8/7/2003 VIDEO ON FREEMASONRY
- A video on the nature of freemasonry
and the dangers it poses for practicing Christians was shown. Freemasonry
began in England in 1770. It is often covered in a ‘veneer’ of
Christianity, especially in its initial stages. However, it is a
syncretistic religion which involves secretive rituals and dark aims.
Christians should not associated themselves with freemasonry in any way.
15/7/2003 DISCUSSION OF A TEXT WRITTEN BY ST CLEMENT BISHOP OF
ROME
- A text by St Clement from the book
“The Apostolic Fathers” was read and discussed. This text was about the
person of our Lord Jesus Christ and what our relationship should be with
Him. It speaks of Christ’s love for us and of how much we truly owe Him.
We do not even realise how much we have received. This is our problem- that
we take everything for granted. If we learn to see ourselves and others
through the eyes of our Creator, our lives will truly change. God is a
communion of love (between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) and He
wants us to imitate Him and create a communion of love with each other, and
with Him.
22/7/2003 DISCUSSION OF TEXT WRITTEN BY ST IGNATIUS, BISHOP OF
ANTIOCH
- St Ignatius (70A.D.) is one of the
Apostolic Fathers. He was a disciple of the Apostles, in particular of St
John the Evangelist. He wrote letters to the faithful, in which a common
theme was the unity of the Church around the bishop, who presides in the
Eucharist.
- Reading Church Fathers is essential
if one is to become truly Orthodox. Holy Tradition (ie scriptures, councils,
writings of the Fathers) has been sanctified over the course of history and
are the measuring sticks for us, guiding us to Truth.
29/7/2003 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
- Peter, James and John were chosen
out of all the disciples to witness the Transfiguration because they were
better prepared to receive Christ’s light during this Theophany. For it
was truly a Theophany- the Logos (Word of God) was present physically, the
voice of the Father was heard, and the Holy Spirit was present in the cloud.
The transfiguration is thus another revelation of the Trinity, just like in
the Baptism of the Lord. During the Transfiguration, the disciples were
filled with bliss - they were living the Kingdom of God.
19/8/2003 THE THEOLOGY OF DEATH - AN ANALYSIS OF THE FUNERAL
SERVICE
- The hymns of the funeral service
speak of the relationship of the person with the Creator - the love of God,
and the vanity of the things of this life. The things we occupy so much of
our time with. They are truly beautiful expressions of the Church’s
theology of death.
26/8/2003 MARRIAGE - A PATH TO SALVATION
- Just like monasticism is a denial of
the self, so is marriage. A successful Christian marriage presupposes a
total self-sacrifice: a giving of oneself to the other (the husband or the
wife). The true purpose of marriage is for the married couple to help one
another to reach salvation. The epistle read during the marriage service is
very prescriptive. It shows how the relationship between husband and wife
should be lived out.
2/9/2003 AN ANALYSIS OF THE MARRIAGE SERVICE
- It is important to understand the
theology and the purpose of the sacrament of marriage. We can be helped in
this by studying the actual marriage service and the prayers read within it.
So often, couples coming to the Church to get married are totally
preoccupied with external things (cars, reception, dress, flowers etc.).
They pay no attention to the marriage service itself, many times urging the
priest to finish as quickly as possible so they will have more time to take
photos! This is such a pity since the marriage service and God’s blessing
of their life together should be the central and by far the most important
part. If they pay attention to the prayers read, they will receive an
unfailing guide towards a truly blessed married life.
16/9/2003 WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES REGARDING MALE-FEMALE
RELATIONSHIPS?
- A passage from a book written by Fr
Tichon, abbot of the Stavronikita monastery on Mt Athos, was read, which
speaks of the topic of male-female relationships. The sacredness of the
relationship between man and woman is assured because of God’s
commandment. Here are some quotes from Fr Tichon’s passage which reflect
the discussion that took place:
- “In this attempt to live the whole
of our lives to the glory of God, it is natural that one of the most basic
functions of human life, the union of man and woman should have a place.”
- “Man finds the meaning of life in
love - in the giving of oneself to another.”
- “Love characterises human life and
is the yard-stick of its truth. Thus the marital relationship should have
love as its central characteristic. Love that goes far beyond the carnal
relationship and encompasses the whole person.”
- “
The
marital relationship should be the fruit of love, self-sacrifice and humility
comparable to the love and sacrifice of Christ for the Church. Then, through
this mystery man is made worthy of the mystery of life. The human personality
develops and matures as it passes through the cross of humility and love, and
receives a foretaste of the Resurrection through its union with men and God.”
