The Power of Healthy Doubt

Transcript

1 Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY Phone: (516) Web Site: Clergy: Fr John Lardas, Fr Joshua Pappas, Fr Dennis Strouzas April 23, 2017 Thomas Sunday & St George the Great Martyr The Power of Healthy Doubt Orthodoxy s emphasis on encountering God directly can sometimes be mistaken as a defeat of intelligence. Christianity s greatest saints - those we call Church Fathers - gave primacy to experience yet were highly educated, open to new advances in knowledge (e.g. science, psychology, philosophy), engaged in intense intellectual debates, and always made sense of faith within specific circumstances. The Church has always warned against blind faith - faith detached from reason. Faith has nothing to do with jumping into darkness. In a debate with an atheist, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom once said that God is happier about truth of unbelief than falsified belief because integrity and truth matter above all else. Since faith must make sense, doubt can (and should) be part of the equation. Healthy doubt often comes not from questioning life s spiritual depth but from questioning our intellectual understanding of spirituality; Lord, I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). On the other hand, unhealthy doubt is destructive, negative, close-minded, and leads to the hell of self-isolation in a world where God isn t in the picture. Eager openness - the willingness to doubt, struggle, learn, move forward, and discern divine light in even the most unexpected places - is precisely the disposition God desires us to have throughout our lives. It is essentially a disposition of humility. Humility encourages us to continually throw ourselves at the Lord s feet and say: I don t know how to find peace, how to stop living for myself, how to love, how to respond to difficulties, how to spend time; in Your great mercy, show me the way. The beautiful hymns of the Orthodox Church are replete with such sentiments. Without this kind of eager openness, stagnation and comfort creep in, bringing with them spiritual death. Authentic growth always stretches us, usually with pain. If we aren t growing, then we aren t really doing anything. We find healthy doubt right in the gospels. Thomas hears about the Resurrection but doubts this impossibility (John 20:24-29). He observes the disciples, who tell him about the Risen Christ; they look the same physically but radiate a different, otherworldly joy. The intellectual dilemma is there, but Thomas nonetheless goes to see Christ, to evaluate Christ for himself. He uses his eyes and hands to personally examine Christ s wounds, and he comes to believe from firsthand experience rather than relying on the witness of others. St Thomas is often criticized in the life of the Church, but many saints actually praise his doubt. Authentic and healthy doubt, as we see with Thomas, is surging, not stifling; it encourages experiential discovery, not dismissal; it is humble and open-minded. Likewise, we should continually examine Christ - our personal Lord - for ourselves, and Orthodoxy offers many opportunities for this examination: the Liturgy, Scripture, mystical prayer in the heart, our challenges, and the face of every person, for we are all made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:27).

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡµέρᾳ, Κυριακῇ δευτέρᾳ ἀπὸ τοῦ Πάσχα, τὰ ἐγκαίνια ἑορτάζοµεν τῆς Χριστοῦ Ἀναστάσεως, καὶ τὴν τοῦ ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Θωµᾶ ψηλάφησιν. Tοῦ Ἁγίου καὶ ἐνδόξου Μεγαλοµάρτυρος Γεωργίου τοῦ Τροπαιοφόρου. Saints and Feasts On this day, the second Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the dedication of Christ's Resurrection, and St. Thomas' handling of the Lord's body; the holy and glorious Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer. Ἀπολυτίκιον Τῆς Ἑορτῆς Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς µνήµασι, ζωὴν χαρισάµενος. Εἰσοδικόν Ἐν ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Θεόν, Κύριον ἐκ πηγῶν Ἰσραήλ. Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ψάλλοντάς σοι, Ἀλληλούϊα. Ἀπολυτίκιον Τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἐσφραγισµένου τοῦ µνήµατος, ἡ Ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισµένων, τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης, ἡ πάντων ἀνάστασις Πνεῦµα εὐθὲς δι' αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων ἡµῖν, κατὰ τὸ µέγα σου ἔλεος. Ἀπολυτίκιον Τοῦ Ἁγίου Ὡς τῶν αἰχµαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής, καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρµαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλο- µάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Κοντάκιον Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες Ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾅδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναµιν καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάµενος, Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούµενος, ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. Hymn of the Feast (Pl. 1 st Mode) Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Entrance Hymn (2 nd Mode) Bless God in the churches, the Lord from the fountains of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead, we sing to You, Alleluia. Hymn of the Feast (Grave Mode) O Life, You rose from the sepulcher, even though the tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God. And though the doors had been bolted, You came to Your disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit in us, according to Your great mercy. Hymn of the Saint As the one renowned for setting captives free and for defending those in poverty, the physician of the sick and the champion of emperors, great and victorious Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. Kontakion of the Feast (Pl. 4 th Mode) Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and You called out "Rejoice" to the Myrrh-bearing women, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.

3 Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων 12:1-11 Κατ' ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν ἐπέβαλεν Ηρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς χεῖρας κακῶσαί τινας τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Ἀνεῖλε δὲ 'Ιάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν 'Ιωάννου µαχαίρᾳ. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὅτι ἀρεστόν ἐστι τοῖς 'Ιουδαίοις, προσέθετο συλλαβεῖν καὶ Πέτρον ἦσαν δὲ αἱ ἡµέραι τῶν ἀζύµων ὃν καὶ πιάσας ἔθετο εἰς φυλακήν, παραδοὺς τέσσαρσι τετραδίοις στρατιωτῶν φυλάσσειν αὐτόν, βουλόµενος µετὰ τὸ Πάσχα ἀναγαγεῖν αὐτὸν τῷ λαῷ. Ὁ µὲν οὖν Πέτρος ἐτηρεῖτο ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ προσευχὴ δὲ ἦν ἐκτενὴς γινοµένη ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ. Οτε δὲ ἔµελλεν αὐτὸν προάγειν ὁ Ηρῴδης, τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ ἦν ὁ Πέτρος κοιµώµενος µεταξὺ δύο στρατιωτῶν δεδεµένος ἁλύσεσι δυσί, φύλακές τε πρὸ τῆς θύρας ἐτήρουν τὴν φυλακήν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπέστη καὶ φῶς ἔλαµψεν ἐν τῷ οἰκήµατι πατάξας δὲ τὴν πλευρὰν τοῦ Πέτρου ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν λέγων ἀνάστα ἐν τάχει. καὶ ἐξέπεσον αὐτοῦ αἱ ἁλύσεις ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν εἶπέ τε ὁ Ἄγγελος πρὸς αὐτόν περίζωσαι καὶ ὑπόδησαι τὰ σανδάλιά σου. Ἐποίησε δὲ οὕτω καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ περιβαλοῦ τὸ ἱµάτιόν σου καὶ ἀκολούθει µοι. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι ἀληθές ἐστι τὸ γινόµενον διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου, ἐδόκει δὲ ὅραµα βλέπειν. Διελθόντες δὲ πρώτην φυλακὴν καὶ δευτέραν ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν πύλην τὴν σιδηρᾶν τὴν φέρουσαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, ἥτις αὐτοµάτη ἠνοίχθη αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐξελθόντες προῆλθον ῥύµην µίαν καὶ εὐθέως ἀπέστη ὁ Ἄγγελος ἀπ' αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὁ Πέτρος γενόµενος ἐν ἑαυτῷ εἶπε νῦν οἶδα ἀληθῶς ὅτι ἐξαπέστειλε Κύριος τὸν Ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξείλετό µε ἐκ χειρὸς Ηρῴδου καὶ πάσης τῆς προσδοκίας τοῦ λαοῦ τῶν 'Ιουδαίων. John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Kατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31 Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡµέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ µιᾷ σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισµένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ µαθηταὶ συνηγµένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ µέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Εἰρήνη ὑµῖν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ µαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν Εἰρήνη ὑµῖν. καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ µε ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέµπω ὑµᾶς. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Λάβετε Πνεῦµα ἅγιον ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁµαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωµᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα ὁ λεγόµενος Δίδυµος, οὐκ ἦν µετ' αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι µαθηταί Ἑωράκαµεν τὸν Κύριον. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἐὰν µὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν µου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά µου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ µὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ µεθ' ἡµέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ µαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωµᾶς µετ' αὐτῶν. ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισµένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ µέσον καὶ εἶπεν Εἰρήνη ὑµῖν. εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωµᾷ Φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς µου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν µου, καὶ µὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωµᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ὁ Κύριός µου καὶ ὁ Θεός µου. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ὅτι ἑώρακάς µε, πεπίστευκας µακάριοι οἱ µὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ µὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σηµεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν µαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραµµένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόµατι αὐτοῦ.

4 Άγιος Γεώργιος ο Μεγαλομάρτυρας και Τροπαιοφόρος Βιογραφία Ο λαοφιλής Άγιος Γεώργιος ο μεγαλομάρτυρας και Τροπαιοφόρος γεννήθηκε περίπου το 275 μ.χ. στην Καππαδοκία, από γονείς χριστιανούς. Ο πατέρας του, μάλιστα, πέθανε μαρτυρικά για το Χριστό όταν ο Γεώργιος ήταν δέκα χρονών. Η μητέρα του τότε τον πήρε μαζί της στην πατρίδα της την Παλαιστίνη, όπου είχε και τα κτήματα της. Όταν έγινε 18 χρονών, στρατεύθηκε στο ρωμαϊκό στρατό. Αν και νέος στην ηλικία, διεκπεραίωνε τις στρατιωτικές του υποχρεώσεις τέλεια. Όλοι τον θαύμαζαν για το παράστημα του. Γι' αυτό, γρήγορα τον προήγαγαν σε ανώτερα αξιώματα και του έδωσαν τον τίτλο του κόμη και ο Διοκλητιανός τον εκτιμούσε πολύ. Ομολογητής Από την εποχή του αυτοκράτορα Δεκίου μέχρι την εποχή που ανέβηκε στον θρόνο ο Διοκλητιανός, το 283 μ.χ., η Χριστιανική Εκκλησία μεγάλωσε πάρα πολύ, γιατί επικρατούσε ειρήνη. Οι Χριστιανοί πήραν πολλές δημόσιες θέσεις, έκτισαν πολλούς και μεγάλους ναούς, διάφορα σχολεία και οργάνωσαν την διοίκηση και τη διαχείριση των εκκλησιών και της φιλανθρωπίας. Ο Διοκλητιανός αρχικά εργάστηκε για την οργάνωση του κράτους του. Προσέλαβε στρατηγούς για βοηθούς του που τους ονόμασε αυτοκράτορες και Καίσσαρες κι αφού πέτυχε να υποτάξει τους εχθρούς του κράτους και να σταθεροποιήσει τα σύνορα του, στράφηκε στα εσωτερικά ζητήματα. Δυστυχώς, στράφηκε εναντίον της Χριστιανικής Θρησκείας για να ανορθώσει την ειδωλολατρία. Γι' αυτό το λόγο λοιπόν, κάλεσε τους βοηθούς του Καίσσαρες το 303 μ.χ. και τους στρατηγούς στην πρωτεύουσα του ανατολικού Ρωμαϊκού κράτους σε τρεις γενικές συγκεντρώσεις. Ανάμεσα τους βρισκότανε και ο 28χρονος Γεώργιος, που διακρίθηκε πολλές φορές στους πολέμους. Συγκεντρώθηκαν λοιπόν όλοι, για να πάρουν αποφάσεις για την εξόντωση και τον αφανισμό της Χριστιανικής πίστης. Πρώτος μίλησε ο Διοκλητιανός και επέβαλε σε όλους ν' αναλάβουν τον εξοντωτικό αγώνα εναντίον του Χριστιανισμού. Όλοι υποσχέθηκαν ότι θα καταβάλουν κάθε προσπάθεια, για να εξαλείψουν την Χριστιανική Θρησκεία από το Ρωμαϊκό κράτος. Τότε ο γενναίος Γεώργιος σηκώθηκε και είπε: «Γιατί, βασιλιά και άρχοντες, θέλετε να χυθεί αίμα δίκαιο και άγιο και να εξαναγκάσετε τους Χριστιανούς να προσκυνούν και να λατρεύουν τα είδωλα»; Και διακήρυξε την αλήθεια της Χριστιανικής Θρησκείας και την Θεότητα του Χριστού. Μόλις τέλειωσε, όλοι συγχυστήκανε μ' αυτή την ομολογία του και προσπάθησαν να τον πείσουν να μετανοήσει για όσα είπε, καταπραΰνοντας έτσι και τον Διοκλητιανό. Αλλά ο Γεώργιος ήταν σταθερός και με θάρρος διακήρυσσε την Χριστιανική του πίστη. *Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

5 Worship Services Tuesday, April 25, 2017 ~ The Feast of St. Mark Orthros ~ 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy ~ 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2017 ~ Small Blessings of the Waters (Chapel) 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2017 ~ The Feast of St. Irene the Great Martyr Orthros ~ 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy ~ 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2017 ~ The Feast of St. John the Theologian (Chapel) Orthros ~ 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy ~ 9:30 a.m. Upcoming Events Did you know that 25% of our blood supply in the Metro NY region comes from other US blood centers? We import blood because the region does not donate enough blood to keep our hospitals going. This is one of the many reasons we need you! Please help. Please donate.. The Archangel Michael Annual Blood Drive will take place at AMC on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 from 2:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Maryann or Marina Vlahos at Sunday, May 7, 2017 ~ Youth Choir Fundraiser after the Divine Liturgy Friday, May 19, 2017 ~ Preschool Dinner Dance ~ Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club Sunday, May 21, 2017 ~ General Assembly after the Divine Liturgy Tuesday, May 30, 2017 ~ Greek School Moving Up Ceremony Pre K-2 grade Thursday, June 1, 2017 ~ Greek School Graduation Grades 3-7 Saturday, June 3, 2017 ~ GAIA Theater Group presents H Βασιλοποὑλα πἁει στὁν πὁλεμο Sunday, June 4, 2017 ~ Sunday School Graduation

6 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT DYED RED EGGS FOR EASTER AND HELING FOR THE PREPARATION OF ANASTASI. Are you interested in being part of one of the largest women s philanthropic board s in the United States. Our board elections will be on Sunday, May 21, If you are interested, please contact us at philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org and we can provide you with all the information. We look forward to welcoming new board members to our chapter! GREEK ZUMBA FITNESS TUESDAYS AT AMC Schedule for MAY and JUNE as follows: **there will be no classes in April. 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in the Gym 4:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. in the Piano Room 6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. in the Piano Room $15 per session - please join us! The Clothing drive to benefit Dress for Success and Career Gear (professional attire for men and women) has begun and will run thru the end of May. Donations can be dropped off at the Church office, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sundays during coffee hour. Please place your items in the appropriately labeled bins. Donations should be clean and ready-to-wear. ALL SIZES ARE NEEDED AND WELCOMED! Coffee Hour each week is provided for the benefit of all our fellowship by the Parish Council and organized and served by our Philoptochos. Families are welcomed and encouraged to host on any given Sunday. Please contact us to schedule your Sunday and we will be happy to guide you in the process. We also invite other organizations within our community to host as well! We need you! All are welcome and invited to join Philoptochos! We need everyone's help to carry out our mission to help those in need. Please consider getting more involved, and pick up a membership form outside the Fellowship Hall or access it on the church s website as well as through a link on the weekly blasts

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