Also, we are avid readers of the Scriptures and found the Scriptures to provide daily guidance. We knew of course, that the Orthodox Church stated that the Scriptures were interpreted by the Church. That didn’t bother us for a great while.

However, in working within a small mission within 30 miles of our home ( with a different branch of Orthodoxy ) –it became apparent that people just didn’t know the Scriptures. But they did know a great deal about the traditions of their particular group. We’ve worked within the mission for a little over three years. It has become apparent to my wife and I that we can no longer let the Church interpret Scripture for us. We can no longer embrace a Theosis view of salvation. All the many things that are added to the Gospel just don’t work within our conscience, so we have decided to return to having Scripture as our sole guide, not the Holy Traditions of the Church.

We have no bitterness. We’ve made many wonderful friends. We have no desire to trash the Orthodox faith or to try to win converts out of our parish to the Protestant faith. We simply desire to leave in peace.

Paul encouraged the Christians at Colosse to see Christ alone as the means of expressing the Christian life, based on what he shared with them which later became the Bible we have today as our guide as opposed to the teaching of Holy Tradition and thus saith the Church Fathers:

“1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Col. 2, King James Version)

Thank you for following my blog for these last 31 months. In a few days, I will close this blog down.

God Bless,

Art

This channel is for people looking for basic information regarding the Orthodox Christian Faith in plain, easy-to-understand presentations. Instead of dogmatic lectures, the presentations here are designed to illuminate the Faith through the real-world experiences we have each day. The videos are here to answer the ‘why’ of the various aspects of the Faith.

Religion and Spirituality from an Eastern Orthodox Perspective

Amma Syncletica of Alexandria, a Christian saint and Desert Mother of the 4th century, was of a wealthy background and is reputed to have been very beautiful. From childhood, however, Syncletica was drawn to God and the desire to dedicate her life to him.

From the time she gained responsibility for her family’s affairs, after the death of her parents, she gave all that had been left her to the poor. With her younger sister Syncletica abandoned the life of the city and chose to reside in a crypt adopting the life of a hermit. Her holy life soon gained the attention of locals and gradually many women came to live as her disciples in Christ.

St. Syncletica is regarded as a “Desert Mother” and her sayings are recorded with those of the Desert Fathers. She is believed to have died in her eightieth year, around 350 AD.

Amma Syncletica is commemorated 5 January in the Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, and the Roman Catholic Church.

source

“Reading, vigils and prayer– these are the things that lend stability to the wandering mind.” – Evagrius Ponticus

Saint Philip II of Moscow (11 February 1507 – 12 December 1569) was a Russian Orthodox monk, who became Metropolitan of Moscow during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. He was one of a few Metropolitans who dared openly to contradict royal authority, and it is widely believed that the Tsar had him murdered on that account. He is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

source

Rejoice when you perform the virtues, but do not become exalted, lest, arriving at the pier, you suffer a shipwreck. – Venerable St. Nilus of Sinai

Meet Clint and Debbie Hale - Clint Grew up in the Church of Christ and went on to become a Sniper in the US Army.  Clint’s Father was a Church of Christ minister and he grew up with a strong spirtual background. Clint after the army went on to missionary preaching  school and then became a minister in a small church in the San Antionio Texas.  After his time as a minster they became ministers to Estonia.

Some Highlights of the show are when Debbie talks about how she thought her husband was out of his mind for looking into the Orthodox Church and how reading Fr. Stephen Freemans Blog Glory to God for all Things opened her up to the faith.

In all your works, either at home or at the place of your service, do not forget that all your strength, your light and your success are in Christ and His Cross; therefore, do not fail to call upon the Lord before beginning any work, saying: Jesus, help me! Jesus, enlighten me! Thus your heart will be supported and warmed by lively faith and hope in Christ, for His is the power and glory unto ages of ages. – St. John of Kronstadt (My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 74)