The Church in the Home
The Holy Apostle Paul constantly refers to the "Church which is in the
House "of various persons. No apostle, ever held services in a church in
his entire life. All services were held in homes, every one of countless
thousands. Not one single church ever existed in Apostolic Times.
Well, what did they do on Sundays? We know exactly what they did, word for word
and when and how. St. Justin Martyr, a first century Palestinian from Nablus,
who was almost certainly the best educated Christian in his time, wrote two
letters to two Emperors, explaining exactly what Christians believed and what
they did, and when, and why (they were accused of Cannibalism). Everyone should
have a copy of the History of the Church by Eusebius (Written in 325 when he was
in his late 80’s and was Bishop of the Capital of Palestine) and read these
and other early Christian Documents, such as the Martyrdom of Polycarp.
Christians never went to church on Sundays then, and at this time, Christians
are distant from an Orthodox Church, especially a really Orthodox Christian
Church (since most have mixed heresy with truth, belief with unbelief, that the
Apostle Paul himself tells us have nothing to do with heretics.
For a really Orthodox Christian, this is not important. No one is ever saved by
going to Church on Sunday, and better never to go than to go to a heretical
anti-church. We are saved if every day and night, we say our morning and evening
prayers, if possible together. We reverence the Holy Icons, before which lamps
are constantly burning, and in the evening at least, we burn incense before we
retire, and pray the usual prayers SLOWLY and best in the dark, and as the
psalms are read, (by candlelight) for the sins we have committed that day, and
before retiring, ask forgiveness of each other. The Tropar of the saints of the
day, family and season must be sung, Then taking our prayer rope we retire
praying. Either short vespers or Compline can be used, and in a few months will
be known by heart. God help the parent who has not taught the children these!!!
Except for Sunday and Pascha, prostrations are made, otherwise bows.
This is daily Christian Life in a Christian Home No Less! Of course, Orthodox
will gather as best they can to celebrate Sundays and Holy Days, and find a way
to confess and commune as directed by their priest, and to have the priest visit
and bless their home frequently, at least at Theophany. Do not suppose that it
is any better in Greece or Russia or Romania or the Holy Land.
The majority have compromised with the Antichrist, and will ask you to join
their compromise too. Both Scripture and the Canons forbid it.
And what need we? We all have all the books, icons, lamps, incense that we need.
We can all see a priest often. What determines our Salvation is those morning
and evening prayers (even on vacation). Those who pray with true repentance will
be saved. Those who do not pray and repent are lost...
Anyone who does not know what psalms and hymns to sing morning and evening, need
only call the monastery at any time, or for any other spiritual need.
601-584-8128