Orthodixie

Help the afflicted. Comfort those in sorrow. You who are strong, help the weak. You who are rich, help the poor. You who stand upright, help the fallen and the crushed. You who are joyful, comfort those in sadness. You who enjoy all good fortune, help those who have met with disaster. Give something to God in thanksgiving that you are of those who can give help, not of those who stand and wait for it; that you have no need to look to another’s hands, but that others must look to yours. Grow rich, not only in substance, but also in piety; not only in good but also in virtue; or rather, only virtue. Be more honored than your neighbor, by showing more compassion. Be as God to the unfortunate, by imitating the mercy of God. For in nothing do we draw close to God as in doing good to man. Though God does the greater things, the man the less; yet each, I believe, according to his capacity. He made man; and when man was undone, He remakes him. Never despise fallen man … never refuse to do good to those who have need of you … Give help. Help others to live. Give food, clothing, medicine, apply remedies to the afflicted, bind up their wounds, ask about their misfortunes, speak with them of patience and forbearance, come close to them; you will not be harmed, you will not contract their affliction (i.e., leprosy), even though the timid believe this, misled by foolish talk … Have confidence! Let compassion overcome your timidity; the fear of God your softness. Let the love of your fellow man rise above promptings of self love. Do not turn away your face from him, as from something terrible, something fearful, to be shunned and disowned. He is your own member, though his calamity has deformed him. The poor man have been left to you as to God; though you should pass by ever proud in spirit. Perhaps I have shamed you, saying these things to you. But I have set before you the rule of the love of your neighbor; even should those who are hostile turn you away from accepting it. Whoever journeys on the sea is close to ship-wreck; the nearer, the more boldly he navigates.

— St John Chrysostom

The prophet Isaiah tells us that we should not, as some think, love only our own people; rather we should say to those who hate and curse you, “You are our brothers!” And the Gospel also simply says, “Love those who hate and curse you.”

— Theophilus of Antioch

God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

— St Augustine

This is the rule of the most perfect Christianity … CARING FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR. Indeed, even though you fast, or sleep on hard ground, or even suffer unto death, yet take no thought for your neighbor, you have done nothing great; despite what you have done, you still stand far from this model of a perfect Christian.

— St John Chrysostom

And as we by our prayers vanquish all demons who stir up war, and lead to the violation of oaths, and disturb the peace, we in this way are much more helpful to the kings than those who go into the field to fight for them. And we do take our part in public affairs, when along with righteous prayers we join in self-denying exercises and meditations, which teach us to despise pleasures, and not be led away by them. And none fight better for the king than we do. We do not indeed fight under him, although he requires it; but we fight on his behalf, forming a special army — and army of piety — by offering our prayers to God.

— Origen

Regarding my article, Gay … But Not Funny, a recent commenter stated:

Churches have every right to state their views on sexual morality. Nevertheless, the question is whether in a pluralistic democracy, should we legislate how people conduct their private interpersonal relationships by criminalizing gay conduct? If so, we must then also make non-biblical divorce and remarriage illegal and prosecute extra-marital sexual behavior.

Legalizing gay marriage is a little different, of course, but the question must be taken outside the conduct of what the religious ideal of marriage is.

Some view any consumption of alcohol a sin. Should this belief dictate that we return to Prohibition or vote on banning its sale?

Kinda …

The three priests [listed below] elected for the sacred episcopacy at the Fall Meeting of the Local Archdiocesan Synod of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America will be consecrated on December 3rd, 4th and 5th in Damascus at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (al-Mariamiyeh). At this time it is not known which Bishop Elect will be consecrated on which day.

At the Fall Meeting of the Local Archdiocesan Synod, which convened under the presidency of His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Friday (10/19) in Naples, Florida, the following priests were elected for the sacred episcopacy in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America:

1 – ARCHIMANDRITE THOMAS JOSEPH of St Nicholas/Pinellas Park, FL, is Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the East.

2 – ARCHIMANDRITE RAFEEK MUFARRIJ of St Mary/Hunt Valley, MD, is Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Ottawa and Upstate New York.

3 – PRIEST MARK MAYMON of St George/Grand Rapids, MI, is Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest.

No dates have yet been set for their consecrations.

May God preserve them & grant them many years!