Confiteri: Judge Moore Loses. Now What?

There is no lack of downcast Evangelicals in Alabama and in other States over the defeat of Judge Roy Moore in that State’s Senate election. Seeking to console them, some have observed that God is still on His throne, that He is still reigning over the earth. This is true and a great comfort, but He does not violate man’s free will. If we choose to act foolishly and sinfully, He will not stop us, and things will go badly for us. So we must act in a way that is wise and righteous if we want His good and peaceful reign to be manifest amongst us.

What do such actions look like? Politically, it is the rejection of both individualism and collectivism in favor of a true Christian hierarchy with a king at its head.

In the ghostly realm, to name one thing, it is the honoring of the saints. Does this really help anyone, though? It does. St Ignatius Brianchaninov (+1867) says that if one wishes to be holy, he must spend time with holy people, just as those who want to be good scientists should mingle with good scientists, etc. (The Field: Cultivating Salvation, Holy Trinity Publications, p. 26, http://www.holytrinitypublications.com/Book/357/The_Field.html). They help individuals in their journey to salvation, but also whole countries. How were the countries under communism able to throw it off? With the help of the prayers of the millions of New Martyrs and Confessors who suffered in those places.

Likewise, if Alabama, or the South, or Kansas, etc. want to see Christianity flourish in their lands, they must call out to the saints. They are members with us in the one Body of Christ, the Orthodox Church; we need them as the hand needs the eye, etc.:

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Source: I Corinthians 12:20-1, KJV, https://www.christiananswers.net/bible/1cor12.html, opened 15 Dec. 2017

Furthermore, they are the righteous ones whose prayers accomplish much:

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Source: James 5:16, KJV, https://www.christiananswers.net/bible/james5.html, opened 15 Dec. 2017

A good place for those in North America to begin is St Herman of Alaska, a principal enlightener of this continent, one of whose feast days was celebrated a couple of days ago on Dec. 13^th. His life is available here:

https://oca.org/saints/lives/2016/08/09/102241-glorification-of-the-venerable-herman-of-alaska-wonderworker-of

A hymn written in his honor begins,

FIRST KONTAKION

O Chosen Doer of Wonders, most glorious favorite of Christ,

our God bearing Father Herman, Alaska’s adornment,

the joy of all Orthodox in America.

We sing to you, our heavenly protector and powerful intercessor

before God, these songs of praise.

Cease not to pray for your children, who cry fervently to you:

Rejoice our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska,

America’s most glorious doer of wonders.

FIRST IKOS

Father Herman, the Creator of the angelic hosts called you to proclaim

the Orthodox faith in a new land and to be the founder of the

monastic way in the remote lands of the north. You were sent, as

was the Apostle Paul, to those sitting in darkness so that the light of

Orthodoxy might illumine all the ends of the earth. We, the inhabitants

of the American continents, bring you, our heavenly protector,

this thanksgiving and sing you this song of praise:

Rejoice, our Father Herman, our glory, our adornment;

Rejoice, bearer of the light of the true faith to our lands;

Rejoice, ascetic glorified by God;

Rejoice, most honored branch of Valaam Monastery;

Rejoice, praise and joy of the Church in America;

Rejoice, comforter and protector of all of us;

Rejoice, our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska,

America’s most glorious doer of wonders.

Source: http://oca.org/PDF/Music/Nasts/sthermanakathist.pdf, downloaded 21 Nov. 2017

Those in each region of North America and the world will have saints dear to them and their peoples. Let us be diligent in learning about them, praising them, and praying to them for the sake of our peoples, the whole world, and lastly for ourselves.