From the
Office: Thanks for The Questions and Suggestions
Food for the Soul: The
Annunciation “Saying YEs to God”
An ORthodox Look: bOOK:
Left Behind
In the News: World Council of Churches
looking for Orthodox Interns
On the Calendar: National Sports
Tournaments
Real Questions, Real Answers: Speaking
in Tongues
Readers Write: Thanks and a Word
on the Movie "Hannibal"
Well readers, we’ve been getting all
kinds of e-mails with questions and requests for movie/song/book reviews. We
are glad that you are taking us at our word. YO-Mail truly is your mail. You
can look for the responses in future issues. We are even thinking of dedicating
a special issue to just reviews or questions and answers so that we don’t keep
you waiting too long.
Also, we need your input on some
things.
1.
We are
evaluating whether or not to re-institute the “Cyberpals” program. It’s
basically an e-mail pen pal program. You send us certain information and we
connect you with a cyberpal.
2.
We are in
the process of redesigning the youth and young adult page on the web www.oca.org/yya. Please check it out and send
us your ideas about what you would like to see. The only thing we ask you to
keep in mind is that we have three distinct groups that we are trying to reach:
1. Youth (10-17); 2. Young Adults (18-25ish); and 3. People working with youth
and young adults.
As always, send you thoughts to youth@oca.org!
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, one of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
He will be
great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give
to Him the throne of his father David, and He will reign over the house of
Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.”… And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1: 26-38)
For us, as
Christians, the Annunciation is an exciting event that strikes right to the
core of who we are and what we believe. The troparion, or major hymn for the
Feast, begins with the words “Today is the beginning of our salvation…” It is
the moment of the Incarnation, when the Son of God, the One “by Whom all things
were made”, takes on humanity from the virgin Mary so that He can rescue us
from death, itself. In a sense, we consider it the “Christmas before
Christmas.”
In this passage
we see a number of persons involved. There is Gabriel, God’s messenger sent to
proclaim God’s message to Mary. There is Mary; a teenager who has lived her
entire life trying to do what God wants her to do. Behind it all is God the
Father, Himself, Who sees His creation dying and desperately wants to save it.
Through the Archangel Gabriel, He asks Mary to help Him accomplish just that.
He asks if she would be willing to allow herself to be the vehicle by which His
Son can enter the world as a human person in every respect so that every human
person can return to the ultimate glory for which they were created; eternal
life with Him.
The passage
recounts the most important event of all time (together with Christ’s birth,
death, and Resurrection) and connects it to a unique human moment and personal
decision. Mary answers “Let it be to me according to your word.” At that
moment, when she makes her decision to say yes to God, she becomes the actual
Mother of God (Theotokos) and the example for us how to live our lives. This
was not an easy decision. Mary was an unwed teenager when this occurred and
understood that she could be stoned if people knew she became pregnant. At very
best, her parents and future husband, Joseph, could disown her leaving her to
beg on the streets.
St Gregory of
Nyssa said that, “The Health of the soul [and therefore the overall health of a
person] is determined by the extent to which we align our will (i.e., our
motivation, our resolve, our spirit, our character) with God’s. How many mistakes would we avoid, how much
pain would we eliminate if we only asked ourselves, “Is this what God wants me
to do” and answered “Let it be to me according to Your Will”? How much more
peace would we have in our hearts if we truly believed that God would sustain
us when we have to make unpopular decisions because of our faith?
It is pretty
common for people to ask what they have to do to be a Christian. Ultimately,
it’s this: to follow the example of the Mother of God and try and say, “Yes” to
God every minute of every hour of every day.
Some questions:
Troparion of the Feast
Today is the beginning of
our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes
the Son of the Virgin as Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with
him let us cry to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with
you.
“O Lord, my God, help me
to remember You in all the decisions I make today, no matter how simple or
complex. Help me to remember that Your hand is throughout my life and to seek
Your Will as I make my decisions. Help me, also, O Lord, to remember that Your
Will is ultimately the best thing for me and for this world You created.
Amen.”
See also: Sermon by St Proklos, Patriarch of Constantinople: On the Annunciation of Our Most Blessed Lady Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary
TR from OH
writes:
In the most recent issue of YO-mail, you
asked if we had any movies or books we would like you to "take an Orthodox
look at." Everyone at my school is
crazy over the "Left Behind" series (I think one of the authors is
named LaHaye, but I'm not positive.)
The series is supposedly based on Revelation and all my friends are
telling me I should read it. I wonder
if it isn't a little sensationalized...?
Even if it isn't totally accurate, I suppose reading it wouldn't be
exactly harmful; keeping in mind of course that it is only fiction. One would have to keep reminding them that
the book is BASED on Revelation, but is NOT the Bible. Anyhow, if anyone has read it, could they
please give me an Orthodox opinion?
Thank you.
Well TR, you
are right. We did ask you to let us know if there is something that you would
like us to take “An Orthodox Look at.” The adult and kid “Left Behind” series
(we’ve lost track of how many are in the series at this point) are the
best-selling “Christian-based” fiction book series of all time and have caused
a lot of people to start thinking about the “End Times” when Jesus will come
again.
On the up side:
On the down side:
These are just
some thoughts. If anyone else has read the books and wants to add some “ups”
and “downs” email us at youth@oca.org.
If you know of
a movie, TV show, CD, book, etc. that you would like us to take “an Orthodox
Look” at, let us know at youth@oca.org.
Since the beginning of the World
Council of Churches, the Orthodox Church has been participating in their
discussions and programs as an opportunity to witness to the Orthodox Christian
Faith to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to hear about the
Church’s teachings.
As part of their Youth Internship
Programme, the World Council of Churches is looking for an Orthodox Christian
aged 18-30 for an internship. This internship will focus on documenting and
understanding Orthodox participation in the ecumenical movement. The work will
involve research and communication. The intern will assist in the work with the
WCC Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC. The intern will
also assist Faith and Order in its study on Baptism.
Qualifications: Active
membership in an Orthodox church; communication skills (spoken, but also
written); computer skills; research ability and capacity to work in a team.
Allowances: Interns are
paid a living allowance comparable with a student allowance, and in keeping
with general practice amongst international organizations in Geneva.
The WCC is
also responsible for:
WCC Youth (Internships)
P O Box 2100
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
E-mail: lsm@wcc-coe.org
Fax: +41 22 791 6409
Closing date
for receiving applications for the five internships is 10 May 2001.
Please note that there is no
application form for the Youth Internships Programme. Please write a letter to
us describing yourself, and why you want to undertake the Internship, and why
you think you are qualified to do so. You should include a short Curriculum
Vitae (maximum 2 pages). Apart from
information on your studies and work experience, include also your date of
birth, the name of your Church, and the languages you speak and write. Please include a fax number and e-mail
address for quick communications. Indicate clearly which Internship is of
interest to you.
For
more information check out http://www.wcc‑coe.org
If there is
something going on in the news (either Church or non-Church news) that you
think we should report on, let us know at youth@oca.org.
1. FOCA (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians
in America)
ANNUAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
April 20-22, 2001
Schedule of Events
Friday
6:00-9:30 PM Registration and Open House at St.
Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Parish Center
From the weary
to the energetic traveler, Friday night's activities will feature something for
everyone. After enjoying a dinner prepared in St. Mary's kitchens, you will
have an opportunity to:
* Show-off
your basketball talents at a variety of different skill-stations and to earn
prizes.
* Fine-tune your shooting touch in a casual shoot-around.
* Play foosball & Ping-Pong - all to your favorite music.
* Watch movies.
* Meet and visit with host families, friends and tournament goers.
Saturday
8:30-4:30
PM Basketball Tournament at Eden
Prairie High School
5:30 PM Vespers at St. Mary's Orthodox
Cathedral
6:30 PM Banquet / Dance at St. Mary's
Orthodox Cathedral Parish Center
Sunday
8:30
AM Divine Liturgy at St.
Mary's Orthodox Cathedral
10:30 AM Brunch following at St. Mary's
Orthodox Cathedral Parish Center
12:00 PM Championship Games at Eden Prairie
High School
You do not have to be a member of the FOCA to participate
in the weekend’s activities.
For more
information go to the www.stmarys.org
Or Contact
Cheryl Morse at camorse916@aol.com or 952-423-5480
2.
YAL
(Young Adult League)
10th
ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND BASKETBALL
AND BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT AND CONVENTION
Clearwater Beach,
Florida
May 24 - May 28, 2001
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Thursday: Welcome
Party-Latin night with Salsa music and lessons
Friday: Reggae party
with Ruppert Blaize and the Hard Currency Band
Saturday: Games
Spiritual Discussion
“How can we be Saints in today's world?"
Dinner and speaker
Jazz and Java Nite
Sunday: Church
Brunch;
Spiritual Discussion – “Our
concerns and issues in today's society - An open forum”
Championship Games;
Semi-Formal
Dinner/Dance and Breakfast
Monday: Beach BBQ;
Dinner at Post Corner
Pizza (not included in the package deal)
Farewell Party at
Liquid Blue Night Club
Package Deal
$50.00 postmarked before May 1, 2001
$60.00 postmarked before May 15, 2001
$75.00 postmarked after May 15, 2001 or walk up
There will also be a competitive 2-person beach volleyball
tournament starting Sunday with the Championship Monday at the beach BBQ.
You do not have to be a member of the YAL to participate
in the weekend’s activities.
Cost and events subject to change without notice. For more information
and to be placed on the mailing list, please contact:
Jim Lampathakis (727) 736-2000, or Soula Christopher clwyal@aol.com
Have an event
that you would like advertised here? E-Mail us at youth@oca.org.
BR from
Oxford, England writes:
Q. I'd like to know how the Orthodox
Church views speaking in tongues? I hope I don't offend anyone, but I would
like to know more about this. I am not from an Orthodox background.
A. Speaking with tongues
or, as it is technically called, “Glossolalia” began at Pentecost when the Holy
Spirit descended upon the Apostles and they began to preach and all the people
present who were from all over the world “heard them speaking in his or her own
language” (Acts 2:1-12).
Somewhat later we read in St. Paul’s
letters (epistles) that people began to “speak in tongues” which were not
understandable to others. St. Paul writes that this practice was widespread in
Corinth. Since these “tongues” could not be interpreted for the instruction of
the Church, he contrasted it with teaching, which he preferred, and with
Christian love, which he considered “a more excellent way” (Acts 12, 13, 14).
Speaking in tongues is a gift not to be rejected, but it is not one of the
”higher gifts.” Unlike certain protestant faiths, it was never used in the
Church as a type of “requirement” or “proof” of whether or not someone has
received the Holy Spirit.
Hope this helps!
Next full
issue:
Got a
question? Send it to youth@oca.org. All
questions are treated anonymously (just a couple letters from your e-mail
address and the state your from) unless you tell us otherwise.
Dear editors
of YO-Mail,
I am an
Orthodox student studying abroad in London right now, although I am currently
in Florence Italy for my spring break. It has been such a pleasure and reminder
of my home and Faith to receive this newsletter. I just wanted to thank you for
your enhancement and enlightenment on my religion while abroad.
Thank you!
Dear CH
WOW! You
must love London.
We’re glad
that we are able to help keep you connected to your Faith while you are away
from home. May God bless you in your studies.
Hi there,
Last weekend I
went to the movies with my friends and watched The Hannibal. I was so disgusted
and thought how freedom of speech and art was getting out of hand in the US.
Can we protest against the movie? Or can we at least discourage our members
from seeing it? I heard that there was a time when the Catholic Church
protested against such movies. I don't agree with some people that have given
up and think, "There is nothing we can do, it's out of hands and nothing
can be done about it". We need to have faith and never give up on anything
for the lord has the power to change every thing if we try harder.
This, in a
way, will make some people recognize that there is a church that cares and it
is the Orthodox Christian Church.
OK BL
We haven’t seen the movie yet, so thanks for writing in. You are right to say the Orthodox Church cares about society. People make up society and the Church’s mission is to reach out to every person on this planet with the Good News of Christ’s Death and Resurrection.
We’ve found that formal and/or emotional protests usually just pique people’s interests and encourage them to go “see what the fuss is all about.” This does not mean that as Orthodox Christians in this country, we shouldn’t use our free speech and ability to vote to share our views. It just means that the best way we’ve found for Christians to deal with negative things taking place in society is calmly to point out their destructive nature and the reasons why they can be damaging. This is what we try to do with the “Orthodox Look at” section. So let us know more about why people should avoid the movie.
Thanks
Ok,
readers. That also goes for the rest of
you. If you’ve seen this movie or something else that you feel like we should
talk about, let us know. But please, don’t just write us about all the negative
stuff. Let us know if there is something that you think others can benefit from
as well.
Have
something you want to say or something you want to ask other readers? Send it
in! We’ll put it our next full issue. E-Mail us at youth@oca.org.
YO-Mail is designed and distributed by the
Orthodox Church in America's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries,
P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 -- tel +1.516.922.0550 -- fax
+1.516.922.0954
email youth@oca.org -- website
http://www.oca.org/yya