THE ORTHODOX CHURCH: ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH FOUNDED BY CHRIST GOD

First in a Three Part Series by Archbishop Stephen to be published.

There is no doubt that Jesus Christ was born unto humanity once and through his incarnation became both God and Man. Christ God assumed the nature of man fully so that the will of his Father could be accomplished among humanity. There was but one incarnation and virginal birth of our Lord. Since there was only one Jesus Christ, the Church he founded during his time on earth was also one as confirmed in the Creed. Many Christian faiths recite the Creed but in reality are not part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that is mentioned within it. If a certain chain restaurant changes its recipe for a hamburger it is no longer maintaining the tradition of the parent body. It becomes separate from the others and now offers something new. It may be enjoyed more by some, but it no longer is the "real thing" that all the others of the same chain are offering. Therefore, it must either return to the original recipe or change its name. If it opts to continue offering the new recipe it most likely will break away and create a whole new chain as has happened many times in history. This does not necessarily make them bad but certainly no longer part of the original establishment.

We have all heard so many times the saying that the truth hurts but fail to realize that it can also be confusing. No one likes being told that perhaps something they confess to be right might be wrong. If you are taught to act and believe a certain way it is hard to give up the beliefs without proof that your ways are not right. Some will ignore the facts just so they can continue as is thinking that everything will be accepted and justified in the end. This is not so. In the end God will apply his laws to everyone. There will not be one book of laws for one group and another for a different group. God will compassionately judge those who have never known the truth and who have followed only that which they have known that is within their hearts. Their good and bad deeds will be based on what they sincerely believed were their correct tenets of faith. To a pagan or non-Christian who is contemplating Christianity they become so confused with the over 5,000 varieties to select from. Many ask the question, which one is the real one? This knowledge comes from investigating the facts and history behind those being considered. One must weigh and compare tenets against what has been recorded by the evangelists since the time of Christ. Today, it simply makes no sense to say – I belong to this church because my family does. It is even more hurtful to God to say that, I attend this church because the services are not as long as that other church or because I like the rock n roll music played there. There is no easy way to heaven! God will not judge families but each of us individually for what we have done in this life. Many are searching for the "real thing" because they want to belong to what has always been. It is not a good feeling to have security taken from you, and some groups are constantly changing beliefs, liturgy, philosophies and even moral statements. This breaks down the spiritual security that most want to have in their life. With the world constantly changing it is good to have one thing to hold on to.

Christ God walked this earth for thirty-three years before he suffered his horrible death for the sins of mankind. During his ministry he shared his teachings with his apostles and those willing to listen to him. He did not come to change the law but to perfect it, and in the course of doing this establish his Church. His teachings are the foundation of the Christian Church – the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (of Orthodox Faith). When the Fathers of the Church met in Nicea to author the Creed, they represented this faith, which at the time was universal save for some pockets of heretics that refused to accept what was truth. The Church was Catholic (Greek: Katholicos – Universal) and did not mean of Rome - although Rome, at that time, was in union with the original patriarchates of the Christian Church, i.e., Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople and Rome. It wasn't until A.D. 1054 that Rome separated itself from the other four and then stood alone. All Orthodox Christians are Catholic, and they acknowledge the unchanged faith that dates back to the Holy Apostles as taught by Christ God. The Word of God is the foundation of the true Christian Church, although there is one group that teaches a new biblical message that is not based upon fact, and the group is often referred to as a cult. The pillars of the original Church are the Holy Apostles, Sacred Tradition, Oral Tradition and the Patristic Fathers. It has Christ God as its head to whom all shall bow down and be faithful to. When an Orthodox Christian is asked, Who founded your Church? The answer is very factual – Christ God. There was no other man who established this Church. This cannot be proclaimed by others, e.g., Martin Luther gave birth to what we know today as the Lutheran Church. The beliefs are a mixture of what was originally intended by God and those desired by Martin Luther and his followers. His disappointment over the changing doctrines of Rome was justified, but instead of forming a new faith system he should have journeyed to Orthodoxy but did not. 

 Since the reformation began in the 1500's, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (of Orthodox Faith) has grown to well over 5,000 various Christian denominations and sects. This all began more specifically with the separation of a priest, Martin Luther, (1483-1546), from the Roman Church in 1517. He eventually married Katherine von Bora (Luther) ex-Roman Catholic nun. Luther had a very solid and justified complaint against Rome at that time concerning the sale of indulgences. Not only was this idea biblically unfounded, it was designed primarily to raise money for the Vatican. In Orthodoxy, we have always believed that prayer for the dead is good, but we cannot pray a soul into heaven no matter how much we pay the Church. God alone will judge and decide. Luther saved within his new Church many old beliefs and traditions, e.g., Real Presence, Sign of the Cross, Prayer to the Virgin Mary, that later vanished under new leadership. Since Luther was not a bishop and only a priest with no right to ordain, all his "priests" ordained by him and his followers were merely ministers who lacked Apostolic Succession. Since Martin Luther, many others have erected new churches with new doctrines that they thought would be more palatable to others. Henry VIII, (1507-1547), King of England, found that having one wife for life was not right. When he sought approval from the Roman Church to divorce his wife and found that he did not reach sympathetic ears, he proclaimed himself the head of the Church in England and wrote his own laws. This became what is known today as the Anglican Church, Church of England, or Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. In fact, there was a great difference of opinion within this new body that eventually led to the formation of the Low, Broad and High Church of England, each with its own views and liturgical customs. The Low Church being Protestant in its thinking and actions. The Broad Church being in between the Protestant and Catholic framework. The High Church maintaining Catholic appearance for the most part.

There is no doubt that there are good and bad people in all faiths. God alone will judge humanity for what each person has done in life. However, there is no doubt that not all Christian Churches are equal in faith. It just cannot be, because for each separation that has occurred, e.g. Romans from Orthodox, Lutherans from Rome, Anglicans from Rome, Methodists from Anglicans et cetera, a whole new system of faith had to be established to make things different and attractive to others. Every time this has occurred the original faith became more diluted and less whole. There was one Christian Church founded by Christ with one set of laws and teachings found in one Holy Bible and Patristic Writings. Because Christ God gave the faith to us, it must be maintained in its original form because he and he alone, is the sole author and the only person who can change it. It doesn't matter whether you drive a Chevrolet or Rolls Royce, but what does matter is that which you believe in as far as religion goes because it is what connects you to Christ God.

To Be Continued.

FETAL BAPTISM
By Reverend Dr Stanley S Harakas of Hellenic College

The following article was published on June 6th, 1992, in the Religious Questions Box of the Hellenic Chronicle. The question was posed to Fr Harakas by an Orthodox Christian and dealt with the baptism of a fetus before an abortion. This is his response:

 I know of no prohibition to this idea in the tradition. But there is no suggestion anywhere that would encourage the practice, either. While the Church's view prohibiting abortion is clearly found in the earliest of patristic writings and Church canons, there is no analogous tradition for in utero baptism. While this is understandable as long as the norm was adult baptism, we have no evidence that the Church practiced this when infant baptism became the normal practice.

 Theological and liturgical reasons may have determined this stance. Theologically, baptism in the Orthodox tradition is for a single individual. It is normally conducted by immersion in blessed water. However, in emergencies, when the life of the infant is in danger, baptism in the air, or with a few drops of water is possible. While the proposed idea is interesting, there might be some difficulties with it.

 First, there is the general principle that sacramental actions on the mother are not transferred to the fetus. In 315 (AD) a Council in Neoceasaria of Cappadocia in Asia Minor ruled in its 6th Canon that an unborn child is not baptized when its mother is baptized. By analogy, the unborn child does not receive the sacrament of Holy Communion when the mother communes the Holy Mysteries. So, in this case, if the water was sprinkled, poured or the mother was immersed in it, it would amount to a second baptism (which is prohibited) of the mother, and not a baptism of the child.

 This raises, secondly, the issue of the possible method of baptism of a fetus. The only method that come to mind would be something like amniocentesis, a medical procedure that draws fluid from the uterus, or inter-uterine surgery. Since priests are totally incompetent to do such things, physicians (the same ones who are to perform the abortion?!) would have to perform the baptism – then kill the child!

 Next, I question the need. God, who knows all things and who is fully aware of the injustice and immorality of aborting the unborn child, knowing that the unborn child is an innocent victim, must certainly act in a divinely wise way.

 Finally, I try to empathize with the situation of a mother who has decided to baptize her unborn child before killing it. There is something bizarre about the situation. If she recognizes that the child in her womb is a person who can be baptized and made a member of the Kingdom, how could she bring herself to destroy it? The only answer possible to me is that baptism would be an excusing element in the process of abortion. "At least I baptized it," she would say to herself, somehow mitigating the consequences of her act. Availability of fetal baptism might even encourage some women to have abortions.

VICAR GENERAL BLESSED AS ARCIMANDRITE

The Right Reverend Archimandrite Timothy Kjera was blessed with this title and status on November 7th, 2004, by Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen, First Hierarch of the Synod. Archimandrite Father Timothy serves the Church as Moderator of the Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing, in Synodal and Archdiocesan Chancery administration as Chancellor and Vicar General, and as a pastor of St Mary Church in Duluth Minnesota. Father Timothy also holds the highest administrative post within the Metropolia directly under and responsible to the Metropolitan Hierarch.

MISSION PARISH FORMED IN PARIS TEXAS

St Luke the Physician Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Mission has been established in Paris Texas and the Very Reverend Father Paul Glenn Jensen is pastor. Father Paul invites those interested in joining and helping to build a church there to contact him. Father can be reached by writing him at St Luke's Rectory, 339 NE 8th Street, Parish Texas 75450.

CLERGY TO MEET WITH PRIMATE

Clergy from many countries are expected to meet with His Eminence Metropolitan Stephen, Archbishop Primate, at the Synodal Conference that is planned for July 17th – July 27 th, 2005, in Duluth Minnesota at St Mary the Theotokos Church. The Diocese of Nigeria is planning to send eight members of the clergy and clergy and seminarians from Nicaragua, Tanzania and the Diocese of the United Kingdom are also making plans to be present. It is expected that Bishop George of England, Bishop John of India, Bishop-elect Steven of Nigeria and Chorbishop Joseph of Belgium will b e present. More information can be obtained from the Chancery or by writing or sending an email to Father Mark K Mwaga in Duluth Minnesota. The meeting will be to discuss the spiritual and administrative needs of the faithful throughout the Church. The meeting will take place at St Mary's Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota. Also to take place is the Synod of Bishops meeting that will be held at St Nicholas Center in Superior Wisconsin. Father Cyril Cranshaw, Vicar of Nicaragua, Father John Aziz, Vicar of Pakistan, Father Joseph Ogola, Vicar of Kenya,  Deacon Demetrios Esau, Vicar of Tanzania, and others from the African Congo are also expected to be in attendance.

2005 COMMISSION CONFERENCE SCHEDULED

Father Timothy Kjera has announced that the 2005 Commission Conference will take place on July 22nd –24th, 2005 at St Mary Syro-Russian Orthodox Church, 5907 Grand Avenue in Duluth Minnesota. For more information call the Commission Moderator at 218-624-0207, or check the information in the Wellspring Newsletter.

COMPANIONS OF SAINT BASIL

Bishop George of England invites dedicated men and women, married or single, who feel a calling to be closer to Almighty God through their particular vocations and prayer to contact him. They live in the secular world bringing to others the charity and love that so many people today are in need of through the Corporal Works of Mercy. Those interested in more information may write to St Mark's Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Hermitage, % His Grace Bishop George, 1A Sultan Street, Accrington Lancashire BB5 6EL England, or to St Mary's Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55807.

SYNODAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEWS

NEW CATALOG ONLINE

The Chancery has announced that the online catalogue for St Mark-Romano Byzantine College is now up and running. It can be viewed by going to http://rbc.rbsocc.org where one can also find an application for admission.

NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION NAMED

The Metropolitanate appointed Dr Basil Gikas of Greece as new Director of Education for the Synod. He replaces Very Reverend Fr Basil Koch who passed away in October 2001. The Department of Education is currently being restructured. Dr Gikas is dean of St Vasilios Theological Seminary and University in Athens Greece.

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES OF THE METROPOLIA

The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church is pleased to list its academic centers. Under the omophor of the Church are: Holy Apostles College in Tanzania; Holy Trinity College in India; Holy Trinity Seminary in Pakistan; St Basil Seminary in Cuba; St Mark-Romano Byzantine College in the United States (and extension in Canada); St Dionysios University in Greece; and St Vasilios (Basil) Seminary in Greece. St John the Evangelist Monastery also serves the academic needs of those interested in the faith and religious or priestly life in Nicaragua.

BLESSINGS AND ORDINATIONS

  • Father Mark Kwame Mwaga by His Eminence Archbishop Stephen on October 10th, 2004, at St Mary Church in Duluth Minnesota.
  • Father Haralambos (Charles) Winger by His Eminence Archbishop Stephen on July 25th, 2004, at St Mary Church in Duluth Minnesota.
  • Father Timothy Kjera blessed as an Archimandrite by His Eminence Archbishop Stephen on Sunday November 7th, 2004, at St Mary the Theotokos Church, Duluth Minnesota

MONASTIC INVESTITURES

  • Father Haralambos Winger, Perpetual Vows, in the Monastic Community of St Basil by His Excellency Bishop George of the United Kingdom, at St Mary Church in Duluth Minnesota.
  • Fifteen novices were received into the Sisters of the Community of St Basil (SCSB) at St Mary Mother of God Convent in the Congo (Africa) by Mother Helena in 2004.

ASSIGNMENTS/APPOINTMENTS

  • Father Cyril Robert Cranshaw, Legate of the Metropolia for Central America, Superior of St John the Evangelist Monastery and Holy Ghost Retreat Center in Nicaragua, effective September 2004.
  • Dr Audrey Daniel, Editor of Wellspring Newsletter for Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing, November 15th, 2004.
  • Father Mark Kwame Mwaga, Assistant Priest at St Mary the Theotokos Church in Duluth Minnesota, effective November 1st, 2004.
  • Father Vincent Olegbu, Pastor of St Mark Mission Parish, Republic of Cameroon, effective January 30th, 2005.
  • Father Haralambos Winger, Administrator of All Saints Mission in Anchorage Alaska, effective March 30th, 2004.

PAROCHIAL CHARTERS

Established under the Metropolia:

  • Diocese of the United Kingdom (England, Wales and Ireland) under His Excellency Bishop George, 2004.
  • Holy Archangels Convent, Republic of the Congo Africa, 2004.
  • Holy Ghost Retreat Center, Nicaragua, 2004.
  • St Anne Convent, Diocese of Nigeria, 2004.
  • St John the Evangelist Monastery, Nicaragua, 2004.
  • St George Church, Kananga Congo, 2004.
  • St Nicholas Center, Superior Wisconsin, 2004.
  • St Mary Mother of God Convent, Republic of the Congo, 2004 (in existence since 2002 within the Metropolia).
  • St Mark Mission Parish, Republic of Cameroon Africa, 2005.

DISCIPLINARY ACTS OF THE SYNOD

  • James (Seraphim) Reed, now a.k.a., Francis Anthony, deposed from the Priesthood of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, effective January 2005.
  • David Brian Wesley removed as President of the Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing, effective February 14th, 2005.

PRAY FOR THE SICK AND SUFFERING

  • His Eminence Metropolitan Stephen
  • Sr Irene (Washington)
  • Stephen Agbasonye (Nigeria)
  • Jacob Constantinides (Illinois)
  • Father Thomas Dillon (New Jersey)
  • Father Paul Jensen (Texas)
  • Father Patrick Lemming (Tennessee)
  • Doris Mwaga (Tanzania)
  • Barbara Payne (Minnesota)
  • Lukas (Donald) Payne (Minnesota)
  • Father Vladimir Raasch (Minnesota)
  • Robert Rhea (Kentucky)
  • Beth Weiner (Connecticut)
  • Brian Wesley (Texas)
  • Sandra Wiechnik (Indiana)
  • Howard & Nancy Youngheim (Indiana)
  • All those affected by the Tsunami.
  • All those suffering in Iraq.

Note: If you, or someone you know, are sick or suffering, please let us know and you will be added to the OCH Prayer List. Send full name, address and age. Thank you.

MEMORY ETERNAL

  • Phales Mwaga, uncle of Father Mark (St Mary's Church of Duluth MN), February 2005.
  • All Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and all Monastics of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church who have fallen asleep into our Lord.

OFFICIAL FROM THE METROPOLITANATE

Issue 1. (07.04/1) The Synod of Bishops and clergy attending the Synodal Conference in July 2004 voted unanimously to make the Julian Calendar the official calendar of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church. The calendar will be used for all religious holy days and feasts of the Church.

Issue 2. (12.04/1) The Order of Christ the Pantocrator of the Metropolia has been established and blessed by the Metropolitan Primate. It will bestow Metropolia honor on those that have served the Church or distinguished themselves in actions o others in the name of Christ God. It is the highest award granted by the Metropolia in the Church. It has also been granted the status of Equal to Orders of Chivalry. Those awarded the honor will be allowed to use the initials "O.C.P." after their names and may be referred to as "Chevalier."  Pantocrator means "Almighty."

Issue 3. (01.05/1) The Metropolia has decreed that all priests shall celebrate the Divine Liturgy on May 29th or the closest Sunday to it in honor of the consecration of our first Archbishop Primate and establishment of the Church in America.

Issue 4. (01.05/2) The Metropolia has authorized the use of the zone or belt in place of the cincture when in liturgical attire. It also approved the return to the use of cuffs that have not been ordered since the passing of Archbishop Timotheos over 70 years ago. Both will become obligatory in 2006.

Issue 5. (02.05/1) The Metropolia hereby orders all seminarians, both domestic and foreign, to communicate at least monthly with the Dean of Seminarians, Father Padraig Kneafsey, domiciled in Ireland. This is a requirement for all except those that are exempt from so doing by the Metropolia. The Chancery may be contacted for his email or postal address at the email address at the heading of this newsletter.

NIGERIAN DIOCESE AND NEW BISHOP

The Metropolia has provisionally appointed Bishop-elect Steven of Nigeria the administrator of the Nigerian Diocese of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church. This was in response to a petition coming from the clergy of the Diocese after the death of Bishop Samuel in 2004. Bishop-elect Steven has been requested to visit the Metropolia later in July of 2005 to meet with the Primate of the Church, and at that time will be consecrated to the Holy Episcopacy of the Church. Official statistics on the Diocese are not on record as yet but it is estimated that the Diocese has over 15 parishes and institutions throughout Nigeria in Africa, with thousands of faithful.

NICARAGUA GROWS IN THE FAITH

Father Cyril R Cranshaw has erected two beautiful institutions in Nicaragua to serve the needs of the faithful there and the whole Church. In Managua, where he resides, the Church now has two parochial institutions. Holy Ghost Retreat Center and Chapel now serves the needs of those who wish time away with God. St John the Evangelist Monastery serves those who are interested in becoming monks within the Monastic Community of St Basil, and also serves those from Nicaragua interested in becoming priests within the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church. Father Cyril will also be making a visit to Florida soon where there is a group of Hispanics who have contacted him in knowing more about the Church. It is hoped that a mission parish can be organized there soon. Father Cyril is Legate of the Metropolia in Central America and oversees the work of the Metropolia in the Central American countries.

 

 

 

CLASSIFIED

Commission on Religious Counseling & Healing offers membership and licensure to holistic healing practitioners who offer theocentric-oriented services. For more information write to: Commission Moderator, PO Box 16201, Duluth MN 55816.

Byzantine Vestments, Wedding Crowns, Crosses, Tabernacles and Altar Appointments at reasonable prices. Liturgix at www.liturgix.com or call (480) 228-6228 for catalog and more information.

Vestments for Orthodox Clergy. Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and other Altar Assistants. Reasonable prices. www.istok.net for more information and price list.

Romano Byzantine College offers distance education courses leading to degree or certification in Chiropathy, Canon Law, Religion, Theology, Counseling, and Ministry. For more information write: Romano Byzantine, 2123 West 5th Street - 2nd Floor, Duluth MN 55806 or visit online at rbc.rbsocc.org for more information.

Orthodox Books on various subjects. Write to: St Hilarion Press, 1905 South 3rd Street, Austin TX 78704.

Altar Boy Cassocks, Liturgical Albs, Candles, Crosses, Medals, and more. Autom, 5226 South 31st Place, Phoenix AZ 85040, or visit website at www.AutomCatholic.com or call toll free at 1-800-521-2914. This company carries mostly Roman style vestments but does have many other items that can be used by Orthodox Christians.

Framed Icon of St Panteleimon, Patron of Healers Available from St Mary's Orthodox Catholic Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55807. Suitable for hanging in counseling centers, clinics, and in the home. $40.00 (Postage/Handling Included).

Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing crch.rbsocc.org For information write to: Dr Peter Smyth, 109 Palmer Circle RR2, Bolton Ontario L7E 5R8 Canada; or Father Timothy Kjera, Post Office Box 16201, Duluth Minnesota 55816-1612. Professionals in service to God through the Healing Ministry of the Church.

Choir Robes Five choir robes in good shape, gold in color, for $300.00, includes postage and handling. If interested contact St Mary's Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55807, or call 218-624-0202.

Romano Byzantine Publications The Romano Byzantine Synod offers books and pamphlets on the Orthodox Catholic faith, sacramental certificates, and other items for sale through the Metropolitanate. Please write to Metropolitanate, 2123 West 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Duluth Minnesota 55806, for price list.

Monastic Community of St Basil and Companions of St Basil open to those who wish to follow a monastic way of life or who wish to be associated with it in the secular world. Write to: St Mark's Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Abbey, 1A Sultan Street, Accrington Lancashire BB5 6EL England.

Nuns Habits, Clergy Vestments, Prayer Ropes, Epitaphios for Good Friday, Icons. Write: St Elizabeth Convent, PO Box 126, 225 Forest Walk, Etna CA 96027; or call (530) 467-5625; or fax (530) 467-5635; or email to cse@sisqtel.net for more information. Website: http://www.sisqtel.net for catalog information.

CONVENT IN REPUBLIC OF CONGO The Syro-Russian Orthodox Church encourages its faithful to support our missionary endeavors. St Mary Mother of God Convent is in need of sweing items, material, and financial assistance. Please send your donation to: Sister Albertine (Bofey) MCSB, % Sister Jeanette Kabedi, Congregation des Soeurs de St Vincent de Paul, Kinshasa Limete, 10e Rue Fresias 644 (Residentiel), Republique Democratique du Congo (Africa).