YO-Mail

(Young Orthodox Mail)

Vol. III No. 6

In this issue:

From the Office: Our Church, Our Saints (The Orthodox Church in North America)

Food for the Soul: Our Cloud of Witnesses: All Saints of North America

An Orthodox Look: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

On the Calendar: IOCC Race to Respond and SYNDESMOS Events

In the News: The Pledge: One Nation Under God?

Love and Dating: The Question of the Ages: Meeting Other Orthodox

Real Questions/Real Answers: The Nature of Love

From the Office: Our Church, Our Saints (The Orthodox Church in North America)

The second Sunday after Pentecost is a time when Orthodox Churches across the world celebrate ALL the saints that dwelt in their land. In Romania it is all saints of Romania. In Greece they celebrate All Saints of Greece. Russia celebrates All Saints of Russia. As an autocephalous (self-governing) Church, the Orthodox Church in America follows this holy tradition. On this Sunday we celebrate All Saints of North America.

For more information on the North American saints check out the following link:

http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Feasts-and-Saints/OCA/index.htm

There you can find instructive icons, liturgical texts and biographical information on:

· St Herman of Alaska - Wonderworker of All America

· St Tikhon of Moscow - Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America

· St Innocent of Alaska - Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of North America

· St Raphael Hawaweeney - Bishop of Brooklyn

· St Alexis Toth - Confessor & Defender of Orthodoxy in America

· St Jacob Netsvetov - Enlightener of the Native Peoples of Alaska

· St John Kuchurov - Missionary to America and First Hieromartyr under the Bolshevik Yoke

· St Alexander Hotovitsky - New Hieromartyr of Russia and Missionary to America

Also be sure to check out Orthodox Christians in North America - A popular narrative account of two hundred years of Orthodox Christianity on this continent.

Food for the Soul: Our Cloud of Witnesses - All Saints of North America

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.… Hebrews 11:37-12:1 (Second Sunday after Pentecost; Commemoration of All Saints of North America)

Out of a genuine desire to share their love of Christ, Russian monks came to Alaska to bring the Orthodox faith to the native peoples. The monks suffered many hardships yet persevered and brought many people to Christ and into His Church. Many native tribes strongly embraced Orthodoxy since the monks presented it as the fulfillment of the culture. The monks did not attempt to abolish native culture or “russianize” the culture. Instead, liturgical works were translated into the native language and the best aspects of their culture were emphasized. Years later, St. Innocent and Patriarch St. Tikhon asked for liturgical works to be translated into English and called for an autocephalous American church to serve the spiritual needs of all Orthodox Americans. St. Alexis Toth brought eighteen Uniate churches into the OCA, enduring rejection and a lawsuit. When offered the office of bishop, St. Alexis turned it down, preferring to serve as a parish priest. He sought glory for Christ, not for himself.

Like we read in the Epistle for this Sunday, the saints of North America worked hard and faced great pain, even death, for the benefit of what would become the Orthodox Church in America. Although their vision has not yet been fully realized, we too must persevere. We must nurture our love for Christ and want to remove the obstacles in our lives that prevent us from making our own contributions to this vision. We may not live to see jurisdictional unity, but we can rest confidently in that we ran the race set before us.

Some things to think about:

• Do I think the Orthodox Christian Faith is valuable enough to share it with people outside the Church? How can I share my faith?

• In what ways can I imitate how the saints of North America shared the Faith with others?

• How do my “isolated” achievements add to the success of the Church, the body of Christ?

• How does having our “eyes on the prize” affect our view of the world and worldly successes? What is the prize?

• How do I react when I visit another Orthodox Church and the people there do things differently than I am used to?

• Can I accept that, regardless of various differences in practice among Orthodox parishes and jurisdictions, we all have the same Faith and are part of the one Church of Christ? Am I willing to put aside my personal preferences and acknowledge that within the Church there is diversity in how things are done?

Lord, please help me to see how I can help harvest the seed of faith that the saints have planted in North America. Help us to bring the churches together and praise You with one voice.

An Orthodox Look: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Star Wars is part of our cultural heritage. The spell checker actually recognizes the word Jedi. By now, many of you have seen Episode 2. For those of you who haven’t, any reservations you had about Episode 1 have been answered in Episode 2. The movie has a greater depth than the first one and answers many questions about the (eventual) fall of the Republic and the birth of Darth Vader and the Empire.

On the up side:

• The Star Wars movies have a religious feel to them. The force is described in religious terms—Han Solo described it as a “hokey religion” in Episode 4. The Jedi, using the force, want to keep the peace, protect the innocent, and serve the public. Their mandate is not to kill, since as Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) says in Episode 2, “We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers.” In this sense, the need to commune with a higher power is emphasized. The Jedi are not adventurous knights seeking danger and glory.

• Love is emphasized, particularly in this movie. Anakin loves Padme, but is not allowed to love due to his Jedi vows (although he eventually disregards them). Anakin loves his mother and when he discovers that she is in danger rushes to her defense.

• In some ways, the Jedi are comparable to monks. Both Jedi and monks follow ascetical lifestyles and devote themselves to communing with something higher (the force or God) and the protection of their neighbors.

• The “gladiatorial” scene at the end of the movie offers an interesting insight concerning good and evil. Obi-Wan is thankful that the clone soldiers made it possible for them to be victorious over the droid army; Yoda, however, wonders if a victory was really had. The clones seem like a good idea—they will help defeat the separatists and keep the Republic intact. Yet, we (and perhaps Yoda, too) know that the clones will become the dreaded Storm Troopers. Would the Republic have been better off if the clones were never made? Thousands of systems would have left the Republic but the Empire would not have been born. This helps us see that what looks good now might not be the best thing for us.

On the down side:

• The religious feel the Star Wars movies have is more pantheistic than anything else. The midi-chlorian revelation from Episode 1 adds a bit of a twist to this though. The characters in the movies do not appeal to God, but rather to the general, vague Force, which is impersonal at best.

• Anakin broke his vows when he secretly married Padme on Naboo. Taking vows is a serious matter and Episode 3 should address the consequences of Anakin breaking his vows. When Anakin slaughtered the Sand People after his mother died, one can understand his pain and desire for revenge but still cringes when he actually does kill them all. Nothing justifies killing another person.

• Jedi follow to some extent ascetical practices, but the rest of the universe apparently does not. The worlds the characters visit do not show any obvious temples or churches, nor do the characters themselves ever address the need to worship and come to know God.

• It is striking that throughout the entire “Attack of the Clones” not one Jedi, who are the ones represented as being most sensitive to the way things “should be,” even raised an eyebrow about the creation of millions of clones from one person. Given the myth and universe created by George Lucas, this should have been seen as a huge “disturbance in the force.” There was, however, no evidence of it being in any way problematic.

On the Calendar: IOCC Race to Respond and SYNDESMOS Events

August 3, 2002
IOCC Cross-Country Cycling "Race to Respond" - Saturday, August 3rd, 2002 marks the official start of the Race to Respond: a cross-country cycling event covering 12 states, from New York to California to benefit International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). A team of 5 amateur cyclists will be averaging 150 miles daily for a 21-day period, accomplishing a distance of approximately 3,500 miles. For more information go to the official website at www.racetorespond.org.

August 7-12, 2002
SYNDESMOS Orthodox Theology: Youth Consultation - Durres, Albania - This gathering of Orthodox young adults will discuss broad issues around the theme of diaconia:theology in practice. Participation is open to those with and without theological training, desiring to address the fundamental questions facing the Orthodox Church today. 25 participants from around the world. Application deadline: June 1, 2002. To apply go to www.syndesmos.org.

August 17-27, 2002
SYNDESMOS Orthodox Youth Pilgrimage - Wales, Great Britain - The 1st SYNDESMOS pilgrimage in Britain will visit ancient shrines of local saints of the undivided Church. Pilgrims will travel mainly on foot - totally 60 km - in an area of natural beauty, visiting several Orthodox monasteries and parishes. 30 participants from around the world. Application deadline: June 15, 2002. To apply go to www.syndesmos.org.

Aug 24-31, 2002
SYNDESMOS Workshop on Working with Youth at Risk - Kiev, Ukraine - This international exchange on pastoral work with youth with social difficulties will feature experts, professional, and pastoral workers and volunteers to discuss the role of youth workers in dealing with problems facing young people today. Topics raised will include drugs, alcohol, unemployment, social exclusion, and their moral and practical implications. Experience will be shared about how to approach these issues in a Christian context. 40 participants from around the world. Application deadline: June 15, 2002. To apply go to www.syndesmos.org.

In the News: The Pledge: One Nation Under God?

A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday (June 27, 2002) that the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance makes the Pledge unconstitutional since students cannot hold religious invocations. The court argued “under God” suggests that unbelievers are “outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community” (from “Lawmakers blast Pledge ruling” on CNN.com).

The Senate quickly rallied to the Pledge’s defense, unanimously passing a resolution to support it. Both Democrats and Republicans affirmed the phrase, leaving one to wonder how much support the court’s decision will receive. Several law professors believe that the decision will not stand.

Jeffrey Tobin, a CNN legal analyst, said “under God” needs to be put in the appropriate context: our currency has “In God we trust” and the Supreme Court opens its sessions with a marshal saying, “God save this honorable court.” We have numerous references to God in the public sphere without objection.

As Orthodox Christians, we should never shy away from referring to God or visibly practicing our faith; Jesus tells us to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16) We are one people under God and the Pledge of Allegiance expresses this truth.

We do need to note, however, that most Americans have a deistic understanding of God. When we support the Pledge of Allegiance, we do not necessarily have the same understanding of God as other supporters do; this, however, offers us an opportunity to share our faith. We also have the opportunity to educate those who would push God out of the public sphere.

Some Orthodox Christians may feel squeamish about supporting a pledge since we should dedicate our lives to God and not to a flag. We do need to recognize that our first priority is to Christ and His Church and that we should not dedicate ourselves to anything else.

Michael Newdow, who brought the case to court, is an atheist and does not want his daughter to feel, what he would call, religious pressure in the reciting of the Pledge at school. He feels that the Constitution supports removing any reference to God in the public sphere. God gave mankind the freedom to accept or reject Him; we can only lament Newdow’s lack of faith and hope that he will someday come to accept Christ. An unintended consequence of his lawsuit may be the opportunity to teach others about the Orthodox faith and to call America to a better understanding of what tolerance really means.

Unfortunately, some Christian groups also need to practice tolerance. Newdow has received numerous threats from various Christian groups. Threatening those who oppose Christianity does not serve the interests of Christ and His Church; Christ teaches us to love our enemies and to pray for them. The Apostles did not convert the world through threats—they converted the world through love. If Newdow’s lawsuit angers you, then please say a prayer for him. A prayer will do more good than hate.

Love and Dating: The Question of the Ages: Meeting Other Orthodox

WH from Canada asks:

How do you meet nice Orthodox guys? Whenever I meet any, they are either much older or not interested in talking to people they don’t know.

WH, You are not alone! It is difficult to meet other Orthodox people of the opposite sex on this North American Continent. It is important to keep in mind that although it is difficult, it is not impossible. When meeting new people, it is important to try and maintain a positive outlook, view it as a challenge, and not despair during times of frustration. You might look into some of the following ways to meet other Orthodox your age:

· Visit the OCA’s new Youth and Young Adult website (yya.oca.org) and participate in the chat rooms. They are hosted three times a week on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings for young adults.

· Register for a ‘cyber-pal’ with the OCA’s Youth Office via the same website mentioned above.

· Encourage and organize pan-orthodox gatherings in your area for young adults.

· Take part in Youth organizations such as Jr FOCA and AROY. These organizations sponsor events that make it possible for Orthodox from other areas to meet other Orthodox. Some of these events include National and Regional councils, sporting tournaments, and dances.

· Plan on making time to attend an All-American Council. The past several councils, together with the upcoming 13^th All-American Council, has witnessed an increase in the number of participants each time. There will be over sixty young adults attending this upcoming Council from all over the U.S. and Canada.

· Find out how you can help encourage your own area’s youth movement/ministry. Contact your area’s Church youth workers. If you don’t have any, perhaps you might be willing to work in such a capacity.

Something else to consider is that the larger problem is reaching out to people. Potentially every ‘nice’ guy (girl) you meet is an Orthodox Christian. When dating somebody who is not Orthodox, it is wonderful to encourage that person to pursue an interest in Orthodoxy, if they are so minded. However, it is very dangerous to encourage somebody who claims to want to become Orthodox because you are Orthodox: “I’ll become Orthodox for you!.” A person should choose the Orthodox Faith because he/she sees it to be the true faith and have a genuine interest in learning more about it, and not purely as a means to an end, such as seeking the approval of someone to whom he/she is attracted.

The bottom line is that in order to meet nice people as you’re asking, it pays to be a nice person yourself and to see others as good people who are creations of God. We should also make realistic goals for ourselves; goals that involve our spiritual life. If we draw closer to the Lord and attempt to see Christ in the people we meet, then we set ourselves up to have more spiritually productive relationships with those we meet.

This is your place to ask questions on love and dating and get an Orthodox perspective. E-mail us your questions to youth@oca.org and put “Love and Dating” in the subject line. We’ll answer your question directly and then post it later in an upcoming issue. Don’t worry - all submissions will be treated anonymously.

Real Questions/Real Answers: The Nature of Love

Q. ST from NY writes:

Hi, I’m from upstate NY. Can you please expand upon the nature of love as it is shown in 1 Cor 13:4-8? The reason for my asking this is that from a college class I took in Western Humanities we studied St. Paul's writings and other New Testament writings. Often I asked my professor to sum up the meaning of the New Testament, but all he would utter to me was one word: "Love." It just made a lot of sense to me then.

Thank you so much and God Bless.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians13: 4-8a)

A. Your professor was right, ST. Love does summarize the New Testament, but we need to be careful in our definition of love. St Paul describes perfect love in this passage, the love that we see in Jesus Christ. The love Jesus demonstrates throughout the entire New Testament is what we need to develop in our own lives.

Love, as St. Paul describes it, is not romantic sentimentalism, nor is it a vague feeling of appreciation. Jesus commands us to love one another since by this all will know that we are His disciples (John 13:34-5). Jesus also tells us He loves us and we abide in His love; if we keep His commandments we will continue to abide in His love and grow closer to Him (John 15:9-10). In another place He tells us that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend (John 15:13).

Jesus demonstrates this love for us by dying on the Cross, destroying death by death. God is calling all of us back to Him; Jesus’ death healed the division between God and man and allows us to find union with Him. The Scriptures are, in some ways, God’s beckoning to us. We can summarize the New Testament as love, then, since the message is “God loves us” and He calls us to return that love.

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