Spiritual Talk by Fr. Dcn. Joseph Makdessi
Father Deacon Joseph Makdessi gave a spiritual talk in the Cathedral Hall on the evening of October 29th, 2024. The topic of the evening was “Transformative Encounters with the Lives of the Saints”
Fr Dcn Joseph’s talk was illuminating and inspiring, providing insights into the lives of the saints and our relationship to them and their relationship with Jesus.
The Early Church
Dcn Joseph commenced his talk by providing some historical context around the early church as the basis for some of our Traditions. The early church was dominated by small communities who did not have the church buildings we take for granted today. The Holy Eucharist – the centre of religious life, and pinnacle of our faith, was celebrated on the tombs of the martyrs. This is the reason why we have relics from the saints in our altars. As Christianity became more widely adopted, churches were built around these tombs.
The Iconoclast Heresy
The Iconoclast heresy of the 8th and 9th Century brought to the fore the issue of the veneration of the saints and icons. Iconoclasts did not believe that there could be a mediator, however this goes against our teachings. We venerate the saints through the icons, but we worship God.
What is a saint?
The word saint comes from the Greek agios, which implies a person who is different (or ‘set apart’) from other people. A saint reflects the characteristics of Jesus, makes God’s goodness attractive, and draws people to God.
Saints are human, are forgiven sinners from every background, race, colour and vocation. Saints are parents or single, rich and poor in material belongings, soldiers, politicians, workers and professionals. Saints live in the world, but are not of the world.
Saints represent the hands of God through which His works are accomplished.
Saints are alive and miracles attest to this reality of intercession.
As we pray to and for the Saints, they pray and intercede for us.
God’s light shines through the saints.
Most importantly, saints were fully aware of their weaknesses and acknowledged them, but depended upon God’s strength which was perfected and manifested in their weakness.
The Synaxarion and reason for reading this
Fr Dcn Joseph talked about the importance of reading the Synaxarion (the Synaxarion is a comprehensive collection of saints’ lives for public worship and personal prayer, based on the work of St Nikodemos the Hagiorite).
Fr Dcn Joseph advised that we should read the Synaxarion, even for a few minutes a day. The reason for this is (a) it provides inspiration for us, and (b) it provides a roadmap and way to follow in their footsteps.
If you are able to read the Synaxarion on a daily basis, it will provide spiritual purification, enlightenment and nourishment, and these readings will stay with you for the remainder of the day.
Fr Deacon Joseph finished by talking more generally about the practice and art of reading in the context of the Orthodox Church’s books and teaching, highlighting that reading should not be a task focussed event, that we should not read to finish a book, but read to be transformed.
Thank you, Father Deacon Joseph, for your words of spiritual wisdom and encouragement!
