Orthodox Understanding of Sin

Orthodox understanding of Sin  

Fundamental understanding of Sin - Missing the mark and not being centered on God and His will. When we Sin and yet remain unrepentant, we begin to experience God’s love as fear and wrath. This is because we have changed our relation to, and therefore our experience of God, as God does not change His love for us. The scriptures and the Church understand that it is not the absence or exclusion of God that makes hell, but rather His Very Presence to those who choose not to obey.

 We do not believe in the teaching of Original Sin, which explains that because of the disobedience to God, we were marked with sin by an angry God and only a sacrifice could appease or pay off some debt. God gave us the warning not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil out of love for Adam as Adam was like an infant. If Adam had been obedient, the fruits of knowledge and life would have been given when man was ready. St. Gregory the Theologian states that the Fall of man points out how loving is our father. He provides a benefit - death which cuts off sin so that evil may not be everlasting. Thus, it becomes an act of mercy. Adam prepared death for himself through his withdrawal from God. God did not create death, but we brought it upon ourselves by our wicked purpose. God’s plan for His children was always to be in communion with Him, and our fall from paradise initially resulted in death which separated us from the source of all life.

After the fall, we are predisposed to self-centered choices directed by passions rather than

choices based on agape (sacrificial love). These passions turn us away from God to focus on

what we want. Theosis can only happen if we heal the passions of our soul. Sin is an illness or infirmity. Pride makes us forget our sins but the remembrance of them leads to humility. While Sin removes from communion with God, but salvation can be ours to accept the Love of God.

St. John Chrysostom, “Do you commit sin?  Enter the Church and repent for your sin; for here is the physician, not the judge; here one is not investigated, one receives remission of sins”

The Church is often compared to a hospital, and Christ as the physician to show how the Church understands the effect of sin needs healing. Healing takes place in Holy Baptism, Holy Confession, Holy Unction, and by receiving Holy Communion. With healing we are restored to our former condition, to be what we were created for. Theosis not only means being enlivened with the fire of God’s warmth and light but being in communion with one another.

In summary, Orthodox Christian teaches that sin is a matter of the will and not the nature of man. It is a choice of that which is not God, for that which is not-life and light and being, however much it might appear desirable. Adam was created naturally mortal and corruptible but given at his creation a gift of divine life, the indwelling Holy Spirit which would have preserved him in immortality and incorruptibility. When he sinned he lost this gift and divine life, which remained as a spark, and he found himself immediately mortal, separated from God, and without any moral or spiritual constancy or strength. We inherit this state of mortality and separation from God, but we are not born sinful in any sense, or guilty of any sin. Indeed, an infant is not able to sin, since sin is a matter of reason and will. Nevertheless, all of us need the mercy and grace of God, because even if we never sin, we are still in this state of death. But Orthodoxy is convinced that God is love, and in love he has acted to restore the intimate relationship which Adam once enjoyed and which he call us all to participate in.

Reference

http://www.stgeorgeministry.com/sin-death-fall/

http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles8/Morelli-The-Orthodox-Understanding-of-Sin-A-Lenten-Reflection.php

Grade IX Chapter 4 –Sunday School Text book and summary notes from South West Diocese in North America of Malankara Orthodox Church

Potential reflection points:

1.     If missing the mark is Sin, then we must certainly be conscious and look with all seriousness on mark that mankind missed out in Adam. For, God created and saw all as good and made Man unique created in the image and likeness as His overseer, His presence over all Creation. (Genesis 1)

2.     Man disobeyed and the consequence of Sin is death leaving each of us without any help, if not for the eternal love of God. If we are serious in our faith, we are obliged to make the attempt to know the Church’s teaching on Christ’s Incarnation, avail of the potential resources within it and live it out ourselves like those Orthodox Christians before us within it and not lead astray and look outside it.

3.     It is our faith that the Holy Spirit in its fullness dwells in the Church and the Church continues the restoration of Creation with each of us. We can notice this if we pay attention. Example: Koodosh Etho and Hoodosh Etho (Sanctification and Dedication) Sunday Scripture Readings and Liturgical Hymns, Holy Qurbana first hymn by St. Severus drawing of veil proclaiming the Incarnation of Christ trampling down Death by Death

4.      We need to humble ourselves that each of us with the tendency to lose the way and recollect on the mercy of God

 “The Christian life is union with God in the heart by the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is the beginning of our experience of Paradise and the Resurrection already. It requires that we seek union with God above all things, and this union is found by choosing God, choosing life and light, seeking the fullness of the Holy Spirit at all times.”

Source:  http://www.stgeorgeministry.com/losing-our-way/

November 10, 2018 Church School Lesson

Church School - 2018 /2019 A Study Initiative

Church School – 2018 / 2019 A study initiative

It is expected that the Grade 12 students of the Church school in the South West Diocese of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church have enough mature understanding of the Orthodox Christian faith ,  be able to clearly express in word and demonstrate writing about it at the Diploma exam.

Truth be told, while this is the ideal there must be others too like me who teach in Grade 12 with our short comings to grasp the concepts fully, struggle to integrate this Orthodox Christian faith in our lives and fear if we are like those whom our Lord points to be transgressing the commands of God as the Blind leading the Blind from the Gospel of St. Mathew 15.  

But never the less, we have our help in the Lord, in the Church which responded to each situation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in its fullness, to which we are born again, with the opportunity to grow in stature from the wisdom, teaching and lives of those before us in the Orthodox Christian faith. 

I intend to use my lesson plans, reflections shared and discussed with the students using the Grade 12 curriculum through this media. Please keep this initiative in prayers this be in accordance to His will and look forward to being corrected, guided by others in this journey.

November 16, 2018

Calgary, Canada

Comemorations determined by the Moronoyo Feast of Resurrection (Qyomto).

Commemorations determined by the Moronoyo feast of Resurrection (Qyomto).

The Church in India adopted the Liturgy of the West Syrians (Syrian Orthodox) with each Sunday and days of the Holy Lent associated to the theme /primary character or event and thereafter on to Feast of Pentecost.  As we enter and journey through the Holy Lent, it is fitting that we have this reference

The date of  Feast of Resurrection (Qyomto). is determined according to the rule laid down by the Synod of Nicaea (AD 325). According to the Synod, Easter should be commemorated on the Sunday following the full moon after the spring equinox, though never on the day of the full moon itself. Since the date of Easter is tied to a lunar calendar, its date is not fixed on the Julian or Gregorian calendars.

The great fast of our Lord precedes the feast of Resurrection commencing on the Monday seven weeks prior.

The three day fast of the Ninevites (sawmo d-ninwoyé) begins on the Monday three weeks prior to the commencement of the Great Lent.

The first Sunday following the fast of the Ninevites commemorates all departed clergy of the Church (kohné) and the Sunday following commemorates all faithful departed (`aneedé ).

The Church, on this very afternoon of the ‘Day of Forgiveness,’ has set her journey into penitence. And so, kneeling and prostrating, her people look ahead to Kymtho, the great feast of the Light. The service of reconciliation is conducted on Monday, the first day if the Great Lent, at the end of third hour. The Service of Reconciliation or shubqono, stands at the ‘threshold of Great Lent

The Sunday that marks the beginning of the Great Lent commemorates the Wedding Feast of Cana (qotné da-gleeylo) which marked the beginning of the public ministry of our Lord. On subsequent Sundays, events from our Lord's healing ministry are remembered :

 

Healing of the Leper (garbono) on the second Sunday of the Great Fast, Paralytic (msharyo) on the third, Canaanite woman (kna`nayto) on the fourth, Good Samaritan (shamryoto) or the hunch-back woman (kfifto) on the fifth,Blind man (samyo) on the sixth, leading to Palm Sunday (oosha`né) and the week of Passion (hasho).

 

The Wednesday of the fourth week of the fast marks the middle of the Lent (phelgo d-sawmo) and the Feast of the Holy Cross.

The Annunciation to the Mother of God (sooboro) falls on the 25th of March and is of such significance that the liturgy of the Eucharist is required to be offered even if it falls on the Friday of Passion.

The fortieth day of Lent falls on the Friday before the Passion Week.

The raising of Lazarus (noohomeh d-lo`ozor) is commemorated the following day on Saturday.

The Passion week (hasho) begins with the Sunday of Hosanna (oosha`né).

The order of entrance into heaven, commemorating the parable of the ten virgins (naheeré) is celebrated in the evening of Palm Sunday.

The Thursday of Mysteries (hamsho d-rozé) or Passover (phesaho) is commemorated on the Thursday of Passion Week.

On Thursday evening is the commemoration of the washing of the feet of the disciples by our Lord.

Friday of Passion Week is the Great Friday of Crucifixion (`rubto rabto dazqeephootho).

The Saturday is the Saturday of Good Tidings when our Lord descended into Sheol to preach the Good News to the departed.

On Sunday, the resurrection of our Saviour (qyomto phorooqoyto) is celebrated.

The following Sunday is called New Sunday or Whit Sunday (had b-shabo hadto) and days in between are called the heworé (White [days]).

The Ascension of our Lord to heaven (suloqo) is commemorated on the sixth Thursday after the resurrection.

The Pentecost (phentiqostee) falls on the Sunday, ten days after the Feast of Ascension.

February 8, 2018

(Source: Complied from Internet)

 

 

A Prayer by St. Ephraim to work out our Salvation in coperation with God

In the Orthodox Christian Tradition, we are taught to work out our Salvation in cooperation with Grace of God who works in us (Ref :  Therefore, my dear friends , as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence ,but much more in my absence -Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose - Philippians 2:12) .
This teaching is what has been practised in the Church by those before us and it is in our peril we forget this that has been handed to us. An example of this is reflected in the 5th Psalm of the Spiritual Psalter by St. Ephraim in 4th Century and pray that we too can make his prayer our own.


November 12, 2017
Calgary, Canada


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Like the apple Thine eye , Preserve me, O Lord God ; Defend me and beneath Thy wings Shelter me from temptations.
Be the guardian of the eye , that it might not look abut in the manner of a thief ;
Be the guardian of the ear that it might not perceive falsehood
Be the guardian of the lips, that slander, judgement , criticism and idle words might not come froth from them.
Be the guardian of the heart, that it might not be inclined to evil nd might not work iniquity.
Grant us, O Lord, knowledge both of what we should do and how to set about it.
Grant us , O our Lord ,that we may be sweeter to Thee than fragrances and perfumes.
Grant us , O our Lord , that we may love Thee and hate the world.
Grant us , Our Lord, to acquire Only Thee rather than all transient possessions.
Grant us ,O our Lord , to bring to Thee three choice gifts .
Grant us , O our Lord to burn three aromatic censers before Thee.
Grant us , O our Lord ,to light for thee three brightly burning lamps : The Spirit, The Soul and The Body ,these three gifts to the One Trinity .
Let us dedicate the Spirit to the Father , The Soul to the Son and the Body to the Holy Spirit - The Spirit which will raise it again from dust.
O Father Consecrate our Spirit to Thyself ,
O Son , Consecrate our Soul to Thyself !
O Holy Sprit, Consecrate to Thyself our Body which is afflicted by sores.
Grant us , O our Lord , to rejoice in Thee, and may though rejoice in us in the last day.
To thee is praise from the Spirit, Soul and Body
And unto us be Thy Mercies .
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P.A George - Memory Eternal

I woke up to this news on September 28, 2014 on the passing away from this life of Mr. P.A George on Marthoman TV web page.

The web post indicated only the passing away of the retired director of Indian Meteorological service. The post did not give any reference to what Mr. P.A George's connection with Malankara Orthodox Church was and probably it is quite difficult to the media to find out his connection as he may have not donated or managed charitable/spiritual organizations associated with Malankara Orthodox Church. Since it mentioned him felt it fitting to share some thoughts.

First of all let me say, I have met Mr. P.A George only twice in my life and considered it a blessing both times and am posting this to honor his memory and praying that through this post God may use us for His Glory. My first interaction with Mr. P.A George was almost 25 years back and second in July 2014 during our visit to India.

Almost 25 years back, during a study leave vacation from Bangalore where I was studying for my Engineering degree to Prashanth Nagar, Trivandrum when I met him as a retiree for the first time.  His sight was poor even then but very modestly as if he was not sure if he had captured the essence appropriately, shared a small book that he had published with notes on Holy Qurbana. 

It was an eye opener to me - God in His mercy has blessed abundantly and given us the Church and it falls on each of us who are born again into it to come to it , learn and live in Christ .

This realization of me as one who have hidden the Talent given was reinforced, when I saw him for the second time after 25 Years. After the first visit, I had tried many times sporadically to visit him, but the house was either locked or someone would come tell that he is not there. After a while and in my travels, PA George Sir was forgotten and the book that he gave was just a passing memory.

In 2014, when we visited Trivandrum , we passed by a small house and was told that the person who lived there was a very old man who had lost his eyesight and under the care of a family for whom he had built a house there. His wife had passed away and children had moved on to other places for their livelihood.  Somehow, I felt compelled to ask the driver to stop the car to see him and sure enough I see PA George sir around 90. Though he could not see, he recognized my voice and invited me to come later on in the evening for evening prayer at his home. 

When I mentioned of his book and that I still have a copy , He told how he has heard that they republished it  and told while there may be many books now how in those days  there were none and it was a passionate desire to produce that to help himself and future generation. He told of how some of the Bishops like HG Barnabas of America has encouraged him.

What amazed me most during that evening with him was that in a time when many a clergy and us forget the need and how within our resources Christian fellowship , He had been opening him home weekly for an hour for any one to walk in read the Bible, Sing few Hymns together and help each other live out faithfully their life in Christ. While  He also explained that his home was open all denominations and even those outside of the faith comes there, His conviction on Orthodox Christian faith has never faltered and as he is old to travel has the local priest come home to hear his confession and partake of Eucharist.

It is the prayers and encouragement of those like PA George Sir, that the Church will always thrive and so fitting they are in Christ and our faith to proclaim Memory Eternal!

September 25, 2017

Calgary, Canada

 

 

Ramban Mathews of Mylapra, Pray for us Sinners

One of the most unknown Fathers of the Orthodox Church in India ,in my mind, is Ramban Mathews of Mylapra , whom we remember in our prayers and departed this world on September 4, 1991

The lives of our Fathers and Mothers in Christ who have lived and departed this life are  helpful as much as how they learned ,lived and practised their Faith in their lives and how much the future generations choose to select  the good from them and implemented in their own lives. Mylapara Ramachan Mathews communicated with God and fellow man through his life while alive and yet now. Even as last week had a Priest witness that he was inspired to become a priest by Mylapra Rambachan and a family tell that in privacy of their home praying the prayers of Ramabachan

It is with that in mind ,praying that through this posting others would know him , seek his prayers to follow in his steps and thereby each of us as individuals and Church glorify God.


 A lot of what taught and lived came to light only after he departed.  He left as a faithful record of his silent communications with God through a Malayalam manuscript coming to almost 5000 pages which he called "Madhurabhasanam"("Sweet Conversation" ).  This was later on published in Malayalam and to my understanding is not translated fully into English . Below are two small sections from the small translation of the first volume to English that touched me deeply  :

Witness of others in the Eulogy by Fr. Sam George  (Fr. Sam was praying with him on the day Rambachan died).

" It was midnight on 4th September 1991. Ramban Mathews woke up to say his midnight prayers. He stood with folded hands before his Creator in the silence of the night ,reciting prayers. And when the regular prayer was completed he laydown to sleep. He woke up at 3 a.m. for prayer . After prayers he took a draught of water and laid down to sleep . In bed he felt an uneasiness. Yet he did not disturb the sleeping dear ones around. He gradually sank to unconsciousness, " The death of the just" like a deep sleep embraced him, leaving memories of a glorious Christian life  of adventure with God".

Rambachan lived his life with prayer and find God's will in his life in obedience  Correspondence between him while a priest and his spiritual father the Catholicose of the East HH Gee Varghese Mar Baselios II .


" May it pleases your Holiness ",

" I am glad to know that your Holiness has returned to the Aramana after a surgical operation on your eye and is well. I thank God for the great healing showered upon your Holiness and praise His Holy name. I very much desire to go to your holy presence and seek your blessings.

It is a long while since I thought of visiting with your Holiness and seeking the comfort I very much want at present. I very humbly request your Holiness who is my spiritual father to forgive my errors and bless me with wise counsel and give me proper direction if at all I have offended your Holiness in any way out of ignorance or human weakness . I submit that I am always prepared to accept any word of yours regardless of my sentiments.

Holy Father, I am a humble servant of thine raised to the priesthood of Our Lord Jesus Christ by your Holiness's blessed hands. I am at one thankful to God and to your Holiness . I praise his most holy name. But as days pass by , I realize more and more my incompetence and weakness. I regret that no good as envisaged by God proceeds from me. I regret very much that I am not of any consolation to the Holy Fathers who desire my good and pray for me. The quarrels within our Church, legal suits, the infiltration of the catholics to waylay our faithful , the immodest claims of the Jacobites, the treachery of the priests teaching dividing the flock instead of uniting them in the name of God , the tendency of the priests and laity to cross the floor upon petty differences vex your Holiness ;  my heart pines . What can I, a weakling do to remedy these evils? I am prepared when it becomes to die for the benefit of our Church. I often feel it is better to die than to wallow in the present dirty confused condition of the Church.  Who am I to judge others? I very much long to see Church flourish to bear good fruits. Faith and Love have departed from the world. Above all , my daily responsibilities increase beyond my capacity to meet them and, unforeseen adversities confront me. Thus I am put to confusion and feel exhausted.

Under these circumstances, I am deeply moved in my soul to seek your Holiness's permission and blessing to keep aloof from the miserable affairs of the world for one calendar year from 15th August 1930 to 14th August 1931, spending my time in total silence and prayer in peace and solitude. I have to move to some forest or some cave for solitude . But my present circumstances and the compulsion of the Attachakkal parishioners do not permit to leave the present premises. So I prefer to remain in the parsonage and do penances. I cannot be contented otherwise . I pray your Holiness to bless me and permit me to pray in silence for the above said period  for my spiritual perfection and for the overall progress of Church. I think I should undergo voluntary imprisonment for my sins as well as for the sins of my forbearers and my parishioners.

During this period, I shall not talk to anyone. I shall offer Holy Qurbana on Sundays, Wednesday and Friday and give the homily on the scripture reading of the day. I want myself exempted from hearing confessions from other priestly obligations for the successful completion of my vow.

I have made arrangements with Rev. Fr. Jacob of Kodassanad to look after the spiritual needs of the parish besides with Fr. Geevarghese Pulimukathu. He is happy with my conditions. I have made necessary arrangement to see all my responsibilities faultlessly met.  There might be errors and pitfalls in my thinking . I know of your Holiness, mindful of my welfare, would remedy them and order the best way and end I should choose . I am prepared to follow your orders verbatim. Nevertheless my soul yearns to perform the penance and wait your Holiness's well considered disposal of my petition.

Your Holiness's obedient Spiritual Son Velasseril Mathews Kassisa
Mar Philoxenos Church , Attachakkal \
11-12-114

His Holiness Geevarghese Mar Baselios II , Catholicose of the East from the Holy Apostolic See of St. Thomas to dear Fr. Mathews Velasseril , Attachakkal.

Beloved Son,
Received your mail. Your longings are appreciable. . Prayer and Penance are sure methods to ward off Satan . We are glad to know that you do it. But it is not wise to start with such severe vows to face unforeseen troubles during the progress and fall back. Satan help one towards holiness and fells him unawares. So make firm steps gradually and patiently. My son be not so holy that you may perish ;be not so impure that you may not perish. Some monastics observed fasting for 40 days and resumed normal lives the following 40 days. I think it will be wise to follow such a course in the beginning and progressively to try year long  penances. Better you think yourself. Our lent prayers and other spiritual exercises are for ordinary people. If you will practice that properly high steps can easily be reached. It depends upon you to do everything according to the result of your self examination and spiritual capability. We hope to leave for Parumala by next week and from there to Kottayam.
Yours in the Lord, God bless you
Bishops House Kundara
0/114/Kark-14

The sweet wisdom of the Holy Father was heartily accepted by Rev Mathews. For the time being he postponed the idea of year long silence. He practised short periods of silence and fasting . His pupils too followed the course
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.
Lord have mercy

September 4, 2017
Calgary, Canada