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Pascha 2007
Poems and Orations from St Gregory the Theologian
[326 - 389]
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Yesterday I was crucified with Christ;
Today I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I died with Him,
Today I am made alive with Him.
Yesterday I was buried with Him,
Today I am raised with Him.
Let us become like Christ,
Since Christ became like us.
Let us become divine for His sake,
Since for us He became man.
He assumed the worse,
That He might give us the better.
He became poor, that by His poverty
We might become rich.
He accepted the form of a servant,
That we might win back our freedom,
He came down that we might be lifted up.
He was tempted, that through Him
We might conquer.
He was dishonored, that He might glorify us.
He died, that He might save us.
He ascended, that He might draw to Himself us,
Who lie prostrate, having fallen into sin.
Let us give all, offer all, to Him who gave Himself;
A ransom and reconciliation for us.
--St. Gregory the Theologian
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I. It is the Day of the Resurrection, and my Beginning has good auspices. Let us then keep the Festival with splendour, and let us embrace one another. Let us say Brethren, even to those who hate us; much more to those who have done or suffered aught out of love for us. Let us forgive all offences for the Resurrection's sake: let us give one another pardon....
IV. Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him; yesterday I died with Him; to-day I am quickened with Him; yesterday I was buried with Him; to-day I rise with Him. But let us offer to Him Who suffered and rose again for us-you will think perhaps that I am going to say gold, or silver, or woven work or transparent and costly stones, the mere passing material of earth, that remains here below, and is for the most part always possessed by bad men, slaves of the world and of the Prince of the world. Let us offer ourselves, the possession most precious to God, and most fitting; let us give back to the Image what is made after the Image. Let us recognize our Dignity; let us honour our Archetype; let us know the power of the Mystery, and for what Christ died.
V. Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become God's for His sake, since He for ours became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich;9 He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonoured that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us. But one can give nothing like oneself, understanding the Mystery, and becoming for His sake all that He became for ours. |
Hymn to the Resurrection
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship, the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One! We venerate Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know no other than Thee; we call on Thy name. Come, all you faithful, let us venerate Christ's Holy Resurrection! For, behold, through the Cross joy has come into all the world. Let us ever bless the Lord, praising His Resurrection. By enduring the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death! |
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Prayers for Orthodox Christians
Morning Prayers
To the Father
O Lord Almighty, God of hosts and of all flesh, dwelling in the highest, caring for the humble, searching the reins and the heart, and clearly discerning the hidden things of men - O unoriginate and ever-existing Light, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change, do Thou, O immortal King, accept our prayers which we offer to Thee at this present time from our soiled lips, trusting in the multitude of Thy bounties - forgive us our transgressions which we have committed knowingly or unknowingly, whether in word or deed or thought; cleanse us from all stain of body and soul. Grant us to pass through all the night of this present life with vigilant heart and sober thought, awaiting the coming of the radiant and manifest Day of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, on which the judgment of all men shall come with glory, when to each man shall be given the reward of his deeds. May we not fall and become lazy, but instead have courage that, being roused to action, we may be found ready to enter into the joy and the divine bride-chamber of His glory, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing, and the gladness of those who behold the goodness of Thy countenance is unending. For Thou art the True light Who enlightenest and sanctifiest all things, and all creation sings Thy praise forever. Amen. |
Father Deacon James to be ordained into the priesthood
His Eminence, Archbishop JOB, will be in Columbus on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, to ordain the Deacon James Sizemore to Holy Priesthood. As Deacon, the candidate has begun the process of transferring his endorsement as a chaplain in the Ohio National Guard and will be placed under the mantle of His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, who presides over the Orthodox Chaplains Program in the United States.
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Father James is newly ordained into the priesthood
 The Chaplain James (wearing gold vestment) can and does bring a body of expertise to the community. His abilities and training in counseling, pastoral guidance, and crisis intervention fit naturally into parish life.
His skills related to young adults connect well with a campus community. He joins the other clergy here with a body of knowledge that complements their work and particular callings.
He and they are part of a community of believers that know how to accept responsibility and give life to ministries such as the Saturday Lunch Program, Neighborhood Outreach, Education, Liturgy, Charities, Building Maintenance and Expansion.
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Icon adorning an entrance at St. Gregory of Nyssa
Panagia
by Nikolai Mukhin
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All of Creation
In You, O Woman, Full of Grace
the angelic choirs and the human race -
all creation rejoices! All creation rejoices!
O Sanctified Temple, Mystical Paradise and
Glory of Virgins, He, Who is our God, from
before all ages, took flesh from You and became
a child! He made Your womb a throne! A throne
greater than the heavens! In You, O Woman,
Full of Grace, In You, O Woman, Full of Grace,
all creation rejoices, all creation rejoices! All
praise be to You! All praise be to You! All
praise be to you! |
 :: Priestly Reflection ::
Fr. Daniel
There are three feasts dedicated to the Savior in the month of August. The first is the Procession of the Cross. The second, the Transfiguration, is a major Feast and well-known to believers. The third focuses on the Translation of the Image “Not-made-by hands” of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople. The Church historian, Eusebius, knew the story of the Icon and of King Agbar, who found healing through the Icon Not Made By Hands. It is celebrated on the 16th of August. A detailed account of the Feast can be found on the OCA website. Popular in the Russian Church, the Troparion of the Feast is that used by Churches using as its patron “Christ the Savior.” That same Troparion is often used by the faithful on entering the Church and is part of the Entrance Prayers taken by the clergy before the celebration of a Liturgy. We sing it with great joy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
From Edessa to Columbus across the centuries. The Church is a repository of graces that find expression in hymns, actions, and involvement. So much of what we do and how we behave in Church and out come down to us in ways whose origins are often unknown to us. If I remember to do it, I will place our copy of the Icon on the sacramental table this very day.
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Troparion - Tone 2
We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One,
And ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God.
Of Your good will You were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh,
And deliver Your creatures from bondage to the enemy.
Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to You:
You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior,
For You did come to save the world!
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The new Icon :: The Mystical Supper
Written by Victor Morozov.
Brought to us through
the generosity of the blischak family
Notes about the Icon
by Father Daniel Rentel
See this icon as a direct expression of Holy Scriptures.
“When it grew dark, He reclined at table with the Twelve.” He said: “I assure you, one of you is about to betray me. Distressed on hearing the Lord’s words, the Apostles began to say to Him, one after another “Surely it is not I.” In reply he declared? “The man who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will hand Me over. (Mt. 26:20-23) During the meal Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it . . . and said: Take eat! This is my Body . . .
In the icon (depictions of the Supper go back to the 6th Century) Christ and the 12 are seated round a table. Gazes and position of figures are important. Christ meets the eyes of His Disciples. He is presented reclining on a Byzantine cushion, since the Gospel account describes him and them "reclining at table." The Twelve however are not shown as ‘reclining’ but sitting upright – a practical device to save space. Jesus is shown with his left hand holding a scroll signifying the Sacred Word of God.
Disciples: Some are bewildered, deeply concerned over the meaning of the words of the Savior. “. . . one of you will betray Me.” The Disciples look at one another, puzzled as to what He could mean and searching for signs of the betrayer. Look at their fingers – they are used as response to “Is it I…” Some point to self; others as if to suggest others.
Some are in different attitudes
John the Beloved rests his head on Christ’s breast: “One of them whom Jesus loved reclined close to Him as they ate . . .” (The entire commandment of love as is presented in John’s Gospel is thereby embodied. “Love one another as I have loved you. . .”
Judas as betrayer is shown stretching out his hands toward the bread given him in order to dip it into the dish, thereby fulfilling the prophecy: “Even my friend who had My trust and partook of My bread, has raised his heel against Me.” (Psalm 41:10)
Often Peter is shown with raised hand next to John in an effort to proclaim his loyalty. Andrew, Peter’s brother, is the one with curly hair and beard. Thomas and Philip are written as the two young, beardless men. Note that the table is depicted in such a way as opening to deliberately to include us in the gathering.
The sanctified bread – the Body of Christ – as already broken and found in the only container shown here.
The cup – the Blood of Christ – is not shown here but is written in the companion icon entitled The Communion of the Apostles and found in the icon above the Royal Doors in our sanctuary. It would, according to Passover traditions come at the conclusion of the meal.
The color red on the couch as well as in the drapery (shown above the table to indicate that actions depicted are taking place are indoors) are in red to indicated the Passion and Blood that will be shed.
The windows and doorways are black to indicate that night has fallen. The spiritual dimensions of that darkness closing in are not hard to imagine.
Victor Morozov, the much loved writer of this and other icons here at St. Gregory’s, has once again manifested his living faith and theological insight. It is for us a blessing to this day be blessing. Many Years to him, to Paul and all the members of his Family!
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About our neighborhood outreach and lunch program
The church’s location in the inner city has given rise to an active program involving a broad cross-section of the parish community. The Neighborhood Outreach program began in the first weeks after the parish was organized nearly 25 years ago. Elsewhere in Columbus larger programs for the needy are equipped with greater resources and manpower, enabling them to provide a broader range of services.
Parishioners’ involvement ranges from a once-every-eight-weeks lunch to day-to-day contact and assistance to those to whom we minister. Sometimes the work is fulfilling; other times it is heart breaking.
Below are several expressive photos of the people and their activities.
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St. Gregory of Nyssa, Columbus has turned 25.
“So special a time is it for us that we’ve committed to a year of happenings and events: everything from retreats to picnics to choir concerts. On Sunday, January 13, we inaugurated the Anniversary Year with a dinner designed to celebrate as parish. All conspired to provide us a memorable occasion. An abundance of good will, fellowship and love was matched in equal measure by an abundance of food, as rich in presentation as was in flavor. All left our upper room brim full by any measure.” -- Fr. Daniel Rentel |
25th Anniversary Inaugural Dinner:
Speaker, Joseph Kormos and wife, Joyce,
Fr. Stephen and Alexandra Kopestonsk
A toast and speech is given by the Rector
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The Life and
Vocation of an
Orthodox Church
in America
A slideshow presentation of St. Gregory of Nyssa, Columbus, Ohio
with music and
narrative titles |
| windows media format |
| quicktime format |
The Three Hierarchs
Ocon adorns our church |
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The Three Hierarchs, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian, are honored throughout the Church for their "divinely wise words" used to teach and preach the Faith. The Russian iconographer, Nikolai Mukhin, has written a magnificent icon of the three luminaries. His gift captures their inner fervor and at the same time reveals a great deal of Mukhin's extraordinary artistry. As a way to honor the memory of John Volosin by commissioning this icon, the Volosin family fulfills a commitment of love that will endure, we believe, for centuries to come.
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