The Morning Offering

Wisconsin Sikh
Temple Shooting

We are all Children of Eve

The tragic murder of members of the Wisconsin Sikh temple has left me with a sense of deep sadness. That the adherents of such a peaceful religion should be subjected to such a violent attack based on the false premise that they are members of the Islamic faith, is tragic in itself. Equally tragic is the fact that anyone would see fit to attack another person based solely on their religion.

It is a sad part of our fallen condition that we humans are capable of harboring hatred for another human to begin with, but that such hatred could be translated into a violent attack is unconscionable.

Sikhs have sought to end all caste distinctions and vehemently oppose stratification of society by any means, and have diligently worked to create an egalitarian society dedicated to justice and equality. The turban is seen as a gift of love from the founders of the Sikh religion and is symbolic of sovereignty that is of Divine concession. In Sikhism, the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally is seen as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God's creation. Sikhs believe in the equality of humankind, the concept of universal brotherhood of man and One Supreme God.

That the followers of such a religion should be subjected to such violent attack is not only an attack on them, but an attack on all human decency and goodness. It is an attack on all of us.

As an Orthodox Christian monk adhering to an ancient tradition of covering my head out of respect for God and refraining from cutting my beard and hair, I feel a certain affinity to Sikh men. For years I have nodded my head and smiled, when coming in contact with Sikh men, and have always received a smile in return. It is with a heavy heart that I ask all of my readers to make a special effort to reach out in all love and charity to the Sikh community in your area. Let them know that you grieve with them, and that you stand with them in their right to dress according to their religious faith and conscience. Let them know that not everyone wishes them ill, but that we stand with them in their hour of grief, pain and sorrow.

The Elder Paisius of Mount Athos said, "You will consider everyone your brother or your sister, for we are all children of Eve."

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Monday August 6, 2012 / July 24, 2012

10^th Week after Pentecost. Tone eight.

Martyr Christina of Tyre (300).
Holy Martyrs and Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb of Russia, in holy baptism Romanus and David (1015).
New Hieromartyr Alpheus deacon (1937).
Sts. Nicholas (1942) and John (1951) confessors, priests.
Venerable Polycarp, archimandrite of the Kiev Caves (1182).
New Martyr Athanasius of Nicaea (1670) (Greek).
New Martyr Theophilus of Zakynthos (1635) (Greek).
Venerable Bogolep, child schemamonk of Black Ravine near Astrakhan (1667).
Martyr Hermogenes.
Venerable Pachomius, abbot, on the Lake (1479), friend of Venerable Dionysius of Glushets (Vologda).
St. Bernulphus, bishop of Utrecht (1054) (Neth.).
St. Declan, bishop of Ardmore (Ireland) (5th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Hilarion of Tvali (11th c.) (Georgia).
New Hieromartyr Maximus (Sandovich), who suffered under the Latins, Protomartyr of the Lemko People.
Martyrs Capitio and Hymenaeus (Greek)

You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.

THANK YOU, to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:

All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

The Risen Christ, Our Hope

¹²Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Matthew 21:18-22

The Fig Tree Withered

¹⁸Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. ¹⁹And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree

²⁰And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
²¹So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. ²²And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”