CLASSICAL CHRISTIANITY

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Classical Christianity is an effort to further enhance, edify, and educate our fellow brethren in the Orthodox Church and help non-Orthodox become more familiar with our teachings; in particular, teachings of the Holy Fathers. We aim to organize the teachings of the Fathers and any articles that we write so that those of us in this busy society can easily access them and “acquire the mind of the Fathers,” as Fr. Seraphim Rose says.

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THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS BY KING HEROD

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not”. (Mt. 2:16-18)

There are Bible critics who make the claim that Herod could not have massacred the baby boys of Bethlehem because the Jewish Historian Josephus failed to make reference to King Herod committing this particular evil. But Josephus is not the only first century historian, or source of what happened in first century Judah. Matthew, the author of the gospel by his name, gives us a historical account of the slaughter of the innocents by King Herod. The Holy Spirit inspired Evangelist Matthew is much more trustworthy than a Jewish historian writing 100 years after the said event. There was, by the way, a Roman historian, Macrobius (c.a. 400 A.D.), that writes about Herod’s slaughter of the Innocents.

THE SCOPE OF THE SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS

Some historians, even Christian historians, say that only a few children were slain by King Herod because Bethlehem probably only had a population of about 1000 people, and therefore would have only had 10 to 30 two year old and under children that could have been slain. But the scope of the slaughter appears from the text of Matthew that it was not just the children in the little town of Bethlehem that were in danger of King Herod’s edict. The text states that the slaughter was not limited to the “little town of Bethlehem”, because it bluntly reads that Herod “slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, AND in all the coasts thereof” (KJV, 1599 Geneva, Wycliffe). In other translations we read, “and the borders” (Young’s, Douay-Rheims, ASV, Aramaic Bible in Plain English, Jubilee 2000, Darby, Webster’s); “and in the environs” (NASB, NAS 1977, ); “and in the region” (RSV, ISV ); “and in the vicinity” (NIV); “and in all the districts” (NKJV, Phillips). We can see from these translations that the massacre was not limited to the town of Bethlehem, but included a far greater territory, as far as the coasts and/or borders of Judah.

“There appears to be a hint in verse 18 as to what is being spoken of when we read, “AND in all the coasts thereof”, or “AND in all the borders thereof”. Ramah, the city of Jeremiah’s prophecy is located 5 miles north of Jerusalem (10 Miles north of Bethlehem). Ramah is the city where Rachel lamented from. She was buried in Bethlehem (Gen. 35:19). Ramah is a border town situated on the northern border of the kingdom of Judah, and the southern border of the kingdom of Israel. Judah’s borders ran from the east along the shores of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea to the west at the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, some 30 miles; in the south in the desert, and borders in the north, Samaria, some 55 miles. We also have a hint from the prophecy of Micah as to the scope of Herod’s slaughter; “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah…” (Micah 5:2). Let us take note that the prophecy that Herod was made aware of by the chief priests (Mt. 2:4-8) references Judah as the greater territory in which the Messiah-King would be born. Micah, of course, names the very birthplace of the Messiah, the little town of Bethlehem, and its 1000’s of villages (hyperbolic or not). So it appears from the textual evidence that the slaughter was not limited to “the little town of Bethlehem”, but spread all the way north to Ramah on the border with the kingdom of Israel and quite possibly to the remaining borders; west, south, and east.

An interesting note is that Ramah was the city where Jewish captives were gathered for deportation to Babylon (Jeremiah 40:1). Rachel, the wife of Jacob-Israel, was the mother of Benjamin, whose tribe became part of the southern kingdom, Judah. The city of Ramah was given to Benjamin by lots. So Rachel’s descendants, her beloved children, after much suffering as captives, are now suffering the slaughtering of Herod’s soldiers. Rachel weeps for her children.

So, exactly how many children were slaughtered? According to the Tradition of the Ancient Church, 14,000 children were slain. They are commemorated every year on December 29. For me, this number is far more likely than the 6 or 10 children as the modern scholars seem to prefer.

THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN DOGMA OF THE HOLY TRINITY

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty...and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God...and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets. (The Nicene Creed)

Listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko explain The Holy Trinity

 

Names of Jesus - Son of God Part 2

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: VALAAM MONASTERY IN RUSSIA'S FAR NORTH

Discover The Resurrection Of Orthodox Monasteries In Russia!!!

 Step To The Skies - Valaam Monastery

THE HEAVENLY BANQUET - Understanding The Divine Liturgy

The Heavenly Banquet - Understanding The Divine Liturgy

YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST PURCHASE THIS BOOK TODAY!!!

Simply an AMAZING commentary on the Divine Liturgy!!!

And it is more than a liturgical Commentary. It is filled with an abundance of "copiously documented biblical citations and rich patristic references." The author, Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis, brilliantly explains every aspect of the Divine Liturgy, and weaves through the text 40 "Mini Studies" expounding Doctrinal, Ecclesiological, and Moral Issues. He also adds 40 "A Word About..." where he provides expanded commentary on words and actions of the Liturgy.

Click Here To Read "About" This Book:
www.orthodoxwitness.org/the-heavenly-banquet.php

If You Desire For Your Church To Have Liturgical Renewal, Then This Is The Book For Instruction And Illumination.

NATHANIEL, Archbishop of Detroit says, "The Heavenly Banquet will forever banish that unfortunate utterance, 'I get nothing out of the Liturgy!'"

Fr. Thomas Hopko, says "...an absolutely spectacular book...an extraordinary book...totally awesome..."

ORTHODOXY GROWS IN FRANCE

Dead Roman-catholic monastery converted to Orthodox Seminary, France

 

DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST?

http://www.stgeorgegoc.org/pastors-corner/fr-ricks-sermons/my-lord-my-god-a-personal-relationship   

Sodom and Gomorrah: A Typology of the End Times

The Danger of Ecumenism? It Removes the Absolutes, the Truths of "The Way".

An introductory word on the passions according to our Orthodox Fathers

Blessed Seraphim Rose's Dream of Vladyka Averky

"Particularly dangerous pastors among such false shepherds are those who preach a need for peace with everyone, under the pretext of “non-condemnation” and “Christian love and forgiveness”. Let us remember that the peace with the Antichrist (as with his servants) is already a betrayal of Christ - and hence enmity against Christ!"
-Vladyka Averky (Taushev) of blessed memory 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW ORTHODOX WEBSITE "ORTHODOX ETHOS"

ANNOUNCING A NEW ORTHODOX WEBSITE: ORTHODOXETHOS.COM
We bring to the attention of all devout Orthodox Christians and sincere inquirers the launch of a new website dedicated to the Orthodox Way, Truth and Life: orthodoxethos.com.
The site will be primarily a source for going deeper into the Orthodox phronema and ethos, or mindset and way of being and living. Our focus will be both "orthodoxy" and the orthodox "ethos," these being inseparable. Given that the way (ethos), the truth (dogma) and the life (spiritual life) are one, Christ, our offering will touch on all of these and stress their unity.
Orthodox Ethos is a collective effort of nearly a dozen Orthodox Christians, ordained and lay. Original articles, translations of timely and important texts and the publications of Uncut Mountain Press are among the subject matter of our modest effort.
Our site will be unique in that we will focus on the connection between dogma and ethos, and attempt to assist the neophyte (especially) to acquire not only an Orthodox confession of faith but an Orthodox ethos. Also, in connection with the publication plan of Uncut Mountain Press, we will also focus on translations from Greek, including excerpts from those books now slated for publication (The Ecumenism Conference Proceedings and St. Gregory Plamas' On the Procession of the Holy Spirit) and also in the future, some of the works of Dr. Demetrios Tselingides.
We also have a special section dedicated to the Pan Orthodox Council.
The Editor of Orthodox Ethos is Fr. Peter Heers
Please come for a visit and sign up on our mailing list to be kept informed of our new articles, videos and comments. 

WWW.OrthodoxEthos.com 

 

THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH - IS IT COMING SOONER THAN YOU THINK?

Two Excellent Podcast Interviews with Fr. John Peck discussing the future of Christianity in America and how we must prepare by creating a house church movement!!!

Listen Here >>>
 http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/goforth/underground_church_part_1  

http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/goforth/fr._john_peck_the_underground_church_part_2   

 

CONFESSIONS OF A JESUS FREAK

Check out this testimonial that will help you understand what it means to really be a Jesus Freak >>> 

Click Here:
http://journeytoorthodoxy.com/2016/05/confessions-jesus-freak/

THE GREAT CANON OF ST ANDREW OF CRETE

AN INTRODUCTION

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS

CHECK OUT THIS MINISTRY OF ST INNOCENT ORTHODOX CHURCH IN EUREKA CA. @ www.OrthodoxAnswers.com

        

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Make The Effort to Read This Extremely Interesting Article So You May Understand what is Happening in the Earth. You Will NOT See or Hear This Truth on CNN or Fox News!!!

READ ARTICLE HERE >>>
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/81604.html

 

ORTHODOX STATEMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY - 1983

Orthodox Statement on Homosexuality

The position of the Orthodox Church toward homosexuality has been expressed by synodical canons and Patristic pronouncements beginning with the very first centuries of Orthodox ecclesiastical life.
Thus, the Orthodox Church condemns unreservedly all expressions of personal sexual experience which prove contrary to the definite and unalterable function ascribed to sex by God's ordinance and expressed in man's experience as a law of nature.
Thus the function of the sexual organs of a man and a woman and their bio-chemical generating forces in glands and glandular secretions are ordained by nature to serve one particular purpose, the procreation of the human kind.
However, the human sexual apparatus appears to have been designed not only as the medium by which the necessary physical contact for the purpose of sex is affected, but as the generator as well and the center of a highly complex system of feelings which all together are known by the name eros, love between husband and wife.
Therefore, any and all uses of the human sex organs for purposes other than those ordained by creation, runs contrary to the nature of things as decreed by God and produces the following wrongs:
a. They violate God's ordinance regarding both the procreation of man and his emotional life generated by his instinctive attraction to the opposite sex not only for procreating but for advancing the personalities of a man and a woman to a state of completion within the association of the Sacrament of Marriage. For all this, homosexuality is an insult to God, and since it attempts to alter the laws regulating creation it is a blasphemy.
b. Homosexuality interferes with the normal development of societal patterns and as such it proves detrimental to all. These endangered patterns include personal values regarding sex which people normally take to be a vital part of their existence and a valuable asset to their living a normal life, esteemed by others.
c. The homosexual degrades his own sex and thus denies to himself the self-respect that is generated from the feeling that one is in line with God's creation.
Homosexuality appears to be of two kinds: physico-genetic and habitual. Physico-genetic homosexuality is of physical origin due to secretory abnormalities that may produce organic changes. This type of homosexuality is rather rare and is treated as any other medical disorder.
Habitual homosexuality may have more than one cause. All, however, point out to a moral failure at some stage of the individual's development, or to the animate environment from which the homosexual originated.
Thus, although homosexuality followed as a way of life by the sufferer, may be subject to psycho-pathological investigation and treatment, the origin of it, in all but the few physico-genetic cases mentioned above, brings with it a moral failure. It is because of the realization of this that homosexuality has been described from ancient times as a moral stigma.
Thus, the Orthodox Church cannot subscribe to the demand that homosexuals be recognized by society and its agencies as legal spouses and as deserving the same respect as men and women enjoy in the state of wedlock.
Society and its values, religious and societal, have legitimate claims over the behavior of its members, especially in so vital a function as the sexual one on which not only the survival but its quality as well depend. No one has the right to do whatever he wishes with his body and still claim recognition and respect on the part of society.
The Orthodox Church believes that homosexuality should be treated by society as an immoral and dangerous perversion and by religion as a sinful failure. In both cases, correction is called for. Homosexuals should be accorded the confidential medical and psychiatric facilities by which they can be helped to restore themselves to a self-respecting sexual identity that belongs to them by God's ordinance.
In full confidentiality, the Orthodox Church cares and provides pastorally for homosexuals in the belief that no sinner who has failed himself and God should be allowed to deteriorate morally and spiritually.
Psychiatric restoration, without religious direction and reconciliation with God, is bound to prove short lived.
A healthy society and various religions do not recognize perversions. Rather, they work to restore the homosexual to the status of a self-esteemed individual and thus to a valued instrument of their own survival and well-being under God. 

ARTICLE BY FR. LAWRENCE FARLEY:
https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/nootherfoundation/little-history-lesson

MULL MONASTERY - THE ORTHODOX MONASTERY OF ALL CELTIC SAINTS

ORTHODOX MONASTERY GIVEN NEW LIFE IN SCOTLAND!!! 

Visit Website >>> www.MullMonastery.com

A MESSAGE FOR WESTERN CHRISTIANS >>> SHOCKING

If you're a Western Christian, (Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Reformed, etc...), then this will SHOCK you. Joseph P. Farrell discusses why one of the greatest and most egregious errors in Western Christianity is the concept of original sin. It is a thinly disguised form of social engineering in the form of economics.