Saint Porphyrios intercede on our behalf!
We were saddened to learn last evening from the Holy Patriarchate of Jerusalem that an airstrike from Israel hit the Church of St. Porphyrios in Gaza. The Church is the oldest active Church in Gaza City, dating to the 5th century. Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias confirmed that the offices and entrance to the Monastery were bombarded, with sections of the building collapsing.
The Holy Order of Saint George the Great Martyr has set up a fund to assist families. Please consider giving to the Order or through IOCC. I also encourage you to read about the life of the Saint whose holy Relic we received at our parish some years ago. Finally, I ask that you heed that request of the Order of Saint George to "pray for the repose of the souls who were killed in the bombing; for strength and healing of the injured; for mercy on everyone, including the perpetrators; and for peace in the Holy Land and an end to this devastating war. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered!"
May Saint Porphyrios ever intercede on our behalf!
To Donate through the Holy Order of St. George
To Donate through IOCC:
More about St. Porphyrios
“...to pray and ask God for mercy and compassion" (1 Maccabees 3:44)
Part I
Eleven days have passed since the worst terrorist attack in Israel's modern history. Although individuals or countries may war with one another, the systematic removal of a people/nation is not a solution, nor a just cause. We’ve read repeatedly in the Old Testament about the plight of the house of Israel, most recently when reading from the Book of 1 Maccabees yesterday in Bible Study. Now, like then, the people are encouraged to persevere and “to pray and ask God for mercy and compassion (1 Maccabees 3:44).
As I shared last week, evil is evil. Targeting civilians is never just. Using women, children, and the elderly as human shields is immoral. Taking and torturing hostages should not be considered godly in any religion. Warring is not what God desires for His people but is a tragic reality of our fallen nature. Mindful of this, we lament and repent.
A fog of war looms over any battle. Carl von Clausewitz, credited with the term, explained it as “the realm of uncertainty...a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty [in military conflict]. Commanders then must gather the best intelligence to make the most informed decisions because every decision has consequences. And, every decision weighs heavy on the soul of a commander who must consider friend and foe because this is right, even in what is fallen.
Similarly, there is undoubtedly a “fog of sin” that looms over and around any battle. Even for those of us thousands of miles away from conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, Ethiopia, Yemen, Haiti….we can get drawn into the fog. Clarity for Christians, though, does not come through simply watching and reading more news** but through prayer. We, too, ought to follow that admonition of Mattathias, “to pray and ask God for mercy and compassion." It’s a prayer for ourselves, those who are being harmed, and those who are inflicting the harm. As God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), our prayers must encompass all. As we will pray in Compline and the Akathist prayers, we petition God to have mercy on “those who hate us and those who love us.”
Over the past few days, I have had the chance to reconnect with Rabbi Yossi, who serves at the Chabad of Placer County. Know that he is sincerely thankful for our prayers. He also invited us to provide support through the following charities:
https://charidy.com/united4israel : Charidy is a crowdfunding platform. Monies raised through this particular campaign provide physical, spiritual, and emotional support to the Jewish community in Israel.
https://afmda.org/ : Magen David Adom (MDA)is the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross. Founded in 1940 as the American Red Magen David for Israel (ARMDI), American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) is the sole authorized fundraising and advocacy organization in the United States supporting the life-saving efforts of Magen David Adom (MDA) in Israel and representing MDA in the US in all matters. MDA and its trained volunteers and professional medical responders depend on AFMDA support to provide the nation's pre-hospital emergency needs, including medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood services. It has a four-star rating as a charity organization.
https://give.zakaworld.org/campaign/protection-kits-2023-support-zaka-search-and-rescue/ : A UN-recognized humanitarian volunteer organization rapidly responding to mass casualty disasters worldwide. To date, ZAKA has saved thousands of lives—and honored those who couldn't be saved with dignity in death. Zaka was featured three days ago by the BBC for “the Volunteers Giving Dignity to Israel’s dead.” Zaka has a two-star charity rating.
I would also encourage you to support the work of the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), which has a four-star charity rating. The specific campaign for the Holy Land is found at https://support.iocc.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30116b?df_id=9183&mfc_pref=T&9183.donation=form1&_ga=2.14578224.601490820.1697644637-1330592201.1697644637&NONCE_TOKEN=D19943E550579BD36AEAACE2E6A8D6BF
**Regarding the news, I’ve found AllSides, https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news to be a good source for vetting the bias of articles. It’s probably best to read articles written more “from the center” than those biased to the left or right. “As the Fathers say, the extremes from both sides are equally harmful. [We must] go on the royal path, avoiding the extremes on both sides” (Saint John Cassian).
Part II
After this post, some individuals were left with questions. Before I share another word regarding the “fog of sin,” allow me to apologize for not providing the clarity I hoped for. My intent has been and remains twofold: 1) to provide a Christian response, not the response, and 2) to encourage you to pray, not simply for peace, but also for all of God’s children.
Sin that is, “missing the mark,” is falling short in our relationship with God. Whether we perceive sinful thoughts, words, or deeds as little or big, all sin separates us from God. We witness this in any conflict within families, within communities, small or large.
How Christians persevere in conflict is unique. Yes, every religion prays to God for mercy. Some prayers, though, are sectarian, meaning they are meant for “a” people rather than all people. Our Holy Tradition is replete with examples of men, women, and children who have persevered in conflict, even unto martyrdom, and have prayed for their enemies. Why? Because if our Lord suffered, was crucified, and died upon the Cross and He has said, “he who wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow,” I too may suffer. Even so, amidst their suffering, they prayed. We were just reminded of this when commemorating the life of St. Longinos the Centurion on Monday. Our prayers and acts of mercy, like his, are for all, and we hope, unto salvation.
Some two thousand years later, it’s humbling to think that Christians attached to the historical Sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and even Jerusalem are persecuted. These Christians have learned not simply to exist in persecution but to remain committed to Christ, allowing His Light to shine brightly on those in darkness. Some of our parishioners with roots (and families) in these lands can attest to this better than I can. This is how Saints are made. This is also how others continue to be drawn to the Light, which is Christ. It’s persevering by God’s Grace, not because it’s right, but to be righteous.
I was speaking with another priest about what has transpired in recent days. We’re both at a loss, as we were over the events in and around Ukraine. To think, I was to be in the Holy Land next month and again in January with our parishioners, visiting the Holy sites - functioning parishes for the faithful of these cities and towns or monasteries for the fathers of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher - all in the care of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. As we spoke, we continued to list by region, those whom we lifted in prayer, members of our parish families, and even some of our schoolmates living in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Indonesia, Turkey, Africa, Cyprus, and the Americas who unjustly suffer. We also spoke of the sacred and humbling privilege it has been to grieve with and support those who have lost loved ones due to conflict. There are no words besides an attempted paraphrase of St. Paul; we grieve, but we grieve as those with hope in the Resurrected Christ.
If we’re being honest with ourselves, conflicts will continue, and suffering will continue. Again, this does not justify persecuting or being persecuted because we are all part of God’s family. What it does testify to is the reality that peace will only reign when all come to know Christ intimately. Again, peace will only reign when all come to know Christ, when Christians can humbly boast as did St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. This must be our prayer because this is our Orthodox faith as witnessed in the lives of the Saints and those Orthodox Christians living in far-from-ideal circumstances in these historic lands.
Some time ago, I found a beautiful prayer that can be prayed by those who struggle to live in chastity. Within a much greater prayer, we find the words: “Grant that I may remain strong in virtue and innocent in all my thoughts, words, and deeds, only doing those things that please You. Grant me to grow in wisdom and understanding that I may serve You in purity and holiness all the days of my life. Grant, also, that I may have the courage to witness to others on behalf of Your Gospel teachings.” The prayer concludes with the words, “I ask all this through the intercessions of Your most pure Mother, the Theotokos, and Ever-Virgin Mary, together with Saint John the Baptist, and all the Saints…. Amen.
The theological understanding and graceful sensitivity of such prayers are the beauty of our Orthodox Christian faith, rooted in Christ. We trust that words like this, prayed by our faithful in every historical land, who commemorate those who have gone before them, are well-pleasing to God. We also hope their examples will lead others to Christ there, as our examples should lead others to Christ here. And, when others suffer because of the “fog of sin,” we lament, repent, and ask God to be merciful.
"They have done evil in our sight" A Christian Response
In St. Paul’s Epistles to the Romans, Colossians, and Galatians, he speaks of Jews and Greeks. He also writes of the circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slaves, the free, males and females. “Difference of race or condition or sex,” as Augustine writes, remains embedded in our mortal interactions, and in the journey of this life…”
In Christ, though, there is a unity of persons. Jerome explained it this way:
When one has once put on Christ and having been sent into the flame, glows with the ardor of the Holy Spirit, it is not apparent whether he is of gold or silver. As long as the heat takes over the mass in this way, there is one fiery color, and all diversity of race, condition, and body is taken away by such a garment.
It’s remarkable to think that in Christ, the Jew, the Greek, the circumcised, the uncircumcised, the barbarian, the Scythian, the slave, the free, men and women become members of His Body. Through Holy Baptism, unique members are reborn and given new life in Christ by the Holy Spirit to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. And, as one Eucharistic Assembly, even with the differences of race, condition, and sex, they partake of the same Eucharistic meal from the same Cup of Life.
All people are descendants of the first created, Adam and Eve. Sadly, as the generations passed, sin tarnished the image of God in people. Those who strayed from Him by embracing false beliefs were often led to unrighteous living. Tragically, such people often placed themselves at odds with those who struggled to live righteously, honoring the Commandments and remaining in Covenant with their Creator. The Old Testament is filled with stories of struggle against God and His people, by those inside and outside Israel's house, because of sin. Thanks be to God, His Plan of Salvation included reconciling us to Himself and one another through His suffering, death, and Glorious Resurrection. The invitation to “put on Christ” fulfilled the promise made to Abraham and allowed believers to live as was intended in a deep and abiding Communion.
But what of the unbelievers, those who have not accepted Christ? What of those who believe in Christ but remain separated from us (Orthodox Christians) by varying beliefs, ideologies, and lifestyles? Do we promote or accept a false sense of unity? Of course not.
Ignatius of Antioch reminded his Christian community that “there is one nature and one family of mankind.” If we accept this truth, then how can we not lament when members of our greater family (of humankind) are at odds due to differences in race or condition or…? Similarly, by our very design, it’s illogical for us to treat others, whether in the Christian household or not, in an unchristian manner. We lament, remaining gracious with and prayerful for them, all the while hoping that they are reconciled, through repentance, into the fullness of faith, that is, into a deep and abiding Communion with God and His Church. When we fail to act in such a manner, we essentially cease being Christians.
Let me be clear: as much as we lament the condition of others – their distance from God, His Church, and us, we do not condone sin. Even worse, we don't justify the sin, suggesting that this is what it is to be merciful! When an individual sins, knowing or unknowingly, we must hate the sin that separates him from God, his faith, and even his humanity. We condemn sin because we love the individual created in God’s likeness and image, whether he realizes it or not! I was reminded earlier today that “Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good” (Archbishop Chaput, the retired Roman Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia). This is the craftiness of the devil who thrives in chaos; he also thrives in a culture (even in the Church) that cannot be honest, graceful, and charitable with an individual unto the healing of the body and soul.
Please make no mistake: the atrocities we’ve learned of recently are evil. The people who committed these atrocities, though, are not evil; instead, they have done evil in our sight. They have lapsed into great sin through the deception of the devil.
Hating the atrocities, the sin, should not lead us to hate a people. Even in warfare, no matter how much we may want to be victorious, we are called to place a higher price on morality, justice, and honor. This is how civilized people preserve their humanity. This is also how civilized people recognize the humanity of others.
Again, we struggle to love an individual regardless of the gravity of the sin. We pray for repentance, even in war and up to the point of death, so as to not lose our humanity. It’s so difficult because the gravity of our own sin continues to hinder our prayers, damaging our relationship with God and others.
Let us not forget as St. Paul so eloquently and concisely admonishes Christians, “We wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6: 12). No matter the color or creed of other human beings, no matter the atrocities they commit or how they have defiled the image of God that they too were given in birth, we wrestle not with them but with what is fallen - sin, the principalities, and the devil.
As the war continues in the Middle East, I close with the words of St. Paul. May his words be a sufficient reminder of how and with whom we fight as Christians. For in the end, “We [every member of God’s family] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore don
…the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…
And may He have mercy on us all.
A Reflection on the terrorist attacks in Israel
First-century Christians and many of us today struggle – and rightfully so –when others seemingly deny their humanity by treating others inhumanely. The slaughtering of the innocents shortly after the birth of Christ, His torturing and crucifixion, the genuinely brutal and cruel treatment of early Christians at the hands of unbelievers, and the atrocities that continue to be committed by perverse and depraved individuals simply trouble our souls. When we add to this the further breakdown and lawlessness of society, its perversity, and the utter confusion of humanity between what is right and wrong, or to put it more plainly, what is Godly and what is evil, it’s an exceptionally challenging season in which to be a Christian.
I share these thoughts as I attempt to make sense of the atrocities committed by terrorists against noncombatants, specifically innocent men, women, and children, in Israel this weekend. The death toll for Israel is far greater in number per capita than what we experienced on 9/11. As one writer calculated, it would equate to over 24,000 Americans losing their lives on that September day. It's too many, whether 900 or 3,000 people, respectively.
It’s never simply “their” problem or misfortune. If we’re being honest, individuals treat others inhumanely on every continent. And, lest we forget, we live in a state that is becoming all the more plagued by poverty, crime, drug addiction, and depravity. Our region is also a center of human trafficking.
Be assured that until the Lord returns in glory, individuals and their nations will continue to war against or exploit others. It’s an unfortunate reality that we must address. Complacency is never an option; neither are passion-induced responses rooted in anger or aggression. If we cease to love God and love our enemies, blindly follow clerics who have ceased to preach the Gospel, calling no one to repentance, or subscribe to modern legalism that strains out a gnat yet swallows a camel, making salvation accessible only to their chosen few, we are left with few Godly responses to the plight of others, both the victims and the aggressors. Again, if we’re being honest:
Their pain must be my pain.
Their sin must be accepted as less than the gravity of my sin.
We must choose to remain obedient to Jesus Christ and His Church. As a Eucharistic assembly, we gather in the Spirit of Truth to receive the Incarnate Truth to then proclaim Truth, even to those held captive by sin. Humble ourselves, confess our sins, and embrace a posture of repentance when we sin before God and others. Do not wish greater evils to befall those taken in iniquity. If God wills that “all be saved and come to the knowledge of truth,” then we must pray that hearts soften, that there is repentance, and that God is merciful even as temporal justice is served. Faithfully read the Scriptures, looking for answers by which to live. It’s never enough to merely preach. Fervently petition the Mother of God and the Saints to intercede, knowing they’ve fought the good fight and stand victorious before the Lord. Hope that even while suffering, God’s will (salvation for His children) is being worked out in the lives of His faithful. And, trust that the Lord remains near those who suffer or whose lives are taken unjustly.
In 2022, Patriarch Daniel of Romania composed a beautiful prayer with which I close. I also invite you to add it to your devotion:
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who art the Source of life and peace in heaven and on earth, pour out the grace of your peace on a world troubled by war and hatred.
Extinguish the differences and enmity between humans and pour into the hearts of all humility, peace, and goodness. Calm the warriors and give them wisdom.
Give help to the suffering, protection to the refugees or homeless, comfort to the alienated and sorrowful, and give us all the will and strength to help, with all our hearts, our brothers and sisters who suffer from war.
You said: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Teach us to seek to acquire peace of heart and peace among men and peoples, for, in the heart in which peace is found, there is no longer enmity, love of dominion or fear, but the consolation of the Holy Spirit, love of God and love of our neighbors.
For this we humbly pray to You, O Christ our God, for peace among men in every country, for peace among peoples, and for the welfare of the whole world, that we may live in harmony and may work without hindrance deeds pleasing to You, glorifying the philanthropic love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Trunk or Treat scheduled for Oct 27!
Please join us on Friday, October 27th at 6:00pm for St Anna's trunk or treat event. Food, Fun and games. Please make sure to decorate your trunk to enter and try to win our contest. If you want to bring a game so our children can engage highly recommended. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up.
All trunks participating come at 5:30 to decorate and set up. Please keep it respectful.
Thank you!
Yet Another Reason To Be Thankful for our Recent Orthodox Food Festival and New Shrine
As the second priest, I have yet to weigh in on our Orthodox Food Festival of 2023, and by weigh in I mean, to say this: thank you. For you see, you and I and the parish of St. Anna's are benefitting directly from the kindness, love, care and genuine Christian hospitality that you all have so generously lavished out upon the community of Roseville; all those who came to our festival, and to all those who have come to our church at some time or another, and you don't even know it...yet. You might be asking yourself, what is Fr. Seraphim talking about? Well, let me explain:
We began our Survey of Orthodoxy course here at St. Anna's last week, like we normally do, right after the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. And like we always do, we invite all those that have visited our little church, whether it be on a Sunday or during our Orthodox Food Festival, to come and learn about the Orthodox Christian faith through our Survey of Orthodoxy Catechism course. And as usually happens, a small group of people tend to take the opportunity to sign up and begin attending. On average this group averages 10 - 15 people in size... but not this year.
When I opened the doors to our fellowship hall that night, to let the new catechumens in, I was stunned to see the number of people who were lined up outside waiting. It quickly became apparent that I didn't have enough tables and chairs set up for all those that wished to attend. So more tables were quickly added and chairs set up, and what should have been a small, intimate class, turned into something much bigger than I could ever have anticipated. That was just in person too. Little did I know that there'd be more people online waiting to get in as well. I won't say how many have begun attending the class, but I will quote a line from one of my favorite movies, "We're going to need a bigger boat." (fortunately we have a big hall to accommodate them).
But how does all of this relate to the Orthodox Food Festival, and the people who have visited here you might ask? That answer is to be found in the near-unanimous response to the very first question that I had to ask that first night. See, due to my surprise at the number of participants who were at the class, I asked the obvious question that was burning in the front of my mind: What gives? Why are you all here? And here, beloved, is the reason why I feel the need to thank you all.
The near unanimous response to my question about why they were all here(there) was this: Because we were invited and we felt welcomed. Let me emphasize the second half of the answer: we felt welcomed. My next question obviously had to be, when did this happen? To which they responded: at your festival, at your church services on Sunday, during your new church tour, etc... To say that I was deeply humbled by this answer, but also extremely proud of our little parish at the same time would be a serious understatement. Holy scripture is very clear: "By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 and what this verse implies is this: ... and since these people, who are outside of the Orthodox faith, but are created in God's image nonetheless, and who, by being created in God's image, were created to be loved by God and therefore by extension, by God's Church as well, they will naturally respond to this perceived expression of love, and will want to be part of it and will ultimately want that experience God's love for themselves.
So if I may weigh in on our Orthodox Food Festival and the hospitality of Christ's Church to which you all have so generously given through your time, talents and treasures, all of which has been done with gracious and loving hearts: thank you.
May God, through His most Holy Mother and our Patron Saint, His grandmother, St. Anna, ever guide, guard, intercede,bless and love you in all that you do.
In Christ's love,
Fr. Seraphim Ivey
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land & St. Katherine Monastery, Sinai
It is with great joy that we share information about our forthcoming Spiritual Odyssey to the Holy Land and St. Katherine Monastery in Sinai. Our travel dates are January 15 – 26, 2024 - 12 Days /10 Nights. Father Michael Kouremetis, Fr. Stephen Howell, and I will lead our pilgrimage. Completed paperwork and a deposit are due by October 10. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Stephen at Cloud Tour. Space will be limited.
Archangel Gabriel Bookclub
Archangel Gabriel Bookstore is relaunching its book club. We’ll discuss a different book each month. Meetings will be on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, one session at 9 a.m. and the other after Akathist at approximately 6:30 p.m., to accommodate varying schedules. We plan to meet inside the bookstore, moving to the Founders’ Hall if more space is required.
Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, October 4th, at 9 a.m., allowing folks to read Wounded by Love by Saint Porphyrios (it’s been mentioned a few times during recent homilies). Our November book will be Father Arseny.
You do not have to have finished the book to attend the book club! If you like, note any favorite passages in the text or any that gave you new insight or guidance in your own life to be shared with others in discussion. As we read a new book each month, we will not cover the text page by page in detail (as in Bible study) but will share high points or ponder questions.
Orthodox Christian Studies
Studies in the Faith
Orthodox Christian Adult Catechism
A course of studies covering how the early church taught, developed, lived, and worshipped. The topics to be covered are: Pentecost: The Birth of the Church; Baptism: The Rite of Initiation; Orthodox Faith as a Pre‐requisite for Holiness; The Ordained Ministries; Scripture and the Church; The Seven Great and Holy Councils; Dogma and Statements of Faith; The House of Worship; Iconography; Hymnography; The Liturgy; The Liturgical Day, The Ecclesiastical Year and; The Mysteries of the Church
Tuesdays 7 PM - 8:15 PM
For more information, please contact Fr. Seraphim Ivey at: frseraphim@saintanna.org or 916-772-9372.
Scriptural Studies
The books of the Bible, canonized by the Council of Laodicea in 363, are prayerfully interpreted with respect to the teachings of the Holy Fathers, the Councils, the writings and lives of the Saints, Divine Services, and the Holy Mysteries.
Two classes meet weekly in Founder’s Hall:
Tuesdays, 11 AM-12:30 PM- The Book of Maccabees
For more information, please contact Fr. Christopher Flesoras at frchris@saintanna.org or 916-772-9372.
Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 8 PM- The Book of Exodus
For more information, please contact Fr. Seraphim Ivey at frseraphim@saintanna.org or 916-772-9372.
Lincoln Bible Study, 6:30 PM-The Book of Revelation
Meets on 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 6:30 PM in Lincoln.
Please contact Dcn. Joseph for more information: dnjoseph@saintanna.org.
Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Book Club
Introducing a great opportunity for individuals desiring Christian spiritual development... A book is selected each month by the Archangel Gabriel Bookstore Staff. Two sittings are then scheduled in Founders’ Hall to discuss our readings. For more information, please contact Anna Tsu: anna.tsu@saintanna.org