Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything. - St Gregory of Nyssa

Monday, March 14, 2011

"The goal of the Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit"

St Seraphim of Sarov is a highly regarded saint in the Orthodox world. He has transcended national boundaries, and is venerated throughout the world.

He is commemorated on January 2, which happens to be the same day Juliana the Merciful is commemorated! You can read more about her on the tab, above.

Our parish is blest to have a relic of St Seraphim in our temple: a bit of his robe.

Relics are portions of the earthly remains of Orthodox believers, usually saints. Relics may also include clothing and vestments worn by saints, or items such as pieces of the True Cross. Particles of relics of saints usually are embedded in altar tables during consecration of churches. 

The relics of the saints are venerated because in Orthodox belief the body remains temple of the Holy Spirit even after death. 

St. Cyril of Jerusalem writes:
"Though the soul is not present a power resides in the bodies of the saints because of the righteous soul which has for so many years dwelt in it, or used it as its minister." 


What St Seraphim said about caring for the soul is a good thing to ponder during Great Lent (and I'm talking to myself, here...)



As far as the body is concerned, a person is like a burning candle. As a candle must be consumed, so a person must die. The soul, however, is immortal. Therefore, we must care more for our souls than for our bodies, for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36) After all, what in this world could ever be given in exchange for it? If the soul, all by itself, is more precious than the entire world and all its riches, then the Kingdom of Heaven is infinitely more precious.
from The Joy of the Holy, by Harry M. Boosalis, St Tikhon's Seminary Press, 1993.




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