We recall that first, breathtakingly beautiful temple of Solomon, where by Moses design, golden icons of the heavenly cherubim surrounded the Ark, in the Holy of Holies. We recall that throughout biblical history, the beauty of holy icons and divine worship stood as a powerful sign and a witness of God s blessing of material creation, and indeed, of God s own taking on flesh and dwelling in our midst. In our contemporary North American diaspora home we have also come to recognize other ways of ministering these same truths. Parish programming, preaching, rational comprehension, study groups, academic theology, social activism and political engagement all have a unique appeal to Christians living in these United States. And certainly all of these things have important places in the life of the Orthodox East as well.
Parish programs are valuable tools.
They create opportunities for fellowship, give a sense of belonging and help strengthen Orthodox Christian identity. Motivating sermons also contribute to the edification of God s people, as they prophetically proclaim and teach the divine Scriptures and traditions of our holy ancestors. So too, understanding with the mind, group study and learning opportunities, as well as theological development are all good and noble endeavors. Together with countless other saints, the Three Hierarchs taught us the importance of learning by their very lives, traveling to the distant Academy of Athens to acquire formation in the literature, arts and sciences of their day. One of them, St. Basil the Great, showed us that social activism also has a critical place in our Tradition, as he advocated for mercy and justice for all before the powers that be , and did all within his means to undo the bonds of poverty and abuse in his own Cappadocian world.