St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West Mailing Address: 4718 Horsehaven, Post Falls, Idaho 83854-6668 - Church Phone: (208) 777-1128 Fr. Basil Caldaroni: (208) 818-2646 Email: frbasil@caldaroni.net Church Website: http://www.stjohnorthodox.org Parish Directory: http://www.stjohnorthodox.org/directory.html User: Faithful Password: TheWay Send announcements to members@stjohnorthodox.org essence and energy of God. St. Gregory Palamas March 27, 2016 On the Second Sunday of the Fast, we celebrate the memory of our Father among the Saints, Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica. The situation in St. Gregory's time was that Orthodoxy was being debased; it was becoming worldly and being changed into either pantheism or agnosticism. Pantheism believed and taught that God in His essence was to be found in all nature, and so when we look at nature we can acquire knowledge of God. Agnosticism believed and taught that it was utterly impossible for us to know God, just because He is God and man is limited, and therefore man was completely incapable of attaining a real knowledge of God. In the face of this great danger St. Gregory Palamas articulated the fundamental teaching of the Church concerning the great mystery of the indivisible distinction between the All spiritual life is a result and fruit of the energy of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the saint taught, we cannot participate in God's essence, but we can know and participate in His uncreated energies. In this way St. Gregory preserves the true teaching of the Church. The common mind of the Church recognizes St. Gregory Palamas as a great Father of the Church, an Ecumenical teacher, and includes him among the great Theologians of the Church. Gregory Palamas was born in 1296 and educated in Constantinople. He became a monk and spent much of his life on Mount Athos. He was ordained a priest at age 30. Palamas practiced hesychasm, an ascetic and mystical life of silence, rigorous bodily discipline, fasting and the continuous repetition of the Jesus Prayer. Through this method of prayer, the hesychasts were often granted spiritual graces. Palamas achieved a balance between his personal spiritual life and communal prayer by going to his monastic community for the liturgy and sacraments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Palamas became the defender of hesychasm in a controversy led by the philosopher Barlaam, who denied the possibility for men to experience genuine union with God. Palamas made a distinction between the essence of God, which is unknowable, and the divine energies of God, such as the uncreated divine light experienced at the Transfiguration. The debate over hesychasm went on for more than 20 years, but Gregory's position as that of the Orthodox Church has withstood the tests of time. Palamas became the archbishop of Thessalonica in 1347. Respected as a pastor and teacher, he was canonized in 1368, just nine years after his death. - A Journey Through Great Lent - Very Rev. Stephen Belonick The Uncreated Energies (excerpted from The Teachings of the Holy Orthodox Church by Rev. Michael Azkoul, edited by Hieromonk (now Bishop) Gregory) The Uncreated Energies of God are the means by which the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity created the world and the way in which they ordinarily communicate with it - save the Incarnation which is the actual descent of the Person of God the Son into the world, "who was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). The Uncreated Energies differ from both the essence and the Persons of the Trinity, albeit related to both. They are "movement" or "rush of God" out of His essence (St.John of Damascus) or "the rays of Divinity penetrating the created universe" (St. Dionysios the Areopagite). According to St.Basil the Great: "The energies are numerous and the essence of God simple and what we know when we say God is in fact His energies. We do not presume to approach His essence. His energies come down to us, but His essence remains beyond our reach." The energies belong to God's essence, and to use a common patristic simile, proceed from Him as rays from the sun. Here, too, there is no time sequence. Furthermore, although God the Father created all things through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, they acted by the energies of their common essence. "The energies of the uncreated essence," writes St. Cyril of Alexandria, "is a common action while, at the same time, those energies belong and is a contribution of each Person in a special way." In other words, the divine energies are the means by which the Trinity creates and communicates inasmuch as the divine essence is forever "immobile" and "incommunicable." Thus, in reconciling the apparent contradiction between the words "no man has seen God at any time" and "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God," St. Gregory of Nyssa says that "the Lord indeed speaks the truth when He promises that God will be seen by the pure of heart and St. Paul does not deceive us when he asserts that none have seen God at any time nor can see Him. For He is incomprehensible by nature, but falls within the range of our experience in His energies, that is, He may be contemplated in the things which point to Him." The energies are not the essence of the Trinity, but they express and are no less divine, coming forth from the essence through the divine Persons The theological literature in the West during the late Middle Ages and Reformation period show that grace was understood as a created power of God, His spontaneous, unmerited favor in the "regeneration," "sanctification" and "salvation" of sinners. The followers of Augustine, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, perceived grace to be compulsory and irresistible - inasmuch as our depraved
human will would turn away from grace were it not forced on us. Some theologians connected grace with the Sacraments and some did not. They spoke of being "in the state of grace," but not that grace was a deifying process In Orthodoxy, grace and light have more than a creative and providential purpose. They are manifested also to realize the Divine Plan - to sanctify and transfigure all that God has made. "God," says St. Maximos the Confessor, "has created us in order that we may become partakers of the Divine Nature, that we may enter into eternity, that we may resemble Him, that is, being deified by His Grace through which all things were made." The Divine Light, too, has the purpose of uniting the creation with God; but more, it is a visitation from the future, from "the age to come" and is often called by the Fathers, "the light of the eigth Day." Light is usually associated with the Presence of the Holy Spirit, as St. Seraphim of Sarov and St. Symeon the New Theologian tell us Both Grace and Light describe the Divine Energies, not the Divine Essence. Therefore, as St. Gregory Palamas states, "God is Light not according to His Essence but according to His Energy." If for no other reason, Light cannot be viewed as a metaphore and if God dwells in "unapproachable Light," as St. Paul exclaims (1 Tim. 6:16), He is basking in His Own Energies, even as the Lord on Mt. Tabor. Moreover, the countless Scriptural references to Light - "God is Light" (I John 1:5); "I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12); "the righteous shall shine as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43), etc. - cannot be understood as literal similes, for too many Saints have experienced the Light as the Presence of Divinity. Thus, St. Paul on his way to Damascus or St. Stephen the Protomartyr or St. Anthony the Great "in his battle for inner quiet" received now the Light of the Kingdom, of "the age to come." They received the Light of the Holy Spirit "shining in their hearts," St. Basil the Great testifies. This teaching about the Divine Light - and Grace - has a tradition which reaches beyond the Old Testament, to Eden itself where Adam basked in "the divine illumination and radiance" (St. Gregory Palamas). And later, we know that the face of Moses, when he came down from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments, was glorious with the Light of God (Ex. 34:28). Everywhere in the Scriptures and Fathers one can find references to the Divine Light and, therefore, it is unfair to say, as some have, that this teaching is a "development" of late Byzantine theology. WISDOM OF THE FATHERS Prayer is a request for what is good, offered by the devout of God. But we do not restrict this request simply to what is stated in words... We should not express our prayer merely in syllables, but the power of prayer should be expressed in the moral attitude of our soul and in the virtuous actions that extend throughout our life... This is how you pray continually - not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so that your life becomes one continuous and uninterrupted prayer. ~St. Basil the Great "We know that prayer in and of itself cannot save us, but carrying it out before God can. For when the Lord's eyes are upon us He sanctifies us, as the sun warms everything upon which it shines." ~St. Gregory Palamas
RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE TWO When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee. APOLYTIKION FOR ST. GREGORY PALAMAS IN TONE EIGHT O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls. KONTAKION FOR THE ANNUNCIATION (AND GREAT LENT) IN TONE EIGHT To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom. THE EPISTLE O Lord, Thou wilt preserve us and keep us from this generation. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man hath disappeared. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (1:10-2:3) In the beginning, Thou, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never end. But to what angel has He ever said, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a stool for thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message, declared by angels, was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard Him. THE GOSPEL - The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (2:1-12) At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone? And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins He said to the paralytic I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home. And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this!
ANNOUNCEMENTS Antiochian Women Book Study Next Sunday, April 3rd I hope that many of you have started reading Royal Monastic for our book club. There has been a lot of positive feedback from other Antiochian Woman groups who have already begun their study. When we set the date for our first study, this Sunday March 27, we didn't realize that it was Western Easter. Since many ladies have family that will be getting together this day we are going to postpone our first book club meeting until Sunday April 3. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Love in Christ, Diakonissa Joanna Pascha Open House at the Fellegy s - Reader Mark and Michelle Fellegy wish to invite everyone to a Pascha open house after Agape Vespers on Pascha, May 1. We will have grills going to cook on, fellowship, and live music, so bring something to share (your talent if you play music) and join in the celebration of Our Lord s glorious Resurrection. For more information see Reader Mark, or call 208-215-1766. Also, please stock up on Easter candy for the egg hunt while it is on sale and available after Western Easter. Sign-Up Sheet for Wednesday Lenten Dinners - As is our practice at St. John, we will be having a Lenten dinner every Wednesday evening during Lent, immediately following the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. There is a sign-up sheet now posted on the bulletin board at the church building. Please sign up on that sheet to bring food to share with the brethren. These Lenten dinners are always a blessing after worshipping together in the Presanctified Liturgy. The first Presanctified Liturgy with dinner following is a week from today, Wednesday, March 16. St. Herman of Alaska Scholarship Fund - St. Herman's Scholarship Fund has been established to help students who wish to pursue, or are currently pursuing, full time study in an institution of learning (two or four year college or university) or a vocational institute. This year a student will be selected to receive a stipend of $2,000. In order to be eligible for the stipend, a student should be a member in good standing at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Post Falls or at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Spokane or at Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Church in Bonners Ferry, and a full time student at a high school or college with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4 point scale. Academic excellence, financial need and church /community service will be taken into account in the awarding of the stipend. Please see Fr. Basil or Barbara Garbinski for an application. June 12, 2016 is the deadline. Food Bank: Making a Habit out of Helping Our Neighbors in Need Please remember to bring an offering, as you are able, for our Food Bank tub (in the Narthex). The St. Theophan Homeschool Coop children deliver our donations on a regular basis, and these donations are distributed to hundreds of local families every week! The most needed items include: Any hygiene products (shampoo & conditioner), Baby products (food, formula, diapers, wipes), Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon), Coffee, Crackers, Dog and cat food, Flour, Jelly, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Packaged cookies, Peanut Butter, Shelf-stable, bottled juice, Sugar, Toilet Paper. Thank you for your offerings toward this beautiful ministry to our community! And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matt 25:40
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & EVENTS Saturday, March 26: Catechism/Intro to Orthodoxy Class 4:30pm, Great Vespers 6:00pm Sunday, March 27: St. Gregory Palamas - Orthros 9:00am, Divine Liturgy 10:00am, Sunday School & Lunch Following Monday, March 28: Great Compline 6:30pm Tuesday, March 29: Youth Swing Dance 7:00pm Wednesday, March 30: Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts 6:30pm Friday, April 1: Akathist 6:30pm Saturday, April 2: Catechism/Intro to Orthodoxy Class 4:30pm, Great Vespers 6:00pm Sunday, April 3: Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross - Orthros 9:00am, Divine Liturgy 10:00am, Sunday School & Lunch Following EPISTLE READERS Mar 27 Kelly Peterson April 3 Josh Gallatin April 10 Joy Corey April 17 David Gencarella POTLUCK LUNCHEON CLEANUP TEAM Mar 27 Team 4: Kelly Peterson, Sandford family, Rush family & Foster Caldaroni April 3 Team 1: Schaefer family, Gallatin family, Ebert family & the Phillips family April 10 Team 2: Victoria Purviance, Dale Ayoub, Lydia Gross, Marina Williams, Bardwells & Otts April 17 Team 3: Joy Corey, Tecca family, Roth family, John Holmen & Morey Ransom CLEANING ROTATION (nave, narthex, hallway and upstairs restrooms) Week of 3/27 Jeanne Wood Week of 4/10 Fr. Basil Week of 4/3 Tim & Kelly Peterson Week of 4/17 Jeanne Rickert PRAYERS FOR THE LIVING: Scott (Jenny Dancy's Dad); Phillips Family, Barbara Revak (Barb Schaefer s aunt), Stephanie Welzig, Suffering Christians throughout the Middle East, Metropolitan Paul Yazigi and Metropolitan Youhanna Ibrahim (hostages in Syria) PRAYERS FOR THE DEPARTED: Departed Victims of Terror attacks, Departed Christians in Syria and Iraq who have died for their Faith. ST THEOPHAN HOMESCHOOL COOP: Please keep the St. Theophan Home School Co-op in prayer every day as the children meet with their parents/teachers in our Church School space every weekday. May the Lord grant them wisdom! A Note Regarding Holy Communion Since we understand Communion to mean that we have all things in common, sharing an identical Faith, only those who are members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and recent confession may participate in Holy Communion. (We invite all, however, to partake of the blessed bread which is distributed at the dismissal.) Please see the pastor for inquiries on how to become a member.