Comments on: He Who is became what He is not, so we are not can become like Him

By: Fr Ignatius Crockett

Fr Ignatius Crockett — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 03:58:00 +0000

beautiful quote, fr seraphim. i confess i will be stealing it for a future sermon.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:06:41 +0000

Thank you for this post, Father Seraphim! It is so very hard to hold onto the deeply spiritual meaning and reason for our blessed Nativity when we are all surrounded by the frenzied secular world. Especially at Christmas time (more's the pity) mindless activity, purchasing, and greed abound. I want to sweep it all away. This Old Calendar of ours is a beautiful thing. For the first time, I am able to separate the worldly clamor from the Holy Day. Thank you for this beautiful reflection on our hymn. I look forward to more thoughts on it, when you have more time.

By: FrDarryl Jordan

FrDarryl Jordan — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:15:34 +0000

I just did some research and there is a ROCOR presence here. There is even an Akathist Hymn to Our Lady of Walsingham: http://dioceseofsourozh.squarespace.com/akathist-hymn/?SSScrollPosition=0 I am a Priest Associate (Anglican) of OLW. Best western vestments in the UK! There's also an RO shrine in which I've venerated your namesake: http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/littlewalsinghamorthodox/littlewalsinghamorthodox.htm 72157594327503855/

By: FrDarryl Jordan

FrDarryl Jordan — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:51:43 +0000

Father,
Thank you for your kind invitation. You're quite right about England. Neither the CofE (esp. General Synod) nor RC (i.e., 'Magic Circle') seem able to repel the forces of secularisation. One wouldn't expect great results on the world without, but most discouragingly we're succumbing from within.
There are a few noble exceptions, mostly former acting bishops like Tom Wright and Michael Nazir-Ali, and my own exceptional Diocesan double-barrelled Michael, the Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Winchester, Michael Scott-Joynt. He does not equivocate.
Who knows. One day my family might seriously consider crossing the Bosphorus.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:36:11 +0000

Father, Bless, "Because He Who Is became what He was not, I who am not can become like He who Is....." reminds me of "God became man so that man could become a god." (St. Athanasius, De Incarnatione) I need phrases like this--Truth boiled down to its essence---to hang onto and repeat over and over again (Like the 'Jesus Prayer' and my own little 'mantra', "Life is hard. God is good."). It will take a long time for the meaning of this to sink in and an even longer time for it to be realized--but, God willing, like a tiny seed, it will take root, grow and bear fruit. Thank You.

By: seraphimholland

seraphimholland — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:18:53 +0000

It is good to have our connection! If you get back to ol Texas, look us up. We have been in the new temple since June. It is also good to know that someone in England is reading our posts. That poor benighted country needs the light of Christianity again. May God help you in shining it.

By: FrDarryl Jordan

FrDarryl Jordan — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:05:53 +0000

ROCOR... I just realised that I worshipped with you when you were at All Saints! I live in England, now working for the CofE. But by far the most moving celebrations of the Divine Liturgy I've experienced on earth were in Russia, specifically here: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/russia/st-petersburg-alexander-nevsky-monastery.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nevsky_Lavra

By: FrDarryl Jordan

FrDarryl Jordan — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:30:03 +0000

It's a blessing to know that Orthodoxy has arrived and is alive in north Collin County, especially since my family were amongst the original Anglo settlers there in the old Peters Colony. As a boy, I spent my summers in Melissa, back when it was still 'in the country', with the smell of the feedlot as proof.