Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The faith of the Apostles

There's a lot going on in "church" in America these days, and even in the rest of the "first world" (is there such a place, the "developed" countries?). From inside the doors of Orthodoxy, the outer courts are looking pretty chaotic, buying and selling, of religion, of blessing, of comfort, of self-realization, of culture, of anything that the world sells, only dressed up in a "Christian" cover.

Sadly, even holy Orthodoxy is being slowly but subtly lifted onto the bandwagon of "successful" programs and outreach "strategies," hoping to become as "relevant" as everybody else. Convert priests are foisted on kindly, welcoming and naïve congregations, convert priests who have no Orthodox root, no understanding of what a priest is. Do the hierarchs do this to test us, or do they hope we'll train these enthusiasts?

Orthodoxy fights back without striking a blow, the sheer intransigence of the flock, and the unchangeable liturgical forms, adding drag to the hasty, impatient boys. But they still have their way with us, for the time being.

Vespers is now vestiges of the evening service. Why?

So that neophytes can have more time to enlighten us with their worldly learning? Why pray, when prayer can be talked about, instead of just doing it? So, little by little these axeheads try to chip away at the Tree of faith.
What's happening, from another perspective, is the transformation of the Bride of Christ into a mystical business, of priests into businessmen in black, of pastors into administrators, of preachers into entertainers. This has been rampant outside of Orthodoxy; now it's seeping in. The words of holy Apostle John ring true now as always, "Children, be on your guard against false gods." (1 John 5:21 JB)

If the church where you live is experiencing any of these things, here's some good words written not long ago (1983) by Fr. George Papademetriou, a Greek Orthodox theologian, that I hope will encourage you to remember that the truth of Orthodoxy is the Truth of the Word of God, which Christ has told us "will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Even when the local church, for a time, is ravaged by wolves in sheep's clothing, we have to remember, THAT is not the Church; THIS is…


Today, especially when great confusion exists about the ministry of the Church in the world, Orthodoxy must reinforce age-long values and the faith of the Apostles.
"And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11)

This verse gives the true objective of the clergy; that is, the ordained priests have the unique function to equip all members for the apostolate or ministry.

The apostolate is not the monopoly of the clergy, it is the responsibility of all, and the role of the clergy is to help all to fulfill it.

There is always a danger of clericalism, and this we ought to avoid. Since the time of Saint Paul, the Church avoided clericalism with its emphasis on defining the Church as the Body of Christ.

In the Church the promised unity of all things in Christ is foreshadowed (Ephesians 2:1-22), and for this reason the Church must be the place where God's plan is made known to the whole kósmos (Ephesians 3:7-10). In the Church the people of God must grow up into full maturity as the embodiment of the love of God for His whole creation (Ephesians 3:14-21). Within this context we can understand the task of training the whole membership of the Church to share in God's purpose for the whole creation. Only then will we be doing Christ's work as the people of God—both clergy and laity.


1 comment:

Suelo said...

Hello Brother Romanos -
It's been a long while since I've had contact with you.
I'm in Portland & thought I'd go to the Orthodox church service, & maybe surprise you. But, alas, I didn't see you there. I'd assumed you attended St George's, shown on your links list, but then realize it's not the only Orthodox congregation in PLand.
Whatever, I just returned from St George's Divine Liturgy service & feel grateful. A part of me was expecting the usual rote, spiritless lip-service of many liturgical churches, so I was deeply surprised & moved - moved by the emphasis on worship & not talk, drawing the mind into the Present Presence, the sacrifice of Christ.
Then, the sermon emphasized how Christ's sacrifice is more than something we imitate, but something we enter into: crucified with Christ, resurrected with Christ. In this we give up everything, our total detachment from all the trappings of this world, and in this is our only path to God. It's beautiful to hear that the Sacrifice isn't a vicarious ticket to heaven separate from ourselves, like what I'm used to pop Evangelical doctrine teaching, but something we ourselves totally become, a total perfection. Total Union with Christ. It gives me goosebumps. Yes, there's an ancient, undying lineage here.

But I kinda got nervous & uncomfortable at the end, going up & kissing the cross & taking the bread. It also didn't feel conducive to meeting the congregants afterward, & everybody seemed to leave right after, & so did I. But maybe that was just my own last-minute nervousness, shoeing me out the door.

So today was my first-time experience of a Greek Orthodox service, most of it deeply positive. I don't doubt that there are also the negative elements creeping in that you talk about, as there are in any earthly body.

And I was disappointed that I didn't run into you there.