Panagia - Tumblr Posts

“If a person wants to get an idea about the pyramids of Egypt, he must either trust those who have been in immediate proximity to the pyramids, or he must get next to them himself. There is no third option.

In the same way, a person can get an impression of God: he must either trust those who have stood and stand in proximity to God, or he must take pains to come into such proximity himself.”

+ St. Nikolai Velimirovich

"Panagia, from the height of her glory, is heard to say to all Christians who are tempted here: 'Faithful children of the heavenly Father, have strength. What do you fear? Death? But death is the gateway to the new life. Here on high where I am there is a new life, which no one on earth could even begin to imagine. This life is preordained for those who will live with faith and virtue. Here there is no partiality. My Son is the just Judge. When I was below on the earth, I heard voices that blessed me, for I was made worthy to become His Mother, and He said that, in the cycle of blessedness, it would not be me alone who gives Him birth, but for all those who hear Him and keep His word. For Christ is born spiritually in every soul who believes in Him and worships Him as the only Savior. 'Yea of a truth, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.' (Luke 11:28) Therefore, I invite you all to the glory of Heaven'."

~Bishop Avgoustinos, Homily II On the Dormition of the Theotokos

(Image via ekklisiaonline.gr)

In order: Panagia Tricheroussa (Three-Handed Icon of the All-Holy), Panagia Paramythia (Mother of Consolation), Panagia Portaitissa (Keeper of the Gate), Icon of Christ the Pantocrator, Panagia of Jerusalem (flanked by Archangel Michael and Gabriel).

I have to light all of the vigil lamps in my house when I’m unable to go to the monastery for a feast day, in this case, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8).

I hope you all have a blessed Feast, and may the Panagia be with us all.

I neglected posting this earlier but I was able to meet the Myrrhstreaming Icon of the Panagia, the Softener of Evil Hearts, while I was in Manila. (It was Divine Providence, I tell you because I wasn’t even supposed to be on the island while it was in Parañaque but that’s another story.)

We held a Moleben service at the small house church and during the Paraklesis, the icon began showing forth smatterings of blood or red liquid of some sort around the face of the Virgin and some around the edges as well. It was very interesting because they “bloomed” on the glass, it wasn’t dripping into or from the icon but rather appeared as if from thin air. It was extremely fragrant, and at some moments during our prayers, it was like the fragrance grew more potent.

Issues with the KJV; Part II - Veneration of Mary and Saints

Worship and Divine Service

In modern English, the term "worship" (like the term "prayer") has mainly come to mean "an act offered exclusively to God." However, the original and official meaning of this word used to be much broader - as was the case of the Greek word proskyneo (προσκυνέω), which is normally applied to God, but also to human beings.

The idea conveyed by proskyneo is that of "offering obeisance," "making a physical demonstration of veneration and respect," or "prostrating oneself." (To put it extremely casually, like a curtsy.) In contemporary Orthodox terminology, the equivalent of proskyneo is often "venerate."

In the EOB, proskyneo is translated as "to express adoration" while it is often translated in the KJV as "to worship."

On the other hand, the Greek word latreia is exclusively used in reference to God.

In the EOB, latreia (λατρεία) is translated as "offering divine service" while it is translated in the KJV also as "to worship."

The Problem

So there is this issue of the KJV as it is today - with its immeasurable influence upon modern theology, the English language, and the Sola Scriptura doctrine professed by Protestant Christianity (and therefore the world) - combining two different words, proskyneo and latreia, under one translation: "worship."

The point of dissension that now comes up is that when those of the Old Religions, which existed before the King James Version, venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary, Protestants often denounce the Old Religions' disposition towards the Blessed Theotokos because their theology relies either wholly or partly on the KJV and the KJV tells them that proskyneo and latreia are the same thing, when historically - as attested to us by the oldest translations of the Bible - veneration and worship have never been the same thing.

To argue that veneration and worship are the same thing is like saying that criticism and insults are the same thing, or complimenting and confessing undying love is the same thing. They are markedly different.

The Old Religions -- the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and Church of the East -- don't offer latreia (worship) to the saints but they offer proskyneo (veneration).

As a last exhibit, I will show to you Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8 where Christ quoted the Ten Commandments and said "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (KJV) / "You shall express adoration to the Lord your God, and to Him only shall you offer divine service." (EOB)

For the sake of understanding, I will adapt the KJV to this:

"Thou shalt proskyneisis the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou latreusis."

That said, proskyneia or veneration for humans, saints, was never forbidden, but it is clear to all of us that latreia or worship is offered only to God.