I pose this question since someone I know was received into the Orthodox Church (the communion to which I belong) by baptism, even though he had been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) as a Missouri Synod Lutheran. In the west, this question was pretty much settled after St. Augustine's efforts to deal with the Donatist controversy in a series of North African synods (a prime example of Orthodox ecclesiology at work, IMHO). In the Eastern Church, however, St. Augustine's authority is somewhat negligible, and some even denying him the status of sainthood (!).
It is obvious that the situation cannot long remain as it stands, with some bishops recieving converts by chrismation, and some by (re)baptism. To quote St. Augustine: "In the sacrament, two things are certain: God's grace in giving it, and my faith in receiving it. If you get in the way, then I have no way of knowing anything is certain."
I invite your comments. I will be moderating them, and ANY comment that's made uncharitably will be removed IMMEDIATELY. Please keep this discussion lively, but in a spirit of charity.
"In essence, the conservative person is simply one who finds the permanent things more pleasing than Chaos and Old Night. (Yet conservatives know, with Burke, that healthy 'change is the means of our preservation.')" -Russell Kirk
Monday, April 24, 2006
Christus Resurrexit!!!
http://www.monachos.net/pascha/common/paschal_sermon.shtml
If any man be devout and loveth God,Let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!If any man be a wise servant,Let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.
If any have laboured long in fasting,Let him how receive his recompense.If any have wrought from the first hour,Let him today receive his just reward.If any have come at the third hour,Let him with thankfulness keep the feast.If any have arrived at the sixth hour,Let him have no misgivings;Because he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.If any have delayed until the ninth hour,Let him draw near, fearing nothing.And if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,Let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.
For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour,Will accept the last even as the first.He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,Even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.And He showeth mercy upon the last,And careth for the first;And to the one He giveth,And upon the other He bestoweth gifts.And He both accepteth the deeds,And welcometh the intention,And honoureth the acts and praises the offering.
Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord;Receive your reward,Both the first, and likewise the second.You rich and poor together, hold high festival!You sober and you heedless, honour the day!Rejoice today, both you who have fastedAnd you who have disregarded the fast.The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.Enjoy ye all the feast of faith:Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.
Let no one bewail his poverty,For the universal Kingdom has been revealed.Let no one weep for his iniquities,For pardon has shown forth from the grave.Let no one fear death,For the Saviour's death has set us free.He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.
By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive.He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:Hell, said he, was embitteredWhen it encountered Thee in the lower regions.
It was embittered, for it was abolished.It was embittered, for it was mocked.It was embittered, for it was slain.It was embittered, for it was overthrown.It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.It took a body, and met God face to face.It took earth, and encountered Heaven.It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!Christ is risen, and life reigns!Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.For Christ, being risen from the dead,Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominionUnto ages of ages.
Amen.
St. John Chysostom's Paschal Homily
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)