Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church
by Rev. Father George Mastrantonis
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. O holy
Apostles, and all Saints, Intercede for us To be delivered from dangers
and sorrows; For we have You as fervent Intercessors In the present of
the Savior.
Now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
In your compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos, Do not overlook our
requests and circumstances, But deliver us from dangers, For You are the
only pure, the only Blessed.
The Chosen Originators
Jesus Christ endowed His Church with Himself and His
divine Message. He handed it down to His disciples, who constituted His
Church. Jesus Christ selected from among them Twelve Apostles to carry
on with authority His Gospel, and He sent them to preach it and to
baptize converts all over the world:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even unto the end of the world" (St. Matthew 28:19-20).
The Holy Apostles organized the converts into groups called Churches.
To these Churches the Holy Apostles handed down the treasure of the new
Gospel, their eyewitness account of the Logos (Word) as they actually
saw it take place, preserving it forever through the Church. This is the
Gospel-The Tradition in the broad sense of the word-which we cherish
today. Taking the Truth from the Apostles, the Orthodox Church is an "Apostolic" Church;
it has its roots in the Apostolic ministry and succession, the
apostolic Faith and Creed, and the Apostolic word and Scriptures by
which the Holy Apostles and their immediate successors defended the
Orthodox Faith and kept it undefiled against heresies and persecutions.
But who are these blessed Apostles who were chosen to hand down the
new Gospel and establish the Church to which we belong today? Who
empowered them to preach the Gospel and disregard all the threats which
endangered and, in the end, took their lives? Who are these mighty
personalities who were the instrumental figures behind the worldwide
movement which has changed the pace of life of men thereafter?
Sometimes the voice of the past is the clearest and most vivid guide
for the minds and hearts of men of today, taking them out of the
confused values of this life. Sometimes the lives and deeds of men of
the past are unforgettable and stand as light posts to illuminate the
road for a future achievement. They stand as unshakable rocks on which
the waves of disappointment of life lose their force and disappear.
The
Holy Apostles of Christ are both the rocks and the light posts for our
life. To them, our ancestors in the Christian heritage and faith, this
pamphlet is humbly dedicated, that both the writer and the reader might
imitate their devotion and work and appreciate their convictions in
Christ, "in Whom they lived and moved and had their being" (Acts 17:28).
The Greek word "apostle" conveys to us the meaning of messenger,
delegate, envoy or collector of tribute paid to the temple service. In
the Gospels the Twelve were simply to be Christ's envoys. As Jesus was
sent by His Father, so the Apostles were sent by Jesus. Jesus Christ
used contemporary terms for "apostle" and gave it His own content and
interpretation stressing the idea of being "sent," which means that an
Apostle is a man with a mission throughout his entire life.
Jesus Christ Himself gave the title "Apostle" to the Twelve in St.
Luke 6:13 and St. Mark 3:14, "Whom he also named apostles." The term
"apostle" ("απόστολος" or apostolos" in Greek; a derivative from
"apostellein", meaning "to send") signifies a special mission. An
apostle is the commissioner of the person who sent him. Therefore, the
term apostle is more definite than the term messenger (in Greek
"angelos"). The apostle does not merely transmit a message, but he works
to put it into practice among the recipients, both to let them
understand it aright and to apply its contents in their faith and life.
Jesus "Called" His Apostles
The First Approach
Some of the Twelve Apostles were disciples of the Forerunner of
Christ, Saint John the Baptist. They were acquainted with the Scripture
and the expectations of their master. When Saint John the Baptist was
"looking upon Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (St.
John 1:36). Saint Andrew, one of Saint John's disciples, with another,
"heard Him speak, and they followed Jesus" (v. 37). They followed Him
without asking.
Thus the Apostolic Church began. It was through their own efforts to
find out and discover the truth for themselves. They persisted, and
"came and saw where He (Jesus) dwelt, and abode with Him that day" (v.
39).
They had a long audience with Jesus. What did they discuss? We do not
know. What we do know is that they came out of this sanctuary with, a
definite faith in Him. He was the One they were expecting. Saint Andrew
felt the impulse to express his belief to others. He first found his
brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah", which means
Christ, and "he brought him to Jesus" (v. 42).
Saint Andrew's act stands
as an example for every disciple and apostle thereafter. First, the
pure desire to seek the Truth; second, acquaintance with revelation and
obedience to it; third, acceptance and conviction of the Truth, and then
a full confession and proclamation of the faith. These acts make the
Church a growing and moving entity.
After Saints Andrew and Peter and John, "one of the two", Jesus found
St. Philip in Galilee, and called him to His crew; St. Phillip not only
followed Him, but stated his conviction to Nathaniel, we have found Him
of Whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote...come and see"
(St. John 1:45, 46), and Nathaniel saw Him and believed in Him: "You are
the Son of God! You are the King of Israel," he exclaimed in words to
be echoed by millions in the generations to come.
One day passed and five promising people were His devoted companions.
Christ was no longer alone-except at His agony, and on the Cross.
Walking along the shore of the "sea of Galilee", which actually is a
lake, Jesus met again the two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who were
casting their nets. He commanded them now to follow Him and become
fishers of men. At the same time and place Jesus found James and his
brother John, fishers at the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He called them
to follow Him. All obeyed instantly (St. Mark 1:16-20). Jesus called
Matthew, Levi, in the same way (St. Mark 2:16; St. Matthew 9:9) in
Capernaum. He was a collector of taxes, probably of the customhouse of
this city. Matthew left this position, bade farewell to his fellow
officials and followed the Lord. What a challenge for us today-for the
merchants and the while collar workers! They left work and home,
pleasures and habits; they discarded the dreams of their youth and on
the ruins built firmly a new fortress of defense and appeal. They
demonstrated that an immutable conviction in the living God can move
mountains.
What was the intention for calling these disciples? They were to
capture men instead of fish, once they had passed through a period of
training. He did not send them immediately on a special mission. The
disciples were to take intensive training in divine attitudes, in the
new interpretation of the Scriptures and in obedience to the Lord. They
were invited to meet the new standards of moral life and to grow in
courage to spread the Gospel and nourish its growth in mankind. The
loyal Eleven have proven themselves worthy of the Mission. They have
changed the orbit of the world in the Name of Jesus.
What was our Lord's aim in selecting His special group? Saint Mark
states that the purpose was that they might be with Him so He might send
them forth to proclaim the approach of the Kingdom of God, and so He
could endow them with the power to heal and to exercise. Saint Mark
(3:14, 15) records:
"He ordained twelve that they should be with Him, and that He might
send them forth to preach and to have power to heal sickness and to cast
out devils."
But the Lord's aim was more than that. It is described by Him on the
eve of His death. He expected them to be His envoys on earth. Their
supreme duty was to bear witness to Him; to teach the world how He
lived, what He said, what He wrought. Jesus prayed for them: "As Thou
have sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the
world" (St. John 17:18).
Icon (Luke 5:1-11) from here
Christ "Sent" His Apostles
The Apostles spent less than
three years with their Master. He called them "that they might be with
Him" (St. Mark 3:14) to be trained and educated, and them "that He might
send them forth to preach" the Gospel and minister unto the people.
Their work between these two stages is in agreement. It has been changed
only in the stages of advancement. But what a change! From pupils they
became teachers; from followers of Christ, they became leaders, bringing
people to Christ. They started as disciples and in three years advanced
as Apostles. They visible Guide, their Lord, became the invisible One,
"The Spirit of Jesus" (Acts 1:6, 7), always present as He was before.
Jesus Christ selected them after devoting one night in prayer for
their ministry. After their training, Jesus prayed for them and their
future, even up to a few moments before the arrest. The prayer was
recorded by one of His Apostles. He empowered them with the Holy Spirit
on the day of the Pentecost. The mighty Spirit as "tongues of fire"
descended on the Apostles and transfigured their doubts and fears and
attitudes in such a marvelous way that they became heralds of the new
mission.
Their chief duty was to bear witness to the Savior Jesus Christ. His
life, teaching, and atoning work, and especially to bear witness to
Christ's Resurrection, "a witness to His Resurrection", "proclaiming in
Jesus the resurrection of the dead." "And with great power the Apostles
gave their testimony to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 1:22;
4:2, 23).
The ministry of the Holy Apostles was guided and blessed, and they
were aware of this. They felt the presence of Christ and the
companionship of the Holy Spirit in every step and turn of their work.
Also, they were aware of their appointment. They were not presenting
themselves, but were representing the Lord as Prophet, Priest, and King,
with authority and effectiveness. They appointed their
successors and thus established the special priesthood of the Church. In
the Orthodox Church there is no ordination of deacon, priest and bishop
without referring to the Holy Apostles through the lists of names of
predecessors. Thus, the Apostolic Succession is very important not only
for the teaching of the Church, but also for its sanctification. It is
accepted in the Orthodox Church that the Bishops of the Church are the
successors to the Apostles.
The Orthodox Church, upholds the Creed in which, for centuries, the
beliefs of the Orthodox Christian Faith have been stated. In the ninth
article of the Creed the Church is defined as "one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic". One for its unique Lord; Holy for its sanctification; catholic as preserving for all ("katholou") the
whole truth, and Apostolic through its establishment by the Holy
Apostles, whereby Scripture and Tradition refers to the Apostles and,
through them, to Christ. The Church is the bulwark of the Truth
because the Holy Apostles who established the Church trained and
appointed its "Proestos" (religious leaders) and bequeathed to it the oral and written teachings.
The Holy Apostles exercised in worship and prayer, in preaching and
pastoral work, the New Testament of the Lord. By them and through them
the believers of the Church, in the past and the present, rejoice in
learning the atoning truth and will of the Living God.
The personal life of the Holy Apostles is not very well known. For
some of them we know nothing except names. But their work remains for
generations to come. It was their intention to carry on the Lord's work
and will, rather than their own. From the fruits of their work we
visualize their character and intentions.
Following is a biographical note in brief on each of the Holy
Apostles. The names are taken from the list according to Saint Luke
6:12:
Simon, Peter. Born in Galilee, he was a fisherman
and was named by Jesus Christ "Cephas" (in Greek, Peter), and called to
be a fisher of men, an Apostle. He was present at the Transfiguration
and at the Agony of Christ. When he professed his belief that Jesus is
the Christ, the Lord promised that "Thou art Peter and on this rock will
I build My Church", meaning on the rock of faith in the Savior. After
the Ascension, St. Peter took the leadership of the Apostles. He spoke
on the day of Pentecost and was the first to perform a miracle in the
name of Jesus. Saint Peter is the founder of the Church of Antioch. He
probably went to Rome and was crucified head downward during the reign
of Nero (54-68 A.D.)
Andrew the First-Called. A disciple of Saint John
the Baptist, Andrew heard him refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Andrew
asked for an audience and saw Jesus for a day, then proclaimed, "We have
found the Messiah." Eusebius the historian in his Church History states
that Saint Andrew later went to Scythia. According to tradition he was
martyred at Patras, Greece, crucified on an X-shaped cross, which since
has become known as Saint Andrew's cross. He is regarded as being
connected with the writing of Saint John's Gospel. According to
tradition, he is the founder of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople.
James (the Greater). He was the son of Zebedee. He,
with his elder brother John and with Peter, constituted the privileged
group-the inner circle of the disciples. Saint James was present at the
Transfiguration and the Agony in Gethsemane. His zeal was ardent and he
and his brother were named by the Lord "Boanerges", which means "sons of
thunder". Saint James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in A.D. 44, the
first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom.
John. He was one of the inner circle with Saints
Peter and James. The son of Zebedee and is the author of the Fourth
Gospel, the Book of Revelation and three Catholic Epistles. He was
imprisoned with Saint Peter and later appeared in the Sanhedrin. Saint
John was sent with Saint Peter to Samaria, where they prayed that the
converts might receive the Holy Spirit. In Jerusalem, he was present at
the Council of the Apostles. Saint John was "one of the two" with Saint
Andrew who first had an audience with the Lord. He was the one "whom
Jesus loved" and was reclined on his bosom at the Mystic Supper.
Jesus from His Cross entrusted His Holy Mother to Saint John at the
foot of the Cross. He was the one who ran with St. Peter to the tomb on
the morning of the Resurrection, and who recognized the Risen Lord at
the Sea of Tiberius, where our Lord spoke to him the words that he would
not die (St. John 21:7). According to tradition, he went to Asia Minor
and settled in Ephesus. Later he was exiled to the island of Patmos,
Greece or the island of the Apocalypse.
Phillip. He is
the Apostle from Bethsaida who obeyed the call of Jesus and led
Nathanael to Christ. At the feeding of the 5,000 people, Jesus said to
Phillip to buy bread, and Phillip answered Him, "Two hundred denarri
would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." Phillip on
another occasion asked Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father" and Jesus
retorted, "Yet you do not know Me Phillip?" Saint Phillip the Apostle
should not be confused with Phillip, one of the Seven Deacons. The
Apostle Phillip preached the Gospel in Asia and suffered crucifixion,
according to tradition.
Bartholomew. His
name is patronymic, meaning "son of Tolmai". Sometimes he is identified
with Nathaneal whom Phillip led to Christ. According to the historian
Eusebius, when Pantainus of Alexandria visited India between 150 and 200
A.D., he found there the Gospel according to Saint Matthew left behind
by Saint Bartholomew one of the Holy Apostles. According to Tradition,
Saint Bartholomew was flayed to death at Albanapolis in Armenia.
Matthew. He was the evangelist who was a Jew and a
tax-collector referred to as Levi before he was called by Christ, Whom
he followed. He is the author of the First Gospel (Evanggelion). In his
genealogy of Jesus Christ, he emphasizes the Lord's human nature and
origin. Therefore, in Christian symbolism, St. Matthew has been
represented by the figure of man (cf. Rev. 4:7). The holy icon of St.
Matthew in the Orthodox Church is to be found in one of the four
triangles which are formed by the arches connected to the dome of the
Church.
Thomas. He was called the Twin. On the way to
Bethany he offered to die with Jesus. He interrupted the last discourse
of Jesus with the questions "We know not whither Thou goest; how know we
the way?" Saint Thomas doubted the Resurrection of Christ unless he
were to touch the wounds of the Risen Lord, but later confessed his
faith in Him: 'My Lord and my God'-the first to confess so explicitly the Lord's Divinity.
According to Tradition, Saint Thomas evangelized the Parthians. The
Syrian Christians of Malabar [in India] called themselves "Christians of Saint
Thomas" and claimed they were evangelized by the holy Apostle Thomas,
who was martyred and buried at Mylapore near Madras.
"N": Please, see also: In the steps of the apostle Thomas - The Orthodox Church in West Bengal, India
James (the Lesser). He was the son of Alphaeus. Was
he the Lord's relative? This is doubted. Was he James the younger (or
the "lesser", St. Mark 15:40)? There are insufficient reasons to
establish this either. Nothing is known of him.
Simon. He was called Cananaean and Zealot, two terms
of the same Hebrew word. According to the Apocryphal "Passion of Simon
and Jude", both of them preached and underwent martyrdom in Persia. In
the New Testament, Simon of the brethren of the Lord, was identified
with St. Simon the holy Apostle. There were many others bearing the same
name in the New Testament.
Jude. He is the holy Apostle referred to in the
Gospel as "Judas of James", "Judas not the Iscariot". He also is known
as St. Thaddaeus or Lebbacus. St. Jude was the brother of James (or the
son of James RV), the "brethren of the Lord"-the Lord's relative. Saint
Jude is the author of the Epistle of St. Jude. The Apocryphal "Passion
of Simon and Jude" depicted them in Persia where they preached and
underwent martyrdom.
Judas Iscariot. A
selected Apostle, one of the Twelve, he betrayed Christ to the Jewish
Sanhedrin-the supreme council and highest court of justice in
Jerusalem-and kissed the Lord at the time of the arrest. He later
committed suicide. The title "Iscariot", meaning in the Hebrew "man of
Kerioth", a place in South Palestine, implies that Judas was from Judea.
He was the only one from there, whereas the other holy Apostles were
from Galilee. After his suicide the holy Apostles elected Mathias to
replace him as one of the Twelve Apostles.
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
Apostolic succession is the tracing of a direct
line of Apostolic ordination, Orthodox doctrine, and full communion the
Apostles to the current episcopacy of the Orthodox Church. All three
elements are constitutive of Apostolic succession.
It is through Apostolic succession that the Orthodox
Christian Church is the spiritual successor to the original (authentic)
body of believers in Christ that was composed of the Holy Apostles. This
succession manifests itself through the unbroken succession of its bishops back to the Holy Apostles.
The unbrokenness of Apostolic succession is significant because of Jesus Christ's promise that the "gates of Hell" (St. Matthew 16:18) would not prevail against the Church, and His promise that He Himself would be with the Apostles to "the end of the age"
(St. Matthew 28:20). According to this interpretation, a complete
disruption or end of such Apostolic succession would mean that these
promises were not kept as would an Apostolic succession which, while
formally intact, completely abandoned the teachings of the Holy Apostles
and their immediate successors; as, for example, if all the
bishops of the world agreed to abrogate the Nicene Creed or repudiate
the Holy Scripture.
St Paul and st Tite, the 1st bishop of Crete (icon from here)
Orthodox teachings today are the same as that of the
first Apostles, though their mode of expression has adapted over the
centuries to deal with heresies, changes in culture and so forth. This
form of the doctrine was first formulated by Saint Irenaeus of Lyons in
the second century, in response to certain Gnostics. These
Gnostics claimed that Christ or the Apostles passed on some teachings
secretly, or that there were some secret apostles, and that they (the
Gnostics) were passing on these otherwise secret teachings. Saint
Irenaeus responded that the identity of the original Apostles was well
known, as was the main content of their teaching and the identity of the
Apostles' successors. Therefore, anyone teaching something contrary to
what was known to be apostolic teaching was not, in any sense, a successor to the holy Apostles or to Christ.
In addition to a line of historic transmission, Orthodox Christian Churches additionally require
that a Hierarch maintain Orthodox Christian doctrine as well as full
communion with other bishops. As such, the Orthodox do not recognize the
existence of Apostolic succession outside the Orthodox Church,
precisely because the episcopacy is a ministry within the "one, Holy,
and Apostolic Church" of Christ.
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES TO APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by
the people (Acts 5:13). [Note: this shows that the early Christians had
a reverence for them.]
We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization
and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said (Acts 15:24).
As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions
reached by the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey
(Acts 16:4).
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from
sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God (2
Corinthians 2:17). [Note: this shows that the Office they hold is more
than self-appointed authority].
Having been built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,
Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). [Note: the
word foundation is used to describe "the Apostles and Prophets", not
just St. Peter].
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers (Episcopoi). Be shepherds of the Church of God,
which He bought with His own Blood (Acts 20:28). [Note: this is a clear
testimony that the Holy Spirit appointed the Twelve to be "overseers" and "shepherds of the Church."].
As you sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world (St.
John 17:18). [Note: the Holy Bible compares the Ministry of Jesus to
that of the Twelve).
TRANSFER OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY VIA THE HOLY MYSTERY OF ORDINATION
The divine communion of the apostles by Jesus Christ in the mystical dinner (symbolical orthodox holy icon)
Saints Paul and Barnabas appointed Elders for them in each church
and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in Whom they
had put their trust (Acts 14:23).
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on
Saul (Paul), he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, Who appeared to
you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see
again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like
scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was
baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. (Acts
9:17-19). [Note: it is also possible that this is a reference to
Chrismation.]
"Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit of wisdom, whom we may put in
charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the
ministry of the Word. The statement found approval with the
whole congregation; and they chose Stefanos (Stephen), a man full of
faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the Apostles; and after prayer, they laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:3-6).
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is the
Judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingdom:
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke,
and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming
when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and they will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As
for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a
drink offering, and the time of my departure has come" (2 Timothy 4:1-6). [Saint Paul the holy Apostle hands down his ministry to Saint Timothy.]
"For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Timothy 1:6). [Note: Saint Paul reminds Saint Timothy of the gift he received through laying of hands (ordination).]
"Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the Presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14). [Note: This shows that divine authority is bestowed unto someone using laying of hands.]. See also Acts 1:15-26.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE EARLY CHURCH
"Through countryside and city [the Apostles] preached, and they
appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be the
bishops and deacons of future believers. Nor was this a novelty, for
bishops and deacons had been written about a long time earlier...Our
Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife
for the Office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received
perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who have already been
mentioned and afterwards added the further provision that, if they
should die, other approved men (not women) should succeed their ministry" [First Epistle of Clement Letter to the Corinthians 42:4-5, 44:1-3, 80 A.D.]
"When I had come to Rome, I [visited] Anicetus, whose deacon was
Eleutherus. And after Anicetus [died], Soter succeeded, and after him
Eleutherus. In each succession and in each city there is a continuance of that which is proclaimed by the law, the prophets and the Lord" [Hegesippus, cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 4:22] (180 A.D.)
"It is possible, then, for
everyone in every Church, who may wish to know the Truth, to contemplate
the Tradition of the holy Apostles which has been made known to us
throughout the whole world. And we are in a position to enumerate those
who were instituted bishops
by the Apostles and their successors down to our own times, men (not
women) who neither knew nor taught anything like what these heretics
rave about" (St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:3,1) [189 A.D.]
"[The Apostles] founded churches in every city, from which
all the other churches, one after another, derived the Tradition of the
Faith, and the seeds of doctrine, and are every day deriving them, that
they may become churches. Indeed, it is on this account only that they
will be able to deem themselves Apostolic, as being the offspring of
Apostolic churches. Every sort of thing must necessarily revert to its
original for its classification. Therefore the Churches, although they
are so many and so great, comprise but the one primitive Church,
[founded] by the Apostles, from which they all [spring] in this way, all
are primitive, and all are Apostolic, while they are all proved to me
in one unity" (Tertullian Demurrer, Against the Heretics) [200 A.D.]
Personal note: It is imperative that all Orthodox Christians know some basic theology and especially the history of the authentic Church of Christ.
With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George
AN EXTEMPORANEOUS PRAYER TO THE HOLY APOSTLES (from here)
Holy and glorious Apostles, disciples called by God, teachers of the
ecumene, all-wise and Spirit heralds of the Logos, accept our prayer and
intercede to the Lord on behalf of our souls.
Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, who were the mystics and revealers of
true wisdom, intercede with the Light-Giving Lord to rekindle the Light
of the Paraclete also in our own souls, so that we may shake off
spiritual indolence and restore the soundness of our mind.
Holy John, eagle of Theology, beloved and visionary of the ineffable
revelations and the divine mysteries, intercede to Christ, the Logos of
God, that He may always manifest and reveal to us the Gospel of His
Truth and His Holy Will.
Saints Andrew and James, You who wiped out the darkness of idolatry
with Your inspired teaching, intercede to the Lord to dissolve also the
darkness of contemporary idolatry, so that redeemed from error we may
worship and glorify the All-Holy Trinity.
Divine disciples, Philip and Bartholomew, You who were clear-sounding
trumpets of Christ, intercede to the Lord that we too may proclaim and
preach the Commandments of the Savior Jesus Christ, without becoming
disheartened by the difficulties of the world.
Saints Thomas and Matthew, You who became excellent servants of the
Logos of God, Who appeared on earth, and of the faithful souls,
intercede that we too may serve the Lord and our brothers and sisters in
the spirit of true discipleship.
Rivers of the source of living water, Saints James and Thaddeus, You
who irrigated with divine waters the desert land of God, irrigate again
our souls that thirst for the Truth and for salvation.
Spiritual shepherds and lambs of the Arch-Shepherd Christ, holy
Apostles Simon and Mathias, intercede to the Lord that He may send out
workers into His vineyard and produce zealous priests and shepherds for
His Church. Amen.
Synaxis of the Holy, Glorious and All-Praised Twelve Apostles
Orthodox Church in America
The Synaxis of the Glorious and All-Praiseworthy Twelve Apostles of
Christ appears to be an ancient Feast. The Church honors each of the
Twelve Apostles on separate dates during the year, and has established a
general commemoration for all of them on the day after the
commemoration of the Glorious and First-Ranked among the Apostles Peter
and Paul.
The holy God-crowned Emperor Constantine the Great (May
21) built a church in Constantinople in honor of the Twelve Apostles.
There are instructions for celebrating this Feast which date from the
fourth century.
For lists of the Apostles’ names, see: Mt.10:2, Mark 3:14, Luke 6:12, Acts 1:13, 26.
