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The Ladder of Divine Ascent

2011-03-03T11:11:43Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:Ladder of Divine Ascent.jpg|right|frame|[[Ladder of Divine Ascent icon|Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent]] ([[St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)|St. Catherine's Monastery]], Sinai Peninsula, Egypt) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent_Monastery_of_St_Catherine_Sinai_12th_century.jpg And here's a much bigger image of a similar icon] ]]'''''The Ladder of Divine Ascent''''' is an [[asceticism|ascetical]] treatise on avoiding vice and practicing virtue so that at the end, [[salvation]] can be obtained. Written by [[Saint]] [[John Climacus]] initially for [[monastic]]s, it has become one of the most highly influential and important works used by the Church as far as guiding the faithful to a God-centered life, second only to [[Holy Scripture]].
{{spirituality}}

There is also a related [[icon]] known by the same title. It depicts many people climbing a ladder; at the top is [[Jesus Christ]], prepared to receive the climbers into [[Heaven]]. Also shown are [[angel]]s helping the climbers, and [[demon]]s attempting to shoot with arrows or drag down the climbers, no matter how high up the ladder they may be. Most versions of the icon show at least one person falling.

== History of ''The Ladder'' ==
John, whilst a [[hermit]] living at the Sinai Peninsula, was recognized for his humility, obedience, wisdom (which was attained through spiritual experience), and discernment. He already had a reputation for being extremely knowledgeable about how to practice a holy life. St. John, [[igumen]] of the Raithu Monastery, one day asked St. John Climacus (also known as John of Sinai) to write down his wisdom in a book. At first hesitant to take on such a task, John of Sinai eventually honored the request, and he proceeded to write ''The Ladder''. St. John Climacus received his name "Climacus" ("of the Ladder") because of this work, and his writing ''The Ladder'' (later called ''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'') has been compared to the Holy [[Prophet]] and God-seer [[Moses]] receiving the Law.

This work was initially used by monastics. In fact it is read by monastics to this day during the [[Great Fast]]. It is also suggested as Lenten reading for those who are still "of this world"; yet this should be done with caution and under the guidance of a spiritual father. This work has made its mark on the lives of innumerable saints, including St. [[Theodore the Studite]], St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. [[Joseph of Volokolamsk]], St. Peter of Damascus, and St. [[Theophan the Recluse]], amongst many others.

== Structure and purpose ==
The aim of the treatise is to be a guide for practicing a life completely and wholly devoted to God. The ladder metaphor—not dissimilar to the vision that the [[Patriarch]] Jacob received—is used to describe how one may ascend into heaven by first renouncing the world and finally ending up in heaven with God. There are thirty chapters; each covers a particular vice or virtue. They were originally called ''logoi,'' but in the present day, they are referred to as "steps." The sayings are not so much rules and regulations, as with the Law that St. Moses received at Sinai, but rather observations about what is being practiced. Metaphorical language is employed frequently to better illustrate the nature of virtue and vice. Overall, the treatise does follow a progression that transitions from start (renunciation of the world) to finish (a life lived in love).

===The steps are:===
#On renunciation of the world
#On detachment
#On exile or pilgrimage; concerning dreams that beginners have
#On blessed and ever-memorable obedience (in addition to episodes involving many individuals)
#On painstaking and true repentance which constitutes the life of the holy convicts; and about the Prison
#On remembrance of death
#On joy-making mourning
#On freedom from anger and on meekness
#On remembrance of wrongs
#On slander or calumny
#On talkativeness and silence
#On lying
#On despondency
#On that clamorous mistress, the stomach
#On incorruptible purity and chastity, to which the corruptible attain by toil and sweat
#On love of money, or avarice
#On non-possessiveness (that hastens one Heavenwards)
#On insensibility, that is, deadening of the soul and the death of the mind before the death of the body
#On sleep, prayer, and psalmody with the brotherhood
#On bodily vigil and how to use it to attain spiritual vigil, and how to practise it
#On unmanly and puerile cowardice
#On the many forms of vainglory
#On mad pride and (in the same Step) on unclean blasphemous thoughts; concerning unmentionable blasphemous thoughts
#On meekness, simplicity, and guilelessness which come not from nature but from conscious effort, and about guile
#On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime humility, which is rooted in spiritual perception
#On discernment of thoughts, passions and virtues; on expert discernment; brief summary of all aforementioned
#On holy stillness of body and soul; different aspects of stillness and how to distinguish them
#On holy and blessed prayer, the mother of virtues, and on the attitude of mind and body in prayer
#Concerning Heaven on earth, or Godlike dispassion and perfection, and the resurrection of the soul before the general resurrection
#Concerning the linking together of the supreme trinity among the virtues; a brief exhortation summarizing all that has said at length in this book

== Guide to reading ''The Ladder'' ==
Like with other ascetical and spiritual texts, this one should be read carefully. Since the original audience was those practicing the monastic life, the language is very strong when contrasting the life of the world and the life devoted to God. This is one of the reasons why this work should be read under the guidance of a spiritual father. This work can be read at once with careful attention and intense concentration, trying to replicate as much as possible the monastic life. Yet it can also be read in its individual steps as well. The bottom line is that a spiritual father should be there as a guiding hand with this work.

==English language editions==
''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'', published by [http://www.thehtm.org/ Holy Transfiguration Monastery]. (ISBN 0943405033) This edition, based on [[Archimandrite]] [[Lazarus (Moore)|Lazarus Moore's]] translation is generally preferred over the Paulist Press edition of the ''Ladder''—especially because of the verse numberings, which are the standard way of referencing Climacus' sayings (these are also present in older versions of Archimandrite Lazarus' translation). It is also physically beautiful and much nicer to have on one's bookshelf. It contains an icon of "The Ladder," many other embellishments, and is printed on high quality paper. All that said, the Paulist Press edition is also worth having, especially because of the helpful introduction by [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Bishop Kallistos]].

*Luibheid, Colm; Russell, Norman. ''John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent''. Paulist Press. [ISBN 0809123304]
*Mack, John. ''Ascending the Heights: A Layman's Guide to the Ladder of Divine Ascent''. [ISBN 1888212179]

== See also ==
*[[Ladder of Divine Ascent Icon]]

== References ==
*''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'' as published by [http://www.thehtm.org/ Holy Transfiguration Monastery]
*Orthodox Church in America, biography on St. John of Sinai
*[http://www.monachos.net/patristics/klimakos_repentance.shtml 'On Repentance that Leads to Joy: The Spirituality of St John Klimakos'], by M.C. Steenberg, from the [http://www.monachos.net Monachos.net web site]

==Secondary literature==
*''Ascending the Heights - A Layman's Guide to The Ladder of Divine Ascent'' by Fr. John Mack ISBN 1-888212-17-9 ([http://www.svspress.com/product_info.php?products_id=2710 St Vladimir's Seminary Press])

[[Category:Asceticism]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Texts]]

[[ro:Scara dumnezeiescului urcuş]]

Antichrist

2011-03-03T11:08:52Z

Preciouspearlfan:

According to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.iv.xxvi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']:

:"It should be known that the Antichrist is bound to come. Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist. But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist. First, then, it is requisite that the Gospel should be preached among all nations, as the Lord said, and then he will come to refute the impious Jews. For the Lord said to them: ''I am come in My Father’s name and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.'' And the apostle says, ''Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.'' The Jews accordingly did not receive the Lord Jesus Christ who was the Son of God and God, but receive the impostor who calls himself God. For that he will assume the name of God, the angel teaches Daniel, saying these words, ''Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers.'' And the apostle says: ''Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God''; in the temple of God he said; not our temple, but the old Jewish temple. For he will come not to us but to the Jews: not for Christ or the things of Christ: wherefore he is called Antichrist.

:First, therefore, it is necessary that the Gospel should be preached among all nations: ''And then shall that wicked one be revealed, even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, whom the Lord shall consume with the word of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.'' The devil himself, therefore does not become man in the way that the Lord was made man. God forbid! but he becomes man as the offspring of fornication and receiveth all the energy of Satan. For God, foreknowing the strangeness of the choice that he would make, allows the devil to take up his abode in him.

:He is, therefore, as we said, the offspring of fornication and is nurtured in secret, and on a sudden he rises up and rebels and assumes rule. And in the beginning of his rule, or rather tyranny, he assumes the role of sanctity. But when he becomes master he persecutes the Church of God and displays all his wickedness. But he will come ''with signs and lying wonders'', fictitious and not real, and he will deceive and lead away from the living God those whose mind rests on an unsound and unstable foundation, so that even the elect shall, if it be possible, be made to stumble.

:But [[w:Enoch_(ancestor_of_Noah)#Enoch_in_the_Book_of_Genesis|Enoch]] and [[Elias]] the Thesbite shall be sent and shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, that is, the synagogue to our Lord Jesus Christ and the preaching of the apostles: and they will be destroyed by him. And the Lord shall come out of heaven, just as the holy apostles beheld Him going into heaven, perfect God and perfect man, with glory and power, and will destroy the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, with the breath of His mouth. Let no one, therefore, look for the Lord to come from earth, but out of Heaven, as He himself has made sure."

==External links==
*[http://orthodoxword.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/the-antichrist-orthodox-perspective "The Antichrist"] by Archpriest Boris Molchanoff, 1976
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/153/153f.htm "Count the Number of the Beast: 666"] by Rassophore-monk Vsevolod, 1998
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/end_w.htm "End of the World"] by Bishop [[Alexander (Mileant) of Buenos Aires]], 2002

[[Category: Texts]]

666

2011-03-03T11:07:26Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{cleanup|needs category}}
'''666''' (in the Greek text of the New Testament: χξς΄) is a biblical number for "the Beast", found in the [[Book of Revelation]] of the [[New Testament]]. The original Greek reads as follows:

:‘ο ’έχων τον νούν, ψηφισάτω τον ’αριθμον τού θηρίου· ’αριθμος-γαρ ’ανθρώπου ’εστιν, και ‘ο-’αριθμος-’αυτού χξς.
:He who has understanding [or "a mind"] let him count the number of the beast: for a man's number it is, and its number [is] 666.

The number found in most manuscripts and modern translations of the Greek text is 666, although various modern studies show the number could be 616 based on [[w:Papyrus 115|Papyrus 115]] from the third century. <ref>St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] in the 4th century discusses this in his famous work.</ref> The most widely accepted theory connects the cryptogram of the Greek numerals to the letters of the alphabet, since numbers in ancient Greek were represented by letters. ''Gematria'', a type of cryptogram that assigns numerical values to alphabetic characters, is one form of these numerological exercises. The numeral 666 (DCLXVI in Roman numerals which like Greek represents numbers with alphabetic letters) in ancient Greek was represented as χξς Chi, Xi, and Vau. The mainstream consensus among biblical scholars is that 666 is a reference to the emperor Nero which, according to which language and schema one uses, can be rendered as either "666" or "616."

There are three different characteristics that distinguish the beast according to Revelation 13:16 to 18 - His mark (of authority), His name and the number of his name (666). It might be argued by some that 666 must be applied to one man's name, and that this will then help identify him as the [[Antichrist]]. Others claim that the following verse shows that 666 need not apply solely to a man's name:

:And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)

The same Greek word translated as name (''onoma'') that appears in Revelation 13:17-18 is also used in chapter 19:16, so the word could possible apply to a title, and not just one man's name.

==External links==
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/153/153f.htm "Count the Number of the Beast: 666"] by Rassophore-monk Vsevolod
*[[w:Greek numerals|Greek Numerals]]
*[http://class.phys.psu.edu/p001projects/Project1/Spr06Projects/18%20Greek%20Number%20System%20PP.ppt The Greek Number System]

[[Category:New Testament]]

Antichrist

2011-03-02T09:25:17Z

Preciouspearlfan:

According to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.iv.xxvi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']:

:"It should be known that the Antichrist is bound to come. Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist. But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist. First, then, it is requisite that the Gospel should be preached among all nations, as the Lord said, and then he will come to refute the impious Jews. For the Lord said to them: ''I am come in My Father’s name and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.'' And the apostle says, ''Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.'' The Jews accordingly did not receive the Lord Jesus Christ who was the Son of God and God, but receive the impostor who calls himself God. For that he will assume the name of God, the angel teaches Daniel, saying these words, ''Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers.'' And the apostle says: ''Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God''; in the temple of God he said; not our temple, but the old Jewish temple. For he will come not to us but to the Jews: not for Christ or the things of Christ: wherefore he is called Antichrist.

:First, therefore, it is necessary that the Gospel should be preached among all nations: ''And then shall that wicked one be revealed, even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, whom the Lord shall consume with the word of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.'' The devil himself, therefore does not become man in the way that the Lord was made man. God forbid! but he becomes man as the offspring of fornication and receiveth all the energy of Satan. For God, foreknowing the strangeness of the choice that he would make, allows the devil to take up his abode in him.

:He is, therefore, as we said, the offspring of fornication and is nurtured in secret, and on a sudden he rises up and rebels and assumes rule. And in the beginning of his rule, or rather tyranny, he assumes the role of sanctity. But when he becomes master he persecutes the Church of God and displays all his wickedness. But he will come ''with signs and lying wonders'', fictitious and not real, and he will deceive and lead away from the living God those whose mind rests on an unsound and unstable foundation, so that even the elect shall, if it be possible, be made to stumble.

:But [[w:Enoch_(ancestor_of_Noah)#Enoch_in_the_Book_of_Genesis|Enoch]] and [[Elias]] the Thesbite shall be sent and shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, that is, the synagogue to our Lord Jesus Christ and the preaching of the apostles: and they will be destroyed by him. And the Lord shall come out of heaven, just as the holy apostles beheld Him going into heaven, perfect God and perfect man, with glory and power, and will destroy the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, with the breath of His mouth. Let no one, therefore, look for the Lord to come from earth, but out of Heaven, as He himself has made sure."

==External links==
*[http://orthodoxword.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/the-antichrist-orthodox-perspective "The Antichrist" by Archpriest Boris Molchanoff, 1976]
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/153/153f.htm "Count the Number of the Beast: 666" by Rassophore-monk Vsevolod, 1998]

[[Category: Texts]]

666

2011-03-02T09:24:51Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{cleanup|needs category}}
'''666''' (in the Greek text of the New Testament: χξς΄) is a biblical number for "the Beast", found in the [[Book of Revelation]] of the [[New Testament]]. The original Greek reads as follows:

:‘ο ’έχων τον νούν, ψηφισάτω τον ’αριθμον τού θηρίου· ’αριθμος-γαρ ’ανθρώπου ’εστιν, και ‘ο-’αριθμος-’αυτού χξς.
:He who has understanding [or "a mind"] let him count the number of the beast: for a man's number it is, and its number [is] 666.

The number found in most manuscripts and modern translations of the Greek text is 666, although various modern studies show the number could be 616 based on [[w:Papyrus 115|Papyrus 115]] from the third century. <ref>St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] in the 4th century discusses this in his famous work.</ref> The most widely accepted theory connects the cryptogram of the Greek numerals to the letters of the alphabet, since numbers in ancient Greek were represented by letters. ''Gematria'', a type of cryptogram that assigns numerical values to alphabetic characters, is one form of these numerological exercises. The numeral 666 (DCLXVI in Roman numerals which like Greek represents numbers with alphabetic letters) in ancient Greek was represented as χξς Chi, Xi, and Vau. The mainstream consensus among biblical scholars is that 666 is a reference to the emperor Nero which, according to which language and schema one uses, can be rendered as either "666" or "616."

There are three different characteristics that distinguish the beast according to Revelation 13:16 to 18 - His mark (of authority), His name and the number of his name (666). It might be argued by some that 666 must be applied to one man's name, and that this will then help identify him as the [[Antichrist]]. Others claim that the following verse shows that 666 need not apply solely to a man's name:

:And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)

The same Greek word translated as name (''onoma'') that appears in Revelation 13:17-18 is also used in chapter 19:16, so the word could possible apply to a title, and not just one man's name.

==External links==
*[http://www.roca.org/OA/153/153f.htm "Count the Number of the Beast: 666" by Rassophore-monk Vsevolod]
*[[w:Greek numerals|Greek Numerals]]
*[http://class.phys.psu.edu/p001projects/Project1/Spr06Projects/18%20Greek%20Number%20System%20PP.ppt The Greek Number System]

[[Category:New Testament]]

Paradise

2011-02-23T22:54:59Z

Preciouspearlfan: New page: According to Saint John of Damascus in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.xi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']: :"Now when God was about to f...

According to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.xi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']:

:"Now when God was about to fashion man out of the visible and invisible creation in His own image and likeness to reign as king and ruler over all the earth and all that it contains, He first made for him, so to speak, a kingdom in which he should live a life of happiness and prosperity. And this is the divine paradise, planted in Eden by the hands of God, a very storehouse of joy and gladness of heart (for “Eden” means luxuriousness). Its site is higher in the East than all the earth: it is temperate and the air that surrounds it is the rarest and purest: evergreen plants are its pride, sweet fragrances abound, it is flooded with light, and in sensuous freshness and beauty it transcends imagination: in truth the place is divine, a meet home for him who was created in God’s image: no creature lacking reason made its dwelling there but man alone, the work of God’s own hands.

:In its midst God planted the tree of life and the tree of knowledge. The tree of knowledge was for trial, and proof, and exercise of man’s obedience and disobedience: and hence it was named the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or else it was because to those who partook of it was given power to know their own nature. Now this is a good thing for those who are mature, but an evil thing for the immature and those whose appetites are too strong, being like solid food to tender babes still in need of milk. For our Creator, God, did not intend us to be burdened with care and troubled about many things, nor to take thought about, or make provision for, our own life. But this at length was Adam’s fate: for he tasted and knew that he was naked and made a girdle round about him: for he took fig-leaves and girded himself about. But before they took of the fruit, ''They were both naked, Adam and Eve, and were not ashamed''. For God meant that we should be thus free from passion, and this is indeed the mark of a mind absolutely void of passion. Yea, He meant us further to be free from care and to have but one work to perform, to sing as do the angels, without ceasing or intermission, the praises of the Creator, and to delight in contemplation of Him and to cast all our care on Him. This is what the Prophet David proclaimed to us when He said, ''Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He will sustain thee''. And, again, in the Gospels, Christ taught His disciples saying, ''Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat, nor for your body what ye shall put on''. And further, ''Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you''. And to Martha He said, ''Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her'', meaning, clearly, sitting at His feet and listening to His words.

:The tree of life, on the other hand, was a tree having the energy that is the cause of life, or to be eaten only by those who deserve to live and are not subject to death. Some, indeed, have pictured Paradise as a realm of sense, and others as a realm of mind. But it seems to me, that, just as man is a creature, in whom we find both sense and mind blended together, in like manner also man’s most holy temple combines the properties of sense and mind, and has this twofold expression: for, as we said, the life in the body is spent in the most divine and lovely region, while the life in the soul is passed in a place far more sublime and of more surpassing beauty, where God makes His home, and where He wraps man about as with a glorious garment, and robes him in His grace, and delights and sustains him like an angel with the sweetest of all fruits, the contemplation of Himself. Verily it has been fitly named the tree of life. For since the life is not cut short by death, the sweetness of the divine participation is imparted to those who share it. And this is, in truth, what God meant by every tree, saying, ''Of every tree in Paradise thou mayest freely eat''. For the ‘every’ is just Himself in Whom and through Whom the universe is maintained. But the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was for the distinguishing between the many divisions of contemplation, and this is just the knowledge of one’s own nature, which, indeed, is a good thing for those who are mature and advanced in divine contemplation (being of itself a proclamation of the magnificence of God), and have no fear of falling, because they have through time come to have the habit of such contemplation, but it is an evil thing to those still young and with stronger appetites, who by reason of their insecure hold on the better part, and because as yet they are not firmly established in the seat of the one and only good, are apt to be torn and dragged away from this to the care of their own body.

:Thus, to my thinking, the divine Paradise is twofold, and the God-inspired Fathers handed down a true message, whether they taught this doctrine or that. Indeed, it is possible to understand by every tree the knowledge of the divine power derived from created things. In the words of the divine Apostle, ''For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made''. But of all these thoughts and speculations the sublimest is that dealing with ourselves, that is, with our own composition. As the divine David says, ''The knowledge of Thee from me'', that is from my constitution, was made a wonder. But for the reasons we have already mentioned, such knowledge was dangerous for Adam who had been so lately created.

:The tree of life too may be understood as that more divine thought that has its origin in the world of sense, and the ascent through that to the originating and constructive cause of all. And this was the name He gave to every tree, implying fulness and indivisibility, and conveying only participation in what is good. But by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we are to understand that sensible and pleasurable food which, sweet though it seems, in reality brings him who partakes of it into communion with evil. For God says, ''Of every tree in Paradise thou mayest freely eat''. It is, me-thinks, as if God said, ''Through all My creations thou art to ascend to Me thy creator, and of all the fruits thou mayest pluck one, that is, Myself who art the true life: let every thing bear for thee the fruit of life, and let participation in Me be the support of your own being. For in this way thou wilt be immortal. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die''. For sensible food is by nature for the replenishing of that which gradually wastes away and it passes into the drought and perisheth: and he cannot remain incorruptible who partakes of sensible food."

[[Category: Texts]]

Devil

2011-02-21T20:20:04Z

Preciouspearlfan: New page: According to Saint John of Damascus in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iv.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']: :"He who from among these [[a...

According to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iv.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']:

:"He who from among these [[angel|angelic powers]] was set over the earthly realm, and into whose hands God committed the guardianship of the earth, was not made wicked in nature but was good, and made for good ends, and received from his Creator no trace whatever of evil in himself. But he did not sustain the brightness and the honour which the Creator had bestowed on him, and of his free choice was changed from what was in harmony to what was at variance with his nature, and became roused against God Who created him, and determined to rise in rebellion against Him: and he was the first to depart from good and become evil. For evil is nothing else than absence of goodness, just as darkness also is absence of light. For goodness is the light of the mind, and, similarly, evil is the darkness of the mind. Light, therefore, being the work of the Creator and being made good (''for God saw all that He made, and behold they were exceeding good'') produced darkness at his free-will. But along with him an innumerable host of angels subject to him were torn away and followed him and shared in his fall. Wherefore, being of the same nature as the angels, they became wicked, turning away at their own free choice from good to evil.

:Hence they have no power or strength against any one except what God in His dispensation hath conceded to them, as for instance, against Job and those swine that are mentioned in the Gospels. But when God has made the concession they do prevail, and are changed and transformed into any form whatever in which they wish to appear.

:Of the future both the angels of God and the demons are alike ignorant: yet they make predictions. God reveals the future to the angels and commands them to prophesy, and so what they say comes to pass. But the demons also make predictions, sometimes because they see what is happening at a distance, and sometimes merely making guesses: hence much that they say is false and they should not be believed, even although they do often, in the way we have said, tell what is true. Besides they know the Scriptures.

:All wickedness, then, and all impure passions are the work of their mind. But while the liberty to attack man has been granted to them, they have not the strength to over-master any one: for we have it in our power to receive or not to receive the attack. Wherefore there has been prepared for the devil and his demons, and those who follow him, fire unquenchable and everlasting punishment.

:Note, further, that what in the case of man is death is a fall in the case of angels. For after the fall there is no possibility of repentance for them, just as after death there is for men no repentance."

[[Category: Texts]]

Talk:Dionysius the Areopagite

2011-02-21T04:17:01Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* a matter of faith and trust? */

As far as the works of Dionysius the Areopagite go, isn't there some scholarship that suggests that these works are not those of the saint himself. Even going so far as to attribute them to Pseudo-Dionysius? Perhaps someone who is more deeply familiar with this topic could at a note regarding this to the works section.
--~~[[User:Jlczuk|John Cz.]] [http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=User_talk:Jlczuk&action=edit&section=new|talk] 17:07, November 18, 2006 (PST)

:Yeah, I've noticed this before, good point. I think it's well accepted even amongst Orthodox theologians that ''The Celestial Hierarchy'', etc. weren't written by the actual apostle. I added a couple sentences and a wikipedia quote just for a start; feel free to edit. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 20:44, November 18, 2006 (PST)

:: We just went over Dionysios in detail in my patristics class at STOTS, and our professor didn't put forward a specific theory of his own regarding the authorship of the Dionysian corpus. One possibility that many non-Orthodox scholars don't seem to take into account is that the corpus does indeed originate with the NT-era saint, but that the writings were expanded and revised over the years. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 14:32, November 19, 2006 (PST)

:::Sadly, that hadn't even crossed my mind as a possibility. Interesting, and certainly plausible. It would be great in an expanded section on the authorship. Hopefully someone will get around to writing such a knowledgeable discussion for us one day. I don't feel well-qualified enough to do so myself. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 20:47, November 19, 2006 (PST)

several things mitigate against a pre-6th c. date for Ps.D. 1. the lack of any manuscript evidence. the corpus dionysiacum appears for the first time in the 6th c. in the form that we now know it, and all manuscript traditions attest to it in this form (i.e., it always appears with these texts in this order). 2. the liturgy that Ps.D describes is Syrian and dates from at least around 500. 3. his ontology is influenced by Proclus and more broadly by the theurgical tradition within Neoplatonism. Especially in light of 2 and 3 it is hard to say what one would have as a supposed early core.

It might be easiest just to create a new page for the Dionysian Corpus, or for Pseudo-Dionysius. {{unsigned|Invocation}}

:I agree that a page for Pseudo-Dionysius seems to be warranted. —[[User:Magda|magda]] ([[User_talk:Magda|talk]]) 19:45, July 7, 2008 (UTC)

== a matter of faith and trust? ==

In my opinion, I think it ultimately boils down to faith and trust, doesn't it?

Whom do/should we believe and trust?
The tradition of the Church, especially as transmitted by all those holy and God-bearing Saints from the past two millennia, or some so-called "scholarly consensus" that "definitively laid to rest" whatever it is that they laid to rest?

Also, what does "manuscript evidence" mean?
Or rather, why should a true Orthodox Christian need any so-called "manuscript evidence" for his/her beliefs? —[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Dionysius the Areopagite

2011-02-21T04:16:09Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Talk:Dionysius the Areopagite

2011-02-21T04:12:37Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* a matter of faith and trust? */ new section

John of Damascus

2011-02-20T15:28:58Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''John of Damascus''' (c. 676 - [[December 5]], 749) was also known as ''John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas,'' "streaming with gold," (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the [[Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)|Monastery of Saint Sabbas]] (''Mar Saba''), South East of Jerusalem. His feast day in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[December 4]]. He is also recognized as a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]].
[[Image:John of Damascus.jpg|right|frame|St. John of Damascus]]

== Biography ==
Practically all the information concerning the life of John of Damascus available to us today has been through the records of [[John V of Jerusalem|John]], [[Patriarch of Jerusalem]]. Though these notes have served as the single source of biographical information, dating back to the 10th century, these writings have been noted by scholars as having an exuberant lack of detail from a historical point of view and a bloated writing style.

===Childhood===
Although he was brought up under the [[Islam|Muslim]] rule of Damascus, this was not to affect his or his family's Christian faith or cause any grievances with the Muslim countrymen who held him in high esteem. To the extent that his father held a high hereditary public office with duties of chief financial officer for the caliph, Abdul Malekunder, apparently as head of the tax department for Syria.

When John reached the age of twenty-three, his father sought out to find a Christian tutor who could provide the best education for his children available at the time. Records show that while spending some time in the market place John's father came across several captives, imprisoned as a result of a raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of Italy. This man, a Sicilian [[monk]] by the name of Cosmas, turned out to be an erudite of great knowledge and wisdom. John's father arranged for the release of this man and appointed him tutor to his son. Under the instruction of Cosmas, John made great advances in fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, he soon equaled Diophantus in algebra and Euclid in geometry.

===Succession to "Chief Councilor"===
In spite of his Christian background, his family held a high hereditary public office with the Moslem rulers of Damascus, led by caliph Abd al-Malik. He succeeded his father in his position upon his death; ''John de Damascene'' was made ''protosymbullus'', or chief councilor of Damascus.

It was around his term in office that burst of insurgence by the [[iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] began to appear in the form of [[heresy]], actions which disturbed the Church of the East. In 726, in disregard of the protests of [[Germanus I of Constantinople|Germanus]], Patriarch of Constantinople, Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] issued his first edict against the veneration of images and their exhibition in public places. A talented writer and in the secure surroundings of the caliph's court, ''John de Damascene'' initiated his literary defense against the monarch in three ''Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images.'' This was the earliest of his works and the one which earned him a reputation. Not only did he attack the monarch, but his use of a simpler witting style brought the controversy to the common people, inciting revolt among those of Christian faith.

Unable to punish the writer openly, Leo the Isaurian managed to get possession of a manuscript written and signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of Damascus. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, the caliph dismissed his plea and discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing, to be severed at the wrist.

According to the 10th-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At this point the caliph is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him to his former office. However, John then retired to the Monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Saint Sabbas]] near Jerusalem, where he continued to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[Church Fathers]].

=== Last Days ===
He died in 749 as a revered Father of the Church and is now universally recognized as a saint.

== List of Works ==
===The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph===
[http://sites.google.com/site/preciouspearlfan ''The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph'']

===Early Work===
* Three ''"Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"''[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html] - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, which banned the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]].

===Teachings and Dogmatic Work===
* [http://www.archive.org/details/fathersofthechur009511mbp ''The Fount of Knowledge''], also ''The Fount of Wisdom'', this book is divided in three parts:
*# "Philosophical Chapters" ''(Kephalaia philosophika)'' - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.
*# "Concerning Heresy" ''(peri aipeseon)'' - In this book, in the section ''On Heresies'', he dedicates a portion to the [http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/stjohn_islam.aspx ''Heresy of the Ishmaelites''], being the first apologetic work against [[Islam]] by a Christian.
*# [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.i.i.html "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith"] ''(Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos)'' - This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of ''John de Damascene'', and a treasured antiquity of [[Christianity]].
* ''"Sacred Parallels"''

===Hymns and Minor Writings===
* ''[[Oktoechos]]'' - Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service," for which he may be only responsible improving and revising.
*''Canons'' - 8 or 9 highly complicated structure of hymns, composed of 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.
*''"Tract on Right Thinking"'' - Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.
*''"Dialogue against Manicheans"'' - A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.
*''"Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian"'' - Similar form as previous work.
*''"Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics"'' - As the name says, also aimed at his disciples.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 8)

:Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
:the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
:all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
:Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4)

:Let us sing praises to John, worthy of great honor,
:the composer of hymns, the star and teacher of the Church, the defender of her doctrines:
:through the might of the Lord¹s Cross he overcame heretical error
:and as a fervent intercessor before God
:he entreats that forgiveness of sins may be granted to all.

== References ==
# ''"St. John Damascene on Holy Images, Followed by Three Sermons on the Assumption"'' - Eng. transl. by Mary H. Allies, London, 1899.

==External links==
*[http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc06/htm/iii.lvii.lxii.htm Details of his work]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/mdg03.htm Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/phn76.htm Another Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/johndam-icons.html John of Damascus: In Defense of Icons, c. 730]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html John of Damascus: Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-komesis.html John of Damascus: Three Sermons on the Dormition of the Virgin]

==Icons of St. John==
<gallery>
Image:John of Damascus.jpg
Image:John of Damascus2.jpg
Image:John of Damascus3.jpg
Image:John of Damascus4.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Hymnographers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[ar:يوحنا الدمشقي]]
[[bg:Йоан Дамаскин]]
[[el:Ιωάννης Δαμασκηνός]]
[[es:Juan Damasceno]]
[[fr:Jean Damascène]]
[[mk:Свети Јован Дамаскин]]
[[ro:Ioan Damaschin]]
[[ru:Иоанн Дамаскин]]

Holy Trinity

2011-02-18T21:09:28Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{Orthodoxchristianity}}
According to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]], from the last paragaph of the section, "On Heresies", in his [http://www.archive.org/details/fathersofthechur009511mbp ''THE FOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE'']:

:"We believe in Father and Son and Holy Spirit;
:one Godhead in three hypostases;
:one will, one operation, alike in three persons;
:wisdom incorporeal, uncreated, immortal, incomprehensible, without beginning, unmoved, unaffected, without quantity, without quality, ineffable, immutable, unchangeable, uncontained, equal in glory, equal in power, equal in majesty, equal in might, equal in nature, exceedingly substantial, exceedingly good, thrice radiant, thrice bright, thrice brilliant.

:Light is the Father, Light the Son, Light the Holy Spirit;
:Wisdom the Father, Wisdom the Son, Wisdom the Holy Spirit;
:one God and not three Gods;
:one Lord the Holy Trinity discovered in three hypostases.

:Father is the Father, and unbegotten;
:Son is the Son, begotten and not unbegotten, for He is from the Father;
:Holy Spirit, not begotten but proceeding, for He is from the Father.

:There is nothing created, nothing of the first and second order, nothing of lord and servant;
:but there is unity and trinity - there was, there is, and there shall be forever - which is perceived and adored by faith - by faith, not by inquiry, nor by searching out, nor by visible manifestation:
:for the more He is sought out, the more He is unknown, and the more He is investigated, the more He is hidden.

:And so, let the faithful adore God with a mind that is not overcurious.
:And believe that He is God in three hypostases, although the manner in which He is so is beyond manner, for God is incomprehensible.
:Do not ask how the Trinity is Trinity, for the Trinity is inscrutable.

:But, if you are curious about God, first tell me of yourself and the things that pertain to you.
:How does your soul have existence?
:How is your mind set in motion?
:How do you produce your mental concepts?
:How is it that you are both mortal and immortal?
:But, if you are ignorant of these things which are within you, then why do you not shudder at the thought of investigating the sublime things of heaven?

:Think of the Father as a spring of life begetting the Son like a river and the Holy Spirit like a sea, for the spring and the river and the sea are all one nature.
:Think of the Father as a root, and of the Son as a branch, and of the Spirit as a fruit, for the substance in these three is one.
:The Father is a sun with the Son as rays and the Holy Spirit as heat.

:The Holy Trinity transcends by far every similitude and figure.
:So, when you hear of an offspring of the Father, do not think of a corporeal offspring.
:And when you hear that there is a Word, do not suppose Him to be a corporeal word.
:And when you hear of the Spirit of God, do not think of wind and breath.
:Rather, hold your persuasion with a simple faith alone.
:For the concept of the Creator is arrived at by analogy from His creatures.

:Be persuaded, moreover, that the incarnate dispensation of the Son of God was begotten ineffably and without seed of the blessed Virgin, believing Him to be without confusion and without change both God and man, who for your sake worked all the dispensation.

:And to Him by good works give worship and adoration, and venerate and revere the most holy Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary as true Mother of God, and all the saints as His attendants.

:Doing thus, you will be a right worshiper of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, of the one Godhead, to whom be glory and honor and adoration forever and ever. Amen."

Orthodox Christians worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the '''Holy Trinity''', the one [[God]]. Following the [[Holy Scriptures]] and the [[Church Fathers]], the Church believes that the Trinity is three divine persons (''[[hypostasis|hypostases]]'') who share one essence (''[[ousia]]''). It is paradoxical to believe thus, but that is how God has revealed himself. All three persons are consubstantial with each other, that is, they are of one essence (''[[homoousios]]'') and coeternal. There never was a time when any of the persons of the Trinity did not exist. God is beyond and before time and yet acts within time, moving and speaking within history.
[[Image:Rublev Trinity.jpg|left|thumb|175px|The [[Hospitality of Abraham]], an [[Old Testament]] type of the Holy Trinity.]]
God is not an impersonal essence or mere "higher power," but rather each of the divine persons relates to mankind personally. Neither is God a simple name for three gods (i.e., polytheism), but rather the Orthodox faith is monotheist and yet [[Triadology|Trinitarian]]. The God of the Orthodox Christian Church is the God of [[Abraham]], [[Isaac]] and [[Jacob]], the '''I AM''' who revealed himself to [[Moses]] in the burning bush.

The source and unity of the Holy Trinity is the Father, from whom the Son is begotten and also from whom the Spirit proceeds. Thus, the Father is both the ground of unity of the Trinity and also of distinction. To try to comprehend unbegottenness (Father), begottenness (Son), or procession (Holy Spirit) leads to insanity, says the holy [[Gregory the Theologian]], and so the Church approaches God in divine mystery, approaching God [[apophatic theology|apophatically]], being content to encounter God personally and yet realize the inadequacy of the human mind to comprehend Him.

The primary statement of what the Church believes about God is to be found in the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]].

[[Category:Theology]]

[[el:Αγία Τριάδα]]
[[es:Santísima Trinidad]]
[[ro:Sfânta Treime]]

Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)

2011-02-11T20:50:20Z

Preciouspearlfan:

The '''Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)''', also St. Sabas and Mar Saba, was founded by [[Sabbas the Sanctified|St. Savas]] in 478 as an anchorite colony of [[monk]]s. It is located in the Kidron Gorge (Wadi en-Nar) near Jerusalem. The [[monastery]] influenced greatly the development of the Orthodox church services and [[typikon]]. The monastery in ancient times was known as the '''Great [[Lavra]]'''.

==History==
In the fifth century, St. Savas’ Monastery developed around the cell of St. Savas in the cliffs of the Kidron Gorge near Jerusalem as an assemblage of anchorite monks settled near in him in similar cave-like cells. These monks came looking for his spiritual leadership. Initially, they built cells, as had St. Savas, in caves along two kilometers of cliffs around the present day monastery. Many of these cells developed into multi-chambered dwellings and included prayer niches and [[chapel]]s. During archaeological surveys in the latter twentieth century some forty-five of these hermitages of the Lavra have been examined and preserved. In time two [[church]]es were built on the floor of the ravine to serve the community.

Today, the monastery complex consists of two churches, with the tomb of St. Savas in a courtyard between them, and a number of chapels, a common dining room, kitchen, storerooms, cisterns, dwelling cells for the monks, and a hostel for visitors. On the feast day of St. Savas, [[December 5]], the hostel is often filled with upwards of two hundred pilgrims.

The central church is dedicated to the [[Theotokos]], St. Mary. A second church, originally called Theoktistos, built into a cave, is now dedicated to St. Nicholas. The chapels are:

:The Chapel of Ss Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Theotokos.
:The Chapel of St John Chrysostom.
These chapels were built in chambers that had been dwellings of monks.

:The Chapel of St. [[John of Damascus]], which is also dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
This chapel is located in the cave hermitage where St. John of Damascus lived during the early eighth century.

:The Chapel of St. George.
:The Chapel of the Archangels.

The Chapel of the Archangels is of recent origin, having been built by an [[abbot]], [[Archimandrite]] Seraphim, during the middle of the twentieth century.

==Typikon==
As St. Savas’ monastery of hermitages grew, a need was recognized for organizing the religious services of the community. Within the community, practices and customs used by the [[monasticism|monastic]] communities in Palestine, Egypt, and Anatolia, as well as the [[cathedral]] services in Jerusalem, were assembled into the Typikon of the ‘‘Church Service of the Holy Lavra at Jerusalem of our God-bearing Father St. Savas’’.

This original ''Typikon of St. Sava'' quickly became a reference for monastic services in the Orthodox Church. It was expanded during the seventh and eighth centuries and later synthesized with Palestinian and Constantinopolitan usages. The revised Typikon of St. Savas was widely adopted and, by the fifteenth century, had replaced the typikons of the Cathedral Office and the [[Studion Monastery]] of Constantinople. In 1545, it became the first printed typikon.

==Source==
John Patrich. ''Chapels and Hermitages of St. Sabas’ Monastery''. Ancient Churches Revealed. Yoram Tsafrir, ed. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 1993. (ISBN 965-221-016-1)

==See also==
*[[Church of Jerusalem]]
*[[Sabbas the Sanctified]]

==External link==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Saba Wikipedia: Mar Saba]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typikon Wikipedia: Typikon]

[[Category: Monasteries|Savas]]
[[Category: Palestine Monasteries|Savas]]

Islam

2011-02-02T14:24:36Z

Preciouspearlfan:

'''Islam''' is a [[heresy]], according to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/stjohn_islam.aspx "Critique of Islam"]:

:"There is also the superstition of the Ishmaelites which to this day prevails and keeps people in error, being a forerunner of the [[Antichrist]]. They are descended from [[w:Ishmael#Ishmael_in_Genesis|Ishmael]], who was born to [[w:Abraham|Abraham]] of [[w:Hagar_%28biblical_person%29#Hagar_in_Genesis|Agar]], and for this reason they are called both Agarenes and Ishmaelites. They are also called [[w:Saracen|Saracens]], which is derived from Sarras kenoi, or destitute of [[w:Sarah|Sara]], because of what Agar said to the angel: 'Sara hath sent me away destitute.' These used to be idolaters and worshiped the [[w:morning_star|morning star]] and [[w:Aphrodite|Aphrodite]], whom in their own language they called Khabár, which means great. And so down to the time of [[w:Heraclius|Heraclius]] they were very great idolaters. From that time to the present a false prophet named [[w:Mohammed|Mohammed]] has appeared in their midst. This man, after having chanced upon the Old and New Testaments and likewise, it seems, having conversed with an [[Arianism|Arian]] monk, devised his own '''heresy'''. Then, having insinuated himself into the good graces of the people by a show of seeming piety, he gave out that [[w:Quran|a certain book]] had been sent down to him from heaven. He had set down some ridiculous compositions in this book of his and he gave it to them as an object of veneration."

Islam is one of the major world religions with an estimated 1.3 billion followers worldwide [http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html]. The name ''Islam'' comes from an Arabic term meaning ''submission'', a reference to the central belief that the goal of religion, or of a true believer, is submission to God's will. Adherents of Islam are referred to as '''Muslims'''.

Islam teaches that [[God]] (in Arabic, ''Allah'') revealed his direct word and commands for mankind to Muhammad (c. 570–632) in the form of the Qur'an (also ''Koran''), and to other [[prophet]]s (including [[Adam]], [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], and [[Jesus]]), many of whom are [[Bible|Biblical]] figures shared with Christianity and [[Judaism]]. Despite admitting the ministry of prophets earlier than Muhammad, Islam asserts that the primary written record of God's revelation to humankind is the Qur'an, which Muslims believe to be flawless, immutable, and the final revelation of God.

Islam has been termed one of the three Abrahamic religions, along with Christianity and Judaism. At times, the [[Bahá'í Faith]] is also included.

Islam teaches that parts of the [[Bible]] have been forgotten, misinterpreted, or distorted by Christians and Jews. Given this perspective, Islam views the Qur'an as corrective of Jewish and Christian scriptures.

Muslims do not hold the divinity of [[Jesus Christ]] and his unique salvific role, and the teachings of Islam in this respect have been likened to a compound heresy composed of elements of [[Arianism]], [[Nestorianism]], and [[Docetism]] ("''...They did not kill him [Jesus] and they did not crucify him, but it was made to seem so to them...''" Qur'an, 4:157), with some [[Pelagianism|Pelagian]] and also [[Monarchianism|Monarchianistic]] (i.e., anti-Trinitarian)] elements.

Muslims hold that Islam is essentially the same belief as that of all the messengers sent by God to mankind since [[Adam]], with the Qur'an (the one definitive text of the Muslim faith) codifying the final revelation of God. Islam views Judaism and Christianity as incomplete derivatives of the teachings of certain prophets—notably Abraham—and therefore acknowledges their Abrahamic roots, whilst the Qur'an calls them People of the Book.

According to the Qur'an Jesus is the Christ, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God. Further, that Jesus was given the Gospel as a Book from God, and Jesus came to confirm the Torah, and also to permit some of what was prohibited upon the sons of Israel for some reasons. It also teaches the Jesus the Christ is a Word from God, and a Messenger sent by Him.

Islam has three primary branches of belief, based largely on a historical disagreement over the succession of authority after Muhammad's death. These are known as Sunni, Shi'ite, and Kharijite.

==Orthodoxy and Islam==
The rise of Islam presented a major challenge to Orthodoxy. Beginning in the seventh century, major portions of the Orthodox heartlands (in Syria and Egypt) fell under Muslim rule. By the fifteenth century, most traditionally Orthodox lands were controlled either by Muslim or Roman Catholic rulers, with the exception of northeastern Russia (the Grand Principality of Moscow) and the Ethiopian highlands. The Orthodox generally accepted rule by non-Orthodox governments, provided that freedom of worship was guaranteed. In Ottoman lands, governed under the ''[[w:Millet (Ottoman Empire)|millet]]'' system (by which people were grouped by religion rather than nationality), Orthodox bishops also served as ''Ethnarchs'' (political rulers of their communities).<ref>Dr. Catharine Cookson, (J.D., Ph.D., 1952-2004). [http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&id=R0PrjC1Ar7gC&dq=encyclopedia+or+religious+freedom&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=8wJLZH8mcI&sig=CpzOJuISIQXQRgEowBQe-iz1QO8&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result Encyclopedia of Religious Freedom]. Published by Taylor & Francis, 2003. pp.313.</ref> Ottoman implementation of the [[w:Devşirme|devsirme tax]] system witnessed Orthodox children of the rural populations of the Balkans, the flower of Orthodox Christendom, conscripted before adolescence and brought up as Muslims. As their empire declined, the Ottoman Muslims became decreasingly tolerant of Orthodox Chrstians.

==See also==
* [[A History of Orthodox Missions Among the Muslims]]
* Saints of the Orthodox Church who converted from Islam: St. [[Serapion of Kozheozero]], St. [[Constantine Hagarit]], St. [[Ahmed the Deftedar]], St. [[Abu of Tbilisi]], St. [[Peter and Stephan of Kazan]].
* Orthodox Women Saints and Islam
* Christodoulos (Paraskevaides) of Athens on "Islam: The Extent of the Problematics”
* [[Zakaria Botros]]
* [[Roman Silantyev]]
* [[Daniel (Bambang Dwi) Byantoro]]
* [[Ottoman rule and Eastern Christianity]]

==External Links==
* [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/gen_islam.aspx Orthodoxy and Islam] at Orthodox Christian Information Center.
* [http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/stjohn_islam.aspx St. John of Damascus' Critique of Islam]. Orthodox Christian Information Center.
* [http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,437587,00.html "Islam is a Different Culture"]. SPIEGEL ONLINE: Interview with [[w:Walter Kasper|Cardinal Walter Kasper]], September 18, 2006.
* [http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/islamwes.htm Islam and the West: Towards an Anti-Civilization]. Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia: Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland website. ''(Argues that the so-called ‘clash of civilizations’ between the “west” and “islam” is not the real issue, rather, due to pervasive secularism, it is the clash between between “civilization” and “anti-civilization” that is the real threat).''
* World Council of Churches. [http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/browse/1/article/1722/living-in-community-the.html Living in Community: The Goal of Christian-Muslim Dialogue]. October 20, 2008.
* Hilary Kilpatrick. [http://incommunion.org/?p=730 Orthodox-Muslim Relations: The Search for Truth]. In Communion: Website of Orthodox Peace Fellowship.
* [http://www.wikiislam.net/wiki/Islam_and_the_People_of_the_Book Islam and the People of the Book]. WikiIslam: critical articles dealing with Islam and its relationship with Christians and Jews.
* [[w:Sandro Magister|Sandro Magister]]. ''[http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/46115?eng=y Christians, Islam and the Future of Europe].'' [http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/?eng=y Chiesa News]. 20.2.2006.

'''Human Rights and Persecution of Christians'''
* Rev. Fr. Raphael Moore. [http://fr-d-serfes.org/orthodox/memoryof.htm In Memory Of The 50 Million Victims Of The Orthodox Christian Holocaust]. Compiled by Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes. Boise, Idaho, USA. October 1999.
* [http://www.persecution.org/suffering/news.php Persection.org] (News on Christian Persecution).
* [[w:Muslim persecution of Christians|Muslim Persecution of Christians]] at Wikipedia.
* [[w:Armenian Genocide|Armenian Genocide]] at Wikipedia.
* [[w:Pontic Greek genocide|Pontic Greek Genocide]] at Wikipedia.
* [[w:Assyrian Genocide|Assyrian Genocide]] at Wikipedia.
*Dr. Otmar Oehring. [http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1206 TURKEY: Turkish Nationalism, Ergenekon, and Denial of Religious Freedom]. Forum 18 News, 21 October 2008.
:(Dr. Otmar Oehring is Head of the Human Rights Office of the German Catholic charity Missio. A trial has begun in Turkey of influential people alleged to be part of an ultra-nationalist group, Ergenekon. The court case reveals 86 members, ranging from the Turkish police, army, business, politics, and the mass media, are alleged in '''a plan to assassinate the Ecumenical Patriarch''', along with the murder of two Turkish Christians. Ergenekon members are alleged to have maintained deathlists of people, including Christians with a missionary background. The Malatya murder trial is revealing plausible links between Ergenekon, the "deep state" and the murders.)
* Luca Galassi (peacereporter.net). [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrthodoxNews/message/10198 Iraq, The Pogrom of the Christians]. Oct 27, 2008.
* Michael Coren. [http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/10/23/michael-coren-the-jihad-on-egypt-s-christians.aspx Michael Coren: The Jihad on Egypt's Christians]. The National Post, Canada, October 23, 2008.
* Directions to Orthodoxy. [http://directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/news/view.php?article_id=232 Eritrea Imposes New Controls on Orthodox Church]. 26 Dec, 2006.

==Further Reading==
* Abdullah Al-Araby. ''The Islamization of America: The Islamic Strategies and the Christian Response.'' Published by Booklocker.com, 2003. ISBN 978-0965668378
* Alvin J. Schmidt. ''The Great Divide: The Failure of Islam and the Triumph of the West.'' Regina Orthodox Press, 2004. ISBN 9781928653196
* Dr. N.L. Geiser and Abdul Saleeb. ''Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross''. 2nd edition. Baker Publishing, 2002. ISBN 9780801064302
* Bat Ye'or. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=C2GgHl9Rls0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Decline+of+Eastern+Christianity+under+Islam%22&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0 The Decline of Eastern Christianity Under Islam: From Jihad to Dhimmitude: Seventh-Twentieth Century]''. Translated by Miriam Kochan. Published by Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press, 1996. 522pp. ISBN 9780838636886
* Christopher Deliso. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=xeW3_R0LePAC&source=gbs_navlinks_s The Coming Balkan Caliphate: The Threat of Radical Islam to Europe and the West].'' Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. ISBN 9780275995256
* David Gaunt, Jan Bet-Şawoce, Racho Donef. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=4mug9LrpLKcC&source=gbs_navlinks_s Massacres, resistance, protectors: Muslim-Christian relations in Eastern Anatolia during World War I].'' Gorgias Press LLC, 2006. ISBN 9781593333010
:Pioneering historical investigation of the genocide of the Assyrian, Chaldean, and Syrian Christians of Upper Mesopotamia during World War I uses primary sources of Turkish, Russian, German, French, and Arabic origin, and oral histories by survivors and their descendants.
* Fr. Nomikos Michael Vaporis. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&id=wTdz-34tZ4sC&dq=%22Witnesses+for+Christ%22&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=95xDXrAvzW&sig=wwfJEpZuBFhL3duFdlqtp_vXLkg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result Witnesses for Christ: Orthodox Christian Neomartyrs of the Ottoman Period 1437-1860]''. St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000. 377 pp. ISBN 9780881411966
* Fr. [[w:Samir Khalil Samir|Samir Khalil Samir]] (S.J.), Giorgio Paolucci, and Camille Eid. ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=fkZAnNDuNvsC&printsec=frontcover 111 Questions on Islam: Samir Khalil Samir on Islam and the West].'' Transl. by Wafik Nasry and Claudia Castellani. Ignatius Press, 2008. 200 pp. ISBN 9781586171551
:(Fr. Samir Khalil Samir, is an Islamic scholar, Semitologist, Orientalist and a Jesuit Catholic Theologian, based in Lebanon).
* Fr. (Dr.) Theodore Pulcini. ''Face to Face: A Guide for Orthodox Christians Encountering Muslims''. Light and Life Pub Co.
* George Weigel. ''Faith, Reason, and the War Against Jihadism: A Call to Action.'' Doubleday, 2007. ISBN 9780385523783
* Nahed Mahmoud Metwalli. ''Islam Encounters Christ: A Fanatical Muslim's Encounter with Christ in the Coptic Orthodox Church.'' Transl. by Gamal Scharoubim. Light & Life Pub Co., 2002. ISBN 9781880971758
* Philip H. Lochhaas. ''How to Respond to Muslims.'' Concordia Publishing House, 1995. ISBN 9780570046776
* Prof. Efraim Karsh. ''Islamic Imperialism: A History.'' Yale University Press, 2006. 288 pp. ISBN 9780300106039
* Robert I. Burns, S.J.. ''Christian-Islamic Confrontation in the West: The Thirteenth-Century Dream of Conversion.'' '''The American Historical Review.''' Vol.76, No.5, Dec. 1971. pp.1386-1434.
* Serge Trifkovic. ''Defeating Jihad''. Regina Orthodox Press, 2006. 480pp. ISBN 192865326X
* Serge Trifkovic. ''The Sword of the Prophet: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam: History, Theology, Impact on the World.'' Regina Orthodox Press, 2002. 300pp. ISBN 9781928653110
* The Orthodox Christian-Muslim Symposium. ''Orthodox Christians and Muslims''. Edited by Fr. N.M. Vaporis. Holy Cross Orthodox Press, Brookline, Massachusetts, 1986. ISBN 0917651340

==References==
<div class="small"><references/></div>

==Sources==
* Dr. Catharine Cookson, (J.D., Ph.D., 1952-2004). [http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&id=R0PrjC1Ar7gC&dq=encyclopedia+or+religious+freedom&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=8wJLZH8mcI&sig=CpzOJuISIQXQRgEowBQe-iz1QO8&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result Encyclopedia of Religious Freedom]. Published by Taylor & Francis, 2003. 555 pp.



[[Category: Heresies]]
[[Category:Non-Orthodox]]
[[Category:Orthodoxy and Islam]]

Islam

2011-02-02T14:18:58Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Antichrist

2011-02-02T14:18:19Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Dionysius the Areopagite

2011-01-09T14:49:48Z

Preciouspearlfan: Undo revision 97256 by Preciouspearlfan (Talk)

[[Image:Dionysius the Areopagite.jpg|right|frame|St. Dionysius the Areopagite]]
The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Hieromartyr]] '''Dionysius the Areopagite''' (also '''Dionysios''' or '''Denys''') was [[baptism|baptized]] by [[Saint]] [[Apostle_Paul|Paul]] in Athens and is numbered among the Seventy [[Apostles]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[October 3]].

==Life==
Prior to his baptism, Dionysius grew up in a notable family in Athens, attended philosophical school at home and abroad, was married and had several children, and was a member of the highest court in Greece, the Areopagus. After his [[conversion]] to the True Faith, St. Paul made him [[Bishop]] of Athens. Eventually he left his wife and children for [[Christ]] and went with St. Paul in [[missionary]] travel. He travelled to Jerusalem specifically to see the Most Holy [[Theotokos]] and writes of his encounter in one of his books. He was also present at her [[Dormition]].

Seeing St. Paul [[martyr]]ed in Rome, St. Dionysius desired to be a martyr as well. He went to Gaul, along with his [[presbyter]] Rusticus and the [[deacon]] Eleutherius, to preach the [[Gospel]] to the barbarians. There his suffering was equalled only by his success in [[conversion|converting]] many pagans to Christianity.

In the year 96, St. Dionysius was seized and tortured for Christ, along with Rusticus and Eleutherius, and all three were beheaded under the reign of the Emperor Domitian. St. Dionysius' head rolled a rather long way until it came to the feet of Catula, a Christian. She honorably buried it along with his body.

==Works==
{{expert}}
Four theological works are attributed to Dionysius: ''The Divine Names'', ''The Mystical Theology'', ''The Celestial Hierarchy'', and ''The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy'', as well as eleven letters. While there were occasional questions raised regarding the true authorship of the Dionysian writings in the Middle Ages, it is Hugo Koch and Josef Stiglmayer's works (1895)<ref>"Proklus als Quelle des Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagita in der Lehre von Bösen," by Hugo Koch, ''Philologus'' 54 (1895) 438-54; ''Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagita in seinen Beziehungen zum Neuplatonismu und Mysterienweses'' by Hugo Koch (Mainz: 1900); and "Der Neuplatoniker Proklos als Vorlage des sog. Dionysius Areopagita in der Lehre vom Übel," by Josef Stiglmayr, ''Historisches Jahrbuch'' 16 (1895) 253-73 and 721-48. See also Stiglmayr's "Das Aufkommen der Ps.-Dionysischen Schriften und ihr Eindrungen in die christliche Literatur bis zum Lateranconcil 649. Ein zweiter Beitrag zur Dionysius Frage," ''IV Jahresbericht des offentlichen Privatgymnasiums an der Stelle matutina zu Feldkirch'' (Feldkirch: 1895)</ref> that definitively laid to rest the idea of tracing the texts back to the apostolic age. The scholarly consensus now identifies the corpus as the work of a fifth-century Syrian student of the pagan Neoplatonist Proclus.<ref>For more, see, for instance, Andrew Louth, ''Denys the Areopagite'' (ISBN 082645772X), as well as [[Jaroslav Pelikan]], "The Odyssey of Dionysian Spirituality" in ''Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works'' (ISBN 0809128381)</ref> Pseudo-Dionysius has been accused of "employing Neoplatonic language to elucidate Christian theological and mystical ideas."<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dionysius_the_Areopagite&oldid=221352184 Wikipedia: Dionysius the Areopagite]; cf. also [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pseudo-Dionysius_the_Areopagite&oldid=220002373 Wikipedia: Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite]</ref> But, while some recent Orthodox scholars have been critical of the influence of the Dionysian corpus, recent defenders include Igumen [[Alexander Golitzin]], who sees it as a fully Christian liturgical theology (''Et introibo ad altare dei: The Mystagogy of Dionysius Areopagita'' [Thessalonika, 1994]), and [[Vladimir Lossky]], who sees the Dionysian interpretation of the unknowability of God as fundamental to any Christian thought and as setting the stage for the work St. [[Gregory Palamas]] (''The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church''). However controversial the texts, their theology was incorporated into the mainstream of Orthodox theology through its adoption by St. [[Maximus the Confessor]] and St. [[John of Damascus]].

His ''Letter to Titus'' is quoted by St. John of Damascus in his work ''On the Divine Images'', a defense of [[icon]]s during the [[iconoclast|iconoclastic controversies]].

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)
:Having learned goodness and maintaining continence in all things,
:you were arrayed with a good conscience as befits a priest.
:From the chosen Vessel you drew ineffable mysteries;
:you kept the faith, and finished a course equal to His.
:Bishop martyr Dionysius, entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 8)
:As a disciple of the apostle caught up to the third heaven,
:you spiritually entered the gate of heaven, Dionysius.
:You were enriched with understanding of ineffable mysteries
:and enlightened those who sat in the darkness of ignorance.
:Therefore we cry to you: Rejoice, universal Father!

==References==
<references />

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

==External links==
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=227 Dionysios the Areopagite] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102843 Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite the Bishop of Athens] ([[OCA]])
*[http://www.ccel.org/d/dionysius Dionysius, the Pseudo-Areopagite (b. c. 500): Mystical theologian] at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
*[http://www.oca.org/QA.asp?ID=117&SID=3 Dionysius the Areopagite] Q & A (OCA)
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/d/cap10.htm An icon of Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite] at "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:Archbishops of Athens|Dionysius I (52-96)]]
[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]
[[Category:Seventy Apostles]]

[[ro:Dionisie Areopagitul]]

Dionysius the Areopagite

2011-01-09T14:48:01Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Numbered among the Seventy Lesser [[Apostles]], Dionysius was [[baptism|baptized]] by [[Apostle_Paul|St. Paul]] in Athens. Prior to this, Dionysius grew up in a notable family in Athens, attended philisophical school at home and abroad, was married with several children and was a member of the highest court in Greece, the Areopagus. After his conversion to the True Faith, St. Paul made him [[Bishop]] of Athens. Eventually he left his wife and children for Christ and went with St. Paul in missionary travel. He travelled to Jersusalem specifically to see the Most Holy [[Theotokos]] and writes of his encounter in one of his books. He was also present at her [[Dormition]].

Seeing St. Paul martyred in Rome, St. Dionysius desired to be a [[martyr]] as well. He went to Gaul, along with his presbyster Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius, to preach the gospel to the barbarians where his suffering was equalled only by his success in converting many pagans to Christianity. He built a small church in Paris where the [[Divine_Liturgy|Divine Services]] were celebrated.

In the year 96, St. Dionysius was seized and tortured for Christ, along with Rusticus and Eleutherius, and all three were beheaded under the reign of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domitian Dometian]. St. Dionysius' head rolled a rather long way until it came to the feet of Catula, a Christian. She honorably buried it along with his body.

St. Dionysius wrote many famous books, including: ''The Divine Names of God'', ''Celestial and Ecclesiastical Hierarchies'' and ''Mystical Theology''. His [[feast day]] is [[October 3]]rd. His ''Letter to Titus'' is quoted by [[John_of_Damascus|St. John of Damscus]] in his work ''On the Divine Images'', a defense of [[icons]] during the [[iconoclast|iconocalstic controversies]].

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

[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Apostolic_Fathers]]

Angels

2011-01-07T19:41:20Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* External links */

[[Image:Synaxis of the Holy Angels.JPG|right|frame|[[Synaxis]] of the Holy Angels]]
The word '''angel''' means "messenger" and this word expresses the nature of angelic service to the human race. Angels are also referred to as "bodiless Powers of Heaven". Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs. The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (not to be confused with [[Dionysius the Areopagite]], who was baptized by Saint [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and lived in the first century, and from whom pseudo-Dionysius took his name) in the fourth or fifth century in his book ''The Celestial Hierarchy''.

In this work, the author interpolated several ambiguous passages from the [[New Testament]], specifically [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] 6:12 and [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] 1:16, to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were:

*'''First Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Seraphim]]''
**''[[Cherubim]]''
**''[[Thrones]] ''
*'''Second Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Powers]]''
**''[[Dominions]]''
**''[[Principalities]]''
*'''Third Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]]''
**''[[Archangel]]s''
**''[[Angels]]''

The idea of there being ten initial Angelic hosts is taken from Judaism, this number possessing a very deep significance in Jewish mysticism, being the numeric value of the first letter of the [[Tetragrammaton]], and symbolizing the [[Decalogue]] given to [[Moses]] on [[Mount Sinai]] and the ten plagues against the Egyptians, by which the Chosen People were delivered from captivity. There are several different listings of these ten Angelic ranks, which inevitably overlap to a certain degree; but whereas Judaism lost its ancient belief in the fall of Angels (witnessed, for instance, by the [[Book of Enoch]]), Christianity on the other hand preserved it, hence its teaching about the nine (remaining) Angelic orders, whose number shall be completed by the souls of those [[Soteriology|redeemed]] through the blood of the [[Jesus Christ|Lamb]].

However, one should be a bit cautious about taking pseudo-Dionysius' model too concretely, as he is the only source we have for such a classification system. The author himself was a fairly early advocate of [[apophatic theology]], which insists on only describing God in the negative. Still, many have accused the writer of wavering somewhere in between Orthodoxy and Neoplatonism, a pagan Greek philosophical system; such critics say that the three groupings of three in the angelic hierarchy derive from [[Neoplatonism]]:

:''The Hellenic concept of the world as "order" and "hierarchy," the strict Platonic division between the "intelligible" and "sensible" worlds, and the Neoplatonic grouping of beings into "triads" reappear in the famous writings of a mysterious early-sixth-century writer who wrote under the pseudonym of Dionysius the Areopagite.''{{ref|1}}

Furthermore, the comparison of the celestial with the earthly breaks down if one takes into account modern science, which tells us of a fourth category of matter and a very debatable number of dimensions (see [[w:String Theory]] if interested). All said and done, this is not to entirely discredit pseudo-Dionysius, who has been much esteemed by numerous [[Church Fathers]] and theologians up to the present day.

== Sources ==
[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1521&letter=A#4364 Jewish Encyclopedia]

Orthodox Life, Vol. 27, No. 6 (Nov.-Dec., 1977), pp. 39-47.
*{{note|1}} From ''Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes'' by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]. New York: Fordham University Press, 1974, p. 27. ISBN 0-8232-0967-9.

==External links==
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/angels2.aspx The Church's Teaching Concerning Angels]
*[http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeII/CelestialHierarchy.html ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' by St. Dionysius the Areopagite]
*[http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/PopeShenoudaIII_TheANGELS.pdf ''The Angels'' by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (Format: PDF)]
*[http://www.sfaturiortodoxe.ro/orthodox/orthodox_advices_angels.htm The Holy Angels]
*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html "Concerning angels" (Book 2 Chapter 3) in St John of Damascus' ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']

{{Angels}}

[[el:Άγγελοι]]
[[fr:Ange]]
[[ro:Îngeri]]

Angels

2011-01-07T19:40:04Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* External links */

Angels

2011-01-07T19:39:21Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:Synaxis of the Holy Angels.JPG|right|frame|[[Synaxis]] of the Holy Angels]]
The word '''angel''' means "messenger" and this word expresses the nature of angelic service to the human race. Angels are also referred to as "bodiless Powers of Heaven". Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs. The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (not to be confused with [[Dionysius the Areopagite]], who was baptized by Saint [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and lived in the first century, and from whom pseudo-Dionysius took his name) in the fourth or fifth century in his book ''The Celestial Hierarchy''.

In this work, the author interpolated several ambiguous passages from the [[New Testament]], specifically [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] 6:12 and [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] 1:16, to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were:

*'''First Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Seraphim]]''
**''[[Cherubim]]''
**''[[Thrones]] ''
*'''Second Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Powers]]''
**''[[Dominions]]''
**''[[Principalities]]''
*'''Third Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]]''
**''[[Archangel]]s''
**''[[Angels]]''

The idea of there being ten initial Angelic hosts is taken from Judaism, this number possessing a very deep significance in Jewish mysticism, being the numeric value of the first letter of the [[Tetragrammaton]], and symbolizing the [[Decalogue]] given to [[Moses]] on [[Mount Sinai]] and the ten plagues against the Egyptians, by which the Chosen People were delivered from captivity. There are several different listings of these ten Angelic ranks, which inevitably overlap to a certain degree; but whereas Judaism lost its ancient belief in the fall of Angels (witnessed, for instance, by the [[Book of Enoch]]), Christianity on the other hand preserved it, hence its teaching about the nine (remaining) Angelic orders, whose number shall be completed by the souls of those [[Soteriology|redeemed]] through the blood of the [[Jesus Christ|Lamb]].

However, one should be a bit cautious about taking pseudo-Dionysius' model too concretely, as he is the only source we have for such a classification system. The author himself was a fairly early advocate of [[apophatic theology]], which insists on only describing God in the negative. Still, many have accused the writer of wavering somewhere in between Orthodoxy and Neoplatonism, a pagan Greek philosophical system; such critics say that the three groupings of three in the angelic hierarchy derive from [[Neoplatonism]]:

:''The Hellenic concept of the world as "order" and "hierarchy," the strict Platonic division between the "intelligible" and "sensible" worlds, and the Neoplatonic grouping of beings into "triads" reappear in the famous writings of a mysterious early-sixth-century writer who wrote under the pseudonym of Dionysius the Areopagite.''{{ref|1}}

Furthermore, the comparison of the celestial with the earthly breaks down if one takes into account modern science, which tells us of a fourth category of matter and a very debatable number of dimensions (see [[w:String Theory]] if interested). All said and done, this is not to entirely discredit pseudo-Dionysius, who has been much esteemed by numerous [[Church Fathers]] and theologians up to the present day.

== Sources ==
[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1521&letter=A#4364 Jewish Encyclopedia]

Orthodox Life, Vol. 27, No. 6 (Nov.-Dec., 1977), pp. 39-47.
*{{note|1}} From ''Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes'' by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]. New York: Fordham University Press, 1974, p. 27. ISBN 0-8232-0967-9.

==External links==
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/angels2.aspx The Church's Teaching Concerning Angels]
*[http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeII/CelestialHierarchy.html ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' by St. Dionysius the Areopagite]
*[http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/PopeShenoudaIII_TheANGELS.pdf ''The Angels'' by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (Format: PDF)]
{{Angels}}
*[http://www.sfaturiortodoxe.ro/orthodox/orthodox_advices_angels.htm The Holy Angels]
[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html "Concerning angels" (Book 2 Chapter 3) in St John of Damascus' ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']

[[el:Άγγελοι]]
[[fr:Ange]]
[[ro:Îngeri]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:28:13Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* Hierarchies */

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, '''Virtues'''/Authorities, Powers), Third Hierarchy ('''Principalities''', Archangels, Angels), which is what [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=97096&oldid=95864 my edit] reflected...---[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:26:28Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* Hierarchies */

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, Powers, '''Virtues'''/Authorities), Third Hierarchy ('''Principalities''', Archangels, Angels), which is what [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=97096&oldid=95864 my edit] reflected...---[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:25:17Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* Hierarchies */

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, Powers, Authorities/Virtues), Third Hierarchy (Principalities, Archangels, Angels), which is what [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=97096&oldid=95864 my edit] reflected...---[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:20:00Z

Preciouspearlfan: /* Hierarchies */

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, Powers, Authorities/Virtues), Third Hierarchy (Principalities, Archangels, Angels), which is what [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=97096&oldid=97095 my edit] reflected...---[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:14:22Z

Preciouspearlfan:

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, Powers, Authorities/Virtues), Third Hierarchy (Principalities, Archangels, Angels), which is what me edit reflected...---[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:12:30Z

Preciouspearlfan:

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, Powers, Authorities/Virtues), Third Hierarchy (Principalities, Archangels, Angels), which is what me edit reflected...[[User:Preciouspearlfan|Preciouspearlfan]]

Talk:Angels

2011-01-07T19:07:27Z

Preciouspearlfan:

What category would Angels go under??--[[User:MariaCrabtree|Arlie]] 14:39, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

: It seems to me that [[:Category:Saints]] would be fine, but we might also make a [[:Category:Angels]] for the articles for the types of angels.

: I'm wondering, though, if the various sorts of angels shouldn't all just be included in this one article, with redirects from the various names of angels pointing here. Is there a substantial amount of material for each sort such that it couldn't be included in [[Angels]]? —[[User:ASDamick|Dcn. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Randompage|random]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] 19:31, 9 Aug 2005 (EDT)

-----

I knew also about the fourth dimension, the fourth element (ancients called it "fire", so it's not the latest in scientific discovery), and the many-many dimensions that string-theory attributes to our Universe, the Dirac matrixes and all that (that's what Discovery Channel's for, after all) ... I just wanted to make a paralel : i.e., just like the image of the family (father, mother, son), or that of the sun (disc, light, heat) are used by the very same apophatical Fathers for the Trinity (without harming the Mistery of the Holy Trinity -- "Eu nu ucid corola de minuni a lumii", to quote my namesake). [P.S. : if anyone doesn't like my comparisson he's got my "blessing" to simply delete it at will]. And there's a fifth element also, namely the state of agregation into which atoms enter when they are at a temperature around 0K (-273.15 centigrade).

=No offence taken=
Oh, I don't have a problem with the metaphor at all. I think it's quite a nice comparison. I just was afraid that it would be taken too literally. Do you think I went overboard on the science stuff? I think I'll tone it down a bit.

P.S. Plasma ''is'' a new discovery, entirely different from fire (though the two could be compared, I suppose). Plasma only exists on the sun or other superheated bodies. Also, I believe that the ancients proposed these elements as components that make up matter, not as different phases of the same substance. Although, really, you're right, the parallels between the four elements and four phases of matter are really pretty amazing. Sorry, I like to be picky and had to object. Don't mind me.[[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 21:47, July 27, 2006 (CDT)

:Gabriela, "''be cool'', stay in school" -- You didn't offend or hurt anyone. ("''Just relax'': that's what Jesus would do" -- well, not quite, but still...) And Your comments were pretty pertinent, very good, and well-written. I had nothing to object to them. (If You want to re-arrange, re-edit, re-phrase, re-write anything, it's perfectly OK {as in Okay, not as in -270cg :-) }).
:P.S.: I knew that we, Orthodox, believe in "one single source", but I think that was meant with regard to the Holy Trinity, not to the Author of ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' :-) -- he wasn't "the only source", as You've put it, that gives us this information. (What about St. Gregory, the Bishop of Rome?) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 09:32, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

Sup people
Plasma ''is'' a new discovery David Bohm and he said that Plasma is every place and to top it off he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it. Look at it this way Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

How big is the house that holds Heaven the THRONE with Earth as a footstool

::Hmm... Not sure what to say about all of this, especially because there seems to be some piece of discussion missing. Maybe these thoughts need to be more clearly expressed, but personal theories about the meaning of angels don't really have a place here. We're talking about angels in Orthodox theology. — [[User:FrJohn|FrJohn]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

:::It seems to me like this user is just saying nonsense for the hell of it, as a strange prank of sorts. On one hand, it seems harmless enough because he's not really defacing the wiki, but it's also rather pointless and annoying. Maybe he should be warned. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:35, October 1, 2006 (CDT)

Am I the user who's saying nonsense for the hell of it? If so, then please forgive me; but I REALLY meant it when I said that ANYONE who doesn't like my additions and/or alterations can feel free to change them, or simply delete them, as he/she pleases. I have really nothing against it. :( [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 20:58, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::No, Luci83ro, I didn't mean you at all. I think you've very much contributed to the article. I was talking about the user MIG who posted the above comment on this page: "...he said the plasma on this side of the world knows what the plasma on the other side is doing. Quantum theory and Bohm-diffusion well look here the limit is called Sub-Quantum-Physics they see it but can't touch it...". Anyway, I was just saying that I thought ''that'' comment was completely incoherent nonsense. Not you at all. [[User:Gabriela|Gabriela]] 22:48, October 6, 2006 (CDT)

::::Ok. Now, ''that'''s relieving. (Phew!) [[User:Luci83ro|Luci83ro]] 06:35, October 7, 2006 (CDT)

== Pictures ==
Is it possible to get pictures on the different pages of angels? They are short articles, and I think pictures would enhance them. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 19:07, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

:Yes, you might help![[User:Wsk|Wsk]] 21:45, March 16, 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I am trying to get some. I just need permission from certain people. --[[User:Iliada|Iliada]] 00:33, March 17, 2009 (UTC)

== Hierarchies ==

It would probably be useful to note the variation in the hierarchies among Orthodox sources as noted [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelic_hierarchy#Choirs_scheme_in_medieval_theology here]. —[[User:ASDamick|Fr. Andrew]] [[User_talk:ASDamick|talk]] [[Special:Contributions/ASDamick|contribs]] ('''[[User:ASDamick/Wiki-philosophy|THINK!]]''') 17:16, January 7, 2011 (UTC)

:Come to think of it, why don't we just copy that section in the wikipedia article into this orthodoxwiki artcle? xD But personally, I prefer to follow St John of Damascus' order/scheme/hierarchy since he's also the patron saint of orthodoxwiki... furthermore, in the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Angels&diff=prev&oldid=8895 original version of this article back in 2005], the order of the 9 choirs of angels in the Sources and External Links is the same as the order in St John of Damascus' [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.ii.iii.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''], i.e. First Hierarchy (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones), Second Hierarchy (Dominions/Dominations/Lordships, Powers, Authorities/Virtues), Third Hierarchy (Principalities, Archangels, Angels), which is what me edit reflected...

Angels

2011-01-07T17:04:40Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:Synaxis of the Holy Angels.JPG|right|frame|[[Synaxis]] of the Holy Angels]]
The word '''angel''' means "messenger" and this word expresses the nature of angelic service to the human race. Angels are also referred to as "bodiless Powers of Heaven". Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs. The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (not to be confused with [[Dionysius the Areopagite]], who was baptized by Saint [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and lived in the first century, and from whom pseudo-Dionysius took his name) in the fourth or fifth century in his book ''The Celestial Hierarchy''.

In this work, the author interpolated several ambiguous passages from the [[New Testament]], specifically [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] 6:12 and [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] 1:16, to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were:

*'''First Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Seraphim]]''
**''[[Cherubim]]''
**''[[Thrones]] ''
*'''Second Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Powers]]''
**''[[Dominions]]''
**''[[Principalities]]''
*'''Third Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]]''
**''[[Archangel]]s''
**''[[Angels]]''

Try comparing this model of the [[Holy Trinity|Triune God]] in the Immaterial, Incorporeal and Invisible World with the one existing in our corporeal, material and visible World:

*'''Space:'''
**''Length''
**''Breadth'' or ''Width''
**''Height'' or ''Depth''
*'''Time:'''
**''Past''
**''Present''
**''Future''
*'''Matter:'''
**''Solids''
**''Liquids''
**''Gases''

The idea of there being ten initial Angelic hosts is taken from Judaism, this number possessing a very deep significance in Jewish mysticism, being the numeric value of the first letter of the [[Tetragrammaton]], and symbolizing the [[Decalogue]] given to [[Moses]] on [[Mount Sinai]] and the ten plagues against the Egyptians, by which the Chosen People were delivered from captivity. There are several different listings of these ten Angelic ranks, which inevitably overlap to a certain degree; but whereas Judaism lost its ancient belief in the fall of Angels (witnessed, for instance, by the [[Book of Enoch]]), Christianity on the other hand preserved it, hence its teaching about the nine (remaining) Angelic orders, whose number shall be completed by the souls of those [[Soteriology|redeemed]] through the blood of the [[Jesus Christ|Lamb]].

However, one should be a bit cautious about taking pseudo-Dionysius' model too concretely, as he is the only source we have for such a classification system. The author himself was a fairly early advocate of [[apophatic theology]], which insists on only describing God in the negative. Still, many have accused the writer of wavering somewhere in between Orthodoxy and Neoplatonism, a pagan Greek philosophical system; such critics say that the three groupings of three in the angelic hierarchy derive from [[Neoplatonism]]:

:''The Hellenic concept of the world as "order" and "hierarchy," the strict Platonic division between the "intelligible" and "sensible" worlds, and the Neoplatonic grouping of beings into "triads" reappear in the famous writings of a mysterious early-sixth-century writer who wrote under the pseudonym of Dionysius the Areopagite.''{{ref|1}}

Furthermore, the comparison of the celestial with the earthly breaks down if one takes into account modern science, which tells us of a fourth category of matter and a very debatable number of dimensions (see [[w:String Theory]] if interested). All said and done, this is not to entirely discredit pseudo-Dionysius, who has been much esteemed by numerous [[Church Fathers]] and theologians up to the present day.

== Sources ==
[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1521&letter=A#4364 Jewish Encyclopedia]

Orthodox Life, Vol. 27, No. 6 (Nov.-Dec., 1977), pp. 39-47.
*{{note|1}} From ''Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes'' by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]. New York: Fordham University Press, 1974, p. 27. ISBN 0-8232-0967-9.

==External links==
*[http://www.sfaturiortodoxe.ro/orthodox/orthodox_advices_angels.htm The Holy Angels]
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/angels2.aspx The Church's Teaching Concerning Angels]
*[http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeII/CelestialHierarchy.html ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' by St. Dionysius the Areopagite]
*[http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/PopeShenoudaIII_TheANGELS.pdf ''The Angels'' by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (Format: PDF)]
{{Angels}}

[[el:Άγγελοι]]
[[fr:Ange]]
[[ro:Îngeri]]

Antichrist

2011-01-07T16:06:43Z

Preciouspearlfan:

According to [[Saint]] [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.iv.xxvi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']:

:"It should be known that the Antichrist is bound to come. Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist. But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist. First, then, it is requisite that the Gospel should be preached among all nations, as the Lord said, and then he will come to refute the impious Jews. For the Lord said to them: ''I am come in My Father’s name and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.'' And the apostle says, ''Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.'' The Jews accordingly did not receive the Lord Jesus Christ who was the Son of God and God, but receive the impostor who calls himself God. For that he will assume the name of God, the angel teaches Daniel, saying these words, ''Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers.'' And the apostle says: ''Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God''; in the temple of God he said; not our temple, but the old Jewish temple. For he will come not to us but to the Jews: not for Christ or the things of Christ: wherefore he is called Antichrist.

:First, therefore, it is necessary that the Gospel should be preached among all nations: ''And then shall that wicked one be revealed, even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, whom the Lord shall consume with the word of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.'' The devil himself, therefore does not become man in the way that the Lord was made man. God forbid! but he becomes man as the offspring of fornication and receiveth all the energy of Satan. For God, foreknowing the strangeness of the choice that he would make, allows the devil to take up his abode in him.

:He is, therefore, as we said, the offspring of fornication and is nurtured in secret, and on a sudden he rises up and rebels and assumes rule. And in the beginning of his rule, or rather tyranny, he assumes the role of sanctity. But when he becomes master he persecutes the Church of God and displays all his wickedness. But he will come ''with signs and lying wonders'', fictitious and not real, and he will deceive and lead away from the living God those whose mind rests on an unsound and unstable foundation, so that even the elect shall, if it be possible, be made to stumble.

:But Enoch and Elias the Thesbite shall be sent and shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, that is, the synagogue to our Lord Jesus Christ and the preaching of the apostles: and they will be destroyed by him. And the Lord shall come out of heaven, just as the holy apostles beheld Him going into heaven, perfect God and perfect man, with glory and power, and will destroy the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, with the breath of His mouth. Let no one, therefore, look for the Lord to come from earth, but out of Heaven, as He himself has made sure."

[[Category: Texts]]

Gregory the Dialogist

2011-01-07T16:05:25Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:GregoryGreat3.jpg|right|frame|Icon of St. Gregory the Dialogist]]
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Gregory I''', also known as '''Gregory the Great''', was the [[Pope]] of Rome from [[September 3]], 590, until his death on [[March 12]], 604. He is noted for his writings. Also, the [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]] has been attributed to him.

==Biography==
St. Gregory's family had large land holdings in Italy, which St. Gregory sold to help the poor following his father's death. After turning his home into a [[monastery]] named for St. [[Apostle Andrew|Andrew]], Pope Pelagius II appointed him as an ambassador to [[Constantinople]]; however, Gregory disliked the worldly atmosphere of the court and never learned Greek.

After his [[consecration of a bishop|consecration]] as Bishop of Rome on [[September 3]], 590, he negotiated a peace with the Lombards, who besieged Rome, and he dispatched St. [[Augustine of Canterbury]] to evangelize Britain.

He is known in the East as '''Gregory the Dialogist''' for his four-volume ''Dialogues'', in which he wrote of the lives and miracles of the saints of Italy and of the afterlife. It is the primary source of the lives of St. [[Benedict of Nursia]] and his sister [[Scholastica]]. His other writings include the ''Moralia on Job'', a commentary on the Book of Job; his ''Homilies on Ezekiel''; the ''Pastoral Rule'', which served as the prime manual for [[priest]]s in the West for many years; and a great number of other sermons.

He added the commemoration of the Apostle Andrew to the embolism on the [[Lord's Prayer]] in the ancient Roman Mass; as a result, the Roman Mass is often called the [[Liturgy of St. Gregory the Great|Mass of St. Gregory]], especially among a number of Orthodox. He was a patron of ancient Western chant, often called "Gregorian chant" for his patronage. In the East, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts celebrated during [[Great Lent|Lent]] commemorates St. Gregory as its author, although it is unclear what role he played in its development.

St. Gregory reposed on [[March 12]], 604.

==Quotes==
"He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to be defended against himself. There is, of course, no man who so lives as not sometimes to sin, but he wishes truth to be loved more than himself, who wills to be spared by no one against the truth. Wherefore, Peter willingly accepted the rebuke of Paul; David willingly hearkened to the reproof of a subject. For good rulers who pay no regard to self-love, take as a homage to their humility the free and sincere words of subjects. But in this regard the office of ruling must be tempered with such great art of moderation, that the minds of subjects, when demonstrating themselves capable of taking right views in some matters, are given freedom of expression, but freedom that does not issue into pride, otherwise, when liberty of speech is granted too generously, the humility of their own lives will be lost." -- ''Pastoral Care''

"Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die."

"For to despise the present age, not to love transitory things, unreservedly to stretch out the mind in humility to God and our neighbor, to preserve patience against offered insults and, with patience guarded, to repel the pain of malice from the heart, to give one's property to the poor, not to covet that of others, to esteem the friend in God, on God's account to love even those who are hostile, to mourn at the affliction of a neighbor, not to exult in the death of one who is an enemy, this is the new creature whom the Master of the nations seeks with watchful eye amid the other disciples, saying: 'If, then, any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are made new' (2 Cor. 5:17)."

"We truly love God and keep His commandments if we restrain ourselves from our pleasures. For he who still abandons himself to unlawful desires certainly does not love God, since he contradicts Him in his own intentions.... Therefore, he loves God truly, whose mind is not conquered by consent to evil delight. For the more one takes pleasure in lower things, the more he is separated from heavenly love."

"I say it without the least hesitation, whoever calls himself the universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor of [[Antichrist]], because he thus attempts to raise himself above the others. The error into which he falls springs from pride equal to that of Antichrist; for as that Wicked One wished to be regarded as exalted above other men, like a god, so likewise whoever would be called sole bishop exalteth himself above others....You know it, my brother; hath not the venerable Council of [[Chalcedon]] conferred the honorary title of 'universal' upon the bishops of this Apostolic See [Rome], whereof I am, by God's will, the servant? And yet none of us hath permitted this title to be given to him; none hath assumed this bold title, lest by assuming a special distinction in the dignity of the episcopate, we should seem to refuse it to all the brethren."

== Liturgical Hymns ==

[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4)
:Receiving divine grace from God on high, O glorious Gregory,
:And strengthened with its power,
:You willed to walk in the path of the Gospel, O most blessed one.
:Therefore you have received from Christ the reward of your labors!
:Entreat him that he may save our souls!
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3)
:You showed yourself to be an imitator of Christ, the chief Shepherd,
:O Father Gregory,
:Guiding the orders of monks to the fold of heaven.
:From there you taught the flock of Christ His commandments!
:Now you rejoice and dance with them in the mansions of heaven!

== External links ==

* [http://members.aol.com/frnicholas/gregory_bio.htm/ Who Was St. Gregory the Great?]
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100789 St. Gregory Dialogus, the Pope of Rome]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I Wikipedia]
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/g/pha18.htm Icon of St. Gregory Dialogos]
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=dmjQhWlKqqsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Uspensky+orthodox&sig=ACfU3U2oJOQSr-Mvx_IeW0oaUzfHIoWiyQ Evening Worship in the Orthodox Church] Includes a section on the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, pp. 155-162

{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=Pelagius II|
title=[[List of the Popes of the Church of Rome|Pope of Rome]]|
years=590–604|
after=Sabinianus|}}
{{end box}}
{{stub}}

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:Popes of Rome]]
[[Category:Saints]]

Damascene (Christensen)

2011-01-07T16:00:00Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{orthodoxyinamerica}}
[[Hieromonk]] '''Damascene (Christensen)''' is a priestmonk and deputy [[abbot]] of St Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, California.

==Biographical notes==
*Raised as a nominal Christian.
*Came to believe that personal deities were a less enlightened truth than trans-personal experience (a la Buddhism).
*Practised Zen Buddhism, with some spiritual experiences.
*Studied at University of California Santa Cruz.
*c.1980: Met Fr [[Seraphim (Rose)]], who gave a lecture at UCSC.
*Developed a dialogue with Fr Seraphim, who taught him that Truth was personal and Person (rather than abstract concept). Met Christ through this.
*Eventually, Fr Seraphim became his spiritual father. Less than two years later, he was at Fr Seraphim's bedside at his repose.
*Fr Damascene joined St Herman of Alaska Monastery, where he has lived for over 25 years.

==Bibliography==
*''Fr Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works'' ISBN 978-1887904070
*[[Christ the Eternal Tao (book)|''Christ the Eternal Tao'']] ISBN 978-1887904230

[[Category:Priests]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Converts to Orthodox Christianity|Christensen]]

Damascene (Christensen)

2011-01-07T15:55:12Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{orthodoxyinamerica}}
Hieromonk '''Damascene (Christensen)''' is a priestmonk and deputy [[abbot]] of St Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, California.

==Biographical notes==
*Raised as a nominal Christian.
*Came to believe that personal deities were a less enlightened truth than trans-personal experience (a la Buddhism).
*Practised Zen Buddhism, with some spiritual experiences.
*Studied at University of California Santa Cruz.
*c.1980: Met Fr [[Seraphim (Rose)]], who gave a lecture at UCSC.
*Developed a dialogue with Fr Seraphim, who taught him that Truth was personal and Person (rather than abstract concept). Met Christ through this.
*Eventually, Fr Seraphim became his spiritual father. Less than two years later, he was at Fr Seraphim's bedside at his repose.
*Fr Damascene joined St Herman of Alaska Monastery, where he has lived for over 25 years.

==Bibliography==
*''Fr Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works'' ISBN 978-1887904070
*[[Christ the Eternal Tao (book)|''Christ the Eternal Tao'']] ISBN 978-1887904230

[[Category:Priests]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Converts to Orthodox Christianity|Christensen]]

Christ the Eternal Tao (book)

2011-01-07T15:54:20Z

Preciouspearlfan: New page: This is the title of a book authored by Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen); it was first published in 1999, and its last edition was in 2004. The following description is from the ...

This is the title of a book authored by [[Hieromonk]] [[Damascene (Christensen)]]; it was first published in 1999, and its last edition was in 2004.

The following description is from the website of the [http://www.sainthermanpress.com/Catalog/Sunrise_of_the_East/Tao_book.htm Saint Herman Press]:

:"Not until now has the ancient wisdom of [[w:Lao Tzu|Lao Tzu]] been presented alongside the otherworldly revelation of [[Jesus Christ]] in a way that encompasses the full significance of both. Avoiding the common pitfalls of [[w:Syncretism#Religious_syncretism|religious syncretism]], ''Christ the Eternal Tao'' shows Lao Tzu’s [[w:Tao Te Ching|''Tao Teh Ching'']] as a foreshadowing of what would be revealed by Christ, and Lao Tzu himself as a Far-Eastern “prophet” of the Incarnate God.

:Inspired by [[Seraphim Rose|Fr. Seraphim Rose’s]] early studies of the ''Tao Teh Ching'', this book draws from the unpublished translations and teachings of Fr. Seraphim’s Chinese philosophy teacher, Gi-ming Shien, in order to uncover the esoteric core of the ''Tao Teh Ching''. Then, through the transmission of mystics of the ancient Christian East, Lao Tzu’s teaching is brought into a new dimension, exploding with new meanings.

:Part I contains a “New Testament” of the ''Tao Teh Ching'', which looks at Christ through the eyes of Lao Tzu and presents the [[Gospel]] in Lao Tzu’s own intriguing way.

:Part II unfolds the history of the revelation of God, from the creation of man, through the fall, primordial civilization, Lao Tzu, [[w:Confucius|Confucius]], and the ancient [[w:Hebrews|Hebrews]], and finally to God’s Incarnation in Jesus Christ and His ultimate revelation of His Being as [[Holy Trinity|Three Persons]].

:Part III offers practical advice from Eastern [[Introduction to Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox]] teachers on how to unite oneself to Christ the Incarnate Tao/Logos and acquire His Divine [[Grace]] (in Chinese, Teh).

:Much more than a mere study in comparative religion, ''Christ the Eternal Tao'' uses Lao Tzu’s intuitive realizations as a springboard by which to catapult the spiritual seekers of our day all the way into the mystical depths of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Seraphim Rose

2011-01-04T08:14:00Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{orthodoxyinamerica}}
Hieromonk '''Seraphim (Rose)''', né '''Eugene Dennis Rose''' ([[August 13]], 1934-[[September 2]], 1982) was a [[hieromonk]] of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] in the United States, whose writings have helped spread Orthodox Christianity throughout modern America and the West and are also quite popular in Russia. Although not formally [[Glorification|glorified]] (canonized), he is celebrated by some Orthodox Christians as a [[saint]] in [[icon|iconography]], [[liturgy]], and [[prayer]].

==Early life==
Born to Frank and Esther Rose in San Diego in 1934, Eugene was raised in California, where he would remain his entire life. He was baptized in the Methodist faith at fourteen years old, but later became an atheist, losing all belief in God. Rated at genius level in high school in formal IQ testing, in San Francisco he entered a beatnik phase in his life and practiced Buddhism.

In the summer of 1955, between his junior and senior years at college, Eugene met Finnish-born Jon Gregerson, through whom he came into initial contact with the Orthodox faith. Eugene came out as [[homosexuality|homosexual]] to a close friend from college after his mother discovered letters penned between her son and Walter Pomeroy, a friend from high school. Eugene later shed his identity as a gay man as he slowly accepted Orthodoxy, eventually ending his lengthy relationship with Gregerson.[http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/PCMSP01/saint.shtml]

==Orthodoxy==
While studying under Alan Watts at the American Academy of Asian Studies after graduating from Pomona College in 1956, Eugene discovered the writings of René Guenon. Through Guenon's writings, Eugene was inspired to seek out an authentic, grounded spiritual faith tradition. Gregerson, a practicing Russian Orthodox Christian at the time, introduced Eugene to Orthodoxy. Just as Gregerson was choosing to abandon his Orthodoxy, Eugene was inspired to learn more about the faith. This culminated in Eugene's decision to enter the Church, being received into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia through [[chrismation]] in 1962.

Eugene and another Orthodox Christian, [[Herman Podmoshensky|Gleb Podmoshensky]], later formed a community of Orthodox [[booksellers]] and [[Magazines and Publications|publishers]] called the [[St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood|St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood]], with the blessing of St. [[John Maximovitch]], Archbishop of San Francisco in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The community eventually decided to flee urban modernity into the wilderness of northern California to become [[monasticism|monks]] in 1966. At his [[tonsure]] in 1970, Eugene took the name "Seraphim" after St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Following his [[ordination]] as [[hieromonk]], Fr. Seraphim began writing several books, including ''[[Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future]]'', and ''[[The Soul After Death]]''. One of his best known books, ''[[God's Revelation to the Human Heart]]'', was originally given as a lecture to a religious studies class at UC-Santa Cruz in 1981, and published in book form after his repose. He also founded the magazine ''The Orthodox Word'', still published today by the Brotherhood. The collective body of work that Fr. Seraphim published quickly proliferated throughout America upon Fr. Seraphim's death and later in Russia and Eastern Europe upon the fall of atheist Communism in those countries, though typewritten copies of some of his books had been distributed underground for many years prior.

As a layman in San Francisco, the future Fr. Seraphim developed a close relationship with his spiritual father and mentor, St. [[John Maximovitch]] (+1966), then [[Archbishop]] of San Francisco for the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia|Russian Church Abroad]].
[[Image:Father Seraphim Rose.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]

==Teachings==
Although an American [[convert]], Fr. Seraphim is regarded by many as a bastion of sound Orthodox teaching in a time when many American [[jurisdiction]]s, and even factions within the Russian Church Abroad itself, were allegedly introducing new and/or erroneous teachings or practices. In ''Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future'', Fr. Seraphim highlighted what he and others saw as dangerous trends in both the secular and ecclesiastical worlds—namely, modernism and ecumenism (though the book mainly deals with religious movements invading America and outside Orthodoxy).

It was during this time also that [[Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Brookline, Massachusetts)]] began to distort the official positions of the Synod of the Russian Church Abroad[citation needed]. Fr. Seraphim with his fellow monastic, Fr. [[Herman (Podmoshensky)]], used their own tiny printing press to transmit what they regarded as the uncompromised teachings of the Church on a number of issues such as [[evolution]], [[life after death]], and pre-[[Great Schism|Schism]] western [[saint|saints]].

One major issue of contention between Fr. Seraphim and Holy Transfiguration Monastery was the presence of [[grace]] within the allegedly Soviet-compromised hierarchy of the [[Church of Russia|Moscow Patriarchate]]. Fr. Seraphim refuted the extremist views of this monastery and consistently affirmed that Moscow, though ailing, still had grace.

Throughout his life, Fr. Seraphim stressed an "Orthodoxy of the heart," which he felt was absent in much of the ecclesiastical life in America.

One of his more controversial books is ''[[The Soul After Death]]'', which includes the teaching which had been passed on to Fr. Seraphim from Saint John of the so-called [[Aerial Toll-Houses]], regarding the soul's journey after its departure from the body. This teaching has drawn criticism from some within the Orthodox Church, but has been defended by such noted theologians as [[Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos|Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos)]].

[[Image:Father Seraphim Rose 1.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Father Seraphim Rose at St. Herman's, April 1981, serving the Divine Liturgy. Note that he is holding a [[paschal trikirion]].]]

==Death==
After feeling acute pains for several days while working in his cell in 1982, Fr. Seraphim was taken by his fellow monks to a hospital for treatment. When he reluctantly arrived at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California, he was declared in critical condition and fell into semi-consciousness. After exploratory surgery was completed, it was discovered that a blood clot had blocked a vein supplying blood to Fr. Seraphim's intestine, which had become a mass of non-functioning dead tissue. Fr. Seraphim slipped into a coma after a second surgery. Hundreds of people came to visit the hospital and celebrated the [[Divine Liturgy|liturgy]] regularly in the chapel, praying for a miracle to save their beloved father's life. Reaction from throughout the world was great, with thousands of prayers said for the ailing hieromonk. He died on [[September 2]], 1982.

After being dead for several days and while lying in repose in a pauper's coffin at his wilderness monastery, visitors claimed that Fr. Seraphim did not succumb to decay and rigor mortis. His body remained supple while several claimed he smelled of roses. A cause for glorification was begun after Fr. Seraphim's burial. He eventually informally attained the title of ''Blessed'' after several miracles were attributed to him and now he awaits glorification into sainthood by an Orthodox [[synod]].

==Audio Recordings==
===from 1982===
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/preciouspearlfan#grid/user/F5D46F33D82EE909 Living the Orthodox Worldview]

==Books==
===As author===
*''God's Revelation to the Human Heart''. Platina: Saint Herman Press, 1988. (ISBN 0938635034)
*''[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/nihilism.html Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age]''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1994. (ISBN 1887904069) (as Eugene Rose)
:*Second Edition: Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen) (ed.), 2001.
*''Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future''. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1975. (ISBN 188790400X)
*''The Place of Blessed Augustine in the Orthodox Church''. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1983. (ISBN 0938635123)
*''The Soul After Death: Contemporary "After-Death" Experiences in the Light of the Orthodox Teaching on the Afterlife''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1988. (ISBN 093863514X)
*''The Apocalypse: In the Teachings of Ancient Christianity''. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1985. (ISBN 0938635670)
*''Genesis, Creation and Early Man''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2000. (ISBN 1887904026)
* ''Blessed John the Wonderworker: A Preliminary Account of the Life and Miracles of Archbishop John Maximovitch''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1987. (ISBN 0938635018)
* ''Letters from Father Seraphim''. Nikodemos Orthodox Publication Society. (ISBN 1879066084)

===As editor or translator===
* ''Vita Patrum'', by St. Gregory of Tours. (Foreword by Seraphim Rose. This introductory material runs more than 100 pages.) Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1988. (ISBN 0938635239)
* ''The Apocalypse of St. John: An Orthodox Commentary'', by Archbishop Averky Taushev. (Introduction by Seraphim Rose). Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1998. (ISBN 0938635670)
*''The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God'', by St. [[John Maximovitch|John of Shanghai (Maximovitch)]]. Includes an introduction by Fr. Seraphim on the theology of Archbishop (now Saint) John. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1978. (ISBN 0938635689)
* ''Little Russian Philokalia, vol. 1'', by St. Seraphim of Sarov. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 0938635301)
*''Little Russian Philokalia, vol. 2'', by Abbot Nazarius of Valaam. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 093863531X)
* ''Little Russian Philokalia, vol. 4'', by St. Paisius Velichkovsky. : St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1994. (ISBN 0938635336)
* ''The Sin of Adam and Our Redemption: Seven Homilies'', by St. Symeon the New Theologian. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1979. (ASIN B0006DY97Q)
* ''The First-Created Man: Seven Homilies by St. Symeon the New Theologian'', by St. Symeon the New Theologian. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1994. (ISBN 0938635115). ''(Apparently somewhat different than the above, as it is 40 pages longer.)''
* ''The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation'', by St. Theophan the Recluse. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 1887904514)
*''[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/restoration.aspx The Restoration of the Orthodox Way of Life]'', by Archbishop Andrew of New-Diveyevo. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1976. (ASIN B0006Y3F1G)
* ''The Northern Thebaid: Monastic Saints of the Russian North'', compiled and translated by Fr. Seraphim Rose and Abbot Herman Podmoshensky. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1995. (ISBN 0938635379)
* ''Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos, Vol. 2'', by Abbot Cherubim, translated by Nun Thaisia Simonsson. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1992 (2nd Rev edition). (ISBN 0938635573)

===Biographies===
*Christensen, Hieromonk Damascene. ''Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2003. (ISBN 1887904077) (greatly revised edition of ''Not of This World'')
*Christensen, Monk Damascene. ''Not of This World: The Life and Teaching of Fr. Seraphim Rose''. Platina: St. Herman Press, 1993. (ISBN 0938635522)
*[http://www.cathyscott.com/rose.htm Scott, Cathy]. ''Seraphim Rose: The True Story and Private Letters.'' Regina Orthodox Press, 2000. (ISBN 1928653014). ''N.B.: The author is Fr. Seraphim Rose's niece.''

==External links==
*[http://www.fatherseraphimrose.org/ Father Seraphim Rose Foundation]
*[http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/PCMSP01/saint.shtml Biographical article from Pomona College Magazine]
*[http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/FrSeraphim.html Father Seraphim Rose: Biography and Online Bookshop]
*[http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Orthodox_Elders/Various/Fr._Seraphim_Rose/ Photos of Fr. Seraphim Rose]
*[http://deathtotheworld.com/seraphimrose/index.html Death to the World : Father Seraphim Rose of Platina]
*[http://audio.ancientfaith.com/postcards/pfg_2009-06-10.mp3 Fr. Seraphim Rose in Greece (Postcards From Greece Podcast, by Fr. Peter Heers)]

===Criticism & debate===
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/gnostic/ The Toll-House Myth: The Neo-Gnosticism of Fr. Seraphim Rose], by Fr. Michael Azkoul
*[http://www.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 (1980)
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/toll_main.html Regarding the Toll Houses], Various articles by Archbishop Lazar, Fr. Michael Pomazansky, and others.
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/tollhouse_pomaz.aspx On the Question of the "Toll-Houses": Our War is not Against Flesh and Blood], by Fr. Michael Pomazansky
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/return_tollhouses.html The Return of the Tollhouses], by Fr. Michael Azkoul
*[http://home.it.net.au/%7Ejgrapsas/pages/afterdeath.htm Life after death… Mysteries beyond the grave], by Fr. Thomas Hopko

===Writings===
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/charismatic_revival_s_rose_e.htm Charismatic Revival as a Sign of the Times]
*[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/nihilism.html Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age ]
*[http://www.stxenia.org/files/history/ortham.html Orthodoxy in America: Its Historical Past and Present]
*[http://www.deathtotheworld.com Death to the World - A Compendium of Fr. Seraphim Rose's writings on-line.]
*[http://www.desertwisdom.org/dttw Desertwisdom.org - On-line collection of writings by and inspired by Fr. Seraphim Rose.]

[[Category:American Saints]]
[[Category:Modern Writers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Priests]]
[[Category:Converts to Orthodox Christianity|Rose]]

[[fr:Seraphim Rose]]

Gregory the Dialogist

2011-01-04T07:41:50Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:GregoryGreat3.jpg|right|frame|Icon of St. Gregory the Dialogist]]
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Gregory I''', also known as '''Gregory the Great''', was the [[Pope]] of Rome from [[September 3]], 590, until his death on [[March 12]], 604. He is noted for his writings. Also, the [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]] has been attributed to him.

==Biography==
St. Gregory's family had large land holdings in Italy, which St. Gregory sold to help the poor following his father's death. After turning his home into a [[monastery]] named for St. [[Apostle Andrew|Andrew]], Pope Pelagius II appointed him as an ambassador to Constantinople; however, Gregory disliked the worldly atmosphere of the court and never learned Greek.

After his [[consecration of a bishop|consecration]] as Bishop of Rome on [[September 3]], 590, he negotiated a peace with the Lombards, who besieged Rome, and he dispatched St. [[Augustine of Canterbury]] to evangelize Britain.

He is known in the East as '''Gregory the Dialogist''' for his four-volume ''Dialogues'', in which he wrote of the lives and miracles of the saints of Italy and of the afterlife. It is the primary source of the lives of St. [[Benedict of Nursia]] and his sister [[Scholastica]]. His other writings include the ''Moralia on Job'', a commentary on the Book of Job; his ''Homilies on Ezekiel''; the ''Pastoral Rule'', which served as the prime manual for [[priest]]s in the West for many years; and a great number of other sermons.

He added the commemoration of the Apostle Andrew to the embolism on the [[Lord's Prayer]] in the ancient Roman Mass; as a result, the Roman Mass is often called the [[Liturgy of St. Gregory the Great|Mass of St. Gregory]], especially among a number of Orthodox. He was a patron of ancient Western chant, often called "Gregorian chant" for his patronage. In the East, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts celebrated during [[Great Lent|Lent]] commemorates St. Gregory as its author, although it is unclear what role he played in its development.

St. Gregory reposed on [[March 12]], 604.

==Quotes==
"He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to be defended against himself. There is, of course, no man who so lives as not sometimes to sin, but he wishes truth to be loved more than himself, who wills to be spared by no one against the truth. Wherefore, Peter willingly accepted the rebuke of Paul; David willingly hearkened to the reproof of a subject. For good rulers who pay no regard to self-love, take as a homage to their humility the free and sincere words of subjects. But in this regard the office of ruling must be tempered with such great art of moderation, that the minds of subjects, when demonstrating themselves capable of taking right views in some matters, are given freedom of expression, but freedom that does not issue into pride, otherwise, when liberty of speech is granted too generously, the humility of their own lives will be lost." -- ''Pastoral Care''

"Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die."

"For to despise the present age, not to love transitory things, unreservedly to stretch out the mind in humility to God and our neighbor, to preserve patience against offered insults and, with patience guarded, to repel the pain of malice from the heart, to give one's property to the poor, not to covet that of others, to esteem the friend in God, on God's account to love even those who are hostile, to mourn at the affliction of a neighbor, not to exult in the death of one who is an enemy, this is the new creature whom the Master of the nations seeks with watchful eye amid the other disciples, saying: 'If, then, any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are made new' (2 Cor. 5:17)."

"We truly love God and keep His commandments if we restrain ourselves from our pleasures. For he who still abandons himself to unlawful desires certainly does not love God, since he contradicts Him in his own intentions.... Therefore, he loves God truly, whose mind is not conquered by consent to evil delight. For the more one takes pleasure in lower things, the more he is separated from heavenly love."

"I say it without the least hesitation, whoever calls himself the universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor of [[Antichrist]], because he thus attempts to raise himself above the others. The error into which he falls springs from pride equal to that of [[Antichrist]]; for as that Wicked One wished to be regarded as exalted above other men, like a god, so likewise whoever would be called sole bishop exalteth himself above others....You know it, my brother; hath not the venerable Council of [[Chalcedon]] conferred the honorary title of 'universal' upon the bishops of this Apostolic See [Rome], whereof I am, by God's will, the servant? And yet none of us hath permitted this title to be given to him; none hath assumed this bold title, lest by assuming a special distinction in the dignity of the episcopate, we should seem to refuse it to all the brethren."

== Liturgical Hymns ==

[[Troparion]] ([[Tone]] 4)
:Receiving divine grace from God on high, O glorious Gregory,
:And strengthened with its power,
:You willed to walk in the path of the Gospel, O most blessed one.
:Therefore you have received from Christ the reward of your labors!
:Entreat him that he may save our souls!
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 3)
:You showed yourself to be an imitator of Christ, the chief Shepherd,
:O Father Gregory,
:Guiding the orders of monks to the fold of heaven.
:From there you taught the flock of Christ His commandments!
:Now you rejoice and dance with them in the mansions of heaven!

== External links ==

* [http://members.aol.com/frnicholas/gregory_bio.htm/ Who Was St. Gregory the Great?]
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100789 St. Gregory Dialogus, the Pope of Rome]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm The Catholic Encyclopedia]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I Wikipedia]
* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/g/pha18.htm Icon of St. Gregory Dialogos]
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=dmjQhWlKqqsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Uspensky+orthodox&sig=ACfU3U2oJOQSr-Mvx_IeW0oaUzfHIoWiyQ Evening Worship in the Orthodox Church] Includes a section on the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, pp. 155-162

{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=Pelagius II|
title=[[List of the Popes of the Church of Rome|Pope of Rome]]|
years=590–604|
after=Sabinianus|}}
{{end box}}
{{stub}}

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:Popes of Rome]]
[[Category:Saints]]

Elijah

2011-01-04T07:41:28Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[image:Elias.jpg|thumb|right|The Prophet Elijah (Elias)]]
[[Image:Prophet Elijah - Chariot of Fire.jpg|thumb|right|Prophet Elias ascending into Heaven in the chariot of fire with horses of fire (2 Kings 2:11).]]
The glorious Prophet '''Elijah''' (Hebrew: אליהו), also '''Elias''' ([[New Testament|NT]] Greek Hλίας), is a [[prophet]] of the Hebrew Bible or [[Old Testament]]. His name has been variously translated as "whose God is the Lord," "God the Lord," "the strong Lord," "God of the Lord," "my God is the Lord," "the Lord is my God," and "my God is Jehovah." His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[July 20]].

== Old Testament ==
Elijah is first introduced in [[III Kingdoms|1 Kings]] 17:1 as delivering a message from God to Ahab, king of Israel. He is sometimes known as the "Tishbite," being from the town of Tishbe.

Having delivered his message to Ahab, he retired at the command of God to a hiding-place by the brook Cherith, beyond Jordan, where he was fed by ravens. When the brook dried up God sent him to the widow of Zarephath, a city of Zidon, from whose scanty store he was supported for the space of two years. During this period the widow's son died, and was restored to life by Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-24).

During these two years a famine prevailed in the land. At the close of this period of retirement and of preparation for his work, Elijah met Obadiah, one of Ahab's officers, whom he had sent out to seek for pasturage for the cattle, and bade him go and tell his master that Elijah was there. The king came and met Elijah, and reproached him as the "troubler of Israel." It was then proposed that sacrifices should be publicly offered, for the purpose of determining whether Baal or the Israelite God was the true God. This was done on Mount Carmel; the result was that a [[miracle]] took place convincing those watching that Baal was false and that the Israelite God was real. The prophets of Baal were then put to death by the order of Elijah.

Jezebel, enraged at the fate that had befallen her priests of Baal, threatened to put Elijah to death (1 Kings 19:1-13). He therefore fled in alarm to Beersheba, and went alone into the wilderness, and sat down in despondency under a juniper tree. As he slept, an [[angel]] touched him, and said unto him, "Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee." He arose and found a cake and a cruse of water. Having partaken of the provision, he went forward on his way for forty days to Horeb, where he took residence in a cave. Here God appeared to him and said, "What dost thou here, Elijah?" In answer to Elijah's despondent words God manifests to him his glory, and then directs him to return to Damascus and anoint Hazael king over the Arameans (Syria), Jehu king over Israel, and [[Elisha]] to be prophet in his room (1 Kings 19:13-21; compare [[IV Kingdoms|2 Kings]] 8:7-15; 9:1-10).

Some six years after this, he warned Ahab and Jezebel of the violent deaths they would die (1 Kings 21:19-24; 22:38). He also, four years afterwards, warned Ahaziah, who had succeeded his father Ahab, of his approaching death (2 Kings 1:1-16). During these intervals he probably withdrew to some quiet retirement, no one knew where. His interview with Ahaziah's messengers on the way to Ekron, and the account of the destruction of his captains with their fifties, suggest the idea that he may have been in retirement at this time on Mount Carmel. The Carmelites have a tradition that they were founded by Elijah at this time.

The time now drew near when he was to be taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:1-12). He went down to Gilgal, where there was a school of prophets, and where his successor Elisha, whom he had anointed some years before, resided. Elisha was distraught by the thought of his master's leaving him, and refused to be parted from him. The two went on and came to Bethel and Jericho, and crossed the Jordan, the waters of which were "divided hither and thither" when smitten with Elijah's mantle. Upon arriving at the borders of Gilead, which Elijah had left many years before, it "came to pass as they still went on and talked" they were suddenly separated by a chariot and horses of fire; and "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven," Elisha receiving his mantle, which fell from Elijah as he ascended.

Elijah's chosen successor was the prophet Elisha; Elijah designated Elisha as such by leaving his mantle with him (2 Kings 2:13-15), so that his wish for "a double portion" of the older prophet's spirit (2:9), an allusion to the preference shown the first-born son in the division of the father's estate ([[Deuteronomy]] 21:17), had been fulfilled.

== New Testament references ==
Elijah is frequently mentioned in the [[New Testament]]. In [[Gospel of John|John]] 1:25 the priests and Levites said to [[John the Baptist]], "Why [[baptism|baptizest]] thou, if thou be not that [[Christ]], nor Elias?" Paul ([[Romans]] 11:2) refers to an incident in his history to illustrate his argument that God had not cast away his people. (See also [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 4:25; 9:54.)

Elijah was similar to John the Baptist in the sternness and power of his reproofs (Luke 9:8). According to [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 11:11, he was the Elijah that "must first come" (Matt. 11:11, 14). In John the Baptist one can see "the same connection with a wild and wilderness country; the same long retirement in the desert; the same sudden, startling entrance on his work (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 3:2); even the same dress, a hairy garment, and a leather girdle about the loins (2 Kings 1:8; Matt. 3:4)."

Also, Elijah's appearance in glory on Mount Tabor at the [[Transfiguration]] does not seem to have startled the [[disciple]]s. They were "sore afraid," but not apparently surprised.

According to prophecies of the holy Fathers God will send Elijah and Enoch before coming of the [[Antichrist]] to bear witness for Christ on the earth and to strengthen the faithful.

== Elijah in local traditions ==
Aside from holding a special place in the devotions of Arab Christians, in many Slavic nations Elijah is sometimes referred to as ''Gromovik'' (literally "Thunderer"). This is partially due to local mythology, which compares Elijah's fiery chariot to that of Perun, the defunct Slavic god of storms, snows, and rains.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)

:An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets,
:the second forerunner of the coming of Christ,
:Glorious Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha,
:to dispel diseases and to cleanse lepers.
:Therefore, he pours forth healings on those who honor him.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)

:Prophet Elijah of great renown,
:seer of the mighty mighty works of God,
:by your command you held back the rain!
:Pray for us to the only Lover of mankind!

== Source ==
*[[Wikipedia:Elijah|''Elijah'' at Wikipedia]]

==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102060 Holy, Glorious Prophet Elijah] ([[OCA]])
*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=135 Elias the Prophet] ([[GOARCH]])

[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:Prophets]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[fr:Élie le Thesbite]]
[[ro:Ilie Tesviteanul]]

666

2011-01-04T07:40:31Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{cleanup|needs category}}
'''666''' (in the Greek text of the New Testament: χξς΄) is a biblical number for "the Beast", found in the [[Book of Revelation]] of the [[New Testament]]. The original Greek reads as follows:

:‘ο ’έχων τον νούν, ψηφισάτω τον ’αριθμον τού θηρίου· ’αριθμος-γαρ ’ανθρώπου ’εστιν, και ‘ο-’αριθμος-’αυτού χξς.
:He who has understanding [or "a mind"] let him count the number of the beast: for a man's number it is, and its number [is] 666.

The number found in most manuscripts and modern translations of the Greek text is 666, although various modern studies show the number could be 616 based on [[w:Papyrus 115|Papyrus 115]] from the third century. <ref>St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] in the 4th century discusses this in his famous work.</ref> The most widely accepted theory connects the cryptogram of the Greek numerals to the letters of the alphabet, since numbers in ancient Greek were represented by letters. ''Gematria'', a type of cryptogram that assigns numerical values to alphabetic characters, is one form of these numerological exercises. The numeral 666 (DCLXVI in Roman numerals which like Greek represents numbers with alphabetic letters) in ancient Greek was represented as χξς Chi, Xi, and Vau. The mainstream consensus among biblical scholars is that 666 is a reference to the emperor Nero which, according to which language and schema one uses, can be rendered as either "666" or "616."

There are three different characteristics that distinguish the beast according to Revelation 13:16 to 18 - His mark (of authority), His name and the number of his name (666). It might be argued by some that 666 must be applied to one man's name, and that this will then help identify him as the [[Antichrist]]. Others claim that the following verse shows that 666 need not apply solely to a man's name:

:And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)

The same Greek word translated as name (''onoma'') that appears in Revelation 13:17-18 is also used in chapter 19:16, so the word could possible apply to a title, and not just one man's name.

==See also==
*[[Eschatology]]

==External links==
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/searchresults.aspx?kw=666/ Orthodox Christian Information Center - Search Results for 666]
* [[w:Greek numerals|Greek Numerals]]
* [http://class.phys.psu.edu/p001projects/Project1/Spr06Projects/18%20Greek%20Number%20System%20PP.ppt The Greek Number System]

[[Category:New Testament]]

666

2011-01-04T07:39:51Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{cleanup|needs category}}
'''666''' (in the Greek text of the New Testament: χξς΄) is a biblical number for "the Beast", found in the [[Book of Revelation]] of the [[New Testament]]. The original Greek reads as follows:

:‘ο ’έχων τον νούν, ψηφισάτω τον ’αριθμον τού θηρίου· ’αριθμος-γαρ ’ανθρώπου ’εστιν, και ‘ο-’αριθμος-’αυτού χξς.
:He who has understanding [or "a mind"] let him count the number of the beast: for a man's number it is, and its number [is] 666.

The number found in most manuscripts and modern translations of the Greek text is 666, although various modern studies show the number could be 616 based on [[w:Papyrus 115|Papyrus 115]] from the third century. <ref>St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] in the 4th century discusses this in his famous work.</ref> The most widely accepted theory connects the cryptogram of the Greek numerals to the letters of the alphabet, since numbers in ancient Greek were represented by letters. ''Gematria'', a type of cryptogram that assigns numerical values to alphabetic characters, is one form of these numerological exercises. The numeral 666 (DCLXVI in Roman numerals which like Greek represents numbers with alphabetic letters) in ancient Greek was represented as χξς Chi, Xi, and Vau. The mainstream consensus among biblical scholars is that 666 is a reference to the emperor Nero which, according to which language and schema one uses, can be rendered as either "666" or "616."

There are three different characteristics that distinguish the beast according to Revelation 13:16 to 18 - His mark (of authority), His name and the number of his name (666). It might be argued by some that 666 must be applied to one man's name, and that this will then help identify him as the [[antichrist]]. Others claim that the following verse shows that 666 need not apply solely to a man's name:

:And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)

The same Greek word translated as name (''onoma'') that appears in Revelation 13:17-18 is also used in chapter 19:16, so the word could possible apply to a title, and not just one man's name.

==See also==
*[[Eschatology]]

==External links==
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/searchresults.aspx?kw=666/ Orthodox Christian Information Center - Search Results for 666]
* [[w:Greek numerals|Greek Numerals]]
* [http://class.phys.psu.edu/p001projects/Project1/Spr06Projects/18%20Greek%20Number%20System%20PP.ppt The Greek Number System]

[[Category:New Testament]]

Template:Angels

2011-01-01T09:00:58Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{| style="margin:0 auto" align="center" class="toccolours"
|align="center" width="100%"|'''Angels'''
|-
| style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; background:#ccf"| '''First Hierarchy''': [[Seraphim]] | [[Cherubim]] | [[Thrones]]
|-
| style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; background:#fcc"| '''Second Hierarchy''': [[Dominions]] | [[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]] | [[Powers]]
|-
| style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; background:#ccf"| '''Third Hierarchy''': [[Principalities]] | [[Archangel]]s | [[Angels]]
|-
|}

<includeonly>[[Category:Angels]]</includeonly>
<noinclude>This template displays the series box and includes the articles in [[:Category:Angels]]
[[Category:Series templates|Angels]]</noinclude>

Template:Angels

2011-01-01T08:47:50Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{| style="margin:0 auto" align="center" class="toccolours"
|align="center" width="100%"|'''Angels'''
|-
| style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; background:#ccf"| '''First Hierarchy''': [[Seraphim]] | [[Cherubim]] | [[Thrones]]
|-
| style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; background:#fcc"| '''Second Hierarchy''': [[Dominions]] | [[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]] | [[Powers]]
|-
| style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center; background:#ccf"| '''Third Hierarchy''': [[Principalities]] | [[Archangel]]s | [[Angels]]
|-
|}

<includeonly>[[Category:Angels]]</includeonly>
<noinclude>

This template displays the series box and includes the articles in [[:Category:Angels]]
[[Category:Series templates|Angels]]
</noinclude>

Angels

2011-01-01T08:37:41Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:Synaxis of the Holy Angels.JPG|right|frame|[[Synaxis]] of the Holy Angels]]
The word '''angel''' means "messenger" and this word expresses the nature of angelic service to the human race. Angels are also referred to as "bodiless Powers of Heaven". Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs. The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (not to be confused with [[Dionysius the Areopagite]], who was baptized by Saint [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and lived in the first century, and from whom pseudo-Dionysius took his name) in the fourth or fifth century in his book ''The Celestial Hierarchy''.

In this work, the author interpolated several ambiguous passages from the [[New Testament]], specifically [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] 6:12 and [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] 1:16, to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were:

*'''First Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Seraphim]]''
**''[[Cherubim]]''
**''[[Thrones]] ''
*'''Second Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Dominions]]''
**''[[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]]''
**''[[Powers]]''
*'''Third Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Principalities]]''
**''[[Archangel]]s''
**''[[Angels]]''

Try comparing this model of the [[Holy Trinity|Triune God]] in the Immaterial, Incorporeal and Invisible World with the one existing in our corporeal, material and visible World:

*'''Space:'''
**''Length''
**''Breadth'' or ''Width''
**''Height'' or ''Depth''
*'''Time:'''
**''Past''
**''Present''
**''Future''
*'''Matter:'''
**''Solids''
**''Liquids''
**''Gases''

The idea of there being ten initial Angelic hosts is taken from Judaism, this number possessing a very deep significance in Jewish mysticism, being the numeric value of the first letter of the [[Tetragrammaton]], and symbolizing the [[Decalogue]] given to [[Moses]] on [[Mount Sinai]] and the ten plagues against the Egyptians, by which the Chosen People were delivered from captivity. There are several different listings of these ten Angelic ranks, which inevitably overlap to a certain degree; but whereas Judaism lost its ancient belief in the fall of Angels (witnessed, for instance, by the [[Book of Enoch]]), Christianity on the other hand preserved it, hence its teaching about the nine (remaining) Angelic orders, whose number shall be completed by the souls of those [[Soteriology|redeemed]] through the blood of the [[Jesus Christ|Lamb]].

However, one should be a bit cautious about taking pseudo-Dionysius' model too concretely, as he is the only source we have for such a classification system. The author himself was a fairly early advocate of [[apophatic theology]], which insists on only describing God in the negative. Still, many have accused the writer of wavering somewhere in between Orthodoxy and Neoplatonism, a pagan Greek philosophical system; such critics say that the three groupings of three in the angelic hierarchy derive from [[Neoplatonism]]:

:''The Hellenic concept of the world as "order" and "hierarchy," the strict Platonic division between the "intelligible" and "sensible" worlds, and the Neoplatonic grouping of beings into "triads" reappear in the famous writings of a mysterious early-sixth-century writer who wrote under the pseudonym of Dionysius the Areopagite.''{{ref|1}}

Furthermore, the comparison of the celestial with the earthly breaks down if one takes into account modern science, which tells us of a fourth category of matter and a very debatable number of dimensions (see [[w:String Theory]] if interested). All said and done, this is not to entirely discredit pseudo-Dionysius, who has been much esteemed by numerous [[Church Fathers]] and theologians up to the present day.

== Sources ==
[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1521&letter=A#4364 Jewish Encyclopedia]

Orthodox Life, Vol. 27, No. 6 (Nov.-Dec., 1977), pp. 39-47.
*{{note|1}} From ''Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes'' by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]. New York: Fordham University Press, 1974, p. 27. ISBN 0-8232-0967-9.

==External links==
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/angels2.aspx The Church's Teaching Concerning Angels]
*[http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeII/CelestialHierarchy.html ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' by St. Dionysius the Areopagite]
*[http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/PopeShenoudaIII_TheANGELS.pdf ''The Angels'' by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (Format: PDF)]
{{Angels}}

[[el:Άγγελοι]]
[[fr:Ange]]
[[ro:Îngeri]]

Angels

2011-01-01T08:37:05Z

Preciouspearlfan:

[[Image:Synaxis of the Holy Angels.JPG|right|frame|[[Synaxis]] of the Holy Angels]]
The word '''angel''' means "messenger" and this word expresses the nature of angelic service to the human race. Angels are also referred to as "bodiless Powers of Heaven". Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs. The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (not to be confused with [[Dionysius the Areopagite]], who was baptized by Saint [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and lived in the first century, and from whom pseudo-Dionysius took his name) in the fourth or fifth century in his book ''The Celestial Hierarchy''.

In this work, the author interpolated several ambiguous passages from the [[New Testament]], specifically [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] 6:12 and [[Epistle to the Colossians|Colossians]] 1:16, to construct a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs. In descending order of power, these were:

*'''First Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Seraphim]]''
**''[[Cherubim]]''
**''[[Thrones]] ''
*'''Second Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Dominions]]''
**''[[Virtues (angels)|Virtues]]]]''
**''[[Powers]]''
*'''Third Hierarchy:'''
**''[[Principalities''
**''[[Archangel]]s''
**''[[Angels]]''

Try comparing this model of the [[Holy Trinity|Triune God]] in the Immaterial, Incorporeal and Invisible World with the one existing in our corporeal, material and visible World:

*'''Space:'''
**''Length''
**''Breadth'' or ''Width''
**''Height'' or ''Depth''
*'''Time:'''
**''Past''
**''Present''
**''Future''
*'''Matter:'''
**''Solids''
**''Liquids''
**''Gases''

The idea of there being ten initial Angelic hosts is taken from Judaism, this number possessing a very deep significance in Jewish mysticism, being the numeric value of the first letter of the [[Tetragrammaton]], and symbolizing the [[Decalogue]] given to [[Moses]] on [[Mount Sinai]] and the ten plagues against the Egyptians, by which the Chosen People were delivered from captivity. There are several different listings of these ten Angelic ranks, which inevitably overlap to a certain degree; but whereas Judaism lost its ancient belief in the fall of Angels (witnessed, for instance, by the [[Book of Enoch]]), Christianity on the other hand preserved it, hence its teaching about the nine (remaining) Angelic orders, whose number shall be completed by the souls of those [[Soteriology|redeemed]] through the blood of the [[Jesus Christ|Lamb]].

However, one should be a bit cautious about taking pseudo-Dionysius' model too concretely, as he is the only source we have for such a classification system. The author himself was a fairly early advocate of [[apophatic theology]], which insists on only describing God in the negative. Still, many have accused the writer of wavering somewhere in between Orthodoxy and Neoplatonism, a pagan Greek philosophical system; such critics say that the three groupings of three in the angelic hierarchy derive from [[Neoplatonism]]:

:''The Hellenic concept of the world as "order" and "hierarchy," the strict Platonic division between the "intelligible" and "sensible" worlds, and the Neoplatonic grouping of beings into "triads" reappear in the famous writings of a mysterious early-sixth-century writer who wrote under the pseudonym of Dionysius the Areopagite.''{{ref|1}}

Furthermore, the comparison of the celestial with the earthly breaks down if one takes into account modern science, which tells us of a fourth category of matter and a very debatable number of dimensions (see [[w:String Theory]] if interested). All said and done, this is not to entirely discredit pseudo-Dionysius, who has been much esteemed by numerous [[Church Fathers]] and theologians up to the present day.

== Sources ==
[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1521&letter=A#4364 Jewish Encyclopedia]

Orthodox Life, Vol. 27, No. 6 (Nov.-Dec., 1977), pp. 39-47.
*{{note|1}} From ''Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes'' by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]. New York: Fordham University Press, 1974, p. 27. ISBN 0-8232-0967-9.

==External links==
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/angels2.aspx The Church's Teaching Concerning Angels]
*[http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/VolumeII/CelestialHierarchy.html ''The Celestial Hierarchy'' by St. Dionysius the Areopagite]
*[http://www.zeitun-eg.net/members_contrib/PopeShenoudaIII_TheANGELS.pdf ''The Angels'' by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (Format: PDF)]
{{Angels}}

[[el:Άγγελοι]]
[[fr:Ange]]
[[ro:Îngeri]]

Antichrist

2010-12-31T14:04:50Z

Preciouspearlfan: New page: According to Saint John of Damascus in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.iv.xxvi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']: :"It should be known that the A...

According to Saint [[John of Damascus]] in his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.iv.xxvi.html ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'']:

:"It should be known that the Antichrist is bound to come. Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist. But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist. First, then, it is requisite that the Gospel should be preached among all nations, as the Lord said, and then he will come to refute the impious Jews. For the Lord said to them: ''I am come in My Father’s name and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.'' And the apostle says, ''Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.'' The Jews accordingly did not receive the Lord Jesus Christ who was the Son of God and God, but receive the impostor who calls himself God. For that he will assume the name of God, the angel teaches Daniel, saying these words, ''Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers.'' And the apostle says: ''Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God''; in the temple of God he said; not our temple, but the old Jewish temple. For he will come not to us but to the Jews: not for Christ or the things of Christ: wherefore he is called Antichrist.

:First, therefore, it is necessary that the Gospel should be preached among all nations: ''And then shall that wicked one be revealed, even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, whom the Lord shall consume with the word of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.'' The devil himself, therefore does not become man in the way that the Lord was made man. God forbid! but he becomes man as the offspring of fornication and receiveth all the energy of Satan. For God, foreknowing the strangeness of the choice that he would make, allows the devil to take up his abode in him.

:He is, therefore, as we said, the offspring of fornication and is nurtured in secret, and on a sudden he rises up and rebels and assumes rule. And in the beginning of his rule, or rather tyranny, he assumes the role of sanctity. But when he becomes master he persecutes the Church of God and displays all his wickedness. But he will come ''with signs and lying wonders'', fictitious and not real, and he will deceive and lead away from the living God those whose mind rests on an unsound and unstable foundation, so that even the elect shall, if it be possible, be made to stumble.

:But Enoch and Elias the Thesbite shall be sent and shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, that is, the synagogue to our Lord Jesus Christ and the preaching of the apostles: and they will be destroyed by him. And the Lord shall come out of heaven, just as the holy apostles beheld Him going into heaven, perfect God and perfect man, with glory and power, and will destroy the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, with the breath of His mouth. Let no one, therefore, look for the Lord to come from earth, but out of Heaven, as He himself has made sure."

John of Damascus

2010-12-31T13:08:32Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''John of Damascus''' (c. 676 - [[December 5]], 749) was also known as ''John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas,'' "streaming with gold," (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the [[Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)|Monastery of Saint Sabbas]] (''Mar Saba''), South East of Jerusalem. His feast day in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[December 4]]. He is also recognized as a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]].
[[Image:John of Damascus.jpg|right|frame|St. John of Damascus]]

== Biography ==
Practically all the information concerning the life of John of Damascus available to us today has been through the records of [[John V of Jerusalem|John]], [[Patriarch of Jerusalem]]. Though these notes have served as the single source of biographical information, dating back to the 10th century, these writings have been noted by scholars as having an exuberant lack of detail from a historical point of view and a bloated writing style.

===Childhood===
Although he was brought up under the [[Islam|Muslim]] rule of Damascus, this was not to affect his or his family's Christian faith or cause any grievances with the Muslim countrymen who held him in high esteem. To the extent that his father held a high hereditary public office with duties of chief financial officer for the caliph, Abdul Malekunder, apparently as head of the tax department for Syria.

When John reached the age of twenty-three, his father sought out to find a Christian tutor who could provide the best education for his children available at the time. Records show that while spending some time in the market place John's father came across several captives, imprisoned as a result of a raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of Italy. This man, a Sicilian [[monk]] by the name of Cosmas, turned out to be an erudite of great knowledge and wisdom. John's father arranged for the release of this man and appointed him tutor to his son. Under the instruction of Cosmas, John made great advances in fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, he soon equaled Diophantus in algebra and Euclid in geometry.

===Succession to "Chief Councilor"===
In spite of his Christian background, his family held a high hereditary public office with the Moslem rulers of Damascus, led by caliph Abd al-Malik. He succeeded his father in his position upon his death; ''John de Damascene'' was made ''protosymbullus'', or chief councilor of Damascus.

It was around his term in office that burst of insurgence by the [[iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] began to appear in the form of [[heresy]], actions which disturbed the Church of the East. In 726, in disregard of the protests of [[Germanus I of Constantinople|Germanus]], Patriarch of Constantinople, Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] issued his first edict against the veneration of images and their exhibition in public places. A talented writer and in the secure surroundings of the caliph's court, ''John de Damascene'' initiated his literary defense against the monarch in three ''Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images.'' This was the earliest of his works and the one which earned him a reputation. Not only did he attack the monarch, but his use of a simpler witting style brought the controversy to the common people, inciting revolt among those of Christian faith.

Unable to punish the writer openly, Leo the Isaurian managed to get possession of a manuscript written and signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of Damascus. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, the caliph dismissed his plea and discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing, to be severed at the wrist.

According to the 10th-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At this point the caliph is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him to his former office. However, John then retired to the Monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Saint Sabbas]] near Jerusalem, where he continued to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[Church Fathers]].

=== Last Days ===
He died in 749 as a revered Father of the Church and is now universally recognized as a saint.

== List of Works ==
===The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph===
[http://sites.google.com/site/preciouspearlfan The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph]

===Early Work===
* Three ''"Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"'' - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, which banned the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]].

===Teachings and Dogmatic Work===
* ''"Fountain of Knowledge"'', also ''"The Fountain of Wisdom"'', this book is divided in three parts:
*# "Philosophical Chapters" ''(Kephalaia philosophika)'' - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.
*# "Concerning Heresy" ''(peri aipeseon)'' - In this book, in the section ''On Heresies'', he dedicates a portion to the [http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/stjohn_islam.aspx ''Heresy of the Ishmaelites''], being the first apologetic work against [[Islam]] by a Christian.
*# [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.i.i.html "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith"] ''(Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos)'' - This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of ''John de Damascene'', and a treasured antiquity of [[Christianity]].
* ''"Sacred Parallels"''

===Hymns and Minor Writings===
* ''[[Oktoechos]]'' - Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service," for which he may be only responsible improving and revising.
*''Canons'' - 8 or 9 highly complicated structure of hymns, composed of 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.
*''"Tract on Right Thinking"'' - Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.
*''"Dialogue against Manicheans"'' - A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.
*''"Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian"'' - Similar form as previous work.
*''"Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics"'' - As the name says, also aimed at his disciples.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 8)

:Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
:the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
:all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
:Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4)

:Let us sing praises to John, worthy of great honor,
:the composer of hymns, the star and teacher of the Church, the defender of her doctrines:
:through the might of the Lord¹s Cross he overcame heretical error
:and as a fervent intercessor before God
:he entreats that forgiveness of sins may be granted to all.

== References ==
# ''"St. John Damascene on Holy Images, Followed by Three Sermons on the Assumption"'' - Eng. transl. by Mary H. Allies, London, 1899.

==External links==
*[http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc06/htm/iii.lvii.lxii.htm Details of his work]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/mdg03.htm Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/phn76.htm Another Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/johndam-icons.html John of Damascus: In Defense of Icons, c. 730]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html John of Damascus: Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-komesis.html John of Damascus: Three Sermons on the Dormition of the Virgin]

==Icons of St. John==
<gallery>
Image:John of Damascus.jpg
Image:John of Damascus2.jpg
Image:John of Damascus3.jpg
Image:John of Damascus4.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Hymnographers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[ar:يوحنا الدمشقي]]
[[bg:Йоан Дамаскин]]
[[el:Ιωάννης Δαμασκηνός]]
[[es:Juan Damasceno]]
[[fr:Jean Damascène]]
[[mk:Свети Јован Дамаскин]]
[[ro:Ioan Damaschin]]
[[ru:Иоанн Дамаскин]]

John of Damascus

2010-12-31T11:48:23Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''John of Damascus''' (c. 676 - [[December 5]], 749) was also known as ''John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas,'' "streaming with gold," (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the [[Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)|Monastery of Saint Sabbas]] (''Mar Saba''), South East of Jerusalem. His feast day in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[December 4]]. He is also recognized as a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]].
[[Image:John of Damascus.jpg|right|frame|St. John of Damascus]]

== Biography ==
Practically all the information concerning the life of John of Damascus available to us today has been through the records of [[John V of Jerusalem|John]], [[Patriarch of Jerusalem]]. Though these notes have served as the single source of biographical information, dating back to the 10th century, these writings have been noted by scholars as having an exuberant lack of detail from a historical point of view and a bloated writing style.

===Childhood===
Although he was brought up under the [[Islam|Muslim]] rule of Damascus, this was not to affect his or his family's Christian faith or cause any grievances with the Muslim countrymen who held him in high esteem. To the extent that his father held a high hereditary public office with duties of chief financial officer for the caliph, Abdul Malekunder, apparently as head of the tax department for Syria.

When John reached the age of twenty-three, his father sought out to find a Christian tutor who could provide the best education for his children available at the time. Records show that while spending some time in the market place John's father came across several captives, imprisoned as a result of a raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of Italy. This man, a Sicilian [[monk]] by the name of Cosmas, turned out to be an erudite of great knowledge and wisdom. John's father arranged for the release of this man and appointed him tutor to his son. Under the instruction of Cosmas, John made great advances in fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, he soon equaled Diophantus in algebra and Euclid in geometry.

===Succession to "Chief Councilor"===
In spite of his Christian background, his family held a high hereditary public office with the Moslem rulers of Damascus, led by caliph Abd al-Malik. He succeeded his father in his position upon his death; ''John de Damascene'' was made ''protosymbullus'', or chief councilor of Damascus.

It was around his term in office that burst of insurgence by the [[iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] began to appear in the form of [[heresy]], actions which disturbed the Church of the East. In 726, in disregard of the protests of [[Germanus I of Constantinople|Germanus]], Patriarch of Constantinople, Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] issued his first edict against the veneration of images and their exhibition in public places. A talented writer and in the secure surroundings of the caliph's court, ''John de Damascene'' initiated his literary defense against the monarch in three ''Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images.'' This was the earliest of his works and the one which earned him a reputation. Not only did he attack the monarch, but his use of a simpler witting style brought the controversy to the common people, inciting revolt among those of Christian faith.

Unable to punish the writer openly, Leo the Isaurian managed to get possession of a manuscript written and signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of Damascus. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, the caliph dismissed his plea and discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing, to be severed at the wrist.

According to the 10th-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At this point the caliph is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him to his former office. However, John then retired to the Monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Saint Sabbas]] near Jerusalem, where he continued to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[Church Fathers]].

=== Last Days ===
He died in 749 as a revered Father of the Church and is now universally recognized as a saint.

== List of Works ==
===The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph===
[http://sites.google.com/site/preciouspearlfan The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph]

===Early Work===
* Three ''"Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"'' - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, which banned the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]].

===Teachings and Dogmatic Work===
* ''"Fountain of Knowledge"'', also ''"The Fountain of Wisdom"'', this book is divided in three parts:
*# "Philosophical Chapters" ''(Kephalaia philosophika)'' - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.
*# "Concerning Heresy" ''(peri aipeseon)'' - In this book, in the section ''On Heresies'', he dedicates a portion to the ''Heresy of the Ishmaelites'', being the first apologetic work against [[Islam]] by a Christian.
*# [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.i.i.html "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith"] ''(Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos)'' - This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of ''John de Damascene'', and a treasured antiquity of [[Christianity]].
* ''"Sacred Parallels"''

===Hymns and Minor Writings===
* ''[[Oktoechos]]'' - Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service," for which he may be only responsible improving and revising.
*''Canons'' - 8 or 9 highly complicated structure of hymns, composed of 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.
*''"Tract on Right Thinking"'' - Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.
*''"Dialogue against Manicheans"'' - A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.
*''"Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian"'' - Similar form as previous work.
*''"Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics"'' - As the name says, also aimed at his disciples.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 8)

:Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
:the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
:all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
:Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4)

:Let us sing praises to John, worthy of great honor,
:the composer of hymns, the star and teacher of the Church, the defender of her doctrines:
:through the might of the Lord¹s Cross he overcame heretical error
:and as a fervent intercessor before God
:he entreats that forgiveness of sins may be granted to all.

== References ==
# ''"St. John Damascene on Holy Images, Followed by Three Sermons on the Assumption"'' - Eng. transl. by Mary H. Allies, London, 1899.

==External links==
*[http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc06/htm/iii.lvii.lxii.htm Details of his work]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/mdg03.htm Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/phn76.htm Another Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/johndam-icons.html John of Damascus: In Defense of Icons, c. 730]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html John of Damascus: Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-komesis.html John of Damascus: Three Sermons on the Dormition of the Virgin]

==Icons of St. John==
<gallery>
Image:John of Damascus.jpg
Image:John of Damascus2.jpg
Image:John of Damascus3.jpg
Image:John of Damascus4.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Hymnographers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[ar:يوحنا الدمشقي]]
[[bg:Йоан Дамаскин]]
[[el:Ιωάννης Δαμασκηνός]]
[[es:Juan Damasceno]]
[[fr:Jean Damascène]]
[[mk:Свети Јован Дамаскин]]
[[ro:Ioan Damaschin]]
[[ru:Иоанн Дамаскин]]

Seraphim Rose

2010-12-26T04:31:08Z

Preciouspearlfan:

{{orthodoxyinamerica}}
Hieromonk '''Seraphim (Rose)''', né '''Eugene Dennis Rose''' ([[August 13]], 1934-[[September 2]], 1982) was a [[hieromonk]] of the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]] in the United States, whose writings have helped spread Orthodox Christianity throughout modern America and the West and are also quite popular in Russia. Although not formally [[Glorification|glorified]] (canonized), he is celebrated by some Orthodox Christians as a [[saint]] in [[icon|iconography]], [[liturgy]], and [[prayer]].

==Early life==
Born to Frank and Esther Rose in San Diego in 1934, Eugene was raised in California, where he would remain his entire life. He was baptized in the Methodist faith at fourteen years old, but later became an atheist, losing all belief in God. Rated at genius level in high school in formal IQ testing, in San Francisco he entered a beatnik phase in his life and practiced Buddhism.

In the summer of 1955, between his junior and senior years at college, Eugene met Finnish-born Jon Gregerson, through whom he came into initial contact with the Orthodox faith. Eugene came out as [[homosexuality|homosexual]] to a close friend from college after his mother discovered letters penned between her son and Walter Pomeroy, a friend from high school. Eugene later shed his identity as a gay man as he slowly accepted Orthodoxy, eventually ending his lengthy relationship with Gregerson.[http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/PCMSP01/saint.shtml]

==Orthodoxy==
While studying under Alan Watts at the American Academy of Asian Studies after graduating from Pomona College in 1956, Eugene discovered the writings of René Guenon. Through Guenon's writings, Eugene was inspired to seek out an authentic, grounded spiritual faith tradition. Gregerson, a practicing Russian Orthodox Christian at the time, introduced Eugene to Orthodoxy. Just as Gregerson was choosing to abandon his Orthodoxy, Eugene was inspired to learn more about the faith. This culminated in Eugene's decision to enter the Church, being received into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia through [[chrismation]] in 1962.

Eugene and another Orthodox Christian, [[Herman Podmoshensky|Gleb Podmoshensky]], later formed a community of Orthodox [[booksellers]] and [[Magazines and Publications|publishers]] called the [[St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood|St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood]], with the blessing of St. [[John Maximovitch]], Archbishop of San Francisco in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The community eventually decided to flee urban modernity into the wilderness of northern California to become [[monasticism|monks]] in 1966. At his [[tonsure]] in 1970, Eugene took the name "Seraphim" after St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Following his [[ordination]] as [[hieromonk]], Fr. Seraphim began writing several books, including ''[[Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future]]'', and ''[[The Soul After Death]]''. One of his best known books, ''[[God's Revelation to the Human Heart]]'', was originally given as a lecture to a religious studies class at UC-Santa Cruz in 1981, and published in book form after his repose. He also founded the magazine ''The Orthodox Word'', still published today by the Brotherhood. The collective body of work that Fr. Seraphim published quickly proliferated throughout America upon Fr. Seraphim's death and later in Russia and Eastern Europe upon the fall of atheist Communism in those countries, though typewritten copies of some of his books had been distributed underground for many years prior.

As a layman in San Francisco, the future Fr. Seraphim developed a close relationship with his spiritual father and mentor, St. [[John Maximovitch]] (+1966), then [[Archbishop]] of San Francisco for the [[Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia|Russian Church Abroad]].
[[Image:Father Seraphim Rose.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]

==Teachings==
Although an American [[convert]], Fr. Seraphim is regarded by many as a bastion of sound Orthodox teaching in a time when many American [[jurisdiction]]s, and even factions within the Russian Church Abroad itself, were allegedly introducing new and/or erroneous teachings or practices. In ''Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future'', Fr. Seraphim highlighted what he and others saw as dangerous trends in both the secular and ecclesiastical worlds—namely, modernism and ecumenism (though the book mainly deals with religious movements invading America and outside Orthodoxy).

It was during this time also that [[Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Brookline, Massachusetts)]] began to distort the official positions of the Synod of the Russian Church Abroad[citation needed]. Fr. Seraphim with his fellow monastic, Fr. [[Herman (Podmoshensky)]], used their own tiny printing press to transmit what they regarded as the uncompromised teachings of the Church on a number of issues such as [[evolution]], [[life after death]], and pre-[[Great Schism|Schism]] western [[saint|saints]].

One major issue of contention between Fr. Seraphim and Holy Transfiguration Monastery was the presence of [[grace]] within the allegedly Soviet-compromised hierarchy of the [[Church of Russia|Moscow Patriarchate]]. Fr. Seraphim refuted the extremist views of this monastery and consistently affirmed that Moscow, though ailing, still had grace.

Throughout his life, Fr. Seraphim stressed an "Orthodoxy of the heart," which he felt was absent in much of the ecclesiastical life in America.

One of his more controversial books is ''[[The Soul After Death]]'', which includes the teaching which had been passed on to Fr. Seraphim from Saint John of the so-called [[Aerial Toll-Houses]], regarding the soul's journey after its departure from the body. This teaching has drawn criticism from some within the Orthodox Church, but has been defended by such noted theologians as [[Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos|Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos)]].

[[Image:Father Seraphim Rose 1.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Picture of Father Seraphim Rose at St. Herman's, April 1981, serving the Divine Liturgy.]]

==Death==
After feeling acute pains for several days while working in his cell in 1982, Fr. Seraphim was taken by his fellow monks to a hospital for treatment. When he reluctantly arrived at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California, he was declared in critical condition and fell into semi-consciousness. After exploratory surgery was completed, it was discovered that a blood clot had blocked a vein supplying blood to Fr. Seraphim's intestine, which had become a mass of non-functioning dead tissue. Fr. Seraphim slipped into a coma after a second surgery. Hundreds of people came to visit the hospital and celebrated the [[Divine Liturgy|liturgy]] regularly in the chapel, praying for a miracle to save their beloved father's life. Reaction from throughout the world was great, with thousands of prayers said for the ailing hieromonk. He died on [[September 2]], 1982.

After being dead for several days and while lying in repose in a pauper's coffin at his wilderness monastery, visitors claimed that Fr. Seraphim did not succumb to decay and rigor mortis. His body remained supple while several claimed he smelled of roses. A cause for glorification was begun after Fr. Seraphim's burial. He eventually informally attained the title of ''Blessed'' after several miracles were attributed to him and now he awaits glorification into sainthood by an Orthodox [[synod]].

==Audio Recordings==
===from 1982===
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/preciouspearlfan#grid/user/F5D46F33D82EE909 Living the Orthodox Worldview]

==Books==
===As author===
*''God's Revelation to the Human Heart''. Platina: Saint Herman Press, 1988. (ISBN 0938635034)
*''[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/nihilism.html Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age]''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1994. (ISBN 1887904069) (as Eugene Rose)
:*Second Edition: Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen) (ed.), 2001.
*''Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future''. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1975. (ISBN 188790400X)
*''The Place of Blessed Augustine in the Orthodox Church''. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1983. (ISBN 0938635123)
*''The Soul After Death: Contemporary "After-Death" Experiences in the Light of the Orthodox Teaching on the Afterlife''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1988. (ISBN 093863514X)
*''The Apocalypse: In the Teachings of Ancient Christianity''. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1985. (ISBN 0938635670)
*''Genesis, Creation and Early Man''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2000. (ISBN 1887904026)
* ''Blessed John the Wonderworker: A Preliminary Account of the Life and Miracles of Archbishop John Maximovitch''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1987. (ISBN 0938635018)
* ''Letters from Father Seraphim''. Nikodemos Orthodox Publication Society. (ISBN 1879066084)

===As editor or translator===
* ''Vita Patrum'', by St. Gregory of Tours. (Foreword by Seraphim Rose. This introductory material runs more than 100 pages.) Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1988. (ISBN 0938635239)
* ''The Apocalypse of St. John: An Orthodox Commentary'', by Archbishop Averky Taushev. (Introduction by Seraphim Rose). Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1998. (ISBN 0938635670)
*''The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God'', by St. [[John Maximovitch|John of Shanghai (Maximovitch)]]. Includes an introduction by Fr. Seraphim on the theology of Archbishop (now Saint) John. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1978. (ISBN 0938635689)
* ''Little Russian Philokalia, vol. 1'', by St. Seraphim of Sarov. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 0938635301)
*''Little Russian Philokalia, vol. 2'', by Abbot Nazarius of Valaam. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 093863531X)
* ''Little Russian Philokalia, vol. 4'', by St. Paisius Velichkovsky. : St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1994. (ISBN 0938635336)
* ''The Sin of Adam and Our Redemption: Seven Homilies'', by St. Symeon the New Theologian. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1979. (ASIN B0006DY97Q)
* ''The First-Created Man: Seven Homilies by St. Symeon the New Theologian'', by St. Symeon the New Theologian. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1994. (ISBN 0938635115). ''(Apparently somewhat different than the above, as it is 40 pages longer.)''
* ''The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation'', by St. Theophan the Recluse. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 1887904514)
*''[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/restoration.aspx The Restoration of the Orthodox Way of Life]'', by Archbishop Andrew of New-Diveyevo. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1976. (ASIN B0006Y3F1G)
* ''The Northern Thebaid: Monastic Saints of the Russian North'', compiled and translated by Fr. Seraphim Rose and Abbot Herman Podmoshensky. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1995. (ISBN 0938635379)
* ''Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos, Vol. 2'', by Abbot Cherubim, translated by Nun Thaisia Simonsson. Platina: Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1992 (2nd Rev edition). (ISBN 0938635573)

===Biographies===
*Christensen, Hieromonk Damascene. ''Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works''. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2003. (ISBN 1887904077) (greatly revised edition of ''Not of This World'')
*Christensen, Monk Damascene. ''Not of This World: The Life and Teaching of Fr. Seraphim Rose''. Platina: St. Herman Press, 1993. (ISBN 0938635522)
*[http://www.cathyscott.com/rose.htm Scott, Cathy]. ''Seraphim Rose: The True Story and Private Letters.'' Regina Orthodox Press, 2000. (ISBN 1928653014). ''N.B.: The author is Fr. Seraphim Rose's niece.''

==External links==
*[http://www.fatherseraphimrose.org/ Father Seraphim Rose Foundation]
*[http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/PCMSP01/saint.shtml Biographical article from Pomona College Magazine]
*[http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/OldWorldBasic/FrSeraphim.html Father Seraphim Rose: Biography and Online Bookshop]
*[http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Orthodox_Elders/Various/Fr._Seraphim_Rose/ Photos of Fr. Seraphim Rose]
*[http://deathtotheworld.com/seraphimrose/index.html Death to the World : Father Seraphim Rose of Platina]
*[http://audio.ancientfaith.com/postcards/pfg_2009-06-10.mp3 Fr. Seraphim Rose in Greece (Postcards From Greece Podcast, by Fr. Peter Heers)]

===Criticism & debate===
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/gnostic/ The Toll-House Myth: The Neo-Gnosticism of Fr. Seraphim Rose], by Fr. Michael Azkoul
*[http://www.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 (1980)
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/toll_main.html Regarding the Toll Houses], Various articles by Archbishop Lazar, Fr. Michael Pomazansky, and others.
*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/death/tollhouse_pomaz.aspx On the Question of the "Toll-Houses": Our War is not Against Flesh and Blood], by Fr. Michael Pomazansky
*[http://www.new-ostrog.org/return_tollhouses.html The Return of the Tollhouses], by Fr. Michael Azkoul
*[http://home.it.net.au/%7Ejgrapsas/pages/afterdeath.htm Life after death… Mysteries beyond the grave], by Fr. Thomas Hopko

===Writings===
*[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/charismatic_revival_s_rose_e.htm Charismatic Revival as a Sign of the Times]
*[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/nihilism.html Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age ]
*[http://www.stxenia.org/frsrose/ortham.shtml Orthodoxy in America: Its Historical Past and Present]
*[http://www.deathtotheworld.com Death to the World - A Compendium of Fr. Seraphim Rose's writings on-line.]
*[http://www.desertwisdom.org/dttw Desertwisdom.org - On-line collection of writings by and inspired by Fr. Seraphim Rose.]

[[Category:American Saints]]
[[Category:Modern Writers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Priests]]
[[Category:Converts to Orthodox Christianity|Rose]]

[[fr:Seraphim Rose]]

John of Damascus

2010-12-26T04:02:11Z

Preciouspearlfan:

Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''John of Damascus''' (c. 676 - [[December 5]], 749) was also known as ''John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas,'' "streaming with gold," (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the [[Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)|Monastery of Saint Sabbas]] (''Mar Saba''), South East of Jerusalem. His feast day in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[December 4]]. He is also recognized as a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]].
[[Image:John of Damascus.jpg|right|frame|St. John of Damascus]]

== Biography ==
Practically all the information concerning the life of John of Damascus available to us today has been through the records of [[John V of Jerusalem|John]], [[Patriarch of Jerusalem]]. Though these notes have served as the single source of biographical information, dating back to the 10th century, these writings have been noted by scholars as having an exuberant lack of detail from a historical point of view and a bloated writing style.

===Childhood===
Although he was brought up under the [[Islam|Muslim]] rule of Damascus, this was not to affect his or his family's Christian faith or cause any grievances with the Muslim countrymen who held him in high esteem. To the extent that his father held a high hereditary public office with duties of chief financial officer for the caliph, Abdul Malekunder, apparently as head of the tax department for Syria.

When John reached the age of twenty-three, his father sought out to find a Christian tutor who could provide the best education for his children available at the time. Records show that while spending some time in the market place John's father came across several captives, imprisoned as a result of a raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of Italy. This man, a Sicilian [[monk]] by the name of Cosmas, turned out to be an erudite of great knowledge and wisdom. John's father arranged for the release of this man and appointed him tutor to his son. Under the instruction of Cosmas, John made great advances in fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, he soon equaled Diophantus in algebra and Euclid in geometry.

===Succession to "Chief Councilor"===
In spite of his Christian background, his family held a high hereditary public office with the Moslem rulers of Damascus, led by caliph Abd al-Malik. He succeeded his father in his position upon his death; ''John de Damascene'' was made ''protosymbullus'', or chief councilor of Damascus.

It was around his term in office that burst of insurgence by the [[iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] began to appear in the form of [[heresy]], actions which disturbed the Church of the East. In 726, in disregard of the protests of [[Germanus I of Constantinople|Germanus]], Patriarch of Constantinople, Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] issued his first edict against the veneration of images and their exhibition in public places. A talented writer and in the secure surroundings of the caliph's court, ''John de Damascene'' initiated his literary defense against the monarch in three ''Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images.'' This was the earliest of his works and the one which earned him a reputation. Not only did he attack the monarch, but his use of a simpler witting style brought the controversy to the common people, inciting revolt among those of Christian faith.

Unable to punish the writer openly, Leo the Isaurian managed to get possession of a manuscript written and signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of Damascus. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, the caliph dismissed his plea and discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing, to be severed at the wrist.

According to the 10th-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At this point the caliph is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him to his former office. However, John then retired to the Monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Saint Sabbas]] near Jerusalem, where he continued to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[Church Fathers]].

=== Last Days ===
He died in 749 as a revered Father of the Church and is now universally recognized as a saint.

== List of Works ==
===The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph===
[http://sites.google.com/site/preciouspearlfan The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph]

===Early Work===
* Three ''"Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"'' - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, which banned the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]].

===Teachings and Dogmatic Work===
* ''"Fountain of Knowledge"'', also ''"The Fountain of Wisdom"'', this book is divided in three parts:
*# "Philosophical Chapters" ''(Kephalaia philosophika)'' - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.
*# "Concerning Heresy" ''(peri aipeseon)'' - In this book, in the section ''On Heresies'', he dedicates a portion to the ''Heresy of the Ishmaelites'', being the first apologetic work against [[Islam]] by a Christian.
*# "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" ''(Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos)'' [http://www.trinitylight.net/theology/orthodox_faith.htm] - This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of ''John de Damascene'', and a treasured antiquity of [[Christianity]].

* ''"Sacred Parallels"''

===Hymns and Minor Writings===
* ''[[Oktoechos]]'' - Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service," for which he may be only responsible improving and revising.
*''Canons'' - 8 or 9 highly complicated structure of hymns, composed of 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.
*''"Tract on Right Thinking"'' - Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.
*''"Dialogue against Manicheans"'' - A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.
*''"Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian"'' - Similar form as previous work.
*''"Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics"'' - As the name says, also aimed at his disciples.

==Hymns==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 8)

:Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,
:the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs:
:all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.
:Intercede before Christ God to save our souls.

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 4)

:Let us sing praises to John, worthy of great honor,
:the composer of hymns, the star and teacher of the Church, the defender of her doctrines:
:through the might of the Lord¹s Cross he overcame heretical error
:and as a fervent intercessor before God
:he entreats that forgiveness of sins may be granted to all.

== References ==
# ''"St. John Damascene on Holy Images, Followed by Three Sermons on the Assumption"'' - Eng. transl. by Mary H. Allies, London, 1899.

==External links==
*[http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc06/htm/iii.lvii.lxii.htm Details of his work]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/mdg03.htm Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/j/phn76.htm Another Icon of St. John of Damascus]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/johndam-icons.html John of Damascus: In Defense of Icons, c. 730]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html John of Damascus: Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images]
*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-komesis.html John of Damascus: Three Sermons on the Dormition of the Virgin]

==Icons of St. John==
<gallery>
Image:John of Damascus.jpg
Image:John of Damascus2.jpg
Image:John of Damascus3.jpg
Image:John of Damascus4.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Church Fathers]]
[[Category:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Hymnographers]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[ar:يوحنا الدمشقي]]
[[bg:Йоан Дамаскин]]
[[el:Ιωάννης Δαμασκηνός]]
[[es:Juan Damasceno]]
[[fr:Jean Damascène]]
[[mk:Свети Јован Дамаскин]]
[[ro:Ioan Damaschin]]
[[ru:Иоанн Дамаскин]]

User:Preciouspearlfan

2010-12-26T04:01:49Z

Preciouspearlfan:

A few weeks ago, I finished reading [http://sites.google.com/site/preciouspearlfan The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph] for the fifth time; I first read it in 2005, and it's still my all-time favourite Orthodox Christian book.

User:Preciouspearlfan

2010-12-26T03:26:17Z

Preciouspearlfan:

A few weeks ago, I finished reading "The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph" [http://sites.google.com/site/preciouspearlfan/] for the fifth time; I first read it in 2005, and it's still my all-time favourite Orthodox Christian book.

User:Preciouspearlfan

2010-12-26T03:24:20Z

Preciouspearlfan: New page: A few weeks ago, I finished reading "The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph" for the fifth time; I first read it in 2005, and it's still my all-time favourite Orthodox...

A few weeks ago, I finished reading "The Precious Pearl: The Lives of Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph" for the fifth time; I first read it in 2005, and it's still my all-time favourite Orthodox Christian book.