Food for the Soul:
"The Sacrifice of Himself"

Hebrews 9: 24-28 (Epistle Reading from the 5th Saturday of Great Lent)
24: For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25: Nor was it to offer Himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; 26: for then He would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27: And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28: so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.

Think of the images that come to mind when we hear of a mother sacrificing herself for her children, or a police officer or fire fighter sacrificing himself or herself for a stranger's safety, or an everyday person sacrificing himself or herself for a friend. In this reading from the book of Hebrews we read that Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. So what was the purpose behind His sacrifice?

We were dying - killing ourselves, actually. Through our constant attitude that we can live and do things unconnected to God, we were isolating ourselves from Him. We were isolating ourselves from the very source of our life. God would not accept this. He could not bear to see us dying, and in order to save us from ourselves and restore that life-giving relationship between Him and us, He sent His Son to become a real human being just like us. And so Jesus became human like us and, as the One who is fully God and fully man, sacrificed Himself on the Cross, died, descended to the place of the dead, and rose so that we could rise again to be connected to God and live forever.

This is the reality that we will enter during Holy Week, the Passion of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus came at the hands of the religious and political leaders of his time, with the approval of the masses. He was "crucified for us ... and suffered and was buried" in order to be with us in our sufferings and death, which we brought upon ourselves because of our sins: "for the wages of sin are death" (Rom 6:23). Our limited created minds can't fully understand this God-saving deed, which remains a mystery of the ages. We can, however, open our minds and hearts to reflect on our response to this.

Some things to think about:

• I am one of the "many" whose sins Jesus bore. How do I express my reliance on God? In what ways do I act as if I don't need God? In what ways can I reorient the way I think and act to realize and appreciate my dependence on God?
• Jesus "put away" my sins through His sacrifice. He did this for us - for me. At any moment He could have called out and the angels would have come to save Him, but He knew that this had to happen to save mankind - to save me. In what ways does God hope I will respond to His sacrifice? What roles should gratitude, guilt, and love have in my response? What roles do God, others, and I have in my response?
• The Scripture also says that because of His immortality Jesus' sacrifice only needed to be offered once. The sacrifice of the Eucharist in the Divine Liturgy is the perpetuation of His sacrifice. How can I more consciously receive Communion? Do I connect receiving Christ's Body and Blood with His Sacrifice on the Cross and victory over death for us?
• Do I eagerly await Jesus?

By Thy Precious Cross, Thou hast redeemed us from the curse of the law. By being nailed to a cross and pierced by a spear, Thou has poured forth immortality to man. O our Savior, glory to Thee.

For more information on the Church's teaching on redemption go to the Orthodox Faith series available on the OCA website at http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Orthodox-Faith/Doctrine/Redemption.html

An Orthodox Look
Movies: Chicago

The story of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelley and Billy Flynn is retold in this Oscar-winning remake and adaptation of the screenplay Chicago. Set in Chicago in the 1920's, the movie tells the story of Roxie Hart, a woman desperate to find fame on the vaudeville stage. After murdering her adulterous lover, Roxie finds herself in the same cellblock as Velma Kelley, a famous vaudeville actress, also in jail for murder. Both women hire Billy Flynn, a successful Chicago lawyer, to represent them as they face capital murder charges.

Chicago is based on a true story that took place in the early 1920s. In 1924, the Chicago Tribune covered the stories of two women, Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan, both accused of murdering under the influence of alcohol and jazz. Although their stories had the makings of what came to be a Hollywood movie with a Hollywood ending, the reality for both women was not so fortunate. After the trial, Annan divorced her long-suffering husband, and then married another man, only to find that he was already married. A breakdown led her to a mental hospital, where she died in 1928 of unknown causes. After her acquittal, Gaertner said she planned on remarrying her second husband and traveling to Europe. What became of her is unknown.

On the upside:

• Amos, Roxie's husband, always tries to do the right thing throughout the movie. He remains devoted to his wife despite her affair. He provides financial support for her so that she can obtain Billy Flynn as a lawyer. He even forgives her at the end and wants to reconcile with her despite her adultery, lies, and manipulation.
• Moviegoers with a discerning eye, leave the film, which is intended to be a satire, with serious questions and concerns about our judicial system, the media, and even the basic values of our society.

On the downside:

• Although Roxie wants to tell the jury the truth about the death of her lover, Billy Flynn, her lawyer, insists that "the truth is a one-way ticket to the death house" and convinces her to lie in order to be acquitted.
• The movie portrays, in a satirical but sadly accurate way, the effect that the media has on the judicial system. Billy Flynn's plan for acquittal is to convince the world, through the media, to love Roxie Hart. Once the world loves her, a jury will not convict her, regardless of whether or not she's guilty of murder.
• After another woman is brought to the cellblock on murder charges and the limelight is removed from Roxie Hart, she fakes a pregnancy in order to remain in the spotlight of media attention, giving no regard for the truth or her husband's feelings.
• Although Amos, Roxie's husband, does most everything right in the movie, with the exception of being easily manipulated by Billy Flynn, all his goodness is portrayed as the qualities of a "chump."
• The movie portrays two murderesses as the heroines and shows that, even though these two women committed vicious crimes and have no remorse, they not only remain successful, but their success relies on the notoriety they received because of their crimes.
• The women in jail do not show any remorse for their crimes, but rather, put all the blame on their victims. In one song, the women sing about how the victims "had it coming".
• Every character in the film, with the exception of Amos, is motivated by self-interest alone, with no regard to others.
  

In the News:

• Orthodox Christian US Soldiers Stay Connected to Faith in Middle East

• Miracle of the Holy Light in Jerusalem Expected on Holy Saturday
  

Orthodox Christian US Soldiers Stay Connected to Faith in Middle East
Since March 20th, 2003, communities of the Orthodox Church in America have been praying that the Lord would "...protect the innocent men, women, and children of Iraq and the Middle East from tribulation, wrath and danger, and grant safety to the men and women in military service, support the chaplains in their pastoral ministry...." Many people, however, are not aware that the Orthodox Christian members of our armed services have been praying this also.

Below is a picture of Fr. Jerome Cwiklinski, an Orthodox Chaplain in the US Naval Reserve serving in Kuwait, leading US young adults serving in the region in prayer with a makeshift icon screen of laminated icon prints mounted on stacked cases of water bottles. This is indicative of the spiritual lives of the approximately 50 members of the Orthodox Church in America serving as military personnel and chaplains in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Orthodox Church in America is authorized by the US Armed Forces Chaplains' Board to certify and endorse chaplains. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman is the ecclesiastical endorser for Orthodox chaplains in the US armed forces.

For the Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN and the Holy Synod of Bishops on the Beginning of the Conflict in Iraq, and for the complete text of the petitions being used during Divine Services go to:
http://www.oca.org/pages/ocaadmin/documents/Special-Features/032003iraq/index.html.

For more information on Orthodox chaplains go to http://www.oca.org/pages/ocaadmin/listings/chaplains.html.

Miracle of the Holy Light in Jerusalem Expected on Holy Saturday
Every year on Holy Saturday, in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Orthodox mystery of the Holy Light occurs. The ceremony of the Holy Light consists of three stages: the litany, the entry of the Patriarch into the Holy Sepulcher, and the prayers of the Patriarch in order for the Holy Light to come out.

Following tradition, on Holy Saturday the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, along with the Armenian Patriarch and a variety of archpriests, priests and deacons, enters the Holy Sepulcher, while the bells ring. The Patriarch enters the sanctuary and sits on the Patriarchal throne and immediately begins the Holy Litany.

After the Litany, the Holy Sepulcher is unsealed and the Patriarch enters wearing only his white priest's tunic, to symbolize purity. The Patriarch then enters the Holy Sepulcher with unlit torches, kneels and reads the prayers asking Christ to send His Holy Light as a gift for the sanctification of the people. In time, a wind is heard and blue and white lightning of Holy Light appears. The Patriarch, after reading some prayers, lights up the two clusters of 33 candles he is holding, and begins to distribute the Holy Light to the waiting people.

The appearance of the Holy Light is an event that occurs each year in front of thousands of visual witnesses. While Orthodox Christians do not base their faith in Christ on signs such as these, miracles such as this are appreciated as special blessings.

On the Calendar:

• OCA Young Adult Service Trip to Alaska - 6/12-20/2003

• SVS Youth Institute for High School Juniors - 6/21-27/2003

OCA Young Adult Service Trip to Alaska - 6/12-20/2003

Eklutna, AK - Building upon the commitment of faith expressed by the over 100 young adults who attended the 13th AAC, the OCA Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry is announcing a Young Adult Service Trip to Alaska to help repair the historic Eklutna village. "One of our goals at the All-American Council was to offer more opportunities for the young adults of our Church to gather together, serve the Church, and build friendships," says Fr Michael Anderson, Department Director. "When we presented this idea to the young adults at the Council, we were thrilled to find that so many responded so positively."

The group will travel to Alaska from June 12-20, 2003 and participation is limited to 10-15 young adults (ages 18-27) from the Orthodox Church in America. Since the trip is service in nature, interested participants will receive a packet of information to help enlist sponsors to support them in this ministry. Estimated costs for attending are approximately $1,000 (depending on airfare). Cost includes airfare, meals, housing, and some tourism.

Interested participants must send in the application forms by May 10th, 2003 with a $100 deposit payable to the Orthodox Church in America to the Department at PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791. If you would like to let us know your application is coming, you can contact us at yyadept@oca.org, FAX: 516-922-0954 to guarantee your place on the trip.

For more information, including the application, check out the press release.
http://yya.oca.org/pages/News/newsitems/2003/YAAlaskaTrip.htm

SVS Youth Institute for High School Juniors - 6/21-27/2003

Crestwood, NY - St. Vladimir's Seminary will hold its fifth annual Youth Institute for high school juniors this summer from June 21-27, 2003. As usual, it will be held concurrently with the Liturgical Institute, whose theme this year is "Living Tradition." The Youth Institute offers an opportunity for students to enrich their faith in a seminary setting.

A limited number of students will be selected to receive full scholarship aid for tuition, room and board, but must cover their own travel expenses. Applicants will be selected on the basis of participation in Church and school activities, academic transcripts, and recommendations from their parish priest.

Interested students, currently in their junior year, can apply through our web page (www.svots.edu) or by requesting an application from the seminary. Deadline for the application is May 12th. Applicants should send a hard copy of their transcripts and recommendations to the seminary address: St Vladimir's Seminary, Youth Institute, 575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, NY 10707.

Please contact Fr. Steven Belonick at 914-961-8313, ext. 328 or by e-mail (belonick@svots.edu) if you have any questions.

To download the flyer and application go to http://yya.oca.org/pages/News/newsitems/2003/SVSYouthinstitute.htm and click on the link at the bottom.

Love and Dating: Pointers for Meeting and Relating to Others

Question

MA from OR writes:
I thought I would drop you a line. I have a pretty hard time approaching people at social events. (Of course, when I say people I am referring to people closer to my own age, and particularly girls.) Having Orthodox friends striving for the same thing you are is pretty priceless. I was wondering if you could give me some "pointers" or advice about this and eventually overcoming it? I appreciate any manner of reply on this subject.

Answer

Hi MA,
Friendships and relationships with other Orthodox Christians with the same goals and values are indeed rare and priceless. Your question is a great one. Before we start handing out any "pointers," however, there are a few things anyone who has had this problem should know.

1. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Even the most outgoing person has felt what you are feeling at some point.
2. DON'T BE EMBARRASSED. There are skills to interacting at social gatherings, and not everyone has had the opportunity to learn those skills.
3. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED. Learning these skills, like learning any skill, doesn't usually happen immediately. It takes trial and error. Remember, as you try to use these or any "pointers," that you will have successes and failures. In all probability, the failures will come first. Try to realize where you had difficulty, regroup, and don't give up.
4. WE ARE NOT EXPERTS. We just came up with some ideas based upon our own positive experiences.

So having said that, here are some suggestions.

1 - Remember the purpose of what you are trying to do: to get to know others and give them the opportunity to know you. The goal should not be to make anyone "like" you.

2 - One of the biggest obstacles in these situations is trying to move the focus from oneself (how am I doing?) to the person with whom he/she is talking. Try to really listen to what the person is saying, and avoid thinking about the next thing you are going to say. If you listen with interest, you will then have the opportunity to respond genuinely. Understand that your time with them is a gift from God.

3 - When you are getting ready to go to a social gathering, have some things about which you can talk. Some common topics can be the news, movies, or other things that are part of people's general experience. Make sure they are something you know about and in which you have an interest. Avoid "lines," as they are almost always perceived as insincere and somewhat manipulative. Keep questions genuine and simple. Many people have met by simply introducing themselves, asking the other person's name, and trading information such as where they are from, what they do for a living, where they attend Church, etc..

4 - Don't jump to conclusions. Be open to other people's ideas, experiences, and spiritual life. Be careful not to assume things about the person. Be especially careful not to judge him or her. People are complex, and what you might be hearing may not be what they are trying to say.

These suggestions are not magical answers or the only possibilities. Since this is something with which everyone has some experience, if other readers have some suggestions based upon his or her own life, we will share them in upcoming issues.

This is your place to ask questions on love and dating and get an Orthodox perspective. E-mail 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:
Orthodox Christian / Roman Catholic Dialogue

Q. AN from MA writes

Dear YO-Mail,

I have a question which has been bothering me for some time now. As I'm sure most of us are aware, there is dialogue between the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church in the hopes of unifying into a single Christian church.

Now, I'm sure this would make life as a Christian much easier for many young people -finally not being (in my case) one of the only four Orthodox Christians (only two of which are active) in high school. Certainly, I would have a lot more in common with everyone else then.

Still, this dialogue worries me because I don't understand how it could work out. We are the Orthodox Church because we have maintained the Apostolic Tradition all the way back from the time of the Apostles. The Roman Catholic Church . . . well, it has been a little less strict in that area. If we were to join into one Church, wouldn't the Catholic Church have to be the only changing party? We can't change or we would no longer be Orthodox. Therefore, why would they agree to it? The Pope is another matter. One of the chief reasons for the Great Schism was the Pope's self-elevation over the other Patriarchs. Would he be willing to give this up for our unification--hopefully, yes--but realistically?

Please, if you feel like devoting one of your letters to this topic, I'd appreciate an explanation of what you think may happen and why.

A. AN,

Your question is a valid one and is shared by many people. There are many who are confused and unsure about the Church's dialogues in the "ecumenical" sphere. The Orthodox Church maintains dialogue with other schismatic churches as part of her pastoral task in this world. For this the Church takes Our Lord's words for its basis, " What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray (Matt 18:12-13). It is precisely because we are Christ's Body, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, which we must seek out and nurture relationships with other Churches who have "gone astray."

Some Orthodox Christians say, "Ecumenism is not our problem." This is, in fact, inaccurate. If we understand that we are Christ's One True Church, then, in a way, ecumenism is ONLY our problem. The Orthodox Christian Church is not "our" church if it is the One Church -- even if others have strayed from it. If it is the One Church, it is by definition "their" Church also. We remember when they were with us, we miss them, we love them, and we await their return as the Father awaits the prodigal son.

Why we, personally, are in the Orthodox Church, while others are not, is a mystery of God's will. We should not presume too much on God's good graces, as a quick read through Scripture will show us (Rom 2:4ff., and ch.11). The best way, and truly, the only way, to witness to the One True Orthodox Christian Faith is to live it: a life of humility, of self-sacrificing love, and above all, of repentance.

Schisms are the result of only one thing: sin. As is often said, "The way to unity is on our knees." So, while the Orthodox Church is unchanging, our hearts must not be. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to change all the time -- to repent, to return to God. While the Orthodox Christian Faith is the true Faith, Scripture and Tradition teaches us that WE are always wrong, and are always falling short of the Faith. Therefore, the Orthodox, in our relations with schismatics, must actually LEAD in repentance. We do have to "change." We must live in the constant experience of God's mercy - and so this is the only possible disposition to hold towards others in these dialogues.

In these dialogues, certain obstacles seem insurmountable. And often they truly are. With God, however, "all things are possible." Ecumenical progress will be a movement of God's mercy, an act of God, "a mystery," like everything else. This will require prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and patience, patience, patience. Schisms have taken root over centuries; they WILL take centuries to overcome. To be more exact, the levels of historical misunderstanding and miscommunication between Orthodox and Roman Catholics will take years to unravel before we are able to address the substantive doctrinal issues.

Readers Write:
This is the place to say what you want to say.

Have something to say about an issue of YO-Mail or about anything relevant to our lives as Orthodox Christians? Send it in to youth@oca.org and we will put it here.