FIGURES OF THINGS CELESTIAL by Dr.

Alexander Kalomiro TRANSLATORS' INTRODUCTION "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and i! only shalt thou adore" "#t$%&l'($ In all !atters, the oly )athers o* the Chur+h sou,ht always, inso*ar as it was possi-le, in +o!-atin, the di.erse heresies, to !a/e use o* the .ery words o* the oly S+riptures the!sel.es$ This was true also o* their strate,y in re*utin, the i+ono+lasts o* the 0th +entury$ In their Introdu+tion to the de+isions o* the Se.enth 1+u!eni+al Coun+il, the editors o* the NIC1N1 AND 2OST NIC1N1 series +orre+tly o-ser.e& T!e Co"n#il de#reed $!a$ imilar %enera$ion and !ono"r !o"ld be &aid $o $!e re&re en$a$ion o' $!e Lord and o' $!e Sain$ a (a a##" $omed $o be &aid $o $!e ) laurata) and $able$ re&re en$in* $!e C!ri $ian em&eror + $o (i$+ $!a$ $!ey !o"ld be bo(ed $o+ and al"$ed (i$! ,i e + and a$$ended (i$! li*!$ and $!e o''erin* o' in#en e. -"$ $!e Co"n#il (a mo $ ex&li#i$ in de#larin* $!a$ $!i (a merely a %enera$ion o' !ono"r and a''e#$ion+ "#! a #an be *i%en $o $!e #rea$"re+ and $!a$ "nder no #ir#"m $an#e #o"ld $!e adora$ion o' di%ine (or !i& be *i%en $o $!em+ b"$ $o God alone. T!e Gree, lan*"a*e !a in $!i re &e#$ a *rea$ ad%an$a*e o%er $!e Hebre(+ $!e La$in and $!e En*li !. i$ !a a (ord (!i#! i a *eneral (ord and i &ro&erly " ed o' $!e a''e#$iona$e re*ard and %enera$ion !o(n $o any &er on or $!in*+ (!e$!er $o $!e di%ine Crea$or or $o any o' Hi #rea$"re . T!i (ord i pros3nesis4 i$ !a al o ano$!er (ord (!i#! #an &ro&erly be " ed $o deno$e only $!e (or !i& d"e $o $!e mo $ !i*! God+ $!i (ord i latr5a$ /!en+ $!en+ $!e Co"n#il de'ined $!a$ $!e (or !i& o' "latr5a" (a ne%er $o be *i%en $o any b"$ God alone+ i$ #"$ o'' all &o ibili$y or idola$ry , mariola$ry+ i#onola$ry+ or any )la$ry) ex#e&$ )$!eola$ry). I'+ $!ere'ore+ any o' $!e e o$!er )latr5as) exi $ or e%er !a%e exi $ed+ $!ey exi $ or !a%e exi $ed no$ in a##ordan#e (i$!+ b"$ in de'ian#e o' $!e de#ree o' $!e Se#ond Co"n#il o' Ni#ea. Contrary to popular opinion, howe.er, e.en our 1n,lish ter! "worship" does not possess the ri,id i!pli+ations whi+h so!e ha.e sou,ht to as+ri-e to it$ The pri!ary de*inition o* "worship" is )$o honour or re.ere as a supernatural -ein, or power or as a holy thin,, to re,ard or treat with honour or respe+t, to salute, -ow down to" "O6*ord Uni.ersal Di+tionary, p$ 789:($ )urther!ore, the ter! "worship*ul" is +o!!only applied to persons "distin,uished in respe+t o* +hara+ter or ran/, entitled to honour or respe+t on this a++ount" "i-id($ To this day, it is a title as+ri-ed to ";usti+es o* the pea+e, alder!en, re+orders, the London +ity +o!panies, and *ree!asons' lod,es and their !asters$ . . to !ayors, and the sheri**s" and later, to !a,istrates as well "i-id($ On the other hand, the ter! "adoration" is not so *le6i-le, espe+ially as re,ards thin,s Di.ine$ <y de*inition, to adore is "to !a/e an a+t o* the !ind and the will in a+/nowled,e= !ent o* the in*inite per*e+tion o* God4 to !a/e an outward re.eren+e e6pressin, su+h an a+t" "i-id, p 7>($ Indeed, e.en in Ro!an Catholi+ se+ondary s+hools to this day, a point is !ade o* the *a+t that "adoration" is $o -e rendered to God alone. This distin+tion, as the editors o* the Ni+ene Series point out in their a-o.e !entioned In$rod"#$ion, is !ade !ost +lear and !ani*est in #atthew %&, "Thou shalt worship 0&ro ,yn1 ei 2 the Lord thy God, and i! only shalt thou adore 0la$re3 ei 2.) "?orship" was due indeed to God a-o.e all, -ut not e6+lusi.ely to i!, whereas "adoration" is to -e ,i.en to " i! only"$ These, too, were the .ery ter!s whi+h the oly )athers e!ployed in their +on+iliar de*inition$ And$ thou,h it !ay -e true that, to a +ertain e6tent, the words "worship" and "adoration" do not possess that parti+ular distin+tness whi+h their Gree/ +ounterparts possess, nonetheless they do to a .ery ,reat de,ree possess its 1

essen+e$ Indeed, i* the ter! "worship" +an -e used to honour the Lord #ayor o* Du-lin, who +ould re*use to apply the sa!e ter! in our re.eren+e o* the sa+red i+ons@ In +on+lusion, it would -e appropriate to Auote here the Se.enth Coun+il's letter to the e!peror and e!press$ The letter points out that St 2aul "says o* Ba+o- " -$88&78( ' e worshipped the top o* his sta**', and li/e to this is that said -y Gre,ory, surna!ed the Theolo,ian, 'Re.ere <ethlehe! and worship the !an,er'$ <ut who o* those truly understandin, the Di.ine S+ripture would suppose that here adoration, 5la$r6a5+ was intended@ Su+h an opinion +ould only -e entertained -y a si!pleton or one i,norant o* S+riptural and 2atristi+ /nowled,e$ ?ould Ba+o- ,i.e di.ine worship to his sta**@ Or would Gre,ory the Theolo,ian +o!!and us to worship the !an,er as thou,h it were God@" oly Trans*i,uration #onastery 7ART ONE On $!e 'ir $ S"nday o' Grea$ Len$+ o"r C!"r#! #elebra$e $!e 'ea $ o' $!e Re $ora$ion o' $!e 8enera$ion and /or !i& o' $!e Holy I#on + a'$er $!e $errible &er e#"$ion a*ain $ $!e Or$!9 odox (!i#! (a $ar$ed by $!e !ere$i#al I#ono#la $ + $!ro"*!o"$ $!e -y:an$ine Em&ire. D"rin* $!i &eriod+ a *rea$ n"mber o' C!ri $ian (ere mar$yred; ome 'or !idin* i#on in $!eir !ome + o$!er 'or #on'e in* $!a$ $!ere (a no Or$!odoxy (i$!o"$ i#on + and $!a$ !e (!o reno"n#ed i#on !a in reali$y reno"n#ed C!ri $ Him el'. In o"r day and a*e+ i$ (o"ld be #on idered by many $o be narro(9mindedne + 'ana$i#i m+ (or !i& o' em&$y 'orm + and 'olly $o a#ri'i#e one5 li'e 'or #on'e in* one5 belie' in "#! in i*ni'i#an$ )de$ail ). I$ i $r"e $!a$ C!ri $ian o' $oday are (illin* $o be$ray+ and $!a$ (i$!o"$ $oo m"#! remor e+ no$ only i#on + b"$ al o $!eir Fai$!. /e ee ome (!o a&&la"d $!o e (!o are bar$erin* o"r C!"r#!5 Tradi$ion $o $!e 7o&e and $o o$!er !ere$i# . Ne%er$!ele + $!e C!"r#! o' C!ri $ !a no$ #on idered $!e ma$$er o' i#on a )de$ail). 7a $or and 'lo#, !a%e "nder $ood $!a$ $!ere #anno$ be $!in* o' &rimary and $!in* o' e#ondary im&or$an#e in ma$$er o' Fai$!+ 'or o"r Fai$! re emble a ,ni$$ed ob<e#$ (!i#! be*in $o "nra%el (!en e%en one $i$#! i "ndone. T!i i (!y o many 'a$!er + mo$!er + #!ildren+ mon, + $ea#!er and bi !o& !a%e !ed $!eir blood (illin*ly+ ,no(in* $!a$ i$ (o"ld er%e $o (a$er and $ren*$!en $!e $ree o' Or$!odoxy. And o+ 'or $!e #elebra$ion o' $!e re9 e $abli !men$ o' $!e %enera$ion o' i#on a'$er $!i %i#$ory+ $!e C!"r#! e$ a ide $!i #!o en day+ $!e S"nday o' Or$!odoxy. CONTE=7ORAR> ICONOCLASTS I $!e ?"e $ion o' i#on + (!i#! many o' o"r #on$em&orarie #on ider a no more $!an a mere de$ail+ really o' "#! *rea$ im&or$an#e $!a$ $!e C!"r#! !ad $o a$$a#! $o $!e i#on $!e %ery idea o' $!e true /ay o' $!o"*!$+ o' $!e ri,ht Fai$!@ To "nder $and $!e meanin* o' $!e i#on in o"r Fai$! and in Or$!odox li'e+ (e need no$ ex!"me $!e an#ien$ -y:an$ine I#ono#la $ . 'or+ in o"r $ime+ (e !a%e o"r o(n. T!ey #an be di%ided in$o $!ree #a$e*orie . 1. T!e 7ro$e $an$ + or E%an*eli#al + a $!ey ome$ime #all $!em el%e . T!e e re<e#$ i#on and bani ! $!em 'rom $!eir a emblie . 7ro$e $an$ #on i $ o' a m"l$i$"de o' !ere ie (!i#! 'i*!$ one (i$! ano$!er. None$!ele + $!ey are "ni$ed on $!i one &oin$; $!e re<e#$ion o' i#on . 4. T!e 7a&i $ + or )Ca$!oli# ) a $!ey #all $!em el%e . In $!eory+ $!ey re#o*ni:e and a##e&$ i#on + b"$ 'or $!em $!e i#on i no$ a a#red ob<e#$+ b"$ im&ly an ornamen$+ i$ i no$ an i#on+ b"$ a reli*io" &ain$in*. T!ere i no$!in* a#red or !oly in i$. I$ i a !"man #on#o#$ion (!i#! 'ollo( #"rren$ 'a !ion in i$ $yle+ a do all o$!er !"man #rea$ion . A. T!e )Or$!odox) (!o e 'ai$! i %a#illa$in*+ and (!o are ready $o 'ollo( $!e 'ormer or $!e la$$er. Some are e%en indi''eren$ $o i#on . T!ey are in'l"en#ed by $!e 7ro$e $an$ (!o ay $!a$ i#on are ma$erial ob<e#$ + *ro + in#om&a$ible (i$! $!e reli*ion o' C!ri $+ (!i#! i #om&le$ely &iri$"al. >e$ o$!er &ermi$ i#on in $!eir !ome and in #!"r#!+ b"$ $!e e i#on di''er in no$!in* 'rom $!o e o' $!e 7a&i $ + bein* de&ri%ed o' all a#red 4

#!ara#$er. $!ey are e#"lar (or, o' ar$+ and !a%e no rela$ion $o C!ri $ or Hi ain$ + (!o e name $!ey may (ell #arry. T!ey are no$!in* b"$ melodrama$i# or a''e#$ed re&re en$a$ion o' C!ri $ and Hi ain$ . THE INDE7ICTA-LE GOD Le$ " no( ee (!a$ $!e 'ir $ o' $!e e i#ono#la $ + $!e 7ro$e $an$ + $!in, o' i#on . T!eir ar*"men$ are $!e ame a $!o e o' $!e -y:an$ine I#ono#la $ . T!e 7ro$e $an$ main$ain $!a$ $!e #" $om o' &ain$in* i#on !a no 'o"nda$ion in $!e Old or Ne( Te $amen$ . Nei$!er C!ri $ nor Hi a&o $le !a%e ordered " $o ma,e i#on . On $!e #on$rary+ in $!e Old Te $amen$+ God #a$e*ori#ally 'orbid i$; Thou shalt not !a/e to thysel* an idol, nor li/eness o* any thin,, whate.er thin,s are in hea.en a-o.e, and whate.er thin,s are in the earth -eneath, and whate.er are in the waters under the earth$ Thou shalt not -ow down to the!, nor ser.e the!, *or I a! the Lord thy God, a ;ealous God, re+o!pensin, the sins o* the *athers upon the +hildren o* the third and *ourth ,eneration o* the! that hate !e$" "16$7'&%=9( Lest ye trans,ress and !a/e to yoursel.es a +ar.ed li/eness, any /ind o* i!a,e, the li/eness o* !ale or *e!ale$$$ Ta/e heed to yoursel.es lest ye *or,et the +o.enant o* the Lord our God, whi+h e !ade with you, and ye !a/e to yoursel.es a ,ra.en li/eness o* any o* the thin,s +on+ernin, whi+h the Lord thy God +o!!anded thee$ )or the Lord thy God is a +onsu!in, *ire, a ;ealous God$" "Dt$%&l>, 7:=7%($ T!e 7ro$e $an$ ay $!a$ in $!e &rimi$i%e C!"r#!+ $!ere (ere no "#! $!in* a i#on . I#on (ere in$rod"#ed in$o $!e C!"r#! a an e%il imi$a$ion o' &a*an &ra#$i#e. And (!a$ do $!e Holy Fa$!er an (er $o $!e ar*"men$ o' $!e i#ono#la $ @ Le$ " ee. I$ i $r"e $!a$ God 'orbade $!e I raeli$e $o ma,e an ima*e o' God. -"$ (!a$ ima*e #o"ld be made o' God@ Had $!ey een God@ In $!e ame #!a&$er o' De"$eronomy+ (!ere He 'orbid $!e Hebre( $o ma,e an ima*e o' Him+ God *i%e $!i rea on; And the Lord spa/e to you out o* the !idst o* the *ire a .oi+e o* words, whi+h he heard, and ye saw no li/eness, only a .oi+e "Dt$%&87($ /!en I &o,e $o yo"+ aid God+ in $!e 'ire o' =o"n$ Horeb yo" !eard only =y %oi#e. >o" a( no ima*e nor 'i*"re o' =e. T!ere'ore+ i' yo" (i ! $o ma,e ome$!in* in =y ima*e+ i$ (ill #er$ainly no$ be in =y ima*e. 'or yo" !a%e een no ima*e o' =e. I$ (ill only be an idol+ ome$!in* $!a$ re emble a man or a (oman+ or ome animal $!a$ (al, on $!e land or #ra(l a$ $!e bo$$om o' $!e ea+ or ome o$!er #rea$"re. T!a$ (!i#! !a !a&&ened $o $!e &a*an (!o do no$ ,no( God+ (ill !a&&en $o yo"; ome !a%e dei'ied men+ o$!er animal + o$!er $ar or o$!er #rea$"re . And De"$eronomy re&ea$ on#e a*ain; Ta/e ,ood heed to your souls, *or ye saw no i!a,e in the day wherein the Lord spa/e to you in ore- in the !ountain, out o* the !idst o* the *ire "Dt$%&89($ T!" $!e Hebre( !ad *ood rea on no$ $o ma,e any ima*e o' God. /!a$ ima*e #o"ld $!ey ma,e o' Him@ T!ey !ad !eard only Hi %oi#e+ and a %oi#e !a no ima*e. A (e #an ee+ God (a no$ !o $ile $o ima*e . He 'orbade $!e Hebre( $o re&re en$ Him only be#a" e He i S&iri$+ $!e only $r"ly "nma$erial -ein*. An "nma$erial &iri$ #anno$ be &ain$ed "nle i$ $a,e "&on i$ el' a 'i*"re and a&&ear $o men. /!en God re%ealed Him el' and &o,e $o $!e I raeli$e + He did no$ ado&$ a 'orm. I$ (a $!" im&o ible $o ma,e an ima*e o' Him. I' $!e Hebre( !ad $ried $o ma,e one+ i$ (o"ld no$ !a%e been $!a$ o' God+ b"$ a 'al e ima*e+ an idol. )THOU SHALT =AKE T/O CHERU-I=.) Ho(e%er+ $!e Fa$!er #on$in"e $!eir re&ly $o $!e i#ono#la $ o' all $ime ; I$ i 'al e $o ay $!a$ $!e S#ri&$"re 'orbid ima*e . A a ma$$er o' 'a#$+ (!ile God (a 'orbiddin* $!e Hebre( $o re&re en$ Him in ima*e + He be o"*!$ o' =o e $!e 'ollo(in* $ran*e $!in* ; And thou shalt !a/e a !er+y=seat, a lid o* pure ,old, the len,th o* two +u-its and a hal*, and the -readth o* a +u-it and a hal*$ And thou shalt !a/e two +heru-i! ,ra.en in ,old, and thou shalt put the! on -oth sides o* A

the !er+y=seat$ They shall -e !ade one +heru- on this side, and another +heru- on the other side o* the !er+y=seat4 and thou shalt !a/e the two +heru-i! on -oth sides$ The +heru-i! shall stret+h *orth their win,s a-o.e, o.ershadowin, the !er+y=seat with their win,s4 and their *a+es shall -e toward ea+h other, the *a+es o* the +heru-i! shall -e $o(ard the !er+y=seat$ And thou shalt set the !er+y=seat on the Ar/ a-o.e, and thou shalt put into the Ar/ the Testi!onies whi+h I shall ,i.e thee$ And I will !a/e !ysel* /nown to thee *ro! then+e, and I will spea/ to thee a-o.e the !er+y=seat -etween the two +heru-i!, whi+h are upon the Ar/ o* the Testi!ony, e.en in all thin,s whi+h I en;oin thee +on+ernin, the +hildren o* Israel "16$79&lC=77($ In ano$!er boo, o' $!e Old Te $amen$+ (e read $!e 'ollo(in* narra$ion; ?hen #oses entered the Ta-erna+le o* Testi!ony to spea/ to God, then he heard the .oi+e o* the Lord spea/in, to hi! *ro! a-o.e the !er+y=seat, whi+h is upon the Ar/ o* the Testi!ony -etween the two +heru-i! and he spa/e unto hi! "N!$C&0D($ T!" (e ee $!a$+ (!en =o e en$ered $!e Taberna#le o' Te $imony+ !e !eard $!e %oi#e o' $!e Lord &ea,in* $o !im 'rom be$(een $!e $(o i#on o' $!e #!er"bim+ &la#ed o%er $!e Ar, o' $!e Te $imony. No(+ #an yo" ee !o( m"#! $!e 7ro$e $an$ and all $!e o$!er i#ono#la $ err (!en $!ey &re$end $!a$ $!e Holy S#ri&$"re + or ra$!er+ God doe no$ (an$ ima*e @ And no$ only $!e ima*e o' $!e $(o #!er"bim+ b"$ $!e Taberna#le i$ el' may be een a an i#on+ an i#on o' Hea%en+ o' $!e Holy o' Holie + $!e T!rone o' God+ (!en#e God &o,e $o men+ (!ere $ood $!e #!er"bim+ #ele $ial bein* (!o en<oy "#! 'amiliari$y (i$! God $!a$ $!ey $and nex$ $o Hi T!rone. And e%en i' God !ad ne%er en<oined men $o ma,e i#on + (!a$ o' i$@ S$ T!eodore $!e S$"di$e ay ; No(!ere do (e ee C!ri $ orderin* Hi a&o $le $o (ri$e e%en a line+ no more $!an He Him el' (ro$e e%en $o *i%e " an exam&le. -"$ ne%er$!ele + Hi a&o $le !a%e de&i#$ed Hi i#on in words in $!e Ne( Te $amen$. /!y !o"ld (e #on ider i$ a na$"ral $!in* $o de #ribe Him in boo, + b"$ "nna$"ral $o de #ribe Him (i$! #olo"r in i#on @ THE /ITNESS OF THE CATACO=-S A (e !a%e already een+ $!e 7ro$e $an$ #laim al o $!a$ in $!e 'ir $ day o' C!ri $iani$y $!ere (ere no i#on . -"$ $!e #a$a#omb o' Rome !a%e #on'o"nded $!em. T!ey are '"ll o' m"ral &ain$in* o' C!ri $+ $!e 8ir*in+ and $!e mar$yr o' $!o e day + a (ell a i#on en*ra%ed on me$al+ li,e $!e one re&re en$in* $!e a&o $le 7e$er and 7a"l. /e al o 'ind ome on $!e a#red %e el o' $!e 'ir $ #en$"rie + and (e are $ill 'indin* more. T!ere (ere #r"#i'ixe (orn by $!e mar$yr + "#! a $!e one 'o"nd a$ Tomi 0Con $an$a2 in Romania+ in $!e re*ion o' $!e *old mine + (!ere C!ri $ian #ondemned )ad !etala) (ere en$ by $!e em&eror 'or !ard labo"r. -"$ "&&o e $!e 7ro$e $an$ (ere #orre#$ in main$ainin* $!a$ $!ere (ere no i#on in $!e &rimi$i%e C!"r#!+ (!a$ o' i$@ T!e &rimi$i%e C!"r#! did no$ e%en !a%e $!e Holy S#ri&$"re 0o' $!e Ne( Te $amen$2 #om&iled a "#!. Only li$$le by li$$le (a $!e Ne( Te $amen$ #olle#$ed. F"r$!ermore+ $!e boo, o' $!e Ne( Te $amen$ (ere man" #ri&$ only 'o"nd !ere and $!ere. I$ i only m"#! la$er $!a$ $!e C!"r#!+ *"ided by $!e Holy S&iri$+ ele#$ed 'rom amon* a lar*e n"mber o' imilar (ri$in* and #om&iled $!o e (!i#! (ere a"$!en$i#+ $r"e and "nad"l$era$ed in$o (!a$ S!e no( #all $!e Ne( Te $amen$. =" $ (e $!en de $roy $!e Ne( Te $amen$ be#a" e i$ did no$ exi $ a "#! 'rom $!e %ery be*innin*@ -"$ (!a$ (a $!ere in $!e %ery be*innin*@ /ere $!ere any #!"r#!e @ T!e 'ir $ li$"r*ie (ere #elebra$ed in "&&er room and in #a$a#omb . =" $ (e al o #on$in"e $!i #" $om@ I$ i &re#i ely be#a" e $!e C!"r#! o' $!e 'ir $ #en$"rie (a &oor+ ex&o ed $o #on$in"al &er e#"$ion + and did no$ a ye$ !a%e ar$i $ + nor $!e mean $o #rea$e many i#on + $!a$ $!o e 'o"nd in $!e #a$a#omb are (or$!y o' o"r admira$ion+ in $!a$ $!ey (ere &ain$ed "nder*ro"nd+ (i$!o"$ any "nli*!$+ b"$ only by #andleli*!$ and "nder $!e (ord o' $!e &er e#"$or. 7ROFESSION OF THE INCARNATION 7er!a& many (ill $ell " ; )/e admi$ $!a$+ in C!ri $iani$y+ i$ i &ermi$$ed $o ma,e i#on + and (e e%en re#o*ni:e $!eir bea"$y+ and admi$ $!a$ $!ey are a&&ro&ria$e #!"r#! ornamen$ . b"$ don5$ $ell " $!a$ $!e i#on i B

indi &en able 'or C!ri $iani$y+ nor in i $ $!a$ $!o e 'ana$i# (!o (ere mar$yred 'or $!e a,e o' i#on d"rin* $!e i#ono#la $ &er e#"$ion + ,ne( (!a$ $!ey (ere doin* (!en $!ey (ere de'endin* $!e i#on + and $!a$ i#on (ere really (or$! $!e !eddin* o' $!eir blood). -"$ (!y $!en (ere o many &eo&le mar$yred d"rin* $!o e i#ono#la $ &er e#"$ion @ For $!e ame rea on $!a$ $!e 'ir $ C!ri $ian era (a 'illed (i$! mar$yr . $!ey a#ri'i#ed $!em el%e le $ $!ey reno"n#e C!ri $. -"$ o$!er (ill ay; )/ere $!e I#ono#la $ no$ C!ri $ian @ /!en did $!ey 'or#e $!e Or$!odox $o reno"n#e C!ri $@) I$ i $r"e $!a$ $!e I#ono#la $ #alled $!em el%e C!ri $ian + <" $ a o"r #on$em&orary i#ono#la $ + $!e 7ro$e $an$ and Roman Ca$!oli# + #on ider $!em el%e )C!ri $ian .) -"$ i$ i no$ eno"*! $o #all one el' a C!ri $ian $o be one. $!e -y:an$ine I#ono#la $ + li,e o"r #on$em&orary i#ono#la $ + are denier o' C!ri $+ and !ere i (!y; /e !a%e een $!a$ God+ (!ile 'orbiddin* $!e Hebre( $o ma,e Hi ima*e+ #ommanded =o e $o ma,e i#on 0ima*e 2 o' $!e $(o #!er"bim and $o &la#e $!em in $!e Holy o' Holie + &e#i'yin* in *rea$ de$ail !o( $!ey !o"ld be made. /!y+ $!en+ did God+ /!o ordered $!e re&re en$a$ion o' $!e $(o #!er"bim 'orbid Hi o(n ima*e $o be made@ Sim&ly be#a" e He !ad no$ a ye$ mani'e $ed Him el' in a %i ible 'orm $o men. -"$ (!en $!e )'"llne o' $ime) !ad #ome+ and God !ad &"$ on 'le ! and !ad made Him el' man+ (e+ !a%in* een Hi 'orm and !a%in* een $!e 'a#e o' God+ !ad $!en no$ only $!e ri*!$ $o ma,e $!i ima*e+ b"$ $!e d"$y+ $!e obli*a$ion. 'or no$ ma,in* an i#on o' God in $!e 'le ! He !ad &"$ on+ amo"n$ $o a re'" al $o &ro#laim $!a$ God (a made man. T!e denial o' $!e i#on i $an$amo"n$ $o a denial o' C!ri $+ $o a denial o' $!e Di%ine E#onomia+ $o a denial o' o"r al%a$ion. Here i !o( $!e C!"r#! in* $!i $r"$!; "<ein, indepi+ta-le in Thy Di.ine nature, O #aster, Thou didst dei,n to -e depi+ted when, in these last days, Thou -e+a!est In+arnate,$ .) "Third Sti+heron o* the Great Eespers *or the Sunday o* Orthodo6y($ And; "?hile depi+tin, Thy Di.ine li/eness in i+ons, O Christ, we openly pro+lai! Thy nati.ity$$$" "Fathis!a o* #atins, Sunday o* Orthodo6y($ " e who seeth #e, seeth i! that sent #e" aid $!e Lord 0Dn.14;BC2. And el e(!ere He aid $o 7!illi&+ (!o !ad a ,ed Him $o !o( !im $!e Fa$!er; " a.e I -een so lon, with you, and yet thou hast not /nown #e, 2hillip@ e that hath seen #e hath seen the )ather4 and how sayest thou then show us the )ather@" "Bn$8%&D( And $!i i exa#$ly (!a$ $!e C!"r#! doe $!ro"*!o"$ $!e #en$"rie + in $!a$ (!ile !o(in* $o !er #!ildren $!e i#on o' C!ri $+ !e !o( $!em $!e i#on o' $!e Hea%enly Fa$!er. S!e $ea#!e and #on'e e $!a$ $!e Hea%enly and Una&&roa#!able God !ad $a,en 'le !+ and (a made man o"$ o' lo%e 'or " men. And no( (e ee (!a$ God (e (or !i&+ 'or (e ee Him 'a#e $o 'a#e. Ho( $r"e are $!e (ord o' S$ Do!n o' Dama #" ; "?hat the Gospels re.eal throu,h words, the painter shows us throu,h his wor/$" T!" + 'or $!e C!"r#!+ $!e Go &el and $!e i#on are o' e?"al im&or$an#e and %al"e. E%ery i#ono#la $i# di &o i$ion i an an$i#!ri $ian 'olly. in#e+ in $!e 7er on o' C!ri $+ God !a man9 i'e $ed Hi 'a#e $o $!e (orld+ i$ i an in "l$ on o"r &ar$ $o re<e#$ i$. All $!o e (!o are %exed and !indered by $!e i#on (!ile in &rayer are+ in reali$y+ %exed by $!e In#arna$e God. I$ i a i' $!ey (ere ayin* $!a$ C!ri $ !ad done badly in $a,in* !"man 'orm and na$"re. T!e De( and =o lem are+ a$ lea $+ #on i $en$ in $!eir re<e#$ion o' i#on + 'or $!ey deny $!e In#arna$ion o' God. -"$ $!e 7ro$e $an$ and o$!er i#ono#la $ are no$ o en ible+ and are (i$!o"$ any <" $i'i#a$ion. /e #an a$$ain $!e Fa$!er+ $!e imma$erial+ 'ormle + in#om&re!en ible God+ only $!ro"*! $!e Son+ <" $ a $!e Lord Him el' aid. 'or $!e Son !a #ome $o " in $!e 'le !+ $!a$ i in &e#i'i# 'orm. Ho( #o"ld (e re<e#$ $!i 'orm 0i#on2 (i$!o"$ r"nnin* $!e real ri , o' ne%er rea#!in* $!e Fa$!er@ "No !an hath seen God at any ti!e," ay S$ Do!n $!e T!eolo*ian+ "the Only <e,otten Son, ?ho is in the -oso! o* the )ather, he hath de+lared i!" "Bn$l&80($ And S$ Do!n o' Dama #" (ri$e ; "God, ?ho has no -ody nor *or! +ould not, in the past, -e represented$ <ut now that e has +o!e in the *lesh and has dwelt a!on, !en, I +an depi+t is .isi-le *or!$" Li,e $!e Go &el+ $!e i#on &ea, o' $!e Tr"$!. "I a! the ?ay, the Truth and the Li*e," aid C!ri $. /i$!o"$ any do"b$. Tr"$! #an no( be de&i#$ed. Tr"$! i no$ an ab $ra#$ $!in*. i$ i no$ one or many #on#e&$ . I$ i ome$!in* #on#re$e+ li%in*. i$ i a 7er on+ $!e 7er on o' $!e In#arna$e C!ri $. C

/!en (e re&re en$ $!e 7er on o' C!ri $ in an i#on+ (e de #ribe nei$!er Hi Di%ine nor Hi !"man na$"re+ 'or nei$!er #an be de&i#$ed. In $!e i#on+ (e &or$ray $!e 7er on o' C!ri $. i.e.+ $!e in#arna$e Hy&o $a i o' One o' $!e 7er on o' $!e Holy Trini$y+ in /!om $!e Di%ine and !"man na$"re i "ni$ed (i$!o"$ #on'" ion or di%i ion in a manner "r&a in* #om&re9 !en ion. In $!e &or$rai$ o' any *i%en man+ (e do no$ re&re en$ !"man na$"re+ (!i#! i "nde&i#$able and in#om&re!en ible. e%en o in $!e i#on o' C!ri $+ (e do no$ &or$ray nor re&re en$ $!e Di%ine Na$"re+ (!i#! i ina##e ible and in#om&re!en ible. Only $!e 7er on o' C!ri $+ (!o %ol"n$arily made Him el' man+ i &or$rayed. CONFESSION OF DEIFICATION So m"#! 'or $!e i#on o' C!ri $. T!e re&re en$a$ion o' $!e ain$ in i#on i a na$"ral #on e?"en#e o' $!e re&re en$a$ion o' C!ri $. T!e In#arna$ion o' C!ri $ i al o $!e ba i# $!eolo*i#al 'o"nda$ion 'or $!e i#on o' $!e T!eo$o,o and $!e ain$ + 'or i$ i $!ro"*! $!e In#arna$ion o' God $!a$ $!e &o ibili$y o' dei'i#a$ion (a *i%en $o man. I' $!e ain$ (ere re&re en$ed "&on i#on a mere men+ no one (o"ld a , C!ri $ian (!y $!ey re&re en$ $!em. No one (o"ld be #andali:ed a$ $!e &or$rai$ o' a man. -"$ $!e ain$ are no$ re&re en$ed on i#on a mere men+ a in &or$rai$ + b"$ a men (or$!y o' %enera$ion+ a an#$i'ied men+ dei'ied by Di%ine ener*y 0=$.C;F. 47$. l;B2. T!i i a *rea$ $"mblin* $one $o $!e in'idel and $!e i#ono#la $. )>o" are idola$or ) ay $!e 7ro$e $an$ + )>o" (or !i& (ooden idol and ima*e o' men.) /e do no$ (or !i& ima*e o' men+ O blind one G b"$ $!e Gra#e+ $!e &o(er o' God (!i#! d(ell in $!o e men+ in $!eir bodie + in $!eir bodie <" $ a i$ doe in $!eir o"l . Idola$ry i $!e (or !i& o' a 'al e *od. 'or God Him el' i in no (i e ma$erial and+ (!en yo" 'orm a ma$erial ima*e o' $!e "nma$erial God+ yo" !a%e 'ormed an idol in yo"r mind. I$ i no$ idola$ry $o (or !i& a a#red ob<e#$+ "#! a an i#on+ $!e Go &el+ or $!e Cro + in#e $!e %enera$ion i no$ $o(ard $!e ob<e#$ i$ el'+ nor $o a 'al e *od+ b"$ $o $!e Tr"e God+ $!e God o' Abra!am+ I aa# and Da#ob+ /!o an#$i'ie $!e ob<e#$. I$ i no$ idola$ry $o %enera$e a #rea$"re+ (!en $!e %enera$ion and $!e (or !i& redo"nd $o $!e Crea$or /!o an#$i'ie i$. C!ri $iani$y i no$ an ab $ra#$ &!ilo o&!y. I$ i $!e (or !i& o' a &e#i'i# 7er on+ $!e (or !i& o' C!ri $+ o' God /!o $oo, 'le ! and bone "&on Him el' $o an#$i'y $!e ma$$er o' $!e "ni%er e. In C!ri $+ all #rea$ion !a been an#$i'ied+ and ma$$er !a be#ome a #!annel by (!i#! God5 Gra#e #ome $o men. /e %enera$e and (or !i& $!e i#on b"$ (e do no$ render i$ $!e adora$ion and er%i#e d"e $o God alone. I$ i God alone /!om (e adore and er%e. I$ i be#a" e (e adore God $!a$ (e %enera$e and (or !i& Hi i#on+ and $!e i#on o' $!o e in (!om He !a $a,en "& Hi d(ellin*. Adora$ion i one $!in*+ %enera$ion and (or !i& ano$!er. T!e ame a&&lie $o $!e !ono"r and %enera$ion (!i#! (e render $!e ain$ . /e !ono"r and %enera$e $!e ain$ be#a" e $!ey are %e el o' God5 Gra#e. /!en (e !ono"r $!e ain$ and %enera$e $!eir i#on + (e adore God /!o an#$i'ied $!em. T!e body o' a ain$+ in li'e and a'$er dea$!+ i a d(ellin* &la#e o' $!e Holy Trini$y; "I will dwell in the! and wal/ in the!, as God hath said" "7 Cor$>&8>($ "I* a !an lo.e #e, he will /eep #y words, and #y )ather will lo.e hi!, and ?e will +o!e unto hi! and !a/e Our a-ode with hi!" "Bn$l%&7:($ "Fnow ye not," ay $!e a&o $le 7a"l+ "that your -ody is the te!ple o* $!e oly Spirit whi+h is in you@" "8 Cor$>&lD($ T!e bodie o' $!e ain$ are %e el o' God5 Gra#e bo$! d"rin* $!eir li'e and a'$er $!eir dea$!+ and ea#! one o' " !o"ld #ome and a%ail o"r el%e o' $!e Gra#e *i%en $!em. T!i i (!y (e Or$!odox C!ri $ian %enera$e $!e reli# o' $!e ain$ + $!eir )$aberna#le ) a (e #all $!em. T!i i (!y $!e i#on o' $!e ain$ + <" $ li,e $!eir )$aberna#le )+ i.e.+ $!eir bodie + (or, mira#le . 'or (i$!in $!e e ma$erial ob<e#$ $!ere d(ell $!e Gra#e o' God. S$ Do!n o' Dama #" ay ; )D"rin* $!eir li'e+ $!e ain$ are '"ll o' $!e Holy S&iri$. A'$er $!eir dea$!+ $!e Gra#e o' $!e Holy S&iri$ #on$in"e $o d(ell in e&arable in $!eir o"l + in $!eir bodie + in $!eir e&"l#!re + in $!eir ima*e and $!eir !oly i#on + and $!i no$ by e en#e+ b"$ by God5 Gra#e and ener*y.)H E

LADDER TO THE HEA8ENS T!i i (!y (e+ $!e Or$!odox+ %enera$e $!e i#on . -y $!e Gra#e o' God+ $!e i#on &ar$i#i&a$e in $!e !oline o' i$ &ro$o$y&e. T!ro"*! $!e i#on+ (e &ar$i#i&a$e in $!a$ !oline a##ordin* $o $!e mea "re o' $!e &"ri$y o' o"r !ear$ . (e re#ei%e $!e Gra#e (!i#! 'lo( 'or$! 'rom $!e ma$erial o' $!e i#on. /e are my $i#ally an#$i'ied by $!e o&era$ion o' $!e Holy S&iri$. T!e i#on i $!" one o' $!e &a$! (!i#! lead " $o God. i$ i a ladder (!i#! allo( " $o #limb 'rom ear$! $o Hea%en. In $!e ame manner+ $!e $em&le+ $!e #!"r#! (!ere (e a emble 'or %ario" er%i#e and $!e Di%ine Li$"r*y+ i a )Hea%en on ear$!+) a $!e Fa$!er ay. C!ri $ i &re en$ $!ere $!ro"*! Hi -ody and -lood+ and Hi i#on. Hi all9!oly =o$!er i al o &re en$ $!ro"*! !er i#on. All $!e ain$ and $!e Hea%enly &o(er are al o &re en$ $!ro"*! $!eir i#on + &la#ed "&on $!e i#ono $a and on $!e (all . D"rin* $!e Li$"r*y+ $!e 'ai$!'"l (!o are a embled in $!e #!"r#! #omm"ne (i$! Hea%en+ be#a" e $!e li$"r*i#al &rayer and $!e i#on (!i#! are $!ere li'$ $!em "&. Le$ " no$ #on ider $!i $o be merely & y#!olo*i#al &!enomena+ a &"rely in$elle#$"al ele%a$ion a$$ained by $!e (ord o' $!e &rayer and $!e i#on (!i#! remind " o' Hea%en. No$ a$ all; T!e li'$in* "& o' $!e 'ai$!'"l i a my $ery. I$ i &o ible $!a$ $!ey 'eel no$!in* a$ $!e momen$. ne%er$!ele + my $i#ally+ in$eriorly+ (!en $!ey #omm"ne o' $!e Imma#"la$e =y $erie + $!ey are li'$ed "&+ re*ardle o' $!e $!o"*!$ and 'eelin* (!i#! a$ $!e momen$ r"le (i$!in $!em. I$ i $!e a#$ion o' Di%ine Gra#e (!i#! rai e $!em "& and an#$i'ie $!em. In $r"$!+ !o( $ran*e i God5 (ill; He !a #!o en !"mble ma$$er+ (!i#! (e de &i e+ $o HNo$e; T!e Holy S#ri&$"re &ro%ide " (i$! ome in i*!$ re*ardin* $!e (or,in* o' Di%ine Gra#e in $!e Sain$ o' God. In $!e e &a a*e 'rom S#ri&$"re+ (e ee $!a$ God #!oo e $o (or, in $!e Sain$ no$ only &iri$"ally J 'or exam&le+ in $!eir o"l J b"$ al o ma$erially+ $!ro"*! &!y i#al $!in* a o#ia$ed (i$! $!em. A 'e( exam&le 'rom $!e Holy S#ri&$"re (ill er%e $o demon $ra$e $!e C!"r#!5 belie'; aK )/ondro" i God in Hi Sain$ + e%en $!e God o' I rael) L7 . EI;AC Se&$"a*.K bK )In $!e Sain$ $!a$ are in Hi ear$! !a$! $!e Lord been (ondro" . He !a$! (ro"*!$ all Hi de ire in $!em) L7 . 1C;A Se&$"a*.K #K )I am #r"#i'ied (i$! C!ri $; ne%er$!ele I li%e. ye$ no$ I+ b"$ C!ri $ li%e$! in meMLGal. 4;4NK. dK )And God (ro"*!$ &e#ial mira#le by $!e !and o' 7a"l; o $!a$ 'rom !i body (ere bro"*!$ "n$o $!e i#, !and,er#!ie' or a&ron + and $!e di ea e de&ar$ed 'rom $!em+ and $!e e%il &iri$ (en$ o"$ o' $!em) LA#$ 1F;14K. eK )MT!ey bro"*!$ 'or$! $!e i#, in$o $!e $ree$ + and laid $!em on bed and #o"#!e + $!a$ a$ $!e lea $ $!e !ado( o' 7e$er &a in* by mi*!$ o%er !ado( ome o' $!emM..and $!ey (ere !ealed e%ery one LA#$ C;1C+ 1EK.

ma,e i$ in$o a %e!i#le o' Hi Gra#e. T!e oil o' Holy Un#$ion+ $!e (a$er o' -a&$i m+ $!e myrr! o' Holy C!ri m+ $!e bread and (ine o' $!e Holy E"#!ari $+ $!e bodie o' $!e ain$ and $!eir i#on . all $!e e ma$erial $!in* + ne%er$!ele + rai e " $o Hea%en+ m"#! more $!an $!o e *rea$ and "blime idea (!i#! (e men #on#ei%e (i$! o"r &oor mind . 7ART T/O THE FALSIFICATION Le$ e%ery$!in* (e !a%e aid o 'ar be #on idered a an an (er $o all $!e modern day i#ono#la $ + i.e.+ $!e 7ro$e $an$ + E%an*eli#ali $ and Re'ormed+ ay a*ain $ " . -"$ a (e !a%e aid a$ $!e be*innin*+ $!ere i al o a e#ond ,ind o' i#ono#la $+ $!o e (!o a##e&$ i#on + b"$ (!o di $or$ $!em and al$er $!eir $r"e meanin*+ #on iderin* $!em a no$!in* more $!an reli*io" and ornamen$al ob<e#$ + de#ora$ion brimmin* (i$! $!e &iri$ o' $!e (orld and o' $!e 'le !. T!e e i#ono#la $ are a#$"ally 7a&i $ + 'ollo(er o' $!e 7o&e+ b"$ $!ey (i ! $o #all $!em el%e )Ca$!oli# ). T!ey are m"#! (or e $!an $!e 'ormer. 'or i$ i be$$er $o #a $ o"$ $!e i#on o' C!ri $ and o' Hi ain$ 'rom o"r !ome and #!"r#!e ra$!er $!an $o in$rod"#e &ain$in* (!i#! di $or$ and $!ereby ridi#"le a#red &er on + deba e o"r reli*ion in $!e eye o' $!e &eo&le o' $!i (orld+ and dim $!e bri*!$ne o' $!e &iri$"al 'lame (!i#! m" $ be born in $!em $!ro"*! God5 Gra#e. T!e )Ca$!oli#) C!"r#! !a #ommi ioned *rea$ &ain$er $o de#ora$e !er #!"r#!e + b"$ (ere $!e e &ain$er $r"e C!ri $ian @ S"rely no$. T!e e &ain$er $oo, 'rom $!e $ree$ bea"$i'"l yo"$! + (i$! $rai$ more 'eminine $!an ma #"line+ !ad $!em &o e a model + and+ (i$! a bi$ o' ima*ina$ion+ &rod"#ed a a re "l$ a )C!ri $) '"ll o' #arnal bea"$y+ (i$! melodrama$i# 'ea$"re + (i$! a''e#$ed ex&re ion and *e $"re alien $o $!e C!ri $ian &iri$. F"r$!er+ (e ,no( 'rom !i $ory $!a$ ome o' $!eir mo $ bea"$i'"l &ain$in* o' $!e 8ir*in (ere modeled by $!e reno(ned &ro $i$"$e o' $!o e $ime . O$!er (ere $!e mi $re e o' $!e &ain$er $!em el%e . T!i (a al o $r"e in re*ard $o $!e re&re en$a$ion o' di''eren$ ain$ . /i$! $!e $oleran#e and o'$en e%en $!e a&&roba$ion and admira$ion o' $!e 7a&al C!"r#!+ $!e e &ain$er &re en$ed $o man,ind $!e an#$i'ied &er ona*e o' o"r Fai$! in a manner 'ar re9 mo%ed 'rom reali$y. T!eir &rimary aim (a $o !o( $!eir $alen$ and no$!in* el e. T!ey #ared %ery li$$le 'or rai in* $o Hea%en $!e o"l o' $!e 'ai$!'"l (!o admired $!eir (or,+ 'or $!ey o"*!$ only $o 'ill $!eir eye and o"l (i$! %ain+ #arnal bea"$y+ alien $o $!e &iri$ o' $!e Go &el. T!i i (!y $!i $y&e o' i#ono#la $ i 'ar more dan*ero" $!an $!e 'ir $. I$ i + in 'a#$+ more !ono"rable $o deny i#on + $!an $o a##e&$ i#on (!i#!+ in $ead o' ex&o"ndin* C!ri $5 reli*ion+ $ea#! an al$ered and ad"l$era$ed reli*ion+ a reli*ion made "nre#o*ni:able by $!e di $or$ed &er on one de&i#$ . I$ i &re'erable $o !a%e no i#on $!an $o !a%e i#on (!i#! ener%a$e $!e o"l o' $!e 'ai$!'"l+ &er%er$ $!eir &iri$ and *ro ly mi re&re en$ C!ri $iani$y. AN EP7RESSION OF THE TRUTH T!e /e $erner ay $!a$ i$ i normal 'or %ario" #!ool o' reli*io" &ain$in* $o exi $+ be#a" e e%ery &ain$er a$$em&$ $o &ain$ C!ri $ $o $!e be $ o' !i abili$y and a bea"$i'"l a !e may #on#ei%e Him $o be. -"$ C!ri $ and Hi ain$ (ere real &eo&le. (e do no$ !a%e $!e ri*!$ $o &ain$ $!em a (e ima*ine+ e%en (i$! a &io" ima*ina$ion. In C!ri $iani$y+ li,e $!e (ri$$en or &o,en (ord+ $!e i#on &ea, o' Tr"$!. I$ i im&o ible $o &ain$ C!ri $ <" $ a anyone mi*!$ &i#$"re Him+ 'or i$ i no lon*er Him (e &ain$ b"$ an ima*inary #!ara#$er (!i#! i arbi$rarily #alled C!ri $. -y re'errin* $o "#! a &or$rai$ a )De " C!ri $+) (e $ell an enormo" lie and $!ereby de#ei%e men. C!ri $ m" $ be re&re en$ed a He i and no$ a (e $!in, He i . Or$!odox i#ono*ra&!y i a reali m ar$ par e6+ellen+e$ Ima*ina$ion !a no &la#e in i$. T!e i#on+ li,e $!e Holy S#ri&$"re + i ba ed on !i $ori#al 'a#$. I$ de #ribe $!e !i $ori#al 'a#$ o' o"r Fai$! (i$! #olo"r and 'orm+ (!erea Holy S#ri&$"re do $!e ame (i$! $!e (ri$$en (ord. T!ere'ore+ an Or$!odox i#on #an ex&re no$!in* b"$ (!a$ $!e Holy S#ri&$"re ay. In an i#on+ C!ri $ m" $ a&&ear a He a&&ear in $!e Holy S#ri&$"re and in $!e #on #ien#e o' $!e C!"r#!. A ain$ m" $ al o a&&ear on an i#on a !e a&&eared in !i $ory and in $!e #olle#$ed Li%e o' $!e Sain$ . I$ i Oim&io" and inadmi ible 'or one $o ma,e " e o' 'an$a y $o de #ribe 'a#$ 'rom $!e li'e o' o"r Lord by $!e (ri$$en or oral (ord. I$ i e?"ally im&io" and in9 admi ible $o " e one5 'an#y $o &ain$ $!e ame e%en$ (i$! a br" !.

T!e $r"$! (!i#! $!e C!"r#! &ro#laim #an be ad"l$era$ed no$ only by $!e (ord b"$ al o $!ro"*! $!e i#on. and i$ i no$ only by (ri$in* or &ea,in* $!a$ (e are in dan*er o' be#omin* !ere$i# b"$ al o by &ain$in*. 7URIFICATION OF THE SENSES Ho(+ $!en+ #an an i#ono*ra&!er remain Or$!odox@ Ho( (ill !e a%oid $!e ea y 'all o' 'al i'yin* $!e Tr"$! (i$! !i br" !@ Ho( (ill !e a##om&li ! $!e di''i#"l$ $a , o' &or$rayin* $!e Tr"$! in $!e #o"n$enan#e o' C!ri $ and o' Hi ain$ (!om !e &ain$ @ T!e &a$! $!e i#ono*ra&!er m" $ 'ollo( in !i (or, i no$ di''eren$ 'rom $!a$ o' $!e &rea#!er+ or o' $!e (ri$er o' reli*io" boo, . I$ i no di''eren$ $!an $!e road o' e%ery C!ri $ian (!o (i !e $o belie%e ri*!$ly. /!a$ m" $ a C!ri $ian do $o be Or$!odox@ Fir $ !e m" $ be !"mble and !a%e a 'eelin* o' !i o(n no$!in*ne and in'"lne . H"mili$y and #on$ri$ion (ill &"ri'y !i !ear$ $!a$ !e may ee #learly. )7ride #om&el a man $o #on$ri%e inno%a$ion + in#e i$ #anno$ "''er (!a$ i an#ien$+) (ri$e S$ E&!raim $!e Syrian. T!e C!ri $ian m" $ 'a $ and &ray (i$! #om&"n#$ion. He m" $ !"mbly 'ollo( $!e $ea#!in* o' $!e Fa$!er o' $!e C!"r#!+ $ry $o imi$a$e $!eir li%e + $!a$ !e mi*!$ be#ome (or$!y o' $!e li*!$ 'rom on !i*!. T!e e ame $!in* a&&ly al o $o $!e i#ono*ra&!er (!o (i !e $o &ain$ Or$!odox i#on . He m" $ be !"mble. He m" $ loo, a$ !o( $!e &io" i#ono*ra&!er o' $!e C!"r#! !a%e been &ain$in* i#on $!ro"*!o"$ $!e #en$"rie e%en $o o"r o(n day+ and !e m" $ &ain$ li,e $!em+ (i$!o"$ inno%a$in* or abandonin* )(!a$ i an#ien$.) He m" $ &ray %ery m"#! and 'a $ o $!a$ God may o&en $!e eye o' !i o"l $!a$ !e may ee (!a$ i $r"e and (!a$ i 'al e+ (!a$ i &iri$"al and (!a$ i #arnal. He m" $ !a%e !eroi# $ren*$! no$ $o "bmi$ $o $!e $a $e o' $!o e (!o #ommi ion !im $o &ain$+ be $!ey &rie $ + $!e &ari ! #o"n#il or 'ooli ! &er on (!o+ "n'or$"na$ely+ do no$ ,no( (!a$ an Or$!odox i#on i + and #anno$ di #ern (!a$ i ae $!e$i# and (!a$ i no$. REALIS= 2AR 1GC1LL1NC1 7er!a& omeone (ill $!in,; I' Or$!odox i#ono*ra&!y i a reali $i# ar$ par e6+ellen+e, (!i#! admi$ no exer#i e o' o"r ima*ina$ion+ $!en $!e be $ i#on (o"ld be a &!o$o*ra&!+ or (!a$+ a$ any ra$e+ mo $ re emble a &!o$o*ra&!. 'or a &er on #an be re&re en$ed only by $!i (i$! &er'e#$ ob<e#$i%i$y. T!ere i no *rea$er error $!an $o belie%e $!a$ a &!o$o*ra&! #an re&re en$ a man. No &!o$o*ra&! !a e%er re&re en$ed !im+ and $!e million o' &i#$"re $a,en $o da$e !a%e no$ been able $o a#!ie%e $!i . A &!o$o*ra&! brin* o"$ $!e a&&earan#e+ $!e ex$ernal #!ara#$eri $i# o' man+ b"$ i$ #anno$ re&re en$ $!e in$erior reali$y; man in !i '"llne . 7!o$o*ra&!y &i#$"re man a !e a&&ear + b"$ no$ a !e i in reali$y. A *rea$ and admirable &ain$er i !e (!o+ (!ile &ain$in* a &or$rai$ o' a man+ a$ $!e ame $ime i able $o ex&re $!e "nderlyin* ?"ali$ie o' $!e man5 o"l+ !ear$ and &iri$+ a al o i !e (!o+ (!ile &ain$in* na$"re and #rea$ed $!in* + #an by 'orm ex&re $!e #a" e and $!e my $ery o' $!in* $!a$ be. S"#! an ar$+ $r"e ar$+ #an #ome only 'rom $!e Tr"$!+ and only $!e C!"r#! o' C!ri $ #an *i%e bir$! $o i$. T!i ar$ i Or$!odox i#ono*ra&!y+ or+ a e#"lar &eo&le #all i$+ )-y:an$ine &ain$in*.) Only $!e i#on #an de&i#$ a bein* and+ a$ $!e ame $ime+ ex&re $!e $r"$! o' !i #o"n$enan#e. only i$ !a $!e $ren*$! $o re&re en$ $!e !oline + $!e Di%ine li*!$+ $!e radian#e o' Di%ine lo%e+ $!e #!ari$y+ $!e !"mili$y+ $!e #on$ri$ion and $!e &"ri$y $!a$ i !idden my $erio" ly in $!e 'a#ial ex&re ion o' $!e ain$ . Only i$ #an !o( $o $!o e (!o !a%e &iri$"al eye $!e ne( #rea$ion ina"*"ra$ed by $!e In#arna$ion o' God; $!e dei'i#a$ion o' man. T!e i#on !o( " &oor men $!e Kin*dom o' God #omin* (i$! &o(er+ a##ordin* $o $!e mea "re o' man5 #a&a#i$y and re#e&$i%i$y+ e%en a $!e Tran 'i*"ra$ion o' O"r Lord on Tabor re%ealed Hi *lory $o $!e $!ree di #i&le )a ea#! one #o"ld end"re.) T!e &iri$"al $!in* + (!i#! $!i a#red ar$ re%eal $o o"r eye #anno$ be &er#ei%ed by all+ b"$ only by $!o e (!o are #a&able o' "nder $andin* $!e de&$! o' $!e &iri$"al bea"$y o' Or$!odox li$"r*i#al i#on . O$!er ee only $!eir ae $!e$i# bea"$y+ i' $!a$. T!e i#on doe no$ re&re en$ $!e &eri !able body o' a ain$+ b"$ $!e e$ernal reali$y o' !i &er on. T!i i (!y (e ay $!a$ Or$!odox i#ono*ra&!y i par e6+ellen+e reali $i#+ 'or i$ doe no$ limi$ i$ el' $o a 'ai$!'"l re&re en$a$ion o' b"$ one o' $!e a &e#$ o' a ma$erial and en$imen$al reali$y+ b"$+ (i$! $!e &oor mean a$ man5 di &o al+ i$ render all $!e reali$y o' $!e !"man bein*+ $!e reali$y o' $!e dei'ied man. T!ro"*! $!e %i ible+ $!e C!"r#! be!old $!e in%i ible. $!ro"*! (!a$Fi $em&oral+ S!e ee $!e e$ernal. In $!e li$"r*i#al i#on+ $ran*e and in#om&re!en ible en#o"n$er o##"r; e$erni$y i re%ealed in $ime. Hea%en #ome do(n $o ear$! and en#om&a e mor$al . T!i i (!y $!e Fa$!er ay $!a$ $!a$ b"ildin* (!ere $!e 'ai$!'"l a emble+

$!e $em&le or $!e #!"r#!+ (i$! i$ i#on &ain$ed on $!e (all and on (ood+ (i$! all $!a$ i aid $!ere+ and all $!a$ i #elebra$ed $!ere i an i#on+ an ima*e o' Hea%en+ a reali:a$ion o' Hea%en+ $!o"*! made (i$! &eri !able mean on $!i &eri !able ear$!. To &ain$ $!e i#on o' a ain$+ one m" $ !a%e $a $ed o' an#$i$y. one m" $ !a%e li%ed $!e ex&erien#e o' $!e Gra#e o' God. One m" $ !a%e re#ei%ed $!e Di%ine li*!$+ a 'ar a $!i i &o ible $o $!e o"l. T!e &ain$er (!o doe no$ &o e all $!i m" $ be %ery #are'"l+ 'or e%ery br" ! $ro,e #an lead !im $o !ere y. T!ere i only one &a$! le'$ $o !im; He m" $ (al, 'ai$!9 '"lly in $!e 'oo$ $e& o' $!e an#ien$ i#ono*ra&!er + and &ain$ $ri#$ly a $!ey did. T!i i !o( !e #an ,ee& !im el' 'rom all error+ and $!" *i%e !i (or, $!e eal o' e$erni$y. And &iri$9 "ally !e (ill be &ro'i$ed+ 'or by ad!erin* $o $!e $y&e le'$ by o"r 'a$!er + !e al o (ill $a $e o' e$erni$y and &ar$i#i&a$e in $!e ex&erien#e o' $!e !oly i#ono*ra&!er o' $!e &a $+ $!a$ i + $!e li'e o' $!e C!"r#!. THE GOOD TRANSFOR=ATION =any C!ri $ian are o''ended by $!e a #e$i# a &e#$ o' Or$!odox i#on . $!ey are e%en 'ri*!$ened by $!e a" $ere ex&re ion o' C!ri $ and Hi ain$ in o"r i#ono*ra&!y. T!ey de ire a %ery !"man C!ri $. =o $ o' $!em (an$ $o ee only a man in $!e i#on o' C!ri $. T!ey 'ear $o 'ind $!em el%e be'ore God. -"$ C!ri $ i God9=anG /oe $o $!o e (!o (i ! $o re&re en$ Him only a a man $o $!e eye o' $!e (orld; All $!o e (!o re&re en$ C!ri $ a an ordinary man in a##!arine i#on + and $!o e (!o in$rod"#e $!e e #!ea& re&rod"#$ion in$o $!eir !ome and #!"r#!e in no (i e di''er 'rom $!e !ere$i# (!o $ea#!e $!a$ C!ri $ i no$ God+ b"$ a im&le man+ e%en i' in $!eir inex#" able indi''eren#e+ $!ey do no$ "nder $and $!eir error and in. A (e aid be'ore+ a man doe no$ be#ome a !ere$i# by (ord o' &en only+ b"$ al o by $!e i#on !e a##e&$ in !i !ome or #!"r#!. T!i i (!y Sain$ Do!n o' Dama #" aid $!e e 'ear'"l (ord ; "Show !e the i+ons yo" .enerate, and I will tell you what you -elie.e$" I' S$ Do!n #ame in$o o"r !ome and a( o"r i#on + (!o ,no( !o( many o' " !e (o"ld 'iind Or$!odox@ On $!e o$!er !and+ i' (e examine $!o e (!o al$er $!e i#ono*ra&!i# $radi$ion+ (e !all 'ind $!a$ $!ey $ram&le al o o$!er ma$$er o' $!e Fai$!+ and $!a$+ in *eneral+ $!ey !a%e a )na$"ral) 'ai$!+ a $!e A&o $le 7a"l (o"ld !a%e aid+ $!a$ i $o ay+ en$imen$al+ !allo(+ 'al e+ no$ a$ all &iri$"al. Le$ no$ $!e a #e$i# a &e#$ o' $!e i#on o' C!ri $ and Hi ain$ 'ri*!$en " . $!i a" $ere and orro('"l a &e#$ #on#eal $!e (!ole my $ery o' &ie$y in C!ri $. /e m" $ no$ 'or*e$ $!a$ $!e ma<ori$y o' ain$ + a (e #!an$ in #!"r#! !a%e )by $!e $ream o' $!eir $ear #"l$i%a$ed $!e barrenne o' $!e de er$. and by $!eir i*!in* 'rom $!e de&$! $!ey bare 'r"i$ a !"ndred9'old in labo"r .) Le$ " no$ $!in, $!a$ $!i orro( in C!ri $+ $!i li'e o' $ear and i*! + i (eari ome and '"ll o' mi 'or$"ne. On $!e #on$rary+ a''li#$ion in C!ri $ i $!e only (ay $o Hea%enly bli + o' (!i#! $!e ain$ $a $e (!ile $ill in $!i (orld; i$ i $!e *laddenin* orro( o' (!i#! $!e Fa$!er &ea,+ a min*lin* o' <oy and adne + '"ll o' ereni$y+ !"mili$y and lo%e. S$ I aa# $!e Syrian (ri$e + "No one /nows the ;oy whi+h +ones *ro! tears, sa.e he who has ,i.en his soul o.er to this la-our$" I$ i $!" $!ro"*! a''li#$ion in C!ri $ $!a$ *ladne and <oy are born. He (!o #an 'eel $!e e $!in* (ill 'eel $!e *rea$ne + $!e in#om&arable bea"$y o' Or$!odox i#on + $!o"*! &re en$ly !e may 'ind $!em re&"l i%e+ &er%aded a !e i by $!e &iri$ o' $!e (orld. Here i !o( Sain$ Symeon $!e Ne( T!eolo*ian de #ribe $!e #!an*e (!i#! o##"r on $!e #o"n$enan#e o' $!o e (!o &ro*re in an#$i$y; "I /now so!e a!on, you," aid !e $o !i di #i&le + "who parta/e o* the +o!!on ta-le with a +ontrite and hu!-le heart, yet do not e.en eat o* the si!ple !eals -e*ore the!, -ut re!ain hidden in silen+e, whose souls are *illed with +o!pun+tion and tears, prayers and suppli+ations, spiritual la-ours and prostrations, whi+h +ause the! to -e trans*or!ed with that ,ood trans*or!ation, and who ha.e a+Auired a !ost as+eti+al and -eauti*ul +ountenan+e$" Do yo" ee !o( $!i *rea$ Fa$!er o' $!e C!"r#! #on ider a #e$i#al bea"$y+ (!i#! !e #all $!e *ood $ran 'orma$ion@ Tr"ly bea"$i'"l i $!e a #e$i#al #o"n$enan#e o' i#on ; #arnal men+ (!o e &iri$ i o' $!e (orld+ #anno$ &er#ei%e $!i bea"$y+ and $!i i a *rea$ lo $o $!eir o"l. 1N I A= FILLED /HEN I GAQE U7ON >OU

He (!o !a no$ learned $o loo, a$ i#on lo e m"#!G For im&ly $o *a:e "&on $!em *i%e $!e C!ri $ian *rea$ &ro'i$+ (!erea $o *a:e "&on $!e (orldly and a''e#$ed reli*io" &ain$in* o' $!e /e $ #a" e *rea$ !arm. A li$$le $ory borro(ed 'rom $!e 2ateri/on (ill ex&lain be$$er (!a$ I am ayin*; Three *athers had the +usto! o* .isitin, the -lessed Anthony ea+h year$ Two o* the! Auestioned the saint +on+ernin, thou,hts and the sal.ation o* one's soul$ The third as/ed nothin, and /ept Auiet$ A*ter a lon, ti!e, A--a Anthony said to the third& '<ehold, you ha.e -een +o!in, here *or a lon, ti!e now, why do you ne.er as/ !e anythin,'@' and he answered hi!& ')ather, I a! *illed when I ,aHe upon you$ Do yo" ee $!e *rea$ &iri$"al bene'i$ (!i#! e%en $!e i*!$ o' $!e ain$ #an &ro#"re+ e &e#ially $!a$ o' a" $ere a #e$i# o' $!e de er$+ li,e An$!ony $!e Grea$@ T!e ame bene'i$ i al o &rod"#ed by loo,in* "&on $!e i#on . -le ed are $!o e (!o &o e "#! i#on in $!eir !ome and in $!eir &ari ! #!"r#!e . I#on are no$ ornamen$al+ b"$ a#red ob<e#$ . T!ey are no$ &ain$in* + m"ral de#ora$ion + b"$ %e!i#le o' Di%ine Gra#e+ ladder (!i#! lead $o Hea%en+ 'i*"re o' $!in* #ele $ial. T!ey re&re en$ $!e Kin*dom o' Hea%en+ 7aradi e+ (i$! C!ri $ in Hi *lory+ "rro"nded by Hi ain$ + li,e #ele $ial bodie (!i#! re#ei%e $!eir li*!$ 'rom ano$!er+ bein* ill"mined by $!e mi*!$ o' Hi Di%ini$y. I#on are ima*e o' $!e ne( #rea$ion+ o' $!e im&eri !able and e$ernal (orld. T!ey are ima*e o' man5 dei'i#a$ion+ a##om&li !ed by $!e e ion o' $!e (or !i&'"l+ re "rre#$ed body o' $!e Sa%io"r a$ $!e ri*!$ o' God in $!e Hea%en . -enea$! $!e !"mble ma$erial o' $!e i#on $!ere i #on#ealed $!e &o(er o' God+ (!i#! !a an#$i'ied $!e ain$ + and $!ro"*! $!em+ !a (or,ed mira#le . I$ i $!i &o(er (!i#! (e adore (!en (e ,i an i#on (i$! o"r li& . (!en (e (or !i& i$+ (e are adorin* $!e one God in Trini$y. T!e e a#red ob<e#$ #anno$ be 'a !ioned a (e &lea e+ a##ordin* $o o"r #arnal $a $e . nei$!er #an (e &la#e $!em (!ere (e (an$+ li,e &ain$in* in a li%in*9room or el e(!ere+ amon* $!e &ro'ane ob<e#$ o' $!e (orld. In e%ery !ome $!ere !o"ld be a #orner re er%ed 'or !oly ob<e#$ ; !oly (a$er+ $!e Go &el+ $!e (eddin* #ro(n + and !oly boo, + (i$! an oil lam& al(ay b"rnin* 0Ex.4I;4N94l2+ (!ere al o $!ere ari e $!a$ in#en e (!i#! i bo$! &er#e&$ible and &iri$"al; o"r &rayer. E7ILOGUE OF THE T/O GREGORIES )<rethren+) ay Sain$ Gre*ory $!e T!eolo*ian+ "let us not do in an i!pure !anner what is holy, or what is su-li!e in an un+o!ely !anner, or in an unworthy !anner what is worthy$ To -e -rie*, let us not do in an earthly !anner what is ea.enly$ In our reli,ion, all is spiritual& a+tions, !o.e!ents, desires, +on.ersations, !anner o* wal/in,, +lothes, ,estures4 *or the !ind per!eates all these thin,s and !a/es one a !an o* God$" And S$ Gre*ory 7alama (ri$e ; "?ith lo.e shall you !a/e the i+on o* i! ?ho -e+a!e !an *or us$ Throu,h it you will raise your !ind to the worship*ul <ody o* the Sa.iour, ?ho sits at the ri,ht hand o* God in the ea.ens$ Li/e #oses, who !ade the i+ons o* the Cheru-i! in the oly o* olies, you also depi+t the *i,ures o* the saints, and .enerate the!, not as ,ods, *or this is *or-idden(, -ut -e+ause o* the relationship, disposition and surpassin, honour you ha.e *or the! when your !ind is +arried up to the! throu,h the i+ons$ This oly o* olies was a type o* thin,s super=+elestial, and this holy adorn!ent -ore the i!a,e o* the whole world$ #oses +alled these thin,s holy, not ,lori*yin, thin,s +reated, -ut throu,h the! he ,lori*ied God, the Creator o* the world$"

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