not only our military insignia, but also our lives, since nothing is more precious to us than Christ God.” Licius then ordered his servants to stone the holy martyrs. But the stones missed the saints and returned to strike those who had thrown them. One stone thrown by Licius hit Agricola in the face, smashing his teeth. The torturers realized that the saints were guarded by some invisible power. In prison, the soldiers spent the night in prayer and again they heard the voice of the Lord comforting them: “He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25). Be brave and fear not, for you shall obtain imperishable crowns.”

On the following day the judge repeated the interrogation in front of the torturer, but the soldiers remained unyielding.

It was winter, and there was a severe frost. They lined up the holy soldiers, threw them into a lake near the city, and set a guard to prevent them from coming out of the water. In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath-house was set up on the shore. During the first hour of the night, when the cold had become unbearable, one of the soldiers made a dash for the bath-house, but no sooner had he stepped over the threshold, then he fell down dead.

During the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the martyrs. Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water in the lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for Aglaius, who was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a radiant crown had appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius counted thirty-nine crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had lost his crown.

Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to them, “I too am a Christian,” and he joined the martyrs. Standing in the water he prayed, “Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these soldiers believe. Add me to their number and make me worthy to suffer with Your servants.” Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head.

In the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were still alive, and their guard Aggias was glorifying Christ together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son to persevere until death.

They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him on the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their charred bones were thrown into the water...

Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to Saint Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious martyrs by night and buried them with honor.

There is a pious custom of baking “skylarks” (pastries shaped like skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty “skylarks” are prepared in honor of the Forty Martyrs.

© 2019  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

 http://www.helenkamenos.com/

What Is the Purpose of Icons in the Orthodox Church?

My church, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo, is in the process of adding an icon of the Mother of God with baby Jesus in the sanctuary behind the altar. Many, who are not Orthodox, have often asked me about the many icons we venerate. They do not understand why we “worship” idols. Perhaps, I can give you some history and a bit about the Orthodox perspective. Eusebuis, in his History of the Church (2nd Century), stated "I have seen a great many portraits of the Saviour, of Peter and of Paul, which have been preserved up to our own times." Based on this statement, icons were being made very early in Church history. “Eusebuis' testimony is believed to be all the more valuable, since he was personally against icons” (as cited by Lossky 1952)¹.

Icons became more popular after Christianity was legalized by Emperor Constantine in the 4^th century and as the church grew. The Greek word for icon, εἰκώνa, means image.  Because the great majority of people in that day were illiterate, icons were used to teach the Biblical stories of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. They were used much like we use photographs today. You might say it is because “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Icons of Christ and the saints were used to remind Christians of the people in the stories, but they were also treasured as we treasure pictures of our loved ones, especially those who have passed away. Orthodox Christians do not worship icons. Rather, we cherish them. We kiss icons as we would kiss a picture of a beloved parent, child, or grandchild. When my mother was alive, she often kissed the pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren out of the love she felt for them. When those who were evacuated due to the fires, the first thing most took with them were their precious photographs, their memories.

When we say we venerate an icon, we mean that we show our reverence, respect, and love for those portrayed in the image. Christ is our precious Lord. The saints are our heroes and role models, many of whom were martyred for their faith. Some wrote the Bible of the Old and New Testament. Others lead the way for the freedom of worship we enjoy today. They were the pioneers who recorded our theology in writings, such as the Nicene Creed. They developed the hymns, liturgical prayers and worship we practice every Sunday and on feast days. They taught us how to understand our faith. Therefore, we admire them, love them, and so we choose to remember them. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ’s Church. Certainly, no Orthodox Christian would ever say that they worship an icon, nor would it even occur to him; this would be sacrilegious.

We also ask saints to intercede on our behalf, just as we may ask a friend to pray for us. You might think of it this way: saints are considered “experts” in the practice of prayer, and so we ask them to pray to God for us, to make our request known to Him. Saints are canonized because they led a life that glorified God, and we see in them the image of God. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not follow a formal process of canonization. For the Orthodox, “Canonization does not make anybody a saint. Canonization recognizes that someone already was, in his own lifetime, a saint.”² Since we were created in the image of God, saints are those whose lives preserved that original image and can be imitated. 

Miracles are often associated with saints and icons. For example, some icons miraculously exude myrrh. My mother told my siblings and me many stories of miracles she had heard or had seen, which involved icons. One story she told us was about a blind man who prayed for his sight to be restored. He prayed to the Virgin Mary in front of her well-known icon in Tinos. He promised that he would donate a silver sculpture of the first thing he saw when he received his sight. The first thing he saw was an orange tree, so today, you can find that silver orange tree at the Panagia Church in Tinos, Greece, alongside other offerings, such as arms, legs, eyes and human organs that were healed. Christ loves His mother, and therefore, her prayers are exceptionally influential.

James instructs us to “pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). The miracles associated with saints attest to their righteousness. Martyred saints have a special place in heaven, under the altar of God. “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given” (Revelation 6:9). Christ hears their voices, and so we ask them to pray for us.

Today, we do not have many real heroes worthy to be role models and admired by our children. Their heroes are athletes, celebrities, or comic book heroes. Icons of Christ and the saints can open the door to conversations about the attributes God finds pleasing in His saints, qualities such as humility, integrity, honesty and compassion. Christians should know the stories of the heroes of our church who deserve reverence and respect because of the way they lived their lives, and the way their lives glorified God.  

¹  Lossky, V. and Oupensky, L. (1982). The Meaning of Icons (3rd ed.). New York: St. Vladimir Seminary Press. Retrieved on December 2018 from http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/icon.htm.

²  1970. Canonization of Saint Herman of Alaska. Kodiak, Alaska. Retrieved on December 2018 from https://oca.org/fs/canonization.

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

The Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ. What an awesome gift God gave us on the day Christ was born. God clothed Himself in flesh and entered our physical reality as a vulnerable little baby. Oh, how He loves us! It is fitting that the Christmas season should be a time of giving. All around the world, Christians and even non-believers celebrate Christmas in some way. The map above shows how many countries celebrate Christmas as a public holiday. I find it fascinating that many, who are not Christians, still exchange gifts and practice some of the traditions. What a powerful legacy Christ left us! He taught us the value of giving, the power of love. Thus, we describe the feeling we experience from giving at this time of year as the spirit of Christmas. Even non-believers remember and honor Christ in an indirect way.

Personally, I find the Christmas season in the United States a bit too commercial and secularized. It is very difficult to find Christmas cards with a nativity scene. Christmas songs are about reindeer, rocking around the Christmas tree, jingling bells, a winter wonderland, or Frosty the snowman. I enjoy the traditional songs, like “Silent Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “What Child Is This?” Shopping becomes so stressful with people fighting for parking spots or losing patience while waiting in lines. Yet, everyone seems intent on finding that right gift for their loved ones. Despite the commercialism, those of us who exchange gifts discover that the greater joy is watching a loved one open the gift we have given, rather than opening gifts ourselves.

Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity, and therefore, exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:

Many do not realize that Santa Claus is a real person, a saint of the church. The myth of Santa Claus, which is a German translation for St. Nicholas, was the real live Archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor, who lived during the fourth century. He does not have a sleigh with reindeers that fly throughout the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to children. Instead, he inherited his parents’ estate and promptly gave away his riches to the needy. He was known for his generosity. Thus, he exemplifies the spirit of Christmas. The following story is an example:

“There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom Saint Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies, so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man’s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. Saint Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, Saint Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.” 1

Those of us who are Christians, should strive to truly live the spirit of Christmas this year. We can be patient in those long lines. We can refuse to become upset when someone sneaks into that parking space that you had already begun to enter. We can give a gift to someone who may not expect it or make a donation for those in need. We should not neglect to thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us and our families. The greatest gift we can give to our families and friends is the gift of time. Spend more intimate time communicating in person, rather than through a text on our phones or a message on social media.

One day, I was at a restaurant having dinner. A mother was having dinner with her two children. The entire time I observed her, which was about 30 minutes, she was on her phone, texting or doing something. The two children were playing games on their phones. None of them spoke a word, except to announce that it was time to go. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity. To me this was so sad! Instead, we should spend more time with one another, sharing experiences together, laughing, creating joyous memories. When we are gone and have left this life, all that will remain for our loved ones are those treasured memories.

¹ Retrieved from: https://oca.org/saints/lives/2016/12/06/103484-st-nicholas-the-wonderworker-and-archbishop-of-myra-in-lycia).

Have a beautiful Christmas filled with God’s love and many of His blessings! May the joy of Christ’s birth fill your hearts to overflowing!  

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (John 6:56).

The above passage from scripture is not well known. However, in John 6:53-58, Jesus repeated these words five times! He was definitely emphasizing the importance of this teaching. Christ’s followers complained that “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6:61). Although He explained that these words described a spiritual truth, many of His supporters unable to comprehend, stopped following Him. These words would not be understood, until after Christ’s resurrection, and after the church was established by the twelve Apostles.

Jesus was referring to the Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion. He instituted this practice of receiving the body and blood of Christ with His disciples at the Last Supper. “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20). We also learn that the Holy Eucharist was celebrated on Sundays, when Paul states that a group of Christ’s followers met “on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7) to break bread. It was on the first day of the week that Christ rose from the dead, so therefore, we celebrate the resurrection by partaking of the Eucharist. In I Corinthians 11, Paul states that the Lord handed down the celebration of Holy Communion to him, and he taught the early church members.

The Eucharist replaced the sacrifice of animals, which God instituted from the very beginning with Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). It was Abel’s sacrifice of a lamb that God found pleasing, which angered Cain so greatly that he murdered his brother. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and just as Abraham was prepared to bring down the knife, an angel stopped him, and God provided the ram for the sacrifice (Genesis 22). The Jewish priests sacrificed animals in the Temple regularly, especially on the feast days. Sacrifices were only permitted to take place in the Temple at Jerusalem because God dwelled in the Holy of Holies within the Temple. The priests would offer up sacrifices brought by the people. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross replaced the Temple sacrifices because He was the perfect lamb. No longer were other sacrifices acceptable to God. In 70 A.D. the Temple was destroyed, and the Jews have not been permitted to offer sacrifices since then. The presence of God was no longer to be found in the Temple. Since Pentecost, God dwells within believers through the Holy Spirit.

The Greek noun εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), means "thanksgiving", while the word Communion comes from the passage in 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ.” These words describe a spiritual reality. When we receive the body and blood of Christ with thanksgiving, we receive Christ Himself and become spiritually united with Him and our fellow believers. Therefore, we become one body in Christ with many members. “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5). In other words, the church is one group in agreement with Christ, but there are many members of our group. Just as a body has eyes, ears, and hands, we are one body working together for God.

Among the various Christian denominations, there are only a few who celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, including the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. Many Christians do not place the emphasis on Holy Communion that Christ did. Jesus declared, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). According to Jesus, receiving the Holy Eucharist is imperative and essential to our lives as Christians. Christ established Holy Communion at the Last Supper. The Apostles and early church celebrated the Holy Eucharist weekly.

Many do not fully comprehend the spiritual reality and power of the Holy Eucharist. Paul explains what happened to those who received Communion without properly asking for forgiveness: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord…For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). Paul warns us that we must properly judge ourselves and repent for our sins before receiving the body and blood of Christ. Some even died when they received the Holy Eucharist unworthily. Mystically, the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.

After properly repenting for our sins and receiving the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit forgives our sins and seals us. “It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, 22 by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment” (1 Corinthians 1:21-22). In ancient times, a wax seal was used by kings to authenticate their communications. The seal of the Eucharist is God’s signature on us confirming His new covenant, our contractual agreement. We acknowledge that agreement with God each time we receive Communion, and in return, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. It is the seal of the Holy Spirit, which lets the devil know that we belong to Christ.

Many Christians believe that they can pray at home and develop their relationship with Christ on their own. They do not feel it necessary to attend church on a regular basis, and in some cases, they do not feel it necessary to attend church at all. However, we cannot participate in the Holy Gifts without attending church. Christ’s church requires community. It requires we not only participate in Holy Communion with one another, but it also requires that we share our own personal gifts with one another. Each of us has been given gifts by God to build up the church, but if we do not come together as a church, all of us suffer from the loss. Our faith may not be as strong as it might be when we are able to encourage one another. We are not available to one another when we need comforting or guidance. Our gifts bear little or no fruit in the church of Christ. We cannot be His eyes, ears, or hands. It is the fruits of our gifts that build one another’s faith. It is those times when God sends us just the right words from a fellow believer that helps us experience the love of God. It is those times when God sends us to give the right encouraging words to a fellow believer that makes Him real in our lives.

In today’s world, more important than anything, our children need the community of the church. They need to learn about God and build their faith. There is so much depression, anxiety and hopelessness among our young people today. They need to know the love, faith and hope of Jesus. Children need to grow up in their churches, experiencing God and the power of His Holy Communion, which unites us with one another and with Christ. Parents take your children to church and participate in the Eucharist regularly.

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2).

Happy Thanksgiving!      

 

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Loss of Innocence

    Painting by constantdoodler on DeviantArt

I clearly remember a time in my young life losing my innocence, at least, that’s what I call it. I always wanted to please people, so I made an effort to always be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. I paid close attention to those who seemed to need a friend, and I tried to become a friend to them. I got along with everyone, especially because I do not like conflict. I avoided confrontation at all costs. I loved helping others. I became a great listener because most people just need someone to listen to them and empathize with them. They do not really want advice. Occasionally, some would ask for advice, and I would do my best with the limited experience I had at that point. Many considered me a sort of psychologist for them. I always tried to be encouraging and to point out valuable qualities in them that I admired.

As I grew into adulthood, I realized that no matter how kind you are to some people, they are not always kind in return. This was a great disappointment to me because I believed that if you were kind to someone, they would naturally wish to be kind in return. The joy of being kind to others disappeared. I remember consciously coming to the conclusion that being kind to someone was, sometimes, not worth it. The experience of betrayal and rejection caused more pain than I was willing to accept at the time. In addition, I began believing that it was because I somehow had less value. I wondered if it was my fault. Consequently, I became more reserved and more introverted.

Now, many, many years later, with more God in my life, I learned something different. I learned about God’s kind of love, what the Bible calls “charity” or “agape.” This kind of love is completely unselfish and is not affected by what treatment we receive from others. It is given unconditionally, expecting nothing in return. Therefore, if I lend a friend $5,000, I offer it not expecting to be paid back in return. This is rather unusual, since allowing someone to borrow money generally means that he/she is expected to pay it back. Charity results in greater rewards than ordinary kindness. Rather than being proud of ourselves for performing acts of kindness, charity is offered as a sacrifice. That $5,000 really hurt my pocketbook. I couldn’t really afford it, so I must make due with less for a while. However, I do not mind it because I want to make this sacrifice to help a friend and to glorify God. I am fully aware that it is God who wants me to give the loan and so in loving God, I obey. He will be glorified in this act of charity “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). That means that I will experience God’s love in my heart, and the Holy Spirit will work on my friend’s heart, as well.  

What happens when I offer love that involves a sacrifice? The Holy Spirit awakens in us. He fills with an inexpressible joy. The greater the sacrifice involved in an act of charity, the greater elation we experience. It seems that the Holy Spirit replaces the pain of sacrifice with an equal degree of happiness. When I experienced the greatest sacrifice in giving, I also experienced a supernatural kind of ecstasy, which can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit. I now understand what Christ meant when He said, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?” (Matthew 5:46). 

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

  

 

            

Scandal in the Church

I weep! I am grieved by the suffering of our Christian brothers and sisters due to the scandals of the Catholic Church. I pray that we all keep our hearts and minds on Christ and not on the human beings who have been disgraceful ambassadors of Christ. This attack on the church affects all Christians, not just Catholics. I empathize with our Catholic brothers and sisters who must endure the criticism of their faith due to the horrific acts perpetrated on innocent children. This is unconscionable. Christ has, once again, been crucified by these men. He who loves us beyond what we can imagine, has once again, been nailed to the cross by those who have betrayed Him.

Christian brothers and sisters do not despair! He, who has already been victorious over sin, continues to reign. We are not followers of men, but instead, we are followers of Christ, our Savior. Our faith is established in Him and no one else. Let us all go to Him in prayer. Let us ask for the healing of our own sins and the healing of His church. The evil one seeks to divide us and persecute us. Will we allow Satan to separate us from Christ’s church? The true Church crosses denominational boundaries. It is founded by Christ Himself. Jesus declared that “the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (the church)” (Matthew 16:18). The Church is not a building or a collection of bishops, priests, ministers or pastors. The Church is the body of individual disciples of Christ, who practice His two great commandments to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38).

John puts it plainly: “Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection” (1 John 2:4-5). It is the love of God that identifies us as genuine Christians. Therefore, as difficult as it is and as angry as we may feel at the blatant betrayal of all those involved in this scandal and its cover-up, we should pray for the souls of those who knew Christ yet turned away from Him. For them, it would have been better if they had never professed Christ than, as Peter describes it, “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’” (2 Peter 2:22). The shepherds of the church, those who are in a position to teach the word of God, are responsible for their sheep. If bishops, priests, deacons, ministers, pastors, or any having the responsibility of shepherding Christ’s flock have caused His sheep pain and suffering or caused them to go astray or waiver in their faith, God will hold them personally accountable.

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul counsels Timothy who has been given the responsibility of the church in Ephesus, how to handle the sins of elders or those in positions of authority:

¹⁹ Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear. ²¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality.

Those who have perpetrated crimes against children should be reported to the appropriate criminal authorities, so that they may be condemned (rebuked) in the presence of all. They must also suffer the consequences of their criminal acts. As Paul states, there should be no favoritism (partiality) for any elder or representative of the Church. I am confident that Christ will ensure that His Church will value the wisdom in this advice, especially in the cases of such heinous criminal acts.  

           I shed heartfelt tears for those Catholics who are hurting for their church. I, too, am hurting for Christ’s Church. As the Nicene Creed states, I believe in “One, Holy, Catholic (meaning universal), and Apostolic Church.” Once again, it is being persecuted, but it is so much more painful when it comes from within the Church itself. Betrayal is so much more heart-rending. However, we must always remember that we are not followers of men. We are followers of Christ. He needs us now more than ever. Christ teaches us to rise above evil by living our lives as lights to the world. It is the light of His love that people need to see from us. It is our unity as the Body of Christ that will strengthen us.  It is the courage of our convictions and our perseverance through tragedy that will glorify God. Let us pray for the victims who suffer even now. Let us pray that Christ keep and protect each and every one of us from temptation and sin. Let us pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/

Open Doors

Every day, we are faced with decisions to make. Some may be significant milestones in our lives and others are just ordinary daily decisions. Some decisions are difficult to make, and others may require little thought on our part. Often, it is God who places choices in our path. “Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut” (Revelation 3:8). The key is to “look” for those open doors, especially if we struggle to choose between what is the right thing to do and what is not.

Often, God places open doors in our path in life, which eventually lead to greater faith in our lives, particularly when we experience tribulations. However, we frequently neglect to involve God in our decisions. “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (James 1:5). Wisdom is always necessary in making decisions in our lives, especially important ones. God can give us insights, which we may not have considered. In addition, we should always wish to do God’s will, which always benefits us. God blesses those who do His will. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Our lives are filled with choices that lead to blessings or curses, depending on whether we obey the will of God. God does not curse us, but if we make poor choices, we often suffer from the consequences of our decisions.

When we are conflicted in making a decision, God will reveal His will to us. “And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). How can we know? How can we hear God’s voice? When we resist God’s will, we will remain conflicted, but when we choose God’s will, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy” (James 3:17). A feeling of peace is a sure sign that we are making the right decision.

If we continue to struggle over our decision or if God places the same open door in our path more than once, we should then consider our motivations for our choices. “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit (heart)” (Proverbs 16:2). Are we being selfish? Are we resisting an opportunity for God to work through us? God’s will is always focused on our salvation or the salvation of others. If God opens a door for us, it is because He loves us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Doors can also be opened by the evil one. We need to recognize temptations when we encounter them. Generally, it is not too difficult to discern temptations, but it is sometimes difficult to recognize openings for us to grow in our faith or to help others grow in their faith. Many times, it is an opportunity to act in love. These can be missed opportunities, if we do not act at all. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Examples of open doors may include a change in jobs or residence. God may want to place you in a new environment, where you may bear more fruit or where you may grow in the Christian life. God may introduce you to a person who needs your wisdom or whose wisdom may benefit you. Perhaps a starving homeless person is sitting in front of the store you are about to enter. Perhaps a friend or loved one has taken ill, or maybe a friend is suffering due to a relationship problem. Maybe, you are experiencing hardship, where the wisdom of an outsider may help you put things into perspective. God may open a door for you to reconcile with a family member by asking for forgiveness or by offering forgiveness.

God’s purposes usually involve spiritual growth for us or for others. God is only concerned with our salvation. When those open doors present themselves, consider that God is opening that door, so that we can move closer to Him, closer to His love. When we walk through those open doors, we often discover how much we have been blessed by the experience. Our faith increases because we have encountered God. Our relationship to him becomes more intimate. We are able to trust in our Lord and future hardships become smaller bumps in our road through life. He gives us the strength and courage to persevere. No mountain is too great for God. Usually, deep down in our hearts, we know when the open door leads to our Lord. They are not coincidences. They are part of His plan for our lives. Look for those open doors God places in your path. “Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalms 9:10). May God bless you and keep you! May you grow in His wisdom and may you enter through those open doors with confidence and with hope!                  

© 2018  Helen Kamenos  All rights reserved

http://www.helenkamenos.com/