THE THRID SPAS - THE NUT-TREE SALVATION

On the Feast of the Icon of the Savior, "Not Made by Hands," church tradition observes the final "spas" of the harvest season, when nuts are blessed.

Legend tells that when the Lord was spreading his teaching in the world, in the Syrian city of Edessa, there lived and ruled a certain man who "was full of leprosy." When he heard of the great miracles the Lord worked, he immediately believed in him as the Son of God. The man wrote Jesus a letter, asking him to come and heal him. He gave the letter to a painter and sent him to Palestine, so that he would paint a portrait of Christ.

The painter came to Jerusalem and saw the Lord surrounded by people. There were so many of htem that he could not approach Christ. So he climbed on top of a big stone and tried to paint a picture of the Lord from a distance. However, he was unable to do so.

The Savior saw him and after he had finished preaching, Jesus asked the painter to come near him, called the man by name and gave him a letter for the ruler in which he promised to send his disciple to heal the ruler's leprosy and gave him instructions for salvation. Then the Lord asked for some water and a piece of cloth. Jesus washed his face and wiped it clean with the cloth. All were surprised to see his face imprinted on it.

The painter brought the Savior's letter and cloth to Edessa. When leprosy "departed from the ruler." he adorned the "Image not made by Hand" and installed it on top of the city's gates.

In 944 CE, the Savior's image was taken to Constantinople. This day, the "transfer of Salvation," is celebrated on August 16/29.

The Third Salvation is often called the Savior of the Canvas or Canvasses, first of all because of the piece of cloth on which the image of Christ was imprinted and also because on this day peasants traded in canvasses.

It is my prayer that this period of the "Savior" has been one which has brought us closer to mercy and kindness of Jesus, as experienced by the man in the story above.

As we prepare to begin a new church year, let us thank God for his many blessings, especially those of a fruitful harvest. God's harvest blessings pertain not only to actual agricultural crops, but to all of the provisions for life's needs, however they are given to us. God is in all and around all and from him, comes every thing that is good.

Vladyka Mykhayil
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On Apple Salvation Day people pick ripe apples and have them sanctified.

On the First Salvation they stand on the water, on the Second Salvation they eat apples, on the Third Salvation they sell canvasses on green hills.

By the Third Salvation nuts have ripened. The Third Salvation yields good crops.
(Old Ukrainian Proverb)

Traditional harvest season blessings observed at summer's-end holidays

These are scenes from the festal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord which was followed by the blessing of fruit; and the blessing of herbs and plants on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. His Eminence, Metropolitan Mykhayil is joined by the Very Rev. Archpriest Samir Alejilat.

Originally reported by uaoc.org

Metropolitan Receives Visitors from Ohio

Here are a selection of pictures from the visit of Evelyn and Sigmund Kobus to Metropolitan Mykhayil in New York. The original article is available at uaoc.org

Director of Yale Center for Faith and Culture sends Conference follow-up letter

NEW HAVEN, CT: Professor Dr. Miroslav Volf, founding director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology, Yale Divinity School, sent a letter of gratitude to all participants in the July 28-31 conference, "Loving God and Neighbor in Word and Deed: Implications for Christians and Muslims."

In his communique, Dr. Volf said in part,

«The most important thing that I have taken away from the conference—from scholarly contributions, from learned panel presentations, from formal and informal discussions, from the exchange of experiences during meals and breaks—is a deepened sense of the immense potential that the Common Word presents for mending relationships between Muslims and Christians. Devotion to the one God (rather than to any worldly cause) and love of all neighbors (rather than the pursuit of our own interests or even our own rights) is the key to peace between those who, while different, inhabit the same space. If this is true, then our most important task is to make the commitment to love God and neighbor as widespread, as deep, and as intelligent as possible in each of our communities. Armed with such a commitment, we can together tackle many difficult issues that beset our mutual relations and our common world. To do this, I believe, is one historic task facing our communities as we seek to live together in one world while remaining faithful witnesses to the faith as we have received it.»

CLICK HERE TO READ REMAINDER OF ARTICLE, INCLUDING VLADYKA MYKHAYIL'S OBSERVATIONS . . .

UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Today marks the 17th. Anniversary of the declaration of an independent Ukraine. Many of us in the Diaspora were overjoyed to finally see the day we thought might never come. Our relatives in Ukraine were liberated from decades of totalitarianism and centuries of government by others than ourselves.

17 years later, it is more important than ever, that we pray for Ukraine to be a place of continued independence, furtherance in the struggle for self-reliance, justice and equal opportunities for every person and the preservation of peace.

As Ukraine moves towards the future, we must be proud of the accomplishments of these past years, strong in our prayers and in our voices, to support a Ukraine that is open, able to set its own destiny and dedicated to our rich and unique Ukrainian heritage.

As members of the Ukrainian Church, we say yes to autocephaly and no to subjugation, allowing our Church to take its rightful place among the churches. On behalf of our entire UAOC in the Americas, I congratulate His Beatitude, our Predstoyatel, the Metropolitan of Kyiv & All Ukraine, Mefodiy, all of our God-loving Ukrainian bishops and our beloved clergy and faithful in Ukraine on this important Day of Independence.

Многая і благая літа!

+Mykhayil
Metropolitan of New York
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

TRANSFIGURATION — THE FULL MYSTERY OF CHRIST

10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
EXPLORING ТHE GOSPEL
MATTHEW 17 :14-23

“After six days” - the words bind the haunting vision of the transfiguration to the preceding event of Peter’s confession and Jesus’ prediction of his fate in Jerusalem. Each of these episodes concentrates of the identity of Jesus and its implication for the disciples.

As Jesus and his disciples descend the mountain, the gloom of opposition & impending death appears. The disciples have been able to absorb this warning of Jesus (v. 13) but their faith remains weak. Their “little faith” (v. 20) once again prevents them from carrying out the mission of life entrusted to them. Earlier, Peter had allowed fear and “little faith” to stifle his power over the chaos of the sea (cf. 14:30). The same things happen again. The “little faith” of the disciples has stopped them from curing a young man seized with the spirit of lunacy. But if a disciple allows the power of God to work through him, “nothing will be impossible” (v. 20).

Jesus gathers his disciples together like a commander rallying his troops before a battle. A second time, he predicts the death and victory that await him in Jerusalem. The transfiguration confronts us with the full mystery of Christ: Jesus en route to his death, but the glory of his triumphant resurrection already putting that death into new perspective. - Donald Senior, CP -

MORE FROM THE 9TH. SUNDAY - THE POWER OF FAITH AND OF FEAR

EXPLORING ТHE SCRIPTURES
Matthew 14: 22-34

For last Sunday's Gospel reading, I offer the following reflection from scripture scholar, Donald Senior.

The second miracle in this sequence of the Gospel is one of Matthew’s most effective passages. The basic details about Jesus’ miraculous walking on the water over an angry sea and his mysterious encounter with the disciples and their battered boat are all borrowed from Mark (6: 45-52). Both Gospels make a profound assertion about the divine power of Jesus who, like God depicted in the Hebrew Scriptures, treads upon the crests of the sea (Job 9:8) and whose majestic words to the disciples, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid,” echo the revelatory words of the God of Israel *cf. Isa 4:1-4; 10; 43:25, etc.).

But Matthew enriches the story with material not found in Mark. Peter, the consistent spokesman for the disciples in this Gospel, asks to duplicate Jesus’ own dominance over the chaos of the sea (14:28). True to the Gospel’s assertion, the disciple is able to do the same as Jesus (cf. 10:1). But, as he will do throughout the Gospel, Matthew likes to pair the disciples’ glory with their flaws. Peter experiences the power of the chaos, and fear begins to drag him down. His response is the best instinctive response of the believer, “Lord, save me!” Jesus instantly rescues Peter and, when all are in the boat, the awed disciples worship Jesus with the fullness of Christian faith: “Truly, you are the Son of God’ (v. 33).

Mark’s version of the story does not include the Peter incident and his portrait of the disciples presents them as completely lacking in understanding or faith. But for Matthew that boat crew images his own church: buffered, frightened, but clinging to belief, a community “of little faith” (cf. 6:30).

The chapter closes with the boat at shore and the Gospel’s repeated testimony to the healing power of Jesus (14:36).

The Gospel stresses the inclusion of the disciples in Jesus’ power to feed and to heal. Only fear stands in the way of their ability to carry out their mission. Does our own story of Christian discipleship have any parallels to the experiences of Peter and the Twelve? - Donald Senior, CP -

9TH. SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH

EXPLORING THE SCRIPTURES
1 Corinthians 3: 9-17

Even though it is already Saturday, I felt it worthy to speak of last week's readings in this entry and the one to follow.

At the liturgy this past Sunday, the "9th. After Pentecost," we had the opportunity to hear some familiar but thought provoking scripture passages. On a candid note, I remember these readings very well, because they were on the well-known and now historic recording (c. 1957 - then on LP vinyl), of the "Divine Liturgy in English" celebrated by Archpriest Eugene Chromoga with the beautiful choir of St. Mary Church in Van Nuys, California. It was among the very first recordings of the Liturgy in English and I can still here the voices of Msgr. Cromoga and the reader, chanting these readings in the translation that was used at that time.

Much has changed in the church in America since that breakthrough recording. However, the lessons of the scriptures remain quite relevant and even piercing for us.

The first reading is taken from the Apostle Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians. Paul speaks about the founding days of the early church and how he has been building the primitive communities of faith. In claiming that he has laid the foundation for the church at Corinth, he acknowledges that others are building upon it.

St. Paul advises much caution for those who work for what he calls "God's building." There can be no foundation other than "the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:11). "The work of each person will be made manifest" (v. 13). "The "Day," he says, (referring to the day of the "parousia" or of Christ's return to judge the world), "will disclose it" and "fire will test the quality of each one's work" (v. 13). People will either receive recompense, if their work stands or suffer loss, should it burn, and be saved only as one fleeing through fire (vv. 14-15).

The lesson for us in our day, is much the same as for the Corinthians. Many people try to build the Christian community - the church - in different ways and for different reasons. We may belong to the community in a variety of ways - hopefully beginning with communion in God through participation in the Divine Mysteries.

Many other motives for belonging to the church exist. They include - deepening our prayer life, increasing our knowledge of the scriptures and of the faith, receiving the spiritual support of our brothers and sisters, spreading the love that God has shown to us, feeling a part of the group, participating in various activities and social functions. These all have a positive value in their own right. An underlying factor that should always be present in each, is the desire to build up our faith in God and acknowledge our total reliance on God. This is the foundation that is in Jesus Christ.

In a different manner, sometimes people "build up the church" out negative or selfish motivation. How many times have we heard people say, "this is my church" or "they could never get along without me here" or even "I AM the church!" Often, there are those in the Christian community who purposely "take possession" of the church and discourage others who try to share their gifts, talents and personalities. Their motivation may not come from "evil intent" per say, but their lack of self-confidence and fear of others renders whatever good efforts they may have attempted to offer, void of good, welcoming to other, evil overtones and certainly, without merit. It is of these that St. Paul speaks of as those who will be saved only "as one fleeing through fire (v. 15).

This latter foundation is not built of the "rock" that is Christ, but on our own interests and self-promotions. The fact is, that Christ is the eternal cornerstone of the church and whoever strives to build their efforts upon him - the foundation of their efforts will stand. Faith is both the unifying factor of believers and the test of how strong their work for the Lord will stand, when the "Day of Judgment" will ultimately disclose all things.
+Vladyka Mykhayil

THE SECOND SPAS — THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

As August continues, the church calendar brings to our attention another “spas,” another opportunity to experience the “energies” of God that lead us to salvation.

The feast of the Transfiguration has a particularly theological nature, and has been used by Byzantine theologians to illustrate the divine essence that is present in the historic Jesus. St. Gregory Palamas, St. Simeon the New Theologian and others of the late-Byzantine period, would ultimately conclude that because Jesus was able, in his earthly, human state, to display the light of his divine glory, so too, all humankind can strive to “clothe themselves in the light of God” (divinization). This is done by living lives worthy of God’s presence — lives which make use of God’s energies that are constantly made available to us.

Palamas made a distinction between God's "uncreated energy" and "created energies." The "uncreated energy" - refers to God's pre-eternal essence which is the "very life of God" and belongs solely to God. The believer, whose ultimate desire is to become "one with God" (theosis), experiences the uncreated energy of God especially through the enlightenment which comes from participation in the sacraments (mysteries) of the church.

The "created energies" - those many times and ways in which God "breaks through" to humanity, channeling grace to the individual are experienced in many different forms. They are those inspiring and often life-altering moments when we hear God's voice as he speaks to us.

This latter form of "created energy" is often referred to in Western thought as "actual grace" while the former (uncreated energy) is called "sanctifying grace."

Quite often, God's created energies are channeled through others, who may offer us a healing word or be a blessing to us in some way, when we need it most. God's inspiring energies might also come from our experience of the beauty of nature or of the discoveries of science. They can come from the church's liturgy and through prayer, in our dialogue with the Savior through which there is an outpouring of his energy.

Being recipients of God's energies, we have an obligation to be channels of them to those whom God places in our lives. All things happen for a reason. The opportunities God gives to us - the possibilities for personal spiritual growth, the ability to make changes in the name of justice and truth and the attainment of a higher level of self-fulfillment - these are ways in which we can release God's energy into the world around us. If we do so, God will deem us to be good stewards of the graces he so freely bestows upon his people.

As a reminder of these opportunities and the need to put them to good use, the liturgy uses blessings and ceremonies. They keep before our minds, the need to use all that is good for the good and all that is holy for holy purposes. Therefore, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, the church sanctifies apples and other fruits, in thanks for the rich harvest – the many good energies, spiritual and material, that the Savior gives to us. Truly, our world can be transfigured by the energy of God.
+Vladyka Mykhayil

AYUNO DE LA DORMICIÓN (SPASIVKA) Y LAS 3 SALVACIONES (SPAS)

El mes de Agosto nos trae al inicio del periodo de la cosecha en el calendario de la iglesia. Es también un tiempo de ayuno y penitencia, al prepararnos para la gran Fiesta de la Dormición de la Teotokos (Uspinnya).

Desde tiempos antiguos, nuestra gente diseñó una ingeniosa serie de fiestas y bendiciones, para agradecer a Dios por la abundancia de la cosecha y para pedir su bendición sobre los frutos del año. Diseñaron tres "salvaciones" (spas), centradas en tres diferentes fiestas del Salvador, en gratitud por los varios artículos que fueron esenciales en aquel tiempo y que y que aún lo son en la actualidad. También, nos preparan espiritualmente para el comienzo del nuevo año de la iglesia en Sep 1/14.

La primera o Salvación de Miel en Ago 1/14 conmemora la Fiesta de la Procesión de la Santa y Dadora de Vida Cruz y nos recuerda los signos dados por los íconos del Salvador y la Theotokos durante la batalla del Príncipe Andriy Boholyubsky contra los Búlgaros del Volga en 1164. La fiesta lleva el nombre de "Salvación de Miel" porque en este día, a los estrictos adherentes a las costumbres populares y al ayuno les está permitido comer miel, después de haber sido santificada en la iglesia.

Durante el periodo de la Spasivka, dos mas "salvaciones" tienen lugar, la segunda o "Salvación de Manzana" en Ago 6/19, la Fiesta de la Transfiguración, cuando manzanas y otras frutas son bendecidas y la tercera o "Salvación de Avellano" en Ago 16/29, el día en que honra el Ícono de nuestro Señor, "hecho no por manos."

Exploraremos estos temas en las siguientes semanas. Lo que es más importante es que tomemos este tiempo, al menguar el verano y el otoño aparece en el horizonte, para enfocar nuestra vida espiritual, especialmente a través de una mayor participación en los servicios litúrgicos de la iglesia y del recibimiento de los sacramentos de la confesión y la comunión.

+Vladyka Mykhayil

THE DORMITION FAST (SPASIVKA) AND THE 3 SALVATIONS (SPAS)

Тhe month of August brings us to the beginning of the harvest period of the church calendar. It also is a time of fasting and penance, as we prepare for the great Holyday of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Uspinnya).

From ancient times, our people devised an ingenious series of feasts and blessings, to thank God for the bounty of the harvest and to ask his blessing upon the produce of the year. They designed three “salvations” (spas), centered around three different feasts of the Savior, in gratitude for various commodities that were essential at that time and still now. Also, they prepare us spiritually for the beginning of the new church year on Sep 1/14.

The first or Honey Salvation on Aug 1/14 commemorates the Feast of the Procession of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross remembers the signs given by the icons of the Savior and the Theotokos during Prince Andriy Boholyubsky’s battle against the Volga Bulgars in 1164. The holiday has the name of the “Honey Salvation” because on this day, strict adherents of popular customs and fasting are allowed to eat honey, after its sanctification in the church.

During the Spasivka period, two more “salvations” take place—the second or “Apple Salvation” on Aug 6/19, the Feast of the Transfiguration, when apples and other fruits are blessed and the third or “Nut-Tree Salvation” on Aug 16/29, the day honoring the Icon of Our Lord, “not made by hands.”

We will explore these themes in the next weeks. What is most important is that we take this time, as summer wanes and autumn is on the horizon, to bring our spiritual lives into focus, especially through greater participation in liturgical services of the church and reception of the sacraments of confession and communion. +Vladyka Mykhayil

LOVING GOD AND NEIGHBOR IN WORD AND DEED

From July 28-31, I had the opportunity to be a participant in an historic conference at Yale University in New Haven, CT, that had the above theme. It brought together over 150 Christian and Muslim scholars from around the globe. The discussions centered around the words above and their implications for Christians and Muslims—Love of God and Love of Neighbor.
As a response to the document, A Common Word Between Us & You published last year by 138 Islamic scholars and addressed to all leaders of the Christian world, the Reconciliation Program at Yale aims to promote dialog among leaders, scholars and people of faith from both traditions, in order to discover common ground for working together within the global community.

The intention is not at all to promote a blending or conglomeration of the two religions, but rather to use the commonalities that they share to attain an atmosphere of co-abiding in peace and love between both peoples. For the sake of the good estate world and of each other, we conducted deliberations which sought to touch the root of the situations, listen to concerns and conduct a conversation which can lead to improved and more enlightened understandings between all.

My prayer is that the good work and the friendships that were forged at the conference will continue and grow into streams that nourish and lead to the progress of peoples and the safety of our world. It is more important now than ever that we work together towards this goal now. +Vladyka Mykhayil


Click here for more information and conference pictures.