Catechumenal Way

"It's not all about you!"

2009-06-23T22:12:00.002-04:00

So far it has been over a week since the Apostles' Fast began. One week down, three to go. I will not lie, it has been very difficult, yet at the same time liberating. While I have not been able to eat what I would like or prefer, it reminds me that this life is not all about me (a line Dr. Phil of Oprah fame repeats almost ad nauseum). It is certainly one of those situations where "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (St. Matthew 26:41)." But, through God's grace we can get through anything and we will be bettered for it. There have been so many times when I just wanted to throw in the towel, and it's only been a week! Thank God that I have been able to find creative ways for certain foods, such as veggie burgers, and pita bread with hummus.

It isn't like I will not be eating meat ever again. During this time the Church calls us to empty ourselves so that we may be filled and of course remember the Apostles fasting before they brought the Gospel to the world. I read a great little excerpt from a foreword in the Lenten Triodion. When I can find the passage, I will post it up here for all to see.

My Examiner page will be up within a few days, so I will be sure to post about it here. Make sure you tell your friends about it. I am very excited about getting paid for writing, albeit it isn't enough to live on. Please continue to keep me in your prayers while I am still looking for work. If at anytime you have prayer requests, feel free to contact me and I will be sure to pray for you by name when I pray during the day.

In Christ,
Andrew

Freelance writing? Me?

2009-06-19T21:26:00.000-04:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Well, it turns out that I have been offered a freelance writing job. While it's not necessarily a "full-time" job, at least it will be a little something that can give me some spending money or help put a dent in the bills.

What am I going to write about you ask? Well, Orthodoxy, of course! I am going to write about various Orthodox subjects as I think of them and as people ask me. So hopefully, this blog will get some more hits and people viewing the blog will head over to the freelance site and view my articles (I get paid per 1000 hits, so tell your friends!). How exciting is that? Please support me in any way possible. Thanks and God bless you all!

Shu awareme yo!

2009-06-18T11:47:00.000-04:00

As I am studying Japanese in my spare time, I decided to find out about the Orthodox Church in Japan. It turns out that the faith was brought there by St. Nicholas (who is known as St. Nicholas of Japan), a missionary from Russia. Well, I think I found something pretty spectacular in my opinion. I could marry the two ideas: learn Japanese, while growing more spiritually. Check out this site from a lay person in the Japanese Orthodox Church. There is a lot of neat information! 主、哀れめ　よ。

In Christ,
Andrew

Short blurb

2009-06-17T21:55:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts the past few days. I have been going to interview after interview (Glory to God!). Vespers last night was good as usual, although I cannot believe that I am saying this, but I almost wish it could have been longer! I may get my turn at chanting some prayers in the future. The thing that I really love about Orthodox worship is how it draws you in completely. Even though it is very powerful, we are still supposed to be focusing on worshiping God and "forsaking earthly cares." What I notice whenever I'm at All-Night Vigil or Divine Liturgy (especially in a monastery) is that time seems to stand still. I do not even notice that I have been standing for two hours worshiping the God of all. The sight of the icons and burning candles, the smell of the incense and the feeling of the oil on my forehead help lift me up beyond this world and make me realize that there is something beyond me, much greater than myself. It's truly "other-wordly" as we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

I found this while perusing the internet on the Apostles' Fast, which actually will not finish until July 12 (that's June 29 by Old Calendar standards)! It is an excerpt from a homily from St. Leo of Rome, one of the most revered Western Saints in the early days of the Orthodox Church. Sadly, the fast has disappeared completely from the West.

Today's festival [ of Pentecost ], dearly beloved, hallowed by the decent of the Holy Spirit, is followed as you know, by a solemn fast, which being a salutary institution for the healing of soul and body, we must keep with devout observance... Therefore, after the days of holy gladness, which we have devoted to the honor of the Lord rising from the dead and then ascending into Heaven, and after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, a fast ordained as a wholesome and needful practice, so that, if perchance through neglect or disorder even amid the joys of the festival any undue licence has broken out, it may be corrected by the remedy of strict abstinence, which must be more scrupulously carried out in order that what was on this day divinely bestowed on the Church may abide in us. For being made the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and watered with a greater supply than ever by the Divine Stream, we ought not to be conquered by any lusts nor held in possession by any vices in order that the habitation of divine power may be stained by no pollution.

So, there you have it! It's going to be a long struggle with many "come to Jesus moments" as a friend of mine from Texas would say (which is the whole point of the fast). Tonight, I'm making tabouli! Please pray for me, a sinner.

In Christ,
Andrew

Day 1 Complete

2009-06-15T23:26:00.000-04:00

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I have finished my first day of the Apostles' Fast with about 27 days or so to go. I won't lie, it was a little rough. Because I am the only Orthodox in my family (although I am not technically Orthodox yet, I'm one pursuing entry into the Church), I am the only fasting. It was quite disheartening to peer into the fridge to try to find something that was "fast friendly" as I like to call it. But luckily, I went to my local Kroger store and found some ethnic Japanese food which is very "fast friendly." I bought some miso soup, soba noodles, tempura batter and hopefully we will have some sake tomorrow as well, which will be nice after a long day. I guess tomorrow will be Japanese night in my house! Interestingly enough, I found something strange on sale in the organic foods section. Instead of getting soy milk (which apparently isn't the best thing for men to drink), I saw "almond milk." It was $2 for a liter, so I decided to try it. Surprise, surprise, it's actually pretty good. It has a very sweet taste. I suppose I can get used to it until the fast is over and I can return to regular milk. :D

Today is the fest of Saint Nicephoros the Confessor (on the Old Calendar). I have pulled some information about him from the Menologion.

He was born in Constantinople in the second half of the VIII Century. Deep faith and preparation for the deed of confessor were instilled in him by his parents, Theodore and Eudocia. They gave their son a genuine Christian upbringing, reinforced by the example of their own life. His father suffered as a confessor of Orthodoxy under the Iconoclast emperor Constantine Copronymos (740-775). His mother, having shared in all the tribulation with her husband, followed him into exile, and after his death she returned to Constantinople and finished her life in a convent. Saint Nicephoros received a fine secular education, but most of all he studied the Holy Scriptures and he read spiritual books.
During the reign of Leo IV (775-780), Saint Nicephoros received the position of imperial counselor. Situated at the imperial court, he continued to lead a strict and virtuous life, he firmly preserved the purity of his Orthodox faith and zealously defended the veneration of holy icons. After the death of Leo IV, during the reign of Constantine VI (780-797) and his mother Saint Irene, -- at Nicea in the year 787 was convened the VII OEcumenical Council, which condemned the Iconoclast heresy. Being deeply knowledgeable in the Holy Scriptures, Saint Nicephoros in the emperor's name entered into the Council in the defense of Orthodoxy, by which he rendered great assistance to the holy fathers of the Council.
After the Council, Saint Nicephoros remained for several years at court, but the whole life of vanity all more and more became burdensome to the saint. He retired his position and settled in solitude near the Bosphorus, spending his life in scholarly work, and in quietude, fasting and prayer. Saint Nicephoros built a church, founded a monastery, and led a strict monastic life even before taking monastic vows.
During the reign of emperor Nicephorus I (802-811), and after the death of the holy Patriarch Tarasios (784-806), Saint Nicephoros was chosen to his place: he received monastic vows and the priestly dignity and was elevated to the patriarchal throne on 12 April 806, on the day of holy Pascha.
Under the emperor Leo V the Armenian (813-820), -- a passionate adherent of the Iconoclast heresy, there again began for the Church a period of unrest and persecutions. The emperor was not immediately able to begin open persecution against Orthodoxy, since Iconoclasm was condemned at the VII OEcumenical Council. The holy Patriarch continued to serve in the Great church, bolding urging the people to preserve the Orthodox faith, and he led the consequent and unremitting struggle with heresy. The emperor began to recall from exile the bishops and clergy, excommunicated from the Church by the VII OEcumenical Council. Having convened with them an heretical council, the emperor demanded that the Patriarch appear for a dispute about the faith. The Patriarch refused to argue about the faith with heretics, since the teachings of the Iconoclasts were already condemned in the anathema of the VII OEcumenical Council. He endeavoured all the more to bring the emperor and those around him to their senses, he fearlessly explained to the people the teaching about the veneration of holy icons, he wrote admonitions to the empress and to the city-governor Eutykhianos, the closest one to the imperial dignity, attaching at the end the prophetic words about a quick perishing of heretics from "the punishing hands of the Lord". Then the heretical council passed an excommunication of holy Patriarch Nicephoros and his predecessors -- the blessedly-reposing Patriarchs Tarasios and Germanos. Saint Nicephoros was sent at first to a monastery at Chrysopolis, and later -- to the island Prokonnis in the Sea of Marmara. After 13 years of deprivation and sorrow the holy Patriarch Nicephoros died in exile on 2 June 828.
On 13 March 847 the undecayed relics of the holy Patriarch Nicephoros, having lain in the ground for 19 years, were solemnly transferred to Constantinople into the cathedral church of Saint Sophia.
Saint Nicephoros was outstanding as a church activist of his times, "a credit to his era and his chair (cathedra)" and, having much served the Church, he left behind an extensive spiritual legacy -- numerous works of historical, dogmatic and canonical content.

In his homily the other day, my priest was talking about how reading even a little bit of the lives of the Saints can be of inspiration to help us continue "in the race." It certainly reminds me of how little I am and how I must continue to strive in virtue and working out my theosis.

I have a job interview tomorrow, so please pray for me that it will go well and I will get the job. I'm in desperate need of employment, because I cannot pay for college without money. I will do my best to update tomorrow on how things went and obviously on some Orthodoxy (that's what this blog is for, isn't it?). Until then, take care and God bless!

In Christ,
Andrew

Apostle's Fast

2009-06-14T19:37:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow starts the Apostles Fast, which is the traditional fast leading up to Ss. Peter and Paul's feast day. During this time, we will refrain from eating any meat, poultry, fish (excluding shellfish) and animal products, which includes dairy and eggs. Wine and oil are also banned except for on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday and Sunday. Fish is also allowed on Saturday and Sunday. Why are oil and wine "contraband?" Because we are fasting, we are supposed to be in a state of repentence and focus on Christ and our salvation. They also represent joy and happiness, which do not necessarily help us in our striving towards repentence.

Basically, it's a very strict vegan diet for over two weeks to commemorate the Apostles fasting after Christ ascended into Heaven and the Holy Spirit's descent. The Apostles were preparing for their journey out of Jerusalem to bring the good news of Christ to the world. Where else did the fast come from? Holy Scripture points to it. The Pharisees were poo pooing on the Apostles for not fasting, but Christ told them "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast." (St. Matthew 9:15)

This is my first time doing a fast for an extended period of time. Boy, I thought it was rough fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays! I'm going to be losing a lot of weight. At least I can fit into those shorts now. :P Just kidding. Although it will be a struggle, by God's grace I will be able to do it. I will no doubt be taking comfort in St. Paul's words in his letter to the Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)." Please pray for me during these next few weeks! I'll be updating fairly regularly throughout the fast.

In Christ,
Andrew

Greetings and Salutations!

2009-06-14T18:25:00.000-04:00

Glory to Jesus Christ,

My name is Andrew and I am a catechumen in the Orthodox Church (under the Bulgarian Jurisdiction). I started this blog as a way to journal my experiences as a catechumen in the Orthodox Church and living the life of an Orthodox Christian before and after I am chrismated. On the Catechumenal Way, I will share my journey to the Orthodox Church and also discuss matters important to Orthodox Christians. I hope that you will read my blog and be inspired to either become an Orthodox Christian or renew your faith in Christ our God in the Orthodox Church. Feel free to ask questions. God bless!

In Christ,
Andrew