The Ladder

Holy Saturday, May 4, 2013 - Additional Reflection

Inspirational Quote:

Therefore prophesy and say to them, "Thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.'"

-Ezekiel 37:12-13

Additional Reflection:

We all know the story of Adam and Eve: on the first day, God created light; on the second, He created the firmament of Heaven; and so on, down to the seventh day, Saturday, the day on which He rested.

On the sixth day, Friday, God created mankind. Yesterday was Holy Friday, the day Christ was crucified. It was also the day that the creation of humanity was finally completed. Like a branch connected to the vine, mankind truly became itself only when its union with God was accomplished in the person of Christ.

On the seventh day, Saturday, God rested from His labors. Today, Holy Saturday, God rests after His labors, in the tomb:

For this is the blessed Sabbath; this is the day of rest, in which the only‐begotten Son of God rested from all His works, observing the Sabbath rest in the flesh . . .

Yet, as Christ’s death paradoxically brings life, Christ’s rest in the tomb paradoxically is the work of our salvation, the gathering of humanity and our liberation from Hades.

After Holy Saturday, nothing is as it was.

And that’s why, tomorrow, we do not simply start a new week with the first day, Sunday. We will move on to the eight day of the week: a day with no sunset, a day of unfading light, a day free of gloom and darkness. It is the triumph of true life, life unending. It is the triumph of true joy, joy unending.

It is the triumph of Christ and His Cross.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The tombs will burst, the earth will shake, the dead will rise.

Christ is Risen!

Steven Christoforou

Youth Protection / Parish Ministries Coordinator

Holy Saturday, May 4, 2013

Inspirational Quote:

"Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” +Matthew 18:1-20

Saints and Feasts:

Pelagia the Nun-martyr of Tarsus

Hilary the Wonderworker

Euthemios, Bishop of Madytos

Epistle Reading:

St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:3-11

Gospel Reading:

Matthew 28:1-20

Daily Reflection from Holy Cross:

Yesterday I was blessed to serve in the Holy Altar for the service of the Royal Hours with the President of our school, Fr. Nick Triantafilou. Right away I noticed the reserved Sacrament on the altar table. This was prepared on Holy Thursday morning, and it is the true Body and Blood of Christ that will be given to the faithful throughout the year, from the newly baptized to the sick and elderly. I couldn’t help but think of how significant that was. We have this Divine Gift prepared during Holy Week, but it doesn’t lose significance upon the completion of the week. We can’t lose sight of how much we’ve grown and learned through our Lenten and Holy Week journey. The journey doesn’t end with the Resurrection. Our light has been illumined further through our experiences and it is not extinguished, but rather becomes even brighter and more powerful for us through His Glorious Resurrection.

When we consider the icon of the Resurrection there is so much to learn. Christ, having conquered Death by death, raises up Adam from the tomb. Jesus is literally lifting up Adam from his grave. You can see how Christ is grabbing Adam’s wrist, not his hands. It is fully Christ who raises us from the grave, not a joint venture. We cannot have salvation apart from Christ; He is always there to lift us up.

A week ago, on Palm Sunday, we held palms to welcome and praise Him who comes in the name of the Lord. Today, we throw laurel leaves, as was done for victorious kings and emperors in the past, as a sign of an ultimate victory over Death. Not only do we throw them to signify Christ’s victory, but notice that they remain on the church floor. We ourselves walk on these laurel leaves. Christ has made us all victorious conquerors over Death. Today, we join Christ in His Glory. The Divine Life of Him that defeated the clutch of Death is now ours to partake. As Jonah was spit out of the belly of the great fish, so too has Hades been embittered and Christ has shattered the gates of Hell.

The true completion and culmination of our journey is not when we come receive the light tonight or when we hear the Holy Gospel or we sing ‘Christos Anesti.’ After receiving the unwaning light, after hearing about the empty tomb and the Risen Lord, after celebrating our victory of Death, we truly inherit the gift of Life and union with the Resurrected Christ through our receiving of the Holy Eucharist at tonight’s Divine Liturgy. We cannot undermine the importance of Sacrament of Sacraments.

I am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity to have shared my thoughts and reflections throughout this Great and Holy Week. May the true light we receive from Christ continue to illuminate our hearts and minds all throughout our lives!

To God be the Glory! Kali Anastasi!

Chris Retelas

First year Seminarian, Masters of Divinity Candidate

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Holy Friday, May 3, 2013

Inspirational Quote:

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Saints and Feasts:

The Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura

Peter the Wonderworker

Xenia of Kalamata the Great Martyr

Epistle Reading:

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-8

Gospel Reading:

Matthew 27:62-66

Reflection on Great and Holy Friday:

Over the course of Holy Week we have heard many different accounts of the final times of Christ in His earthly ministry. Each of the evangelists recounts these events and the emotions that occurred in unique ways. One of the main emotions that can be noticed from various people in these passages is one we are all familiar with: fear.

Peter, even after having been foretold that he would betray Jesus three times, denied ever knowing Christ because he was afraid of those surrounding him. Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Christ, but did so in secret for fear of the Jews. Pontius Pilate, after questioning Christ and finding no guilt in Him, still sent Him to be crucified for fear of a riot being created. In the Gospel of Holy Saturday morning, the women approach the empty tomb of Christ and are afraid at seeing the angel, then are comforted when told, “Do not be afraid.” There are numerous other examples in the New Testament regarding fear (Greek: φóβος). Even today during every Liturgy we hear the priest say before Holy Communion: “With the fear of God, with faith and love, draw near.”

Through these examples we can see that there are basically two types of fear. Our fears can overtake us, cripple us and cause us to disconnect from God. However, the fear of God is a truly awesome and powerful thing that is beneficial to us all. Only by bringing our fears to our Savior can we truly overcome them. We might say that the opposite of fear would be courage. In Christ’s final discourse, as read in the first Gospel on Holy Thursday night, He tells us “in the world you will have affliction. But take courage, I have overcome the world.” The Saints and Holy Martyrs of our Church are shining examples for us all. They overcame their fear, not through their own courage, but having the fear of God in their hearts and receiving courage from Him.

During Great Lent and Holy Week, we may have struggled and perhaps even become fearful. But we must remember that this fear is only overcome by the power of God. He pulls us through, and lifts us up out of this fear higher and stronger than we were before. We fear God because of His infinite wisdom and power that is beyond our understanding, but through His long suffering Passion we see that He is truly a God of infinite and abounding love and mercy. He submitted the Cross, and defeated Death by death, so that we truly have nothing to fear but the all merciful and loving Lord Himself.

Kali Anastasi!

-Chris Retelas

First year Seminarian, Masters of Divinity Candidate

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Some pictures from the Services:

From the Un-nailing Service. Taking Christ off the Cross and wrapping His body in a linen shroud.

Fr. Nick anointing the Faithful with Holy Water during the Lamentations

Procession during the evening service with the Kouvoulikion (the Tomb).

Holy Friday, May 2, 2013 - Additional Reflection

Inspirational Quote:

[U]nion with God is not some additional element but actually constitutes man. For a man to be a man he must become that which he was created to be.

-Panayiotis Nellas

Additional Reflection:

After weeks of preparation, we find ourselves on Golgotha. Christ invited us to take up our crosses and follow Him. To be blunt, it's a gross oversimplification to say this is simply a metaphor for dealing with life's troubles. Christ's road had a definite ending point: the crown of thorns, the spear, the nails.

Crosses were not made for carrying; they were made for crucifying.

Yet this is no longer a crucifixion unto death. Rather, it is unto union with Christ, the Bridegroom. It is the union of a dry, lifeless twig with a living tree. When grafted on, that brittle twig will blossom.

From the Cross, Christ groaned: "It is finished" (John 19:30). However, this translation is a bit inaccurate. What Christ said could be better translated as "It has reached its end," or, "It is perfected."

That which has reached its end upon the Cross, its perfection, is humanity.

For anything to be truly itself, it must be in union with God. It’s like a branch: cut off from the vine, it stops being itself—it can no longer blossom, it dries out, it crumbles to dust. The things we bless in our services, like water and oil, becomes fully themselves in the Kingdom, connected to God. The same goes for humanity: when disconnected from God, we are not fully ourselves.

On the Cross, Christ completed the creation of humanity by connecting us with God. He, the Son of God, experienced all the terror and alienation and despair that plagues humanity. He entered into the deepest, darkest levels of our broken existence, to the point where He even cried out to His Father: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). God entered fully into the depths where mankind cowered, and brought humanity back into connection with Him.

At this low point of extreme pain and humility, we see the first and only true human being: Christ. Even Pontius Pilate unwittingly confessed this when He presented Christ to the people: "Behold the person!" (John 19:5).

Scripture tells us that God created mankind on the sixth day, Friday. During Holy Week, we see that this points forward to Holy Friday, and to the creation of authentic humanity upon the Cross.

On the Cross, formerly an instrument of death, we are united to the source of life. On the Cross, we are married to the Bridegroom. On the Cross, we become who we were meant to be.

Steven Christoforou
Youth Protection / Parish Ministries Coordinator

Holy Thursday, May 2, 3013

Inspirational quote:

If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies.

- Jon Stewart

Saints and Feasts:

Holy Thursday

Removal of the Relics of St. Athanasius the Great

Hesperos & Zoe the Righteous

Boris, King & Enlightener of Bulgaria (Michael in Baptism)

Gospel Readings:

Matthew 26:1-20

John 13:3-17

Matthew 26:21-39

Luke 22:43-44

Matthew 26:40-75; 27:1-2

Daily Reflection:

Today is hung upon the Tree, He Who suspended the Earth amid the waters.

Our journey through Holy Week continues now to a very significant day for all Orthodox Christians. At tonight’s service, many of us will be so moved by the events as told in the Gospel lessons that we may become rather emotional. We hear about the Last Supper, the trial, the torturing, the suffering, the Crucifixion, and the burial of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When hearing these passages, we may become sad, we may become angry, maybe even be confused. Only five days ago we saw our Lord’s power over death in the raising of Lazarus. Just a day later we sung “Hosanna to Him who comes in the name of the Lord” on Palm Sunday. In less than a week, the people praising Him are now shouting “Crucify Him!” How can it be that our Lord is now being mocked and crucified? Why would He submit to this?

I can’t help but think that one of the reasons we get so emotional during tonight’s service is because we can see ourselves in the crowd of people. The weakness of the crowd portrays the weakness and feebleness of humanity in this fallen world, and more specifically shows our own personal weaknesses. How often do we do things to assimilate with others, even if they completely go against what we consider our own “values” or “convictions”? Tonight we become sad and angry because we know that we are often a part of the crowd witnessing the passion of Jesus.

Ultimately, we know that Christ still pulls us up from even our lowest points in life. Even through the crucifixion we see two paths before us. At times we feel we have become completely lost, yet we still have a choice. We can be like the thief on His left or follow the example of the thief on His right. In His ultimate redemption and love for all humanity, our Lord not only forgives the thief on His right, but assures him a place in Paradise when he turns to Christ and says “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

We know that Jesus is truly human and truly divine. He endured suffering and death. We also know that through His divinity, He will destroy the power of death and bring divine life unto all creation. We sing “We worship Your Passion, O Christ. Show us also, Your glorious Resurrection,” because we know He truly is a God of love who died in order to give us life.

Kali Anastasi!

-Chris Retelas

First year Seminarian, Masters of Divinity Candidate

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Holy Cross Seminary President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou and Chapel Ecclesiarch Panagiotis Boznos processing the Holy Cross.

Holy Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - Additional Reflection

Inspirational Quote:

Love all creation, the whole of it and every grain of sand within it. Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things.

-Fyodor Dostoevsky

Additional Reflection:

When you think of Heaven, what's the first thing that comes to mind? For many of us, especially those of us who grew up on a steady diet of cartoons, Heaven is this spiritual, ethereal, almost spacey place. It's full of angels who float on clouds while they play their harps. There's no ground, nor is there sky, really: it's all this odd, indefinable, otherworldly white.

Today, during the Service of Holy Unction, the Church blesses and then anoints us with oil. This isn't the only time we bless matter: oil, wheat, grapes, bread, wine, our homes and businesses, us (don't forget, we're made of matter, too). In contrast to this stereotypical view of an otherworldly, totally spiritual Heaven, we bless stuff constantly.

Put simply: matter matters.

Each and every one of these blessings, whether or not we call it a sacrament, is transformative. In baptism, for instance, we transform water into something that doesn't simply quench our physical thirst: it becomes the means by which we enter the Church.

Yet this transformed water is still water. In fact, it's more itself than ever before. Water isn't just the stuff that flows in rivers or fills up swimming pools: it was created to have an eternal dimension, a place in the Kingdom of God, and it finally does so in baptism.

The same goes for the oil of Holy Unction. This blessed oil is lifted up into its proper place in the Kingdom. It's not just the stuff we use to dress our salads: it was created to have an eternal dimension, a place in the Kingdom of God.

When we bless the physical world, we're making a powerful statement. Christ didn't come to save only a few, nor did He come to save only mankind; rather, He came to save all creation.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And it is a physical reality just as much as it is a spiritual reality, something we can touch with the hands that were anointed today, the same hands that will one day be resurrected in Christ.

Steven Christoforou

Youth Protection / Parish Ministries Coordinator

Holy Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Inspirational Quote:
There are always uncertainties ahead, but there is always one certainty—God’s will is good.

-Vernon Paterson

Saints and Feasts:
John 12:17-50
Matthew 26:6-16

Gospel Readings:
John 12:17-50
Matthew 26:6-16

Daily Reflection:
We all know that feeling when we finally “get” something. It is a feeling of joy and relief for all our hard work finally paying off. The stages leading up to this feeling are often filled with doubt, frustration and anxiety. This is applicable to many aspects of our lives. When we study, we often learn one thing but it can lead us to seeing how much more there is to learn. In work, we start a project and stress from the beginning only to dread how much more work there is left for us. In sports, we often find ourselves exhausted from the start and fear the rest of the season.

This is especially true for us in our life in the Church. When we read scripture, we see how vast and expansive the Bible can be and we are often overwhelmed by it. We feel that that we’d rather not take on such an endeavor, so the Bible ends up collecting dust on our bookshelves. In our Church services, there may be some hymns we know and can sing along to, while the majority of the other hymns may be completely lost on us. In Holy Week, there are so many different services and Gospel lessons that we may understand only part of the message read to us, or just a small part of the service that we are praying, but then we have so many more questions about the rest of the service or reading. This is normal for all of us.

While being in seminary, I often finish a day of classes with more questions than I had before. The vastness and abundance of our Holy Church can seem tremendous at times, but it is truly the work of God.

The Holy Fathers of our Church teach us not to obsess and fret over the numerous things we do not know or cannot answer, but to instead praise God for the things that we have comprehended, no matter how few they may be. Even in their abundance of faith and wisdom, they always emphasize that we will never truly comprehend the work of God and His teachings, but we must thank Him for that which he has revealed to us. It feels like every year I learn something new during Holy Week. I try not to turn away because of how much more there is left for me, but instead turn to God and thank Him for what He has already taught me, while patiently waiting for the new lessons He will grant me.

So, through Holy Week you may notice how different the services may be to what we are “used to” and ask yourself: “why do we do this and that?” Hopefully some questions are answered by your priest or just by observing and reading along. Even if things continue to mystify you, do not fret or get angry about things you may not understand yet. Instead, thank God for what you have learned and do “get” and continue to look to Him for understanding of His works.

May the Holy Ointment that we receive this Holy Wednesday provide illumination and healing of our souls, hearts and minds!

To God be the Glory!

-Christ Retelas
First Year Seminarian, Masters of Divinity Candidate
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology