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Mark the Ascetic

2010-12-08T18:36:09Z

Qwaal: /* External links */

Our venerable and God-bearing father '''Mark the Ascetic''' was born in Athens in the fifth century, and lived in the Egyptian desert as a [[monk]]. His [[feast day]] is commemorated on [[March 5]].

== Life ==
St. Mark was an [[ascetic]] and [[wonder-worker|miracle-worker]], sometimes known as ''Mark the Faster''. In his 40th year he was [[tonsure]]d a monk by his teacher, St. [[John Chrysostom]]. Mark then spent 60 more years in the wilderness of Nitria (a desert in Lower Egypt) in [[fast]]ing and [[prayer]], and in writing many spiritual works concerning the salvation of souls. He knew all the [[Holy Scriptures]] by heart. He was very merciful and kind, and wept much for the misfortunes that had befallen all of God's creation.

On one occasion, when weeping over a hyena's blind whelp, he prayed to God and the whelp received its sight. In thanksgiving the mother hyena brought him a sheepskin. The [[saint]] forbade the hyena in the future to kill any more sheep belonging to poor people. He received [[Eucharist|Communion]] at the hands of [[angels]]. His [[homily|homilies]] concerned such topics as the spiritual law, repentance, sobriety, and are ranked among the preeminent literature of the Church. These works were praised by the [[Patriarch]] [[Photius the Great]] himself.

==Quotes==
"Do not seek the perfection of the law in human virtues, for it is not found perfect in them. Its perfection is hidden in the Cross of Christ."

== Source ==
*St. [[Nikolai Velimirovic]], ''The [[Prologue of Ohrid]]''

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100669 St. Mark the Ascetic of Egypt] ([[OCA]])
*[http://goarch.org/chapel/saints/2352 Mark the Ascetic] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Egyptian Saints]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[fr:Marc le Moine]]
[[ro:Marcu Ascetul]]

Lazar (Puhalo) of Ottawa

2008-03-02T01:03:05Z

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His Eminence, the Most Reverend '''Lazar (Puhalo) of Ottawa''', is a retired hierarch of the [[Orthodox Church in America]], and is the founding [[abbot]] of the [[Monastery of All Saints of North America (Dewdney, British Columbia)|Monastery of All Saints of North America]], Canada.

Archbishop Lazar is known for his prolific theological writings, particularly regarding the aerial toll-house theory.

==Biographical timeline==
*1968: Visiting Mt Athos, Lev Puhalo and Vasili Novakshonoff discussed idea of founding a Canadian Orthodox [[monastery]]. Some [[monk]]s on Mt Athos advise them not to delay. Struggle begins in a tiny hut with a dirt floor east of Rosedale, BC. Vasili continued employment at a library to finance both the monastery and missionary work.
*1969 ~Nov: Platform of scrap lumber built over half of the floor.
*1969-70: A damp and cold winter found the roof with many leaks, and the hut poorly constructed. Two sheets of plastic, stretched over a rope line, with a kerosene burner between them, because the first cells. Kitchen was on the dirt part of the hut, consisting of a Coleman stove and a tap with cold water.
*Translations of books began, with the ''Life of St Theophil the Fool for Christ of the Kiev Caves'', the ''Life of St Xenia of St Petersburg'' (published at Jordanville) and a significant portion of the ''History of Russian Imperial Coronations'' for the Russian Orthodox Youth Committee.
*1970: Symposium held by monastery at a local auditorium, entitled ''Forgotten Voices, Women in the Early Church''.
*1972: Lev ordained to [[diaconate]] in the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] (ROCOR).
*1973: Dcn Lev assigned to serve a [[parish]] in the US.
::Second monastery site, of better quality, is found south of Chilliwack, BC.
::Synaxis Press founded. Publication of the ''Canadian Orthodox Missionary'' began.
*1974: First edition of the ''Synaxis Theological Journal'' published.
::Dcn Lev installed a pipeline, bringing cold water into the monastery from a spring on the mountain above the monastery bulding.
*1976: Dcn Lev returns to resume development of monastery. He travels a lot, lecturing and giving talks to youth. During this time he develops a sympathy for those Orthodox who lived away from a church. He often travelled as much as 10,000 miles on buses in a year for those who are isolated or those who request talks.
*1980: Deacon Lev is ordered to cease lecturing in parishes on the subject of the toll houses{{ref|1}} by the [[Synod]] of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He was deposed by ROCOR for "for having entered a jurisdiction not in communion with ROCOR" and went to the [[Free Serbian Church]].
*1981 Mar: In response to a 1980 request from a small group of Romanian Canadians who wished to worship in the monastery [[chapel]], [[Bishop]] Ireney of New Gracanica ordains Dcn Lev (a Serbian) to the priesthood for the newly-formed parish of St Tikhon and for the monastery, and tonsured him with the name ''Lazar''. Later, Fr Lazar tonsures Vasili with the name ''Varlaam''.
*1983: Fr Lazar offers to help a group of Serbs found a parish in Los Angeles, with services conducted in Church Slavonic and English.
*At some point, Fr Lazar was called upon to help found St Sava Serbian Orthodox [[Seminary]] for the New Gracanica Metropolitanate. Metr. Ireney ordains Monk Varlaam to the [[priest]]hood to serve the parish. Fr Lazar stays there for three years.
*1984: The feast of the ''Theotokos, Joy of Canada'' was established when Metr. Ireney of New Gracanica presented the Monastery with a small [[icon]] of the [[Theotokos]] as a blessing.
::Makary Armstrong, a convert from Fr Lazar's parish in Los Angeles, moves to the Monastery.
*1985: The parish of St Nicholas, Langley, BC, appealed to the monastery for help and for a priest, and so became the second English-language Orthodox parish in Western Canada.
*Because of the unavailability of locally obtainable pure beeswax candles, Fr Varlaam built a small candle factory to produce hand-dipped, pure beeswax candles in the parishes and the monastery.
*1990: After leaving the Free Serbian Church, Fr Lazar consecrated bishop by the [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kiev Patriarchate)]].
*1991 Nov: After a search, the Monastery was able to acquire an illustrious property that the monastery rests on today. The property was named ''New Ostrog'', and the candle factory was dedicated to the protection of St Vasili of Ostrog.
*1996: The Monastery moved under the omophorion of the [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kiev Patriarchate)]]. Patriarch Volodymyr (Romaniuk) elevated Bp Lazar to Archbishop, and consecrated Fr Varlaam as Bishop of Vancouver.
*2003: Monastery received in into the Orthodox Church in America by [[oikonomia]]; Abp. Lazar received as a retired bishop with the title ''Archbishop of Ottawa''. Although in retirement from active hierarchal duties, Archbishop Lazar currently serves the Orthodox Church in America as the Civil Liaison for the Archdiocese of Canada with the Government of Canada.
*2007: Abp Lazar and Bp Varlaam turn St Nicholas Canadian Orthodox Church in Langley over to the Archdiocese of Canada. Regular services established at the Canadian Orthodox Monastery of All Saints of North America.

==Reference==
*{{note|1}} [http://orthodoxinfo.com/death/tollhouse_debate.aspx The Debate Over Aerial Toll-Houses: Extract from the Minutes of the Session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia]

==External links==
*[http://orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/resources/hierarchs/oca/former_hierarchs.htm#lazar_puhalo_archb_new_ostrog Listing] at the Orthodox Research Institute
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/ The Canadian Orthodox Monastery of All Saints of North America] (New Ostrog)
*[http://www.orthodoxcanada.org/schedule.htm Archbishop Lazar's 2007 Speaking Schedule]

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before=—|
title=Superior and Abbot of the Monastery of All Saints of North America|
years=1968-present|
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[[Category:Bishops]]

Homosexuality

2008-02-14T07:13:53Z

Qwaal: /* Personal Testimonies */

==The Teaching of the Orthodox Church==

===Introduction===
One of the most emotional, moral, and politically charged issues the United States (and the world at large) has dealt with over the last 35 years or so has been that of homosexuality and the rights of those citizens who have openly identified themselves as homosexual or gay. Regardless of whose statistics one believes there is no denying the fact that the gay and lesbian population is a significant group in the U.S. This article will acknowledge the Orthodox Church's teaching on this topic with a special view and emphasis on the writings of Frs. [[Stanley S. Harakas|Stanley Harakas]] and Thomas Hopko. It includes some views from a social [[ethics]] perspective as well as suggesting some pastoral actions to be taken by, say, a [[priest]] or by fellow Orthodox Christians. The basic premise for doing so is that although the Church's position on homosexuality has not changed and may be restated, the Church's ultimate concern has always been for the ''people'' who are engaged in this activity or have identified themselves as homosexuals. In short, the Church's concern is ''not'' the ''sin'' but the ''sinner''.

===The Church's View and Teachings===
The Church's teaching is very clear with respect to homosexuality. The Encarta dictionary defines homosexuality "as an attraction to the same sex; sexual attraction to and sexual relations with members of the same sex."1 There are numerous references in Scripture with regard to same sex relations and sexual activity. Starting with [[Genesis]] 19 where there is reference to homosexual activity among the men in Sodom (hence the term ''sodomy''), as well as in [[Leviticus]] (18:22, 20:13) which makes reference to the adopted "Holiness Code" and the penalty for such an action—"If there is a man who lies with a male as those be with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act"—was ''death''. The [[Old Testament]] viewed sexual relations to be "normal" as those between a man and woman (confined to intercourse facing one another) with the express purpose of procreation. This view, thinking, and teaching continued to the [[New Testament]] as well with St. [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] writing the most extensively on this subject. He condemns male prostitutes and homosexuals in [[I Corinthians|1 Cor.]] (6:9-10): "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral nor the idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals (''arsenokoitai''), nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers shall inherit the kingdom of God." These two examples do show the evolution of the Church's view on homosexuality. The Old Testament's view is consistent with its "judgment and retribution" (death penalty) ethos found in Jewish society in those times. The New Testament writing by St. Paul reflects Christ's teaching, where the "judgment" consisted of a stern yet "tough love" warning that these types of activities would prohibit you from 'inheriting' the kingdom of God. This evolution of thought and teaching is significant for it signals the importance of the [[eschatology|eschaton]] and a genuine concern for the individual in a loving, outreaching, yet solemn way. St. Paul's writing is also significant because the activity of homosexuality is mentioned in the ''same'' context as other sinful activities and passions. The "pastoral concern" for the individual will be addressed in the next section of this article. The [[Church Fathers|Fathers of the Church]] also wrote on this and expressed the same view and teaching that homosexual acts are immoral and wrong. The ''[[Didache]]'', as well as St. [[Basil the Great|Basil]] ([[Canon]]s 35, 77), Sts. [[John Chrysostom]], [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]], [[Gregory of Nyssa]], [[John the Faster]] (Canons 9, 18) contain some of these writings as well as the 6th century code of [[Justinian]] and the [[Quinisext Council|Quinisext Synod]] (Canon 87). In all the writings of the New Testament and of the Fathers, "there is no example ... of approval, acceptance, or even tolerance of homosexuality."{{ref|2}} In fact, this is one topic that ''all'' Orthodox [[jurisdiction]]s are in agreement on, as indicated in the 1978 [[SCOBA]] statement on homosexuality.

===The Actions versus the Condition of the Person===
Fr. Harakas cites a "balanced" definition of homosexuality as "a predominant, persistent, and exclusive psychosexual attraction toward members of the same sex. A homosexual person is one who feels sexual desire for and a sexual responsiveness to persons of the same sex and who seeks or would like to seek actual sexual fulfillment of this desire by sexual acts with a person of the same sex."{{ref|3}} This speaks volumes on this subject from a specificity and pastoral aspect on this topic. Of particular note is that the homosexual is a person first and foremost, and that the actions he commits are under scrutiny and thus sinful. This is a significant point in that the writings that have been cited thus far condemn the actions of people and in this way there is a "clear distinction between homosexual acts and a condition in a person attracting them to these acts."{{ref|3}} In essence, these writings aim their attention to the acts of people engaged in this type of activity. A nice summary statement that can be offered: "The Orthodox Church does not condemn the person who keeps this propensity [homosexuality] in check, and ministers to homosexuals who wish to find release from this inclination."{{ref|2}} Again, this is significant because it points to the Church's fervent desire to minister to those committing these acts. As is the case with other sinful acts and the combating of the passions there has to be a sincere acceptance that this behavior is wrong coupled with an equally sincere desire for correction through [[prayer]] and [[repentance]]We are reminded of Christ's own words to the paralytic ([[Gospel of John|John]] 5:6): "Do you wish to be made whole?" Therefore there is a direct correlation between homosexuality, in the Church's view, with adultery, fornication, or any other sexually abusive behavior that is sinful. The definition cited by Fr. Harakas contains some key words in it that give us an insight as to how homosexuality and these other behaviors are viewed. In essence, because homosexuality is "psychosexual" therefore, it is a combination of a mindset (which is contrary to Church teaching) that manifests itself in sinful sexual activity, just as the other sexual sins mentioned beforehand. They are all, as Fr. Harakas notes, ''passions'', which even though we are created in the image and likeness of God, because of the consequence of the [[Fall]] of Man, now unfortunately possess. These sexually oriented passions are strictly dealt with and addressed as noted (Scripture, Canons, Patristic writings) because they are a threat to the Church's major theme and teaching of [[marriage]]. Its importance within the Church is shown by the fact that Christ's first [[miracle]] was performed at the [[Wedding of Cana]] (John 2: 1-11), forever sanctifying the [[sacrament]] of marriage. Although marriage is not the choice of all of the members of the Body of Christ (some choose [[monasticism]]), there can be no doubt as to its central importance within the Church and to it certainly being the ''only'' proper context within which one has sexual relations (for procreation). The bride and groom are joined together through the sacrament and become one flesh much in the same way the "Church is joined to Christ."{{ref|4}} Even during the sacrament itself, they offer their lives to Christ, to each other, and are symbolically crowned as [[martyr]]s.

===Social Ethics of the Issue===
The continuing debate about homosexuality has indeed been raised "up a notch" with the dialogue amongst the citizens of the U.S. who in many cases have urged their political representatives to compose and enact legislation to protect their civil rights. What has started out as an "equal rights" movement, which was mainly concerned with discrimination (job, housing market) due to sexual orientation, the focus of proposed legislation for at least the last dozen or so years has been the acceptance of same-sex unions in the same way that marriage is recognized by the State. This is obviously a concern not just to the Orthodox Church alone. The aim of this legislation is ''acceptance'' of the behavior. Fr. George Morelli, speaking at an [[Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion]] (OCAMPR) conference at [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross School of Theology]] in November 2006 states, "In our day, effort is being made to create a moral parity between heterosexuality and homosexuality. Sanctioning homosexual marriage would go a long way in removing the moral prohibitions against homosexual behavior. Gay marriage advocates borrow the moral teachings and assert that they also apply equally to the homosexual. In other words, just as heterosexual activity is to be relegated to heterosexual marriage, so too should homosexual activity be relegated to homosexual marriage."{{ref|5}}
The position therefore being advocated by "gay rights activists" is not just for acceptance of their "union" in marriage, but acceptance of their behavior (sexual activity) as well. Why else would they specifically advocate that their "civil union"-which has been suggested to be the term used in legislation—be called ''marriage''? But use of the term "marriage" would connote social acceptance of this union, hence the behavior that occurs within its context. Indeed for the heterosexual, marriage is ''sacramental'' and therefore blessed by God and the Church. What is to be understood is that the Church is not condemning or discriminating against homosexuals but rather their activity which is considered to be against her teaching in the same way other passions are. They are not considered as having lower value in the eyes of God, the focus is to be directed toward the correcting of the behavior and removal of the particular passion.

===Social and Pastoral Action===
The Church extends an open invitation to those who suffer from the passion of homosexuality. Admittedly, the Church could certainly do a better job with this group that exists within her flock, as well as reach out and embrace them as people, with as much compassion as when dealing with other people who suffer from other sexual passions. The Church still considers these sexual behaviors as passions even in the light of recent scientific research that points to homosexuality in particular having a genetic origin as well. A study by "Camperio-Ciani estimates at this time 20% of the variance in sexual orientation can be attributed to genetic factors, while the other 80% await further specification and probably include other biological factors as well as social and emotional elements."{{ref|5}} Although this scientific research points to a genetic origin or biological disposition to homosexuality the same argument can be made for heterosexual passions as well—adultery, for example—where studies show that males are more pre-disposed to having multiple partners versus women. What can be said in both instances is that environment, upbringing, and other social factors come into play (the other 80%). Hence there is a definite biological element as well as one of choice. There is definitely a biological and physical urge (bodily passion) that has an influence on the choice (our mind/spirit) one makes to engage in a certain activity. The point being made here is, which is also expressed by the Church's teaching, is that there is a cognitive decision (of [[free will]]) made by us to proceed to act out this bodily passion. This can be said for all the passions that are sexual in nature. To use Jane Jacobs' terminology{{ref|6}}, the "guardians" of our society are charged with enforcing the laws of our country, thereby protecting all of its citizens including homosexuals that have been discriminated against. But at the same time, they also charged with (in the Byzantine tradition of ''symphonia''), "to oversee public morals and to encourage the ethical, moral and spiritual development of its citizens."{{ref|7}} This is a signal to all concerned that although the "guardians" of our society are protecting all its citizens (regardless of their sexual orientation) they have an equal call to be faithful to the ethics and morality upon which our nation

===Battle with the Passions===
To conclude on a compassionate and pastoral note. All of us can arm ourselves with spiritual weapons to combat the passions that present themselves to us, and at times overtake us and still at other times totally consume us. That is why the struggle against them is a life long journey and we are called to always be on guard and vigilant in this "battle." The Church offers to us the "weapons" to aid all sinners to overcome their passions and temptations. "These spiritual weapons include prayer, worship, reading of Scripture and patristic writings, [[fast]]ing, [[Confession|Holy Confession]], Christian fellowship, as well as [[spiritual father|pastoral]] and psychiatric counseling which should be used by all including those who suffer from homosexual tendencies. ... The Church should do this with the same compassion, love and sensitivity as it does with all others who struggle to overcome their passions and grow in Christ."{{ref|3}} I think the spirit of the Church's outreach (the pastor and the membership at large) and embrace should be as Fr. Harakas stated in the last part of that statement—with the same compassion and love, etc. It takes ''courage'' to do so since at times many "social stigmas" may have to be overcome. One such stigma may even be the use of the term homosexual versus "same-sex attraction" that Fr. Hopko uses in his book of reflections on that subject as well as the Courage movement in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. "God does not make human beings homosexual ... to live human lives of love through their complementary communion with each other on a physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual level ... because of the fallen state of humanity some are subject to same-sex desires."{{ref|8}} In this way one can understand that we are not born homosexual as we are born with a particular skin color or gender. The key for us as Orthodox Christians is to embrace and respect one another as being mutually created in His love. Then we can join together in our mutual struggle against the passions that beset our fallen world.

==References==
===Official Orthodox Statements===
*[http://www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html?newsid=811&lang=US SCOBA's Statement on Homosexual Unions]
*[http://www.copts.net/detail.asp?id=444 Statement from the Coptic Orthodox Church]
*[http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/samesexunions.aspx On Same-Sex Unions] - Epistle of the Clergy of the Western Diocese of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia]] (2004)
* [[The Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops Speaks Out on the Issue of Same-Sex Marriage]]

===Articles from an Orthodox Perspective===
*[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/ethics/hopko_homosexual_christian.htm The Homosexual Christian] - by Fr. Thomas Hopko
*[http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?pageLoc=/story/41/story_4187_1.html&boardID=5444 Gays and the Orthodox Church: Can I still join the Church if I'm a homosexual?] - Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos
*[http://htaoc.com/faith/library/articles/homosexuality.html Homosexuality and the Church] - by V. Rev. William Caldaroni
*[http://www.holy-trinity.org/morality/homosexuality.html Orthodoxy, Homosexuality, the NCCC and the UFMCC] - From Holy-Trinity.org
*[http://www.coptnet.com/Pope-Books/ordofwom/index.htm Homosexuality and the Church] - by H.H. Pope Shenouda III, also available in [http://www.coptnet.com/books/ordofwom.pdf PDF format] (495k)
*[http://www.orthodox.net/russia/2000-08-17-homosexuality.html Christianity and Homosexuality: Russians Speak Out] by Srdja Trifkovic, August 17, 2000
*[http://southern-orthodoxy.blogspot.com/2004/05/gay-but-not-funny.html Gay ... But Not Funny] by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

===Non-Orthodox Sources===
*[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons] - from the Roman Catholic ''Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith''

===Recommended Books===
*''Straight & Narrow?: Compassion & Clarity in the Homosexuality Debate'' by Thomas E. Schmidt. InterVarsity Press: 1995. (ISBN 0830818588)
*''Homosexuality: A New Christian Ethic'' by Elizabeth R. Moberly. James Clarke Company: 1997. (ISBN 0227678508) (Orthodox author)
*''Christian Faith and Same-Sex Attraction: Eastern Orthodox Reflections'' by Thomas Hopko. Conciliar Press: 2006. (ISBN 1888212756) (Orthodox author)

===Other Resources===
*[http://www.narth.com/ NARTH]
*[http://www.exodusinternational.org/ Exodus International]
*[http://www.eskimo.com/~nickz/axios.html Orthodox Christian discussion group]

===Notes===

* {{note|1}} ''The Encarta Dictionary
* {{note|2}} ''The Orthodox Church- www.fatheralexander.org pg 10
* {{note|3}} ''Contemporary Moral Issues'' by Fr. Harakas pp. 92-3
* {{note|4}} [[Ephesians]] 5:31-32.
* {{note|5}} ''[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles6/MorelliHomosexuality2.php Understanding Homosexuality]'' by Fr. George Morelli
* {{note|6}} ''Systems of Survival'' by Jane Jacobs
* {{note|7}} ''Living the Faith'' by Fr. Stanley Harakas, p. 273.
* {{note|8}} ''Christian Faith and Same Sex Attraction'' by Fr. Thomas Hopko, p. 18.

[[Category:Ethics]]
[[Category:Links]]