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Fr. Andreas G. Houpos

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When a train functions normally, no one gives it m

When a train functions normally, no one gives it much thought. It operates on a regular schedule, people get on, people get off. Perhaps we hear the regular clacking of its wheels on the track in the distance or walk over one, as in this video clip. Occasionally, we might appreciate the technology and the infrastructure that makes train travel possible.⁣
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When a train derails, however, we really notice. The physical, emotional, and environmental trauma is significant. We realize just how much energy trains have—how fast they’re actually going, how massive they actually are. Suddenly those mundane commuters are fragile casualties, helplessly tossed about in those metal containers. Suddenly, those comparatively thin rails and small wheels reveal their fundamental importance.⁣
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Christian life is like this. It rides on rails that often seem to us old and rusty and insignificant, if we notice them at all. But without the rails, we would go nowhere. And if we are moving, and come off those rails, the damage is potentially catastrophic. Zeal alone is of no value, if the track is not a sure one—the most luxurious, finely appointed cabin car will turn into a blender if the conductor’s zeal is not kept on track.
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So be wary of voices inside (or outside) the Church that coax you off the tried-and-true tracks, even—and especially—if they promise a more comfortable experience. Be equally wary of voices in the Church that maniacally stoke the engines.⁣ We must be on especially high alert when the track passes through perilous areas.
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The Church has her path, one that is carefully plotted along a route that, while perilous, promises beautiful vistas. It is tried, it is true, it is sober, it is steady. It is the only safe and sure passage to the final destination.

The world is such an amazing place, both in its gr

The world is such an amazing place, both in its grandeur and in its tiniest details. I could photograph nature all day, every day. I used to love flipping through science or wildlife and travel magazines, and imagined being able to go to those places and to take those photographs. Who knew back then that eventually we’d all be carrying cameras around all the time, and then be able to publish and share photos at will? So, I guess in some sense my dream came true. Here are some snapshots I took recently.

“Άξιος! Digno! Worthy!” to the newly-orda

“Άξιος! Digno! Worthy!” to the newly-ordained deacon, Thomas (second from left)! We four pictured here were seminary classmates. It was a real treat to be able to gather on this occasion. God grant Dn. Thomas and Diakonissa Elizabeth many faithful and fruitful years of ministry in their missionary endeavors, in Guatemala and beyond.

Today, by God’s grace, was our fifteenth wedding

Today, by God’s grace, was our fifteenth wedding anniversary.⁣
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I’ll take it as an opportunity to share with you some of my favorite words about marriage, from a contemporary holy man:⁣
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“Marriage is first of all a journey of pain; second a journey of love; and, third, a journey to heaven, a call from God, a vocation. It is, as Holy Scripture says, a ‘great mystery’ (Ephesians 5:32). We often speak of seven ‘mysteries’, or sacraments. In this regard, a ‘mystery’ is the sign of the mystical presence of some true person or event. An icon, for instance, is a mystery. When we venerate it, we are not venerating wood or paint, but Christ, or the Theotokos, or the saint who is mystically depicted. The Holy Cross is a symbol of Christ, containing his mystical presence. Marriage, too, is a mystery, a mystical presence, not unlike these. Christ says, ‘where ever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am among them’ (Matthew 18:20). And whenever two people are married in the name of Christ, they become the sign which contains and expresses Christ himself. When you see a couple that is conscious of this, it is as if you are seeing Christ. Together they are a theophany.”⁣
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* * *⁣
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“When you're sitting somewhere and suddenly you see a shadow, you know that someone's coming. You don't see him, but you know he's there. You get up early in the morning, and you see the red horizon in the east. You know that, in a little while, the sun will come up. And indeed, there behind the mountain, the sun starts to appear.⁣
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When you see your marriage, your husband, your wife, your partner's body, when you see your troubles, everything in your home: know that they are all signs of Christ's presence. It is as if you're hearing Christ's footsteps, as if He was coming, as if you are now about to hear His voice. All these things are the shadows of Christ, revealing that He is together with us.”⁣
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— Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra (d. 2019), ‘Marriage: The Great Sacrament’⁣
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[PHOTOS: 1) Camping, not too long after getting married. 2) Today.]

Q: “Elder, can someone who is mentally disabled

Q: “Elder, can someone who is mentally disabled have humility and kindness?”⁣
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A: “Of course he can! Look at that one child that comes often to the monastery; he may be mentally disabled, but his kindness cannot be found among many intelligent people. [...] Once, he was beaten up by a child in the neighborhood, and he ended up stretching out his hand in friendship and said ‘Goodbye!’ Who in his right mind does that, even if he has read the Gospel and many spiritual books?⁣
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A few days ago, when his entire family came to see me, he sat next to me and his little sister sat a little further away. ‘Come, close to Father,’ he said, and placed her next to me. This was a very moving thing for me, and I gave him a large cross made with mother of pearl that had been brought to me from Jerusalem. As soon as he took it into his hands, he said the word ‘yiayia’ and indicated how he would place it on the grave of his grandmother! It is incredible! He wants nothing for himself; everything for others! Not only is that child going directly to Paradise, but he will bring his parents along, too.⁣
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I would consider myself blessed to be in his place, even if I could not understand or speak clearly. Though God has given me so many gifts, I have rendered them useless. In the other life, even theologians will hide in the presence of that blessed child. I am thinking that the theologian saints in Heaven will not be in a better position as to the knowledge of God than these children.”⁣
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— St. Païsios of Mt. Athos (d. 1994), commemorated July 12. Excerpt from his _Spiritual Counsels_, vol. V ‘Family Life’⁣
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[PHOTO: Icon of the saint at his eponymous church in Limassol, Cyprus.]

This well-known image of Jesus Christ comes to us

This well-known image of Jesus Christ comes to us from the sixth century.

It is as notable for its provenance and rarity as it is for its visual devices. Namely, the iconographer has combined in the face of Christ the merciful and just aspects of God.

Manipulating the image to mirror one side or the other at any given moment presents a distorted Christ, but can lead to a valuable insight.

It is a striking visual counterpart to what can happen in our own heart or mind. Often, we compose a distorted image of Christ. For instance, we might manufacture a Christ in our heart who is only merciful, remembering those times he forgave and was compassionate to those in pain. Other times, however—or at the same time—we might manufacture a Christ that is all justice.

It’s also probably true that Christ-as-judge is the Christ we usually apply to others; Christ-as-mercy, to ourselves.

Moreover, we might present the Gospel to others in a way that is biased along these same lines, not giving them the full and balanced picture of who Christ is. This is disingenuous and does not benefit them or us. If we only present Christ as one who is forgiving, without presenting the rest of the story—that there will be a judgment—we may hinder someone (or ourselves) from embracing repentance. Conversely, if we brow-beat people with a judging and punishing Christ, we may deprive already suffering souls from discovering the ineffable relief of his mercy.

Sometimes mercy is what must be applied, sometimes justice. But the two harmonize perfectly in Christ, the All-merciful Sun of Justice. Let’s not deprive ourselves or others of the full picture.

Today the Church commemorates St. Prokopios the Gr

Today the Church commemorates St. Prokopios the Great Martyr. He, being a Roman soldier, was expected to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. When he refused on account of his Christian faith, he was killed, along with several others who believed in Christ through his witness—including his own mother, who had up to that point been an idolater.⁣
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What is interesting about St. Prokopios is that his name appears somewhat out-of-the-blue in the prayers of the wedding service. This is apparently a popular addition to the service, because the saint’s name means “progress” or “success” or “prosperity”, things that a community would wish for those embarking on the voyage of marriage. The Church especially prays that the newlyweds would progress and grow in their Christian faith—it is this progression that earned St. Prokopios, formerly Neanias, his new name.⁣
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May we all be inspired to make progress towards Christ in our various walks of life, married or otherwise, with the help of St. Prokopios.⁣
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[PHOTO: (web) Fresco of St. Prokopios in the Protaton church of Mt. Athos, painted in the late 13th c. by Panselinos.]

“He numbers the droplets of a heavy shower,⁣ a

“He numbers the droplets of a heavy shower,⁣
and they are gathered up into a cloud for that shower—⁣
these old things will pour down;⁣
he has darkened many a mortal with clouds […]⁣
In light of all this, do you not go out of your mind?⁣
Is your heart not rent from your body?⁣”
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— Elious (Elihu) addressing Job and his friends about the providence of God (in Job 36, LXX)⁣
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[VIDEO: Time-lapse of storm clouds gathering this evening.]

“You understand the irreconcilable war of the de

“You understand the irreconcilable war of the demons against us, you understand the difficulty of guiding and reigning in the body, you understand the indifference and unsteadiness of our free will and how quickly it turns to evil. For this reason, just as you were our saving guide and teacher while you were present in this wretched and very painful, deceitful and fickle life, so now we entreat you even more, as you stand in the presence of the Trinity and are brilliantly illuminated by its shining rays, that you watch over us from above and guide us, so that after living out the short time of our sojourn on earth in a tranquil and peaceful way, we may find the Judge merciful and gracious on the terrible day of judgment; to Whom belong glory and majesty together with his eternal Father Who is without beginning and His coeternal Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”⁣
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— Closing paragraph of the Life of St. Athanasios of Mt. Athos⁣ (d. 1003)
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Some interesting facts about St. Athanasios:⁣
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• He brought cenobitic monastic life to Mt. Athos.
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• He worked alongside his monks in all areas of the life of the monastery, from gardening to construction.⁣
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• He was once injured in the course of a construction project, and was afterward bedridden for three years.⁣
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• He invented machinery to make tasks easier.⁣
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• He had the gift of healing. Additionally, his monastery had a medical clinic and physician.
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• He was a man of great mercy and humility, but was also very strict about keeping order in the monastery.⁣
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• He was the emperor’s spiritual father.⁣
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• An early icon painted of him, seen by an acquaintance, was said to have been very life-like. This gives us insight into the value of icons as portraiture and therefore as historical documents.⁣
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• He and five (eventually six) monks died when scaffolding inside the church he was renovating collapsed. (This in itself would be an interesting point to ponder with those who insist that to say one can even catch a cold in church is blasphemy...)⁣
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[PHOTO: Icon (16th c.) in the refectory at his monastery, the Great Lavra, he founded in the tenth century, and which still operates today.]

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