http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/27/conversion-of-cornelius-the-centurion-how-to-preach-to-those-outside-the-church-staretz-silouan-the-athonite/ McKinney TX Homilies, scripture commentary, spiritual reflections Fri, 24 May 2013 18:49:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2010/04/27/conversion-of-cornelius-the-centurion-how-to-preach-to-those-outside-the-church-staretz-silouan-the-athonite/comment-page-1/#comment-3484 Deborah Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:35:22 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2180#comment-3484 <em>Father, Bless, </em> I once heard someone say that he did not say that he was Orthodox, but that he was striving <em>to become</em> Orthodox.  Pondering this, I have come to see that all seekers of Truth, who, seeking with their whole hearts <span style="font-size: 8px;">(Deut. 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13, Matt. 7:7, Luke 11:10)</span>, are promised to find it, are <em>becoming Orthodox. </em> St. Silouan's approach reminds me of St. Paul's approach to the pagan Athenians on Mars Hill.  He began speaking to them about their altar to the Unknown God, revealing Him to be the true Creator God. He quoted their poetry to them: <em>"...for in Him we live and move and have our being, <strong>as also some of your own poets have said</strong>, ‘For we are also His offspring.’"</em> <span style="font-size: 8px;">Acts 17:28</span> In other words, he began from a point of common understanding and truth and proceeded to reveal and explain rather than correct and condemn. Father, Bless,

I once heard someone say that he did not say that he was Orthodox, but that he was striving to become Orthodox.  Pondering this, I have come to see that all seekers of Truth, who, seeking with their whole hearts (Deut. 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13, Matt. 7:7, Luke 11:10), are promised to find it, are becoming Orthodox.
St. Silouan's approach reminds me of St. Paul's approach to the pagan Athenians on Mars Hill.  He began speaking to them about their altar to the Unknown God, revealing Him to be the true Creator God. He quoted their poetry to them: "…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’" Acts 17:28 In other words, he began from a point of common understanding and truth and proceeded to reveal and explain rather than correct and condemn.

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