This article written in 1932 by Archbishop John of San Francisco is truly a humbling one, especially considering the title of this blog. I hope and pray that what is posted on the pages of this blog does not resonate with the sectarianism that Archbishop John is discussing, but rather by saying "Orthodoxy is Orthodoxy" an appeal is made to humbly and self-critically look at our hearts, deeds and mind and be authentic to the beauty that the Church lives out through and with the Saints.
The appeal is to beauty, to authentic witness, for us to be authentically encountering Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for us to be Orthodox in this sense. Or as the article states:
"Orthodoxy, on the contrary, is humility. It is the confession of the fullness of the Truth, of righteousness and of love. Orthodoxy must win the victory only by its radiance, like the Lord Himself, and by no means through the use of cannon, steel or verbal (there is no difference). Orthodoxy does not shine forth in an Orthodox society that takes pride in its Orthodoxy. It shines forth in those who are humble in their Orthodoxy, who understand the purity of the faith, not only in their puny reasoning, but through the spirit through all their life."
+ Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco
If any posts appear polemic or sectarian, I ask for your forgiveness and prayers. It is not the purpose of this blog to make statements of Traditions outside of Orthodoxy (ie. we know where the Church is; we do not know where it is not)
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Rather, if reference is made to "non-Orthodox" or "heterodox" presuppositions and means, this is not intended as a slight to those Traditions, but rather an appeal to Orthodox (first of all my own weakness) to live our Faith, the Way, the Divine Life, in a way that is radiant and resonant with the beauty and song of the Orthodox Tradition. It is an appeal for Orthodox to be self-reflective and authentic, not to an ideology or the package of a pseudo-"Orthodoxy" but to Orthodoxy, the Person of Christ and the Divine Life of the Holy Trinity.
"In Orthodox apologetics a clear and strong emphasis must be placed on the explanation of the meaning of the knowledge of the faith in life."
Perhaps Archbishop John's words are affirming that in our witness of the Person of Christ and in our union in the life of Holy Trinity, we are continually called to put on Christ. Put on Christ who is all in all, in theology as well as in prayer, in Truth and in Love, in obedience and in humility, in wealth and in poverty.
Perhaps this means we are to show compassion for ourselves, each other and those around us who have not yet the acquisition of the Peaceful Spirit which is Orthodoxy.
Perhaps this suggests that it is our calling for us Orthodox who claim to be Orthodox to actively live out our Orthodoxy, live both actively for truth and within love for all. Our fruit must be beautiful and bring forth life, life as Theotokos and the Saints have brought. Life as we who partake of the Holy Liturgy receive...on behalf of all and for all.
Archbishop John mentions "Orthodoxy cannot be defended through pagan....arguments." Which suggests that our appeal is not to the second storey presuppositions but to the person of Christ and the paradox of His Kenotic victory of humility, participation, union and unfathomable love of the Cross and Resurrection.
Perhaps Archbishop John is suggesting that if we do see sectarians or even Orthodox use the fallen presuppositions and arguments, we are to be reminded to pray: pray with a deep divine love, or at least ask for strength to pray as such, for the life of the world, and remember our own sinfulness, our own wonder of this beautiful gift of the Orthodox Church. To pray and work to becoming truly and humbly Orthodox.
I would hope that when one prays that Orthodoxy is Orthodoxy it is a reminder to be called to Truth and the authentic witness of the Church so that our light may shine before others so they may Glorify our Father in heaven. The light of union with God, for those who have been baptized have put on Christ forever, adopted into the divine life of the holy Trinity. What a wonder our baptism is...that we who sin, are nonetheless being transformed into Christ. As Christ our God fulfilled Israel's desire for King, Prophet and Priest, may we encounter Him in our midst, within our very heart and being, as liturgical beings who have been called to the ancient beauty and image of His Reign, His Truth, and His Priesthood.
My weak opinion is that such a journey is rooted in becoming authentically Orthodox, with a reminder that our Faith is very beautiful and cannot be reduced either by moralism or pietism. That we may recognize beauty even in heterodox things but should always be careful not to emulate such things especially when they can hijack our ethos because of the presuppositions of heterodox doctrines and methods.
I feel that as Orthodox, we who are constantly reminded of our sinful nature yet also constantly raised to the stature of royalty in union with God, are called to be that very paradox to all.
I think that Orthodoxy can truly encounter everything and anything: the worst controversies, the biggest debates, the most vile deeds, because the Church, the Body of Christ, the Saints of the day, have and we pray will always continue to recapitulate and restore things to their eschatological fulfillment.
Again this suggests that we really be, become and are Orthodox.
I believe and hope that Orthodoxy should be the Orthodoxy of St Maria of Paris, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, Pope Kyrillos VI, St Seraphim of Sarov, St Silouan the Athonite, St Isaac the Syrian and of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the Saints who remind us of our and their union with the Holy Trinity and their eternal worship and glorifying of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit unto the ages of all ages. Amen.
Forgive me and pray for me a sinner.
Je Nai Nan.
Sectarianism in Orthodoxy and Orthodoxy in Sectarianism
by Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco
