Newsletter: September 2005

Concerning Bishops

This month we conclude our series on Holy Orders and other ministries in the Church with a study of the office of Bishop.

The office of Bishop has existed in the Church from apostolic times, even though the title “Bishop” (Greek episcopos) was not reserved for this office until the beginning of the second century. Even in the first century there was one leader in each church community, set among his fellow leaders, who was the first among them. In Jerusalem, this was James (see Acts 12:17, 15:13f). In late first-century Rome, this was Clement; in Antioch, Ignatius. Though all the leaders in the early days were called both “presbyters” and “bishops” and all shared the rule over the church, this one leader functioned as the main ruler, and thus as the focal point of local church unity. This function became particularly important in the second century, when the church had to unite to defend itself against heresy within and persecution without. (This added importance is probably the reason why the title “bishop” came to be reserved for him alone.)

In the early centuries, each town and surrounding countryside had its own bishop. Nowadays in the West, the territory over which bishops rule has been greatly expanded. (Our own Bishop Seraphim rules over the entire continent-wide country of Canada.) This expansion of territory (called now a “diocese”) means that the bishops must depend upon the other local leaders, the presbyters/ priests, to help them with the pastoral care of their flock. The bishop is the one responsible for teaching the faith—and thus for ordaining new leaders who will also teach that Faith. Any presbyter can serve the Liturgy, but only the Bishop can ordain other presbyters and clergy.

As the central teacher of the Orthodox Faith in each locale, the Bishop is the focal point of unity. Thus, to be Orthodox means to be in communion with the local Bishop. If one publicly confesses a faith alien to that confessed by the Bishop (confessing, for example, that Christ was not truly divine), then one is not accepted as a Christian.

Thus, the Bishop is not some foreign far away dignitary who has nothing really to do with the local congregations. He is the local church’s standard of belief (as long as he himself maintains the Orthodox Faith, in common with his brother bishops) and the local church’s father, who embodies and preserves the local Orthodox church’s unity with all the other Orthodox churches. Nothing may be ultimately done without his blessing, since each congregation lives by unity with its sister churches.

As a sign of the local churches’ love for their Bishop (and their gratitude to God for the unity he brings), they sing “Eis polla eti, despota” (“Many Years to you, Master!”) when they greet him liturgically.

- Fr. Lawrence

 

Sunday School Starts Soon!

Sunday school classes run from 9:30 to 9:55 beginning Sept. 11 th

With so little time it is absolutely imperative to COME ON TIME!

This year's classes and teachers are:

• Grades 1 and 2-- Kelsy Haveling and Kallista Rak
• Grades 3 and 4-- Ana Wright
• Grades 5-7 girls -- Victoria Jordan
• Grades 5-7 boys-- Gregory Gascoigne

We request that you “officially register” your child(ren) for Sunday School by talking to me before Sept. 11 th. Please commit your family to attendance at Sunday School and Divine Liturgy EVERY SUNDAY.

There will be a music practice for all children on Sept. 4th at 9:45, as well as in Sunday School on Sept. 11th and on Sept. 18th. Our choir director will be preparing them to lead the congregation in singing during the first part of the Divine Liturgy on Sept. 18th when His Grace Bishop Seraphim comes to visit.

If you have any questions call 604-599-8973 or e-mail me at gavinandmaria{at}telus.net (replace "{at}" with "@")

- Maria Campbell, Sunday School Co-ordinator

 

Prayer reminder for our building expansion:

All of you have given generously, and parish council is working hard to make our renovation plan a reality. Please pray that all roadblocks will be removed so that we can move ahead to meet the needs of our growing parish community.

 

Fasting Rules for September 2005

• All Wednesdays and Fridays this month are regular fast days with no meat, fish, eggs or dairy, wine or olive oil.
• Sept 7 Eve of Nativity of the Theotokos: Eucharistic Fast before vesperal liturgy at least from noon; festal food permitted to celebrate the feast afterward.
• Sept 14 Holy Cross : This day alone of the Twelve Great Feasts is also a strict fast, on which we eat no meat, fish, eggs or dairy, wine or olive oil. Therefore please remember the Eucharistic total fast at least from noon, and also bring strictly Lenten food to share after Vesperal Divine Liturgy in observance of the Holy Cross.

 

14th All-American Council

Present were over 1000 people – all 13 bishops of our Holy Synod, innumerable priests, deacons, subdeacons, laymen and women, and lots of children from all over North America. The services were inspiring with many choir singers and the people joining in as well. There was a beautifully carved iconostas, lots of icons and also many relics of saints for the faithful to venerate. The meeting sessions were quite long but usually interesting as diverse folks spoke about the various aspects of church life. Lively discussions often followed. As a council, we re-affirmed our Lord’s great commission to preach the gospel to all, and to be the Church in North America. We realized much more energy and resources must be given to the formation of clergy. We felt another imperative was to work harder for the unity of all Orthodox Christians in North America, so that we can better witness to the truth of Christ. Thank you for sending me as the lay delegate for our parish. It was a wonderful experience.

Vivian Hartley, Lay Delegate

For more details and photos of the AAC, visit www.oca.org

 

VANCOUVER STUDY

Led by Fr. Justin.
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Location: normally at Peter and Judy's house—see www.saintherman.net for further details.