History of True Christianity

History of Being Truly Catholic
Nearly two thousand years ago, Our Lord Jesus Christ was born on the earth and began to teach a small group of followers about the God that had created the universe and had specifically guided the Israelite people for the nearly two thousand years previous thereto. While Jesus was preaching to the leaders among the Jewish religion, they came to understand that He was claiming to be the Divine Voice that spoke to the Prophet Moses from the burning bush on Mount Sinai. Alarmed by this thought, they first sought to stone Jesus and later they succeeded in gaining the consent of the Roman governor to have Roman soldiers crucify Jesus for the perceived offense of blasphemy. Despite the initial success of the Jewish leaders, Jesus' resurrection three days later caused many Jews and Greeks at that time to become followers of the small group of apostles that Jesus had taught both before and after His Resurrection. This enlarged following of Jesus was called the Church, and within three years was referred to as the Christian Church.
For the nearly 300 years that followed, the members of this Church remained together under the guidance of bishops that had been appointed by the first apostles and their immediate successors, but they had to keep their worship of God hidden from the Roman authorities, praying in secret in the catacomb tombs of major cities, and, when they were occasionally discovered by the state authorities, the public acknowledgment of their faith in Jesus invariably resulted in their death as martyrs for Christianity. When finally the Roman Emperor Constantine decided to abandon the official Roman pagan religion and become a Christian, he ordered an end to the persecution of the members of the Christian Church. This new era of peace allowed Christians to worship openly without fear of persecution, and also enabled Christians throughout the world to exchange their ideas and understandings concerning the teachings that Jesus had given to His apostles.
Within just a few years it became apparent that Christians were divided into two separate groups, one believing that Jesus was indeed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that spoke to Moses, and the other group believing that Jesus was not God, but rather, was created by God as the leading angel or spirit in God's creation. The former group, wishing to emphasize that they accepted the full Christian Faith and tradition, began to refer to themselves by the Greek word Catholic (katholikos), that means ``according to the wholeness.'' The other group called themselves Arians, after their leading teacher, the priest Arius, who taught that Jesus was not God. For the next two hundred years that followed, the Catholic Church and the Arian Church vigorously opposed each other's teaching, until finally nearly all Arian Christians came to accept that Jesus was God, and then became members of the Catholic Church. For many years, the Church was at peace, and the full Catholic teaching continued to be acknowledged in the way that Christians prayed around the world.
Around the year 1000, however, Christians suddenly became divided by an extraordinary assertion by one of the bishops, the Pope of Rome, that he was entrusted by God with all power on earth, both concerning matters of religion as well as all matters of the state government. This rather strange mixture of religion and politics was seen to be quite foreign to the original teachings of Jesus by most of the bishops of the Catholic Church at that time, and, therefore, many prominent bishops, such as the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Antioch, and Constantinople, together with the Pope of Alexandria, charged the Pope of Rome with abandoning the ``wholeness'' of the Catholic Faith, and began to refer to their Churches as the Orthodox Catholic Church, while the Roman Pope referred to his some-what changed ``Catholic'' Churches as the ``Roman'' Catholic Church. For nearly a thousand years now, the Orthodox Catholic Church, often referred to merely as the Orthodox Church, has continued to teach the original unchanged Catholic teachings taught by Jesus to His apostles. In many lands this teaching was persecuted, but it remained the prevailing Christian teaching in the Holy Land, ¦in Syria, and in Greece where the first Christians had taught the Faith that Jesus gave them. Many Christians of Slavic descent, such as those from Ukrainia, Russia, Serbia, and Bulgaria likewise remained faithful to the original Catholic teachings of the Orthodox Church, which is still today the oldest and second largest single grouping of Christians in the world..
About one hundred years ago, when the Roman Pope demanded of those that followed him the further embellished teaching that he was infallible, some of his followers realized the extent of his deviation from original Catholic Christianity, and petitioned the Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church to allow their churches to return to true Catholicism (i.e., Christian wholeness). They also requested that they be allowed to keep the customs and rituals that had been practiced by their Catholic forefathers in times before the Roman Pope separated himself from the Orthodox Church. Permission for this was first granted in 1911, and since that time churches in America, Italy, France, Great Britain, and Yugoslavia have returned to the fullness of the practice of the ancient Catholic Church. Another event has happened somewhat more recently within the Roman Catholic Church to cause some of its followers to question whether or nor their Church had remained truly Catholic. This event was called the Second Vatican Council. While not fully understood at first, the type of changes mandated by this council in 1965 left many Roman Catholics wondering what had happened to their "Catholic'' Faith. The ancient Mass, with its sense of seeking the Holiness of God with its congregation present, had been almost completely lost, and the deep reverence that everyone was inclined to display before the Holy Altar had been replaced with a town-meeting atmosphere.
The Bishops of the Orthodox Church have long hoped that a time would come when Roman Catholics might realize the extent of the departure that their Church has taken from the Catholic Faith, and that it was important not merely to call one's Church ``Catholic,'' but also to practice the Catholic Faith in a manner that remains truly Orthodox in belief and practice. To assist in the return of those who wish to practice this Ancient Catholic Faith, they proceeded to set up a special group of Bishops in 1984 called the Autonomous Metropolitan Orthodox Church of Milan and Aquileia, Western Europe and the Americas. In 1994, this Autonomous Metropolitan Orthodox Church of Western Europe and the Americas had its autonomy further recognized by the Ukrainian Orthodox Patriarchate of Kiev. This grouping of Bishops is especially intended to provide for the return to the fullness of the Catholic Faith for those who wish to keep the ancient Western tradition and practices of their Catholic fore-fathers, together with the Eastern tradition that is practiced throughout the rest of the Church.
Today, in Western Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States there are available for those who wish to worship according to the fullness of the ancient Catholic belief and tradition, parishes of the Orthodox Church for Christian of the Western tradition. Here the ancient Mass is celebrated just as it had been before the departure of the Roman Pope from the Church's ancient teachings in english. Here the All-Holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Saints are beseeched during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to intercede for both the living and the dead. Here the ancient belief that Jesus is God and one of the three Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity is cherished and preached. If you or anyone you know is interested in regaining this access to the ancient Faith as held through many centuries by those from whom they are descended, please contact the local parish or the chancery office whose address and phone number are given below. A Priest will be only too happy to explain these matters of Faith in more detail for you if you wish, and to answer any questions you may have, and to tell you the local Church where you would be welcome to regain the Faith that was once long ago given by Our Lord Jesus Christ to His Apostles. Even if you are merely curious, he will be happy to explain these matters of Faith or to relate them to your own particular religious upbringing and experience. It is important in these times that we seek after the truth that Jesus presented to us, and to keep His Teachings just as Saints throughout the centuries sought to pass on to us, a Faith that is cherished as truly Catholic and necessarily Orthodox, yet lived in the midst of the constantly changing world around us.+
Mission Saint Sergius and Bacchus is a faith community that practices the western Orthodox traditions and welcomes all who wish to live Christ's message. We invite you to visit us at www.missionstsergius.org or on our yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

August 20th Readings Reflection

August 20th Reflection
Proverbs 9:1-6, Psalm 34:2-7, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

The gospel reading for this Sunday is a continuation of Last week theme, the promise of Christ that frequent participation in the Eucharist assures closeness with Christ. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my bloodremains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” The first reading from the book of Wisdom should cause us to think how even in the Old Testament the concept of Bread and wine being “Life Giving and Sustaining” was known. It is said that many people were able to live for months with nothing else to eat but bread and wine. Is it any wonder then that Christ chose those fruits of the earth to become His body and blood for us to partake of? The book of Wisdom proclaims, “To the one who lacks understanding, wisdom says, come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding.”I cannot stress the importance of frequent partaking of the Eucharist, as I commented in last weeks reflection, the Eucharist is like God’s vitamin and energy boost. It gives us greater strength to resist all the temptations that plague us every day. The Eucharist coupled with daily prayer and commitment to serving Almighty God keep us headed on the path to Everlasting Salvation with Christ and the Heavenly Elect.
Today’s Psalm affirms that concept; “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth. Glorify the LORD with me; let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.”Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an exhortation to us and an excellent guide as to how we should live our lives on a daily basis. “Brothers and sisters: Watch carefully how you live, do not be like foolish persons but as wise, making the most of every opportunity to do good, because the days are evil. Do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”
The exhortation in short is advising us to be careful of partaking in excess of things, that in moderation are good and given us by God to be used for good, but which can lead to a separation from God and cause us to engage in activities that can cause harm to ourselves and to others. The reading refers specifically to getting drunk on wine but the advice also applies to drugs, sex, even work. When we put anything before serving God, we endanger ourselves and our salvation.
I am reminded of the old adage “All work and no play make people very dull persons”. It is also proven harmful to ones health.
In everything we do we need to act moderately, keep all things in balance. Today this is a real challenge because of all the outside pressures placed upon us. If we allow ourselves to overindulge in anything, especially things that make a healthy relationship with God impossible, by diverting our attention to material things we fall prey to the Evil one and jeopardize our relationship with Almighty God.
It is for this very reason that we need to be very focused on making sure that we keep ourselves strengthened and rejuvenated in order to resist the pressures that beset us. We need to place our faith and trust in God that He will provide us with all the basics we need. We can achieve this by making sure that we partake of that food of life given to us by Christ, the Eucharist, and give God some time out of our daily life by offering prayers of thanksgiving for the gifts He has given us and petition Him for our needs.
In short, God must be the center of our personal and family life. As Bishop Fulton J. Sheehan used to say; “The Family that prays together, stays together” Amen
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA

The Goodness of God

The Goodness Of God Is Unending
A Reflection On God’s Gifts To Me On The Anniversary Of My Ordination
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
I thank all who have included me in their prayers on my anniversary and for all the affirming messages I have received from so many. It is heart warming and uplifting to know that your humble attempt to serve Almighty God is being received and making a difference. Your prayers give me sustenance and courage to do my best in the service of God by proclaiming His mercy and love for all people and His desire for them to come home to Him by actively participating in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church and claiming their place in the Mystical Body of Christ.
This past weekend has been filled with numerous gifts from God some amazing, others very subtle and still others, the little things we in our busy day to day lives often overlook.
I had made plans to visit the Abbey at Weston Vermont for a weekend retreat in preparation of celebrating my first anniversary as a priest and to ask God’s help and guidance for the coming year. The abbey is the place where God directed me to the icon of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, who I had never heard of before finding it there, even though I have worked and ministered in the church for more than 30 years and thought I knew most saints.
The weekend started off with beautiful cooler weather which made the trip through the country roads most enjoyable. No need for air-conditioning. The country villages glistened with the sunshine bouncing off the various shades of green of the foliage and the white washed steeples of the traditional New England church steeples. Our hostess, as usual, was most gracious and we began the weekend with prayers, a liturgy and then broke bread. The following day began with my celebrating a liturgy in my host’s home as she is legally blind and has arthritis which would prevent her from traveling to the monastery. I then blessed her home and the grounds as well as her sweet friendly four legged companion. We then drove to the peace and quiet of the Benedictine Abbey for contemplation, prayers and a spiritually uplifting and Holy Spirit filled Eucharistic liturgy. It was during some of the quiet times of reflection that I had the opportunity to interact with a newly professed brother of another order, to discover that we lived close to each other, and we planned to come together for prayer regularly. I also was approached by a couple requesting I bless some Rosary Beads they planned to bring to a sick friend. As it turned out they were next door neighbors of a very dear friend in the Berkshires. The liturgy as usual was a wonderful spiritual moment where you felt the everlasting love of God filling the simple chapel.
We traveled back to our hosts home, a 26 acre farm located overlooking the Connecticut river.
With her son and a groundskeeper we shared a wonderful meal and the day ended with evening prayers. The following morning, Sunday, we left for the Abbey and Sunday Liturgy followed a time of reflection and then headed of to the Vermont Country Store to pick up a few things that can only be found there. Back at the hosts home we shared another wonderful dinner and friendly conversation ending with evening prayers. The next day, Monday, was spent walking the grounds and taking in the splendor of Gods gifts, the peach orchard, the gardens of flowers, blueberries, vegetables and all the little creatures of God that inhabit the grounds. I felt like St. Francis as birds came up to eat of the sunflowers and the chipmunks scuttled about while a deer roamed through the trees and wild turkeys gobbled in the grasses while the golden sun provided a comfortable warmth. After another home liturgy it was back to the Abbey for the liturgy in honor of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother.
Just as people were gathering for the liturgy, a woman and her husband, I know it was her husband because of the amazing circumstances, was wheeled into a place near the altar in a wheel chair. I remarked how much she looked like my cousin who has MS. Miracle of Miracles, that is exactly who it was. What a blessing to celebrate the liturgy of the Assumption and the liturgy that coincides with my anniversary of ordination with a family member. She and her husband were there for a weeks retreat before she goes back to her classroom and the wonderful 3rd graders she teaches. God’s love keeps her going even though she has this debilitating disease. She is truly an inspiration to all who know her and I am blessed to have her as a cousin.
I also had the joy of meeting and sharing with members of other religious orders who were also celebrating their ordinations or entrance into religious life. Back at our hostesses home we enjoyed a meal of trout and a ratatouille mad with an assortment of garden vegetables ending the day with evening prayers. Tuesday morning began with the usual Liturgy of the hours followed by a liturgy at our friends home and a breakfast that included apple cider donuts, a New England delicacy. I must say I hated to leave to go home since I find the area to exude God’s goodness and peace. On the way home we gathered some farm fresh vegetables and a strawberry/ rhubarb pie to bring home and keep the memory alive for a bit longer.
I strongly recommend a visit to the Abby if you are ever in the New England area. You will leave changed, you will most definitely feel a closeness to Almighty God and you will be refreshed.
The Weston Priory is located in Weston Vermont off route 100.
The monks produce some of the most beautiful and spiritually uplifting music for use in times of meditation, prayer gatherings, and liturgies. They also have religious items that they craft themselves or from their mission in Latin America.
God has renewed my spirit and my determination to work as diligently as possible in service to Him by proclaiming His everlasting and unlimited goodness, compassion, mercy and love for all of His children with no exceptions.
My prayers are for all to come to the recognition of God’s love for them and pray that the message I am attempting to send in my feeble way continues to reach those who need to hear it. I can only do this with your prayers. I do hope that, if you feel this message is worth hearing you will direct others, especially those you feel might need to have this affirmation, to our ministry.
May God Bless You All.
A simple humble servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Fr. Bob