The Beheading of Prophet and Baptist John

Icon written in Greece by Miltiadis Afentoulis

The story of the beheading of John is found in Mark 6:14-30. His head is preserved in the Church of St. Sylvester in Rome.

Troparion of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with songs of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner. Thou wast shown indeed to be the most honorable of the prophets, for in the waters thou didst baptize Him Who had been proclaimed. After suffering with joy in behalf of the truth, thou didst proclaim even to those in Hades the God Who appeared in the flesh, Who takest away the sin of the world, and granteth us the Great Mercy.

"I AM NOT WORTHY TO UNDO THE STRAP OF HIS SANDAL"

St. John the Baptist played a vital role in the story of salvation for the human race. The son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, John lived his adult life as a recluse in the Judean wilderness. It had been foretold by the Archangel Gabriel that “… he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,” (Luke 1:15-16) It is no wonder then that many who heard him preach and came to the Jordan River to be baptized by him thought that he might be the long-awaited Messiah.

John however never lost sight of what his calling was. He had no “illusions of grandeur”, for he fully understood that he was to be the “Forerunner of Christ - the one who would prepare the world for the coming of the Saviour. He was the “voice of one crying in the wilderness.” Yes, John made it perfectly clear to all those who listened to his words: “There comes One after me who is mightier than I. I am not worthy to undo the strap of His sandal.” (Mark 1:7) After baptizing Jesus - something that he thought himself unworthy to do -John was content to fade into the background and allow our Lord to begin His redemptive work.

As Christ embarked upon His Divine Mission, John continued to preach the message of repentance to all who would listen. Never afraid to speak the truth, John was arrested and cast into prison for criticizing King Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife Herodias. This eventually would lead to his execution by means of beheading.

St. John the Baptist is held in high esteem by our Holy Orthodox Church. The words of Christ Himself attest to the stature of this remarkable saint: “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.”(Matthew 11:11)
The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in U.S.A.

Theosis, Justification, Sanctification ?

Here are 4 sources to check out.

First: Beyond Justification; An Orthodox Perspective
Summary
The Orthodox writer, Valerie Karras, addresses the “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification by Faith” put out jointly by the Lutherans and the Roman Catholics.

He covers this subject by first clarifying the concepts of Original Guilt, Free Will and Imago Dei (Image of God in Latin) delineating the point of view of the three vested parties – the Catholics, Lutherans, and the Orthodox.

In clarifying these concepts, he introduces St. Augustine’s influence on how we understand original sin and especially differentiates the Orthodox understanding. From here one can see what problems can arise from the two different perspectives.

Then he goes on to talk about Justification, Sanctification, and Deification (theosis or sharing), breaking out this topic into three sections:
• Restoration of the Fallen Humanity – Justification as “sharing” [in the Divinity of God]
• Beyond Justification to Salvation as Deification
• Grace, Faith, Theosis, and the Finns

In the last section involving the Finns, he explained Luther’s own understanding of salvation and how it may be at odds with both the current Lutheran understanding and the mainstream Protestant position.

This is a great article to read especially if you can get pass certain technical terms and nomenclature used. To save you time in googling the terms, here is a GLOSSARY:
Soteriology is the branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation
Sola Scriptura is Latin for solely by the Scriptures
Sola Fide is Latin for solely by faith
Sola Gratia is Latin for solely by grace
Traducianism is a doctrine about the origin of the soul (or synonymously, "spirit") in the biblical use of the word about the immaterial aspect of human beings (Genesis 35:18, Matthew 10:28). This immaterial aspect is transmitted through natural generation along with the body, the material aspect of human beings. Traducianism specifically means an individual's soul is derived from the souls of the individual's parents.
Concupiscence is selfish human desire for an object, person, or experience. It is derived from the Latin word concupiscentia, meaning "an intense desire".
Pneumatology in Christian theology refers to the study of the Holy Spirit.
Pelagianism is the heresy that original sin did not taint human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without Divine aid.
Theanthropos is a person who is worshipped as a god.
Actual Document: Beyond Justification: An Orthodox Perspective

Second: 16th Century Lutheran and Orthodox Exchange
Summary
Set in the geopolitical climate of the time, this paper provides a glimpse of the actual dialogue that transpired between the Lutherans and the Orthodox Church when the Lutherans pulled away from the Roman Catholic Church. The fledgling Lutherans tried to seek theological backing from the Eastern Orthodox Church for their effort in separating from the Roman Church. The paper showed how the conversation ended but projected an optimistic future for further dialogue that have extended to our present time and possible unification discussions into the future.
What are also useful here are the points of doctrinal agreement and the points of doctrinal disagreement.
Actual Document: 16th Century Lutheran and Orthodox Exchange

Third: Justification (Theology)
Summary
Wikipedia definition of justification in Christian theology is God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous before God.
This link is worth a good look. There is a tabulation of how the various Christian denominations such as the Roman Catholics, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox, Reformed stand with respect to the attributes: Process or Event, Type of Action, Permanence, Justification & Sanctification.
Actual Document: Justification (Theology)

Fourth: Salvation – Roman Catholic versus Orthodox Protestant View
Summary
The writer of this essay is Douglas Ernest Woolley. He received Christ in 1980 within the Lutheran Church. He was baptized in water and later in the Holy Spirit in a Non-Denominational Charismatic church between the years 1984 and 1993. He became an adherent of the Assemblies of God Church since 1993. While working as a Systems Engineer in Verizon, he is also a degreed Bible scholar working towards his master’s degree.
Doug’s essay outlines the difference in understanding of salvation between a Roman Catholic and a typical Protestant. This is a interesting and short read.
Actual Document: Salvation - Roman Catholic versus Orthodox Protestant View

Bartholomew and Titus

Apostle Bartholomew

Today, the Church commemorates the miraculous transfer of the remains of St. Bartholomew, one of the twelve disciples, to the island of Lipara. His main feast day falls on June 11.

Troparion (Tone 3)
Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas,
entreat the merciful God
to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion (Tone 4)
You have appeared to the universe as a great sun,
shining with the radiance of your teachings and awesome miracles.
You enlighten those who honor you, apostle of the Lord, Bartholomew

Apostle Titus

Titus is one of the seventy apostles mentioned in the gospel of Luke 10:1-24. Born in Crete and educated in Greek philosophy, he went to Jerusalem where he heard the words of the Saviour. He was later baptized by Paul whom he served in the gospel as a son serves his father. Paul appointed him bishop of Crete and addressed to him the "Epistle to Titus."

More on the Theotokos - II

This article is found in our Church bulletin today. The bond between mother and son can be really special. This point can't be over emphasized. Our Lord is fully God and fully man and yet is one person. As a man He had a complete human experience. Bearing these thoughts in mind, let's read on.

THE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

The Lord who, on Sinai, gave the Fifth Commandment: ‘Honour thy father and thy mother', showed by His own example how one must reverence one's parents. Hanging in agony on the Cross, He remembered His mother, and, indicating the Apostle John, said to her: 'Woman, behold thy son!', and to John. 'Behold thy mother!’ And, with this concern for His mother, He breathed His last. John had a home on Sion in Jerusalem, where he settled the Mother of God and left her to pass her remaining days on earth. By her prayers, her kindly advice, her meekness and patience, she was of immense help to her Son's apostles. She spent virtually the rest of her life in Jerusalem, often going round the places that reminded her of the great events and the great works associated with and performed by her Son. She especially visited Golgotha, Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives. Of her journeys farther afield, her visit to St Ignatius the God-Bearer is recorded, as are those to St Lazarus the Four-days-dead, Bishop of Cyprus, to the Holy Mountain, to which she gave her blessing, and her stay in Ephesus with John during a fierce persecution of Christians in Jerusalem. In old age, she often prayed to her Lord and God on the Mount of Olives, on the spot from which He ascended, to take her from this world. One day the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and revealed that she would enter into rest in three days' time, and the angel gave her a palm-branch to be carried in her funeral procession. She returned home with great joy, with the heartfelt hope that she would see Christ's apostles once more in this life. The Lord fulfilled her desire and all the apostles, brought by angels and clouds, gathered together at John's house on Sion. It was with great joy that she saw the holy apostles, and she encouraged, advised and upheld them, then peacefully gave her soul into God’s hands without the slightest pain or physical struggle. The apostles took the coffin containing her body, from which an aromatic fragrance arose, and, accompanied by many Christians, took it to the Garden of Gethsemane, to the grave of Ss Joachim and Anna. (Joachim and Anna are the father and mother of the Virgin Mary) By God's providence, they were hidden from the wicked Jews by a cloud. A Jewish priest, Antony, touched the coffin with his hand, intending to overturn it, but at that moment an angel of God cut off both his hands. He cried out with the pain, begging the apostles' help, and was healed in confessing his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It was left to the Apostle Thomas, who was delayed, again by God's providence, to reveal a new and glorious mystery about the Holy Mother of God. He arrived on the third day, and desired to embrace the body of the holy and most pure. When the apostles opened her grave, he found only the winding-sheet - the body was not in the grave. That evening, she appeared to the apostles, surrounded by a multitude of angels, and said to them: 'Rejoice; I will be with you always!' It is not known exactly how old the Mother of God was at the time of her falling asleep, but the prevailing belief is that she had reached the age of sixty.

References

• AOC exposition - The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary
• AOC exposition - Why a fast for Dormiton?

More on the Theotokos - I

In today's Church bulletin there is the following on the back cover

THE FALLING ASLEEP OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
In the Apostolic Church, the Most Holy Virgin Mary was treated with great reverence and respect. It is said Christians came from all over the world to hear her speak about the wondrous events she experienced in her life and her intimate knowledge of the teachings of her Divine Son. Have you ever wondered what she was like? Drawing on information passed down from other early saints,

Ambrose of Milan has this to say about the Theotokos: "She was humble in heart and full of wisdom. Her rule of life was to offend no one, to intend good for everyone and to be virtuous in all she did. Her steps were quiet and her voice straightforward, so that her face was an expression of her soul. She was the personification of purity."

Nicephorus Callistus, a 14th century church historian, describes the physical appearance of the Mother of God in this manner: "She was of overage stature, with golden hair. Her eyes were bright and her face was marked with great character. She was not overly concerned with her outward appearance, nor did she pamper herself. Aspecial grace surrounded all of her actions."

Although there are no scriptural details chronicling her death, accounts of her last days on this earth have been handed down to us from the writings of saints such as Dionysius the Areogopagite and Meliton of Sardis. At the end, the Holy Spirit gathered together in Jerusalem all the Apostles (except Thomas) so that she could give them one final blessing and so that they could be privileged to witness her burial. Her Dormition occurred at the Third Hour (9 AM). Tradition tells us she had a vision of her Son shining brilliantly in her chamber, after which she uttered her last words - words that had guided her life from the moment the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that God had special plans for her: "My soul magnifies the Lard, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

The Dormition of the Theotokos

Icon: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City, PA

Photography: Chapel Studios, Rochester, PA

The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is one of the greatest holy day on our church calendar. Even though no mention of the Virgin’s falling asleep is found in the scriptures, detailed accounts of her death are found in various sources of sacred tradition – dating back as far as the first century. Material from these sources was ultimately gathered and expanded by the Church Historian Nicephorus Callistas in the 14th century. We are told that the body of the Theotokos was laid to rest in a family tomb in Gethsemane. Although her body was no longer in the sepulcher – having been taken into heaven by her Divine Son – a church was built on that site by the early Christians. Despite undergoing destruction and changes through the centuries, the Church of the Dormition still stands upon this sacred place.

Nowhere is this feast celebrated with as much solemnity as in Jerusalem itself. On the eve of the feast, a large procession begins at the Jerusalem Patriarchate and winds its way through the narrow streets of the Old City, slowly making its way to Gethsemane. An icon of the Dormition leads the procession, with clergy, monks, nuns and pilgrims following closely by. The two-hour walk ends at the church there, with the Lamentations Service celebrated at that time. In front of the altar in the edifice – beyond the burial chamber of the Mother of God – is a raised spot, upon which rest the shroud in which the body of the Virgin was wrapped. It is customary for those in attendance to venerate the processional icon of the Dormition and then stoop down and go beneath it as a sign of piety.

This feast day holds great theological significance for all Orthodox Christians. Holy Tradition goes into great detail about the Virgin Mary's death and the ensuing events that occurred immediately after her burial. With the exception of St. Thomas, all of the Apostles were at her side when she reposed. When St. Thomas arrived in Jerusalem three days later and was taken to her tomb, the body of the Theotokos was nowhere to be found!

The writings of St. Gregory Palamas put the matter into proper perspective for us. Here are some of his spiritual insights into the falling asleep of the Mother of God:
“If the death of His saints is precious in the sight of the Lord and the memory of the just is praised, then how much more should we praise the memory of the holiest of the saints, the Ever-Virgin Mary, through whom all holiness has been accorded?” The death of the Theotokos is a joyous feast, for into the hands of her Son was her spirit delivered. Indeed, a short while afterwards, her body was translated by Him into the eternal habitation of heaven."

"Heaven is a fitting place for her. She stands at the right side of the Almighty, 'adorned in golden robes and arrayed in diverse colors' as the Prophet David said of her. She was taken directly there from the grave, and now she shines with a resplendent radiance, illuminating the earth. Who could be closer to God than His Mother? Moreover, she will pray for all creatures throughout the ages, for she has been deemed worthy to be heard by her Divine Son. The Virgin is incomparably superior to all. It is through her that all partake of God. All who praise God praise her together with Him."

The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin … Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey … Litho in U.S.A.

What is Holy Tradition

Holy Tradition is the deposit of faith given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles and passed on in the Church from one generation to the next without addition, alteration or subtraction. Vladimir Lossky has famously described the Tradition as "the life of the Holy Spirit in the Church." It is dynamic in application, yet unchanging in dogma. It is growing in expression, yet ever the same in essence.
Unlike many conceptions of tradition in popular understanding, the Orthodox Church does not regard Holy Tradition as something which grows and expands over time, forming a collection of practices and doctrines which accrue, gradually becoming something more developed and eventually unrecognizable to the first Christians. Rather, Holy Tradition is that same faith which Christ taught to the Apostles and which they gave to their disciples, preserved in the whole Church and especially in its leadership through Apostolic succession.

The central location in Holy Tradition is occupied by the Holy Scriptures, the written witness to God's revelation in the Church. As such, the Scriptures are always interpreted from within the Tradition which was the context for their writing and canonization.

Excerpt from OrthodoxWiki dated 19 October 2009
Article Title: Introduction to Orthodox Christianity

The Transfiguration of Christ - "Eye Witnesses to Greatness"

Holy Transfiguration
Icon: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City, PA

The Transfiguration of our LORD is celebrated (on Friday August 6, this year) as one of the major feasts of  our Holy Orthodox Church. This mysterious event occurred late in our Lord's public ministry. In fact, the noted historian Eusebius, as well as St. John of Damascus were of the opinion that the Transfiguration took place precisely 40 days prior to Christ's death upon the Cross.

While heading for Jerusalem, Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James and John to the top of Mt. Tabor. Suddenly, "... His face shone like the sun and His garments became as white as snow." (Matthew 17:2) Appearing with the Lord at this awesome moment were Moses and Elias, proving that He was, indeed, the fulfillment of all that had been written in the Law and foretold by the Prophets. Any doubts of Christ's Divinity were dispelled by the thunderous voice of God the Father: 'This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." (Mathew 17:5)

The Apostle Peter would later describe his role on Mt. Tabor as being an "eyewitness to greatness." The Evangelist John beautifully captures the feeling of that moment in the first chapter of his Gospel: "And we beheld His glory, the glory as it were of the Only-Begotton of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

The hymns of our Holy Orthodox Church prescribed for the Transfiguration offer further explanation of the significance of this great holy day: "YOU WERE TRANSFIGURED UPON THE MOUNTAIN, O CHRIST OUR GOD, AND YOUR DISCIPLES BEHELD AS MUCH OF YOUR GLORY AS THEY COULD BEAR. SO THAT WHEN THEY WOULD SEE YOU CRUCIFIED, THEY MIGHT KNOW THAT YOUR SUFFERING WAS VOLUNTARY, AND MIGHT PROCLAIM TO THE WORLD THAT YOU ARE TRULY THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FATHER."

The Orthodox Weekly Bulletin
Vestal, Cliffwood, New Jersey
Litho in U.S.A.