Antioch Alexander

Brethren, it is the God Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. While we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that He Who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so t

Blessed are the rich,  for theirs is this kingdom. Blessed are they who bring death,  for they bring choice. Blessed are the strong,  for they shall take what they want. Blessed are the gluttons,  for they have their fill. Blessed are the vengeful,  for they bring about justice. Blessed are the warmongers,  for they create jobs and profits. Blessed are they who hound and persecute,  for they preserve our culture. Blessed are they who are loved and cherished by all,  rejoice, for they bring happiness to millions.* This is the lie of society: these are the blessings of the minority, the elite.  Our society has duped the masses top accept this lie even though it cannot happen, it cannot work, for the majority. The Orthodox Church proclaims differently, the blessings of God are available to all irrespective of circumstance.  God sees our sufferings and enters into them, endures them alongside us, that we may make ours an opportunity to receive God in our hearts.

Brethren, working together with Him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For He says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labours, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich;